Peace to you...

well, it's been a weekend of slow transformation...

my angel pickle...

the only breakable on the tree this year...

babies...

everything else is non breakable...

we had to dig and dig through the ornament totes...

but we are so happy with the way it turned out...

and I had Craig pull down my wonderful crystal vase that Steve got for me many years ago...

and it was my best friend, Rebecca that rang him up that night...

I just grabbed a strand of colored lights...

and shoved them in...

DH loves colored lights...

I lean toward the white...

so we compromise...

and with the lights inside...

it shows all the details...

the guys got the outside lights put up this  morning...

not many...

everything is minimal this year...

well, for us anyway...

and there is a special peace in that...

the second round of antibiotics are starting to work...

the boil burst last night...

the pain is gone...

I am just a little sick to my tummy sometimes...

I get tired very easily yet...

so it made me slow down...

and Craig and I have been decorating a couple areas a day this week...

which would have normally been done in a couple hours...

but slowing down is like letting the chocolate melt slowing...

savoring each moment...

drawing it out for as long as possible...

when did hurry become a way of life?

we need to slow down and enjoy our time here...

our life...

a gift...

our family...

a gift...

our friends...

a gift...

to open slowly and hold onto for as long as possible...

that's what I learned this week...

be the tortoise...

that each moment I am given matters...

not to be just passed...

little things are special, too...

we had spaghetti...

chili later this week...

DH made a trip to town this morning for a few things...

one was a new toilet set...

years ago, he brought home a cushy one because of my boils on my thighs...

he new it as so hard for me to sit on the potty when I have these...

but that seat lost its cushy, and was just worn out...

so he got a new one today...

and oh, my gosh!

he didn't buy it at Walmart...

Mayfield...

made in the USA...

and the quality is just- oh, my...

how many things have we just settled for because we can just grab it at Walmart?

now, here's my question for you tonight...

How many times have you just settled for so called peace?

not God's peace, but what you thought was peace...

only...

to one day figure out that the only true peace...

comes from resting in the arms of God?

letting him wrap his arms around you when you pray...

walking through life each day holding his hand as he walks beside you...

not looking up to find Him...

but beside you...

and feeling that gentle squeeze of His hand while His fingers are interlocked with yours...

knowing that He loves you more than you think you are worth being loved...

don't settle...

insist on Made By God...

vintage Christmas angels...

here are some of my favorites...

you may have them already...

but just in case you don't...

this has been a not so good week for me...

but I finally feel on the mend....

got ahold of the doctor on Friday and he called me in another round of antibiotics...

hopefully, this will do it...

DH worked yesterday and I am not moving that well...

but Craig drug out a few boxes and a small tree...

and we have decided that's all we are going to do this year...

not sure if the outside stuff is going up today or not...

it's raining...

;(

oh, well...

next weekend is calling for snow and lower temps...

I'll try to get some photos of the decor today...

Craig said something about it being a chili day...

I'm hoping for spaghetti...

and garlic bread...

I'll let you know who wins...

a letter

Lord, today a monkey wrench was thrown into my plans...

you know me, God, always planning things out...

and I know your hand is on that monkey wrench...

but bear with me as I adjust my way of thinking...

I know you know what's best...

and I know it's not in my time, but yours...

and I believe it will happen when it happens...

so forgive the mini panic attack earlier...

how quick I found out my plan wouldn't work at all...

that we just can't do that...

so...

here I am, God...

waiting for your plan...

you'll do it better anyway...

you can fix what's broken...

heal the sick...

raise the dead...

I believe in you...

Your goofy kid- Tete

for you...

I so love vintage artwork...

the details they put in just simple little postcards...

and the thrill they must have brought when they arrived in the mail...

a world that didn't include department stores...

many baubles...

practical homes with necessities...

no decorating magazines and no blogging buddies...

a simple postcard could have easily been the only bling one would get...

imagine the importance of one simple gesture...

I know you are going to grab this one...

I love the colors and texture of her sweater...

those little chaps are just darling...

Doug has a dentist appointment this afternoon...

trying a new dentist out...

Craig is driving him there and will help communicate for him...

our family dentist passed away and we have been so lost without him...

it's really hard to find an honest one...

one who has your best interest at heart...

and not just their bank accounts...

Doug needs some major work done, but for today its just an exam and xrays...

he is so nervous...

;)

but he will be ok today...

Craig went in and picked him up yesterday afternoon after he got back from the vet...

the babies checked out fine and are in the next foster home waiting for Saturday's adoption day at Petsmart in Terra Haute, Indiana...

they may come back here if they don't find a forever family this weekend...

but I think we will never see them again...

who could resist those faces?

it is quiet around here, but we still have 2 small ones, about 4 months now...

they are still funny and really getting into trouble more and more...

BeauBeau is rotten and Tori the investigator...

she has to check out everything and he has to pounce on it...

he took off after Bebe today and I don't think that was appreciated...

the look of terror in his eyes was priceless...

they have had such a big day, they are all napping now...

getting ready for this evening to do it all over again...

How to give...

Matthew 6:2
"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
6:3- But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
6:4- so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you openly.


As we are coming into the giving season, just a reminder of how God wants us to do it, now and the rest of the year.  I know it is so easy to get caught up in things and to want to see the results of our labors, but it is not for us to know.
God will let you know where, when and what he wants you to do.  AND- if you are on the other end, not having someone to thank can be hard, too.  You don't know where or who it came from, but you really do. Somewhere along the way, you whispered a prayer.  He heard you and sent what you needed, and that's all you need to know.  Need someone to thank?  Thank God for answering your prayers.  
For God's glory, not ours.   It's that simple.  There's no one on earth who can reward me like my Father can.  Amen.