Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
~ Abraham Lincoln
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
...to give
@dictionary.com there are lots of definitions for the word give. For the content of my post today, I am only going to use a few of them that are most relevent to my thoughts and some things I have been thinking about and working thru:
II Corinthians 9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Giving takes effort. Giving takes time. Giving takes motivation. Giving takes planning. Giving takes putting someone else first...yourself last. Giving takes continuing in a difficult situation that doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Giving means you let that go without any expectation of return. Giving means you are not cold in your attitude. Giving means you are rewarded for your hard, very hard work; sometimes not in the way you expect, sometimes not in this life, sometimes never from the individual(s) involved...but giving 100% selfless brings peace. Giving means you see a need and are willing to fulfill it to the best of your ability. Giving takes a pure heart. Giving dissolves your own hurts. Giving takes focus. Giving provides a bigger picture to the problems at hand. Giving makes friends. Giving requires sacrifice. Giving makes someone feel special. Giving is a gift. Giving is love. Giving gives life.
What does it mean to you to give? How do you give? When do you give? When do you quit giving? Can you give too much? Is it possible to give too little? Do you struggle to give? Do you benefit from giving? What are your thoughts about giving???
give =
to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; bestow;
to impart or communicate; to furnish, provide, or proffer;
to relinquish or sacrifice; to apply fully or freely;
to be warm and open in relationships with other persons
to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; bestow;
to impart or communicate; to furnish, provide, or proffer;
to relinquish or sacrifice; to apply fully or freely;
to be warm and open in relationships with other persons
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Giving takes effort. Giving takes time. Giving takes motivation. Giving takes planning. Giving takes putting someone else first...yourself last. Giving takes continuing in a difficult situation that doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Giving means you let that go without any expectation of return. Giving means you are not cold in your attitude. Giving means you are rewarded for your hard, very hard work; sometimes not in the way you expect, sometimes not in this life, sometimes never from the individual(s) involved...but giving 100% selfless brings peace. Giving means you see a need and are willing to fulfill it to the best of your ability. Giving takes a pure heart. Giving dissolves your own hurts. Giving takes focus. Giving provides a bigger picture to the problems at hand. Giving makes friends. Giving requires sacrifice. Giving makes someone feel special. Giving is a gift. Giving is love. Giving gives life.
What does it mean to you to give? How do you give? When do you give? When do you quit giving? Can you give too much? Is it possible to give too little? Do you struggle to give? Do you benefit from giving? What are your thoughts about giving???
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Quotes
Cherish your dreams, as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.
-Napoleon Hill
-Napoleon Hill
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
CHECK OUT the giveaway!!!
posted@Dreamy Whites
Cabbages and Roses will be giving away a lovely Cabbages and Roses tablecloth and 6 napkins to one lucky reader. Valued at $185.00.
You get to choose from three different Cabbages and Roses patterns:
...just beautiful!
check out the book...
check out the book...
Quotes
In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.
― Tom Bodett
― Tom Bodett
Monday, June 7, 2010
5 verses for you Terry
Blessed is the man who keeps on going when times are hard.
James 1:12
Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
Galatians 6:9
I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.
Psalm 91:14
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.
Psalm 18:2
As previously stated a month ago, I have told Terry several times that he needs to pick 5 verses that will strengthen and encourage him in his battles...verses to help him fight the thoughts that invade and consume his mind...that he might be able to combat the lies and find hope in the truth. Here are an additional 5 verses that I will drop by to him tonight on my way home from work.
James 1:12
Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
Galatians 6:9
I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.
Psalm 91:14
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.
Psalm 18:2
As previously stated a month ago, I have told Terry several times that he needs to pick 5 verses that will strengthen and encourage him in his battles...verses to help him fight the thoughts that invade and consume his mind...that he might be able to combat the lies and find hope in the truth. Here are an additional 5 verses that I will drop by to him tonight on my way home from work.
how do you help someone that is hurting?
I wish I knew the answer to this question. I have been pondering it for awhile and I am stuck at square one.
Sometimes you can tell its physical pain and they just don't want to be alive because the pain is so bad. Other times you don't know why their response is cold, distant and short. I mean, you know that we all have bad days, but does that mean you must treat me like this? I love you...my heart achs for you, I want to see you succeed, what can I say to make you feel better? I ask if you are bothered, need to talk, what is on your mind, did I do something wrong, hurt your feelings...you say no...but now I am out of ideas and you are still stiff, rigid and determined to leave this wall up...why??? I know that life has treated you really rough, some of it your own doings but much of it out of your control. Do you know that you have control over you life now? Would you please just believe me?!!
It makes my heart deeply grieved. I want to cry. But will tears proove? I feel I have failed. Done nothing to help you.
So I ask you my friend: How do you help someone that is hurting???
Sometimes you can tell its physical pain and they just don't want to be alive because the pain is so bad. Other times you don't know why their response is cold, distant and short. I mean, you know that we all have bad days, but does that mean you must treat me like this? I love you...my heart achs for you, I want to see you succeed, what can I say to make you feel better? I ask if you are bothered, need to talk, what is on your mind, did I do something wrong, hurt your feelings...you say no...but now I am out of ideas and you are still stiff, rigid and determined to leave this wall up...why??? I know that life has treated you really rough, some of it your own doings but much of it out of your control. Do you know that you have control over you life now? Would you please just believe me?!!
It makes my heart deeply grieved. I want to cry. But will tears proove? I feel I have failed. Done nothing to help you.
So I ask you my friend: How do you help someone that is hurting???
Friday, June 4, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
New Home Gift for a friend...two white throw pillows
I love to be creative...when I was helping a friend recently paint her guest bedroom, we were discussing a shop I absolutely LOVE...Simple Things at the University Shopping Center in Fort Worth. I so love to go in there and browse...see what new ideas they have and just be inspired...someday, I want my house to look just like that place! For now, it is a dream. I wish they had a website, I would post a link so you could dream and be inspired too, but they are just as their name states in the mode of "Simple Things" which means that they keep things very simple and they do not have a website. Anyways, Alisha was sharing with me that she wanted the bed to have lots of different shapes and shades of white pillows but that throw pillows were so expensive. My mind immediately got to thinking of what I could make to start her collection for the guest bed. A couple days later, I dug thru my plastic box of fabric stashed under my guest bed and here is what I made her: two throw pillows, one 16" bolster pillow out of white silk dupioni and one 12" square pique pillow that we may add some buttons, monogram, or other handwork to if she so desires, for now it is plain. Both had invisible zippers so that the casings could be cleaned if she needed to.
"We Can Do It Cheaper" breakdown of the cost for this project:
Both pillow forms were down fill. The square one I obtained from my big stash of pillow forms and I simply do not remember what I paid for it, but lets just assume it was $5.99 as I always try to get these things on sale. The bolster was $8.49 from Tuesday Morning. The fabric was $0.00 as I used scrap pieces leftover from previous projects. Total Cost: $14.48 before tax.
"We Can Do It Cheaper" breakdown of the cost for this project:
Both pillow forms were down fill. The square one I obtained from my big stash of pillow forms and I simply do not remember what I paid for it, but lets just assume it was $5.99 as I always try to get these things on sale. The bolster was $8.49 from Tuesday Morning. The fabric was $0.00 as I used scrap pieces leftover from previous projects. Total Cost: $14.48 before tax.
I should have been doing chores and tasks around the house, but the 2hrs spent working on these was a blast!
Tell me what you think of these two pillows:
the card:
and the inside of the card:
the complete package ready to be delivered:
(and yes I am an avid recycler, so this bag was in my closet,
it isn't as if I was trying to pretend these pillows came from there)
Doesn't it make you want to create some new throw pillows for your couch?
guest bedroom?
your bed? or the patio chair?
ummmm, I do!!!
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I am getting really very frustrated with blogging today...I am trying to simply put The Virginia House button on this post for you to link to We Can Do It Cheaper...but its not working. I am able to save the button as a jpg, but then it doesn't link anywhere when I do it that way as it is supposed to. I have tried multiple times and when I save the encryption that is supposed to automatically make this button thing happen, it does't, I only get "/>. Ugh, somedays I don't know what the heck I am doing wrong. I am very computer literate, but today, nothing is working like it did on a previous post in April when I did this. Frustrating is not even an adequate word to describe what I feel right now.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After the 20th time, it worked...not sure what made it decide to cooperate, but I still have no clue what I was doing wrong. hmmmmmmmmmmm.......
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I think I have figured it out...one of the buttons on my cousins website doesn't have the same lingo as another, so that is why it wasn't working...yah, it wasn't me! :) I let her know and she has fixed it now so it should work for you too.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
update on Terry
Terry had his evaluation today for the outpatient program for Pecan Valley MHMR. He told me that it went well and that he has been given the top of what they can give him for his situation. Since I am new to all this, I asked him what this means. He said that they give you a Level 1 to Level 4 and that he qualified for Level 4. I am grateful and pray that he will utilize this program to its fullest and not miss any of his appointments. PLEASE continue to pray for him, send him notes or calls of encouragement, and reach out to him when you see him. He needs us badly.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
Quotes
Life offers no guarantees...just choices;
no certainty...but consequences;
no predictible outcomes...just the priviledge of pursuit.
- Tim Conner
May Camp 2010
What did you this Memorial Day weekend?
It is our annual christian camp retreat in Oklahoma and I had plans to attend. I had offered Terry to go with me if he wanted unless he wanted to go with someone else. The day before we were to leave, he called me and told me that he was not interested in going as he didn't want to be with a group of people that said "It's good to see you" and not mean it. I told him that wasn't true, there are many that love him and want to encourage him and are very glad he is still alive and participating with us. He went on to say that he feels he is not physically, mentally or spiritually well and therefore didn't belong at the camp. I told him we all need the encouragement and refreshing time spent in Gods Word and that each of us go for this reason. He stayed pretty gloomy in his thoughts so I contacted both Jeff & Weyman not knowing what to do from here, but knowing that I didn't feel that I could leave him alone all weekend with his current state of thinking. He ended up having a talk with Jeff and breakfast with Weyman and got "talked out of it" as he said to me later.
Terry & I were on the road about 08:00am Saturday morning and headed for camp. We left a little later than planned as he had forgotten to turn off his air conditioner and I was still getting a few things prepared for snacks on the road. We stopped and got ice at Sonic and some breakfast and then were off. We made good time even with four stops along the way...I swear that guy has no bladder! We did our meals with Mark & Bev and had a good time just being lazy and chilling outside or in the camper. We stayed at Sheila Harp's place. It was definately blasted hot there! We headed home Monday morning about 08.15am and again made good time with only 3 stops. I asked Terry if he had a good time and was glad he came on Sunday when we were driving back to camp from Sheila's. He said he wouldn't say that he was glad he came but that he had had some good conversations. Well, sounds to me that makes a good time especially with all he has going on right now in his head! I am glad he went and feel it was a good experience for him. I personally didn't come away with any one highlight but a few nuggets that I wish to reflect on.
He will have his evaluation with the rehab center this next Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010. He has not been taking his medicine consistently, by his own doings. Consequently the Texas Department of Rehabilitation will not release him back to work at Goodwill until he is stable for 30days. He has an appointment with his counselor in about 30days. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he works thru some things. It is a day to day thing as to his outlook on life and his demeanor.
It is our annual christian camp retreat in Oklahoma and I had plans to attend. I had offered Terry to go with me if he wanted unless he wanted to go with someone else. The day before we were to leave, he called me and told me that he was not interested in going as he didn't want to be with a group of people that said "It's good to see you" and not mean it. I told him that wasn't true, there are many that love him and want to encourage him and are very glad he is still alive and participating with us. He went on to say that he feels he is not physically, mentally or spiritually well and therefore didn't belong at the camp. I told him we all need the encouragement and refreshing time spent in Gods Word and that each of us go for this reason. He stayed pretty gloomy in his thoughts so I contacted both Jeff & Weyman not knowing what to do from here, but knowing that I didn't feel that I could leave him alone all weekend with his current state of thinking. He ended up having a talk with Jeff and breakfast with Weyman and got "talked out of it" as he said to me later.
Terry & I were on the road about 08:00am Saturday morning and headed for camp. We left a little later than planned as he had forgotten to turn off his air conditioner and I was still getting a few things prepared for snacks on the road. We stopped and got ice at Sonic and some breakfast and then were off. We made good time even with four stops along the way...I swear that guy has no bladder! We did our meals with Mark & Bev and had a good time just being lazy and chilling outside or in the camper. We stayed at Sheila Harp's place. It was definately blasted hot there! We headed home Monday morning about 08.15am and again made good time with only 3 stops. I asked Terry if he had a good time and was glad he came on Sunday when we were driving back to camp from Sheila's. He said he wouldn't say that he was glad he came but that he had had some good conversations. Well, sounds to me that makes a good time especially with all he has going on right now in his head! I am glad he went and feel it was a good experience for him. I personally didn't come away with any one highlight but a few nuggets that I wish to reflect on.
He will have his evaluation with the rehab center this next Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010. He has not been taking his medicine consistently, by his own doings. Consequently the Texas Department of Rehabilitation will not release him back to work at Goodwill until he is stable for 30days. He has an appointment with his counselor in about 30days. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he works thru some things. It is a day to day thing as to his outlook on life and his demeanor.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Quotes
If you want something you've never had, you'll have to do something you've never done.
- Dave Ramsey
- Dave Ramsey
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
sunday reflections
Life is serious. It has its moments of fun and pleasure, but will I deny myself and follow Christ? Some are critical decisions...every decision costs me one way or another.
The Lord makes the difference in my life...only as I allow Him to do so. I have no more value in my life than you. Will I serve Him in sincerity and truth? It is a never ending battle that I have to choose daily lest I become a castaway (a shipwrecked person. anything cast adrift or thrown away. an outcast.). Is truth prevailing in my life?
We each decide whether we will walk by humility and the fear of the Lord to obtain riches, honor and life!
He will give peace in the storm - comfort in trouble - help in our need.
Our Lord has equipped us for our journey!
Tom Collins message today
The Lord makes the difference in my life...only as I allow Him to do so. I have no more value in my life than you. Will I serve Him in sincerity and truth? It is a never ending battle that I have to choose daily lest I become a castaway (a shipwrecked person. anything cast adrift or thrown away. an outcast.). Is truth prevailing in my life?
We each decide whether we will walk by humility and the fear of the Lord to obtain riches, honor and life!
He will give peace in the storm - comfort in trouble - help in our need.
Our Lord has equipped us for our journey!
Tom Collins message today
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
a blessing expressed by Terry
Tonight at meeting, Jeff asked if anyone had any blessings...and Terry stood up and said a few things:
he was thankful for me and for me being faithful to him
thankful for having lunch with Weyman today
and he was thankful to be alive
Wow...this is progress! I don't know if his mindset will stay there, but I sure hope so! Pray for him...
he was thankful for me and for me being faithful to him
thankful for having lunch with Weyman today
and he was thankful to be alive
Wow...this is progress! I don't know if his mindset will stay there, but I sure hope so! Pray for him...
Quotes
Good work habits help develop an internal toughness and a self-confident attitude that will sustain you through every adversity and temporary discouragement.
~ Paul J. Fleyer
~ Paul J. Fleyer
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