Perfect words for an imperfect time

I never ceased to be amazed at God's perfect timing. As much as I try to remember it when dealing with the unknown, I often fail. Today his timing came for me through the way of my devotional. I'm in a stage of my life where I'm dealing with a lot of disappointment and uncertainty. As blessed as I certainly am, there are some big "What if" questions in my life including my career and when God will bless us by allowing our family to grow. I'm trying my best to put my trust in Him, but I find the human part of me getting in the way. He sent me a perfect message today to remind me of why I feel like I do right now. It mentions situations totally beyond my ability to handle them. I have many of those that I have been playing tug-of-war with God over the past few months. I really am in a position now where I have no control over what is going to happen next. It amazes me how perfect these words are for me today.

The devotional comes from Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young. It is written as if God is speaking to us directly, and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a short one page devotional to refer to each day. I was blessed to receive this copy from my mother, and I have not only used it for myself but also shared it on occasion with the youth that I work with. (I do not claim to own this material. All rights belong to the author & publisher.)

August 18

EXPECT TO ENCOUNTER ADVERSITY in your life, remembering that you live in a deeply fallen world. Stop trying to find a way that circumvents difficulties. The main problem with an easy life is that it masks your need for Me. When you became a Christian, I infused My very Life into you, empowering you to live on a supernatural plane by depending on Me.

Anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities; situations totally beyond your ability to handle. This awareness of your inadequacy is not something you should try to evade. It is precisely where I want you--the best place to encounter Me in My Glory and Power. When you see armies of problems marching toward you, cry out to Me! Allow Me to fight for you. Watch Me working on your behalf, as you rest in the shadow of My Almighty Presence.

Revelation 19:1; Psalm 91:1

I hope these words bless you today as much as they have blessed me.

From then...to now. Oh, how she grows.

With the exception of the first picture below (that I took), the rest of the pictures below are from my mother-in-law's camera. She got a digital camera back at Christmas, and since she's not very computer savvy, all of her pictures since Christmas just got developed at Wal-Mart. I borrowed the disks from her to get some pictures that I knew Josh & I would enjoy. I'll post a few of them over time.

I noticed as I flipped through the pictures how much Christianna has grown. I had forgotten how small she was!

November 2010 (less than a week old)

Christmas 2010
January 2011 (I had the special opportunity to feed her the first bottle she ever had. (Mom & Dad were out celebrating their anniversary.)
Valentine's 2011
Spring 2011 (Sleeping on Papaw's hand) So cute!
Summer 2011
A few weekends ago.
Oh, how she grows. I'm looking forward to Josh & I having our own children one day. For some reason, Jud & Jenny won't let me take this one. lol.

Cute craft

The lion puppet pictured above came from one of the kits pictured below.

I found them at Hobby Lobby the other day, and I thought that they were just too cute. They are super simple to make. The felt (hand-sized) puppets come with pre-punched holes that you "sew" with the floss & needle provided. As you can tell from the lion, I went with a slightly different stitch than pictured. I thought it might hold up better. I then took the pre-cut pieces & glued them on with tacky glue and let them sit over night.

Honestly, crafty people, such as myself, could probably look at the pictures and make their own patterns for felt, but for only $4.99 for four puppets, and all of the patterning, cutting, and hole punching work already done for me, I really didn't mind paying the price. Also, if you use one of the 40% coupons found online most weeks, then you could get it cheaper if it is not already on sale. I plan to use mine in a dramatic play center one day or for story sacks.

So, for those of you reading my blog who have small children. This might be a craft you would like! ;)

Oh, how things grow...

Summer 2008

Summer 2009

Winter 2010

Summer 2011

My cedar tree, which my husband begrudgingly planted in our yard back in 2008, is growing quite nicely. My Aunt Sandie & I dug it up as a small sapling back when I was in college for my undergrad degree. Look how it has grown! (My friend, Laura, is picture next to me in this last photo.)

It's consignment sale time!

My friends with children or who work with children...it's consignment sale time in Tennessee! Why the picture? Well, because it feels like Christmas when you can get great deals on fantastic stuff. (Oh, the sadness...I see that I'm wearing snowman earrings in that picture. I lost one of them around Christmas one year. Why do I always lose the ones that I can't make again? *sob*)

Bow to Toes starts this next week. Cheri Cresswell does this sale, and she is a very sweet woman. She used to run the Jack and Jill sale in Chattanooga. This sale is new to the area, but it has quality items.

http://www.bowstotoessale.com/

Ashley Lauren starts the week of August 22nd. It's always a great selection.

http://alc4kids.wordpress.com/

Jack and Jill is still a while away. It doesn't start until Labor Day. I haven't been since Cheri used to run it, but when I did go, I was always very pleased. HUGE selection.

https://jackandjillsale.com/Home_Page.php

My day

I spent the day at home. It started early. For some reason I woke up after only 5 1/2 hours of sleep. I decided to get up, and I made myself some breakfast (bacon, eggs, cheese toast, & OJ). When I stepped outside this is what I saw. It has been quite foggy up here lately.
I spent the day doing some cleaning & housework. I did end up taking a mid-morning nap which helped with my sleep deprivation. Later in the day, I saw something so cute I couldn't help but grab my camera. Homer is just so precious! ;)


Later in the day I noticed that my friends were back. They must have gotten out again. They wandered close to the house after a while. I got a chance to pet them. As far as I know they are still outside munching on our grass.
Now that it is evening I am blogging, sorting through curriculum ideas, and cutting out laminated file folder items. I'm also filling out my craft fair applications for fall. I'm planning on doing Foothills & Nillie Bipper. I'm debating doing the Cleveland Apple Festival. Has anyone been recently? Do they have a good crowd? I'm back to working on my other stuff.

Scenes from around our yard

I'm amazed at how pretty weeds can be. This one sprung up in our front bed.It must be the season of love for ladybugs because every time I am out at my cucumbers I find more of them procreating. Oh, nature.

Our Black-Eyed Susans are in full bloom.

One of my herbs went to bloom, and it produces some pretty flowers too. I really don't think I'm supposed to let them flower though....oh well.