Pure Joy

Count it pure JOY, brethren, when you encounter various trials. For the testing of your faith produces endurance.


So this has been how it has been this year, at least since my hubby stopped doing his business.
I guess that is what happens when you pray for change and for a stronger faith.
I think what I wanted was something easy.

But I am Joyful.
I am blessed beyond measure, no doubt.

But when one prays for faith and wisdom, the result is testing, to be made pure as gold.
We've been reading Revelation lately, and it says in the last part that heaven will have streets of pure gold, clear as crystal. Not yellow or white gold, but Clear, being so pure that you can see through it. Have you ever seen gold like that?? Gold that is so shiny we wouldn't be able to look upon it. Amazing. And that's the stuff we'll be walking on. The God that created me is the God that will make that sort of heaven.

And that same God loves us so much. He sent his son to die for us.
I have a son, and I know how much I love him.. I couldn't love enough to do that.
But God does.
The Joy that he brings is immeasurable.

Art for sale..

Decided to post some art for sale again on Ebay.com.
Tell others about it - this first set i have posted would work great in a kitchen or dining area!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110642404678&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT


look for more soon because i am posting more works.

reminder to self.

13:5-6 – Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.  For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”   6 So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?”

all judgements aside..

As a woman, I can't do everything.
What I can do is daily ask God what he desires of me.
It is not about pleasing people.
They or you even reading this, may think of me as weak or any other sort of thing you like,
but ultimately my focus should be on what God thinks of me.

I am so tired of the game that is easily played of working so hard to please others.
Or being so afraid of messing up.
I am going to mess up.
I am going to let someone down on occasion.
But thankfully his grace is sufficent for me.

My prayer today is that I will know each moment what God has for me, and do it with the strength I have and sometimes his supernatural strength we I don't have it on my own.. which of course will happen.

Let this new year be about God's Direction in my life, and letting go of insecurity and fear.
Let it not be about anyone else's opinions of me.
Let it be full of grace and humility.

what is my life?

My life is a blink of an eye.
So spending my time worrying about it won't get me anywhere.
If all I do is love,
I have done it right.


Today, just remember that we are strangers here.
We belong elsewhere.
What would you do different if you knew Christ would return tomorrow?
I've been thinking about that lately, and I know what I want to be, but getting there takes bravery I don't yet posess.



FYI -
What are we up to lately?
- enjoying the snow
- baby caleb is now 10 months old and growing so fast! he gets into everything! he knows how to climb, open cabinets, etc. I have my hands happily full.
- had a great date night last night :) got to go out before the snow came
- we are selling books like crazy and loving every minute of it.
- I am thankful for God's provision.
- Hopeful for the future
- suffering b/c I know this is not my forever home i long for heaven.



Today we're roasting pecans!! yum.

350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

feel like giving?

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Giving/gift_catalog/?pc=13754

click here to give to those truly in need.

2 years of marriage.

I am married to a wonderful, Godly man.
He swept me off my feet at the exact right time in my life..
he could have come before but we both weren't ready.
Thanks be to God for such a wonderful, forgiving, loving man.
I cannot give credit to anyone but God for giving me this gift.
I enjoy every second of it.
For better or worse,
sickness and in health,
for richer, for poorer,
til death do us part.

As i think about these vows, I know that already in just two years we have faced those promises...
if anyone thinks marriage is easy, think again.
We have had to deal with loosing a job and not knowing what to do with a new baby to take care of,
with sickness and strife...
but it's all worth it.
Marriage is difficult. But it is to show God's mercy & goodness.

HAPPY 2 Years (our anniversary is on Dec 20) a little early :)