What I Learned in November

1. Once again, SNOW in November!  Twice!
2. Family is fun!  Here are five of my six children.  I love having the house full!
3. One of my most popular posts is Have You Any Room For Jesus?  This post is popular all year, but especially during the month of December when we are more conscious to make room for Jesus in the midst of Christmas preparations.
4. A few years ago, I wrote an original Christmas Story called The Innkeeper's Son.  I am often asked to share it.  Here it is for you.
5. One in ten children have difficulty with learning to read.  As a special education teacher, I was excited to see this font designed to help learners with dyslexia become readers.  Christian Boer is the graphic designer who developed Dyslexie as a thesis project.  It is available free for home use here.

DIY Carrot Clarinet

     This man, Linsey Pollak, makes a working clarinet out of a carrot with an electric drill and a saxophone mouth piece.  Fun TED talk to watch.

Talk of the Town

     I don’t watch a lot of TV, but when I do it’s more often the Hallmark channel’s sappy romances than the blood and gore of horror movies.
     When I read my Bible, I take a similar path.  I like the “Jesus loves you,” scriptures.  The ones that tell me I am healed, forgiven, and whole in Jesus.  I avoid the messy ones where people are cruel or crazy or killed.  So, I know that this is not a scripture that I’ve shared about before and yet this was where I felt led and ironically, I found a “Jesus loves you scripture” that tells about a madman in a graveyard.

  Jesus and the disciples arrived on the other side of the sea in the country of the Gerasenes. As Jesus got out of the boat, a madman from the cemetery came up to him. He lived there among the tombs and graves. No one could restrain him—he couldn’t be chained, couldn’t be tied down. He had been tied up many times with chains and ropes, but he broke the chains, snapped the ropes. No one was strong enough to tame him. Night and day he roamed through the graves and the hills, screaming out and slashing himself with sharp stones.
 When he saw Jesus a long way off, he ran and bowed in worship before him—then bellowed in protest, “What business do you have, Jesus, Son of the High God, messing with me? I swear to God, don’t give me a hard time!” (Jesus had just commanded the tormenting evil spirit, “Out! Get out of the man!”)
  Jesus asked him, “Tell me your name.”
  He replied, “My name is Mob. I’m a rioting mob.”  Then he desperately begged Jesus not to banish them from the country.
  A large herd of pigs was browsing and rooting on a nearby hill. The demons begged him, “Send us to the pigs so we can live in them.” Jesus gave the order. But it was even worse for the pigs than for the man. Crazed, they stampeded over a cliff into the sea and drowned.
  Those tending the pigs, scared to death, bolted and told their story in town and country. Everyone wanted to see what had happened. They came up to Jesus and saw the madman sitting there wearing decent clothes and making sense, no longer a walking madhouse of a man.
  Those who had seen it told the others what had happened to the demon-possessed man and the pigs. At first they were in awe—and then they were upset, upset over the drowned pigs. They demanded that Jesus leave and not come back.
  As Jesus was getting into the boat, the demon-delivered man begged to go along, but Jesus wouldn’t let him. Jesus said, “Go home to your own people. Tell them your story—what the Master did, how he had mercy on you.” The man went back and began to preach in the Ten Towns area about what Jesus had done for him. He was the talk of the town.  ~Mark 5:1-20, The Message

     The first few verses of Mark 5 describe a man as sad and down trodden as a person could get.  He lived in a graveyard.  He was naked.  He cut himself with sharp objects.  Then Jesus’ boat bumped against the shore of his life and he, and his demons, recognized the Son of God immediately.  He begged Jesus,”Do not torment me!”  This madman’s life was a total disaster and he was afraid that Jesus was about to make it even worse.
     When some of us first glimpse Jesus, we have a similar fear.  We are afraid of what it will cost to follow Him.  Jesus might ask us to give up something of great value.  It could cost the approval of friends, or things that we do for fun or pleasure.  We might be asked to give some money.  We might even be asked to do hard things.
     Jesus responds to the man’s pleas by simply asking, “What is your name.?”  Anyone else would have defended themselves or left, refusing to make eye contact, to not see the need of this scarred, naked man.  But instead, Jesus sent him a message.  “You matter to Me.”
     Jesus knew exactly how to solve the mystery of this man’s broken life.  He sent the demons into a large herd of pigs, who ran squealing into the water and drowned.  Then the pig farmers were concerned about the cost of meeting Jesus.  Jesus had done something great and wonderful, but they were worried about the pigs.  Were they afraid that Jesus would change them, too?
     The delivered man clearly had been changed by the grace of God.  He recognized that Jesus had touched him at his most unloveable.  He was no longer a naked wild man.  He pulled on clothes.  He was able to hold a conversation.  His chains were truly broken and had no power to hold him.  He no longer needed to cut himself to feel.  He was no longer living with the dead in trespasses and sin.  He knew that Jesus did not love him because he was charming, attractive, eloquent, or talented; his former self was none of those things.  He recognized the depth of his healing.  Jesus had delivered him completely.

 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;
  heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
My soul is in deep anguish.
Turn, Lord, and deliver me;
  save me because of your unfailing love.
Among the dead no one proclaims your name.

Who praises you from the grave?
     the Lord has heard my weeping.
The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;
  
the Lord accepts my prayer. ~Verse’s from Psalm 6 

     When Jesus was about to leave, the man begged Jesus to let him accompany Him.  He went from begging Jesus to leave, to begging Jesus to take him with Him.  A complete reversal of his former demands.  Instead, Jesus sent him home to his family and friends to share the story of what had happened to him when he met Jesus.  Restored and whole.  Heard and accepted.  The talk of the town. 

Did You Know?

1. Our church celebrated "Trunk or Treat."  Families decorate the trunks of their cars.  Children dress in costume and "trick or treat" from trunk to trunk.  Neighborhood families and church families come.  It is great fun.  I put together a "Paper Moon Photo Booth."  And by 'paper,' I mean two full pieces of paneling.  I'll leave you the picture and post about how we did it, and what we would do differently later this week.
2.  Five of my six children were home for the weekend!  So excited.  Our oldest, Patrick, flew up to visit from Georgia.  Our third son, Brian, drove three hours to visit.  Our weekend was filled with friends and family.  Exactly the way I like it.
   
3. "In sickness and in health."  Few people consider sickness and suffering when choosing a person to marry.  Kevin A. Thompson tells us to ask a vital question, one that he asserts is far more important than how this person will look in the morning or what bad habits they might have that have not yet been revealed.  The Most Overlooked Characteristic of Who You Want to Marry  You want to read this.
4. National Adoption Month:  Four young siblings in separate foster care placements, are hoping that a special someone will hear their plea to be adopted together.  See their plea here.  There may be children in your town or city who are looking for someone to love and adopt them. 

National Adoption Awareness Month

     Did you know that November is National Adoption Awareness Month?  As an adoptive parent this speaks to my heart.  Wynter, from Made to Mother, is celebrating Adoption Month by hosting an adoption series on her blog.  She will be sharing the real stories of adoptive mothers, adoptees, birth mothers, and adoption organizations.
     Wynter was a twenty year old college student when she was faced with a heart wrenching decision that resulted in giving her son up for adoption.   You can read her story at Made to Mother or purchase her book, The Secret Inside of Me on Kindle (affiliate link).

    Wynter is sharing our adoption story later this month.  I am so excited to participate.

Things I Learned in October

      Here are the things that I learned in October.  

1. We've added some copper accessories to our home and they look wonderful.
   
2. I can make a delicious sandwich famous in Paris Cafe's and my family will EAT it!  Croque Monsieur is a fancy ham and cheese sandwich.  You can find the recipe here. 
   
3. My Pastor wrote a song about the passing of time. 

      It takes a special kind of person to be a Pastor.  Mike is that kind of special.
     Over the years, Mike has prayed with us and supported us in happiness and sorrow.  He sang gently over my father-in-law during his last hours here on earth and prayed with our very large family.  Mike sat with us in the waiting room when our son, Brian, was having surgery.  We have mourned friends together.  He has visited us in hospital rooms.
     There have been joy filled times, too.  Graduations, baptisms, picnics and birthday parties.  Our table sang, a silly love song at Mike and Dawn’s anniversary party.  There were camp meetings and bonfires, VBS nights, and singing around the piano.  There was a trip for couples to Vermont for a marriage conference, where we all bought candles.  There was even the men’s retreat where the men dropped my husband on his head, after they  broke three of his ribs.  There have been debates and discussions ranging from political to spiritual, and so iron sharpens iron.

And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience.  Overwhelm them with appreciation and love.   ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13  The Message

5.  Paint by Number pictures have not lost their appeal.  They are showing up everywhere.  I found this one at a local thrift shop.

     What did you learn this month?

Autumn

  

Masks

     A very long time ago, when I was just a girl, my brother’s and I would go trick or treating on Halloween.  My brother’s were frequently superhero’s.  I was usually a princess.  I know, some things never change.
     Some kids had crafty mom’s who sewed little sequins and ruffles onto dresses or created robots out of cardboard boxes.  My mom was not one of those and so our costumes were most often purchased at a local variety store.  The costume box contained a hospital style gown decorated to look like whatever you were supposed to be and a molded plastic mask with strategically cut holes for eyes and nose. The mask had a thin rubber elastic attached with two tiny staples that were supposed to hold it securely to your face.  I remember Mom peering intently at me, trying to ascertain if I could actually breathe with the mask on.  I could not.  The one-size-fits-no-one mask holes never really lined up with where my nostrils were.  The eye holes didn’t allow for clear vision, either.  Your need for oxygen was pitted against your need to see.  Possibly, I could catch a glimpse of where I was, but no more.  Walking into things was a very real danger.
     I adored my princess mask.  The long yellow waves of painted hair glistened with a sparkly blue crown.  I felt transformed from plain ol’ freckled Donna into a beautiful princess.  But behind the mask, I was blind, asphyxiated, and sweaty.  As much as I wanted to be Cinderella, the truth was that I couldn’t wait to take the mask off, just so that I could breathe again.
     Hiding behind a mask can feel right and safe and even fun for a little while.  Soon though, the effort of being unable to clearly see the world around you, the difficulty of drawing a breath, of being someone that you are not becomes a burden rather than a game.
    We all wear masks from time to time.  There is the church mask, the teacher mask, the good parent mask, and the look how good, kind, caring, dependable, wealthy, spiritual, honest, capable, and politically correct I am mask.  These are the faces that we present on Facebook, at our jobs, and to the greater world.
     We want to show the world our best side, our perfect self, and not admit that inside we are broken, lonely, and needy.
     A few weeks ago, I shared about Mary bathing Jesus feet with her tears, wiping His feet with her hair, and anointing Him with precious perfume.  Mary had removed her mask to sit at her Savior’s feet.  She set every other thing aside and pressed in to Jesus.
     It feels risky to take the mask off.  Like Mary, we may suffer criticism from other mask wearing people.  But God sees the real us, and He, who is love, loves us.
    For you have died and life is hidden with Christ in God.  ~Col. 3:3
    The only covering for a believer is the blood of Jesus,  Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze

      A friend told us about the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze. So of course, we had to go.  (The picture's were taken in 2013.)
     A few notes about the Blaze.  The Blaze is located at Van Courtland Manor in Croton on the Hudson.  It runs from the beginning of October through mid-November.  Tickets sell out weeks in advance.  Put it in your calendar for next year.

    The Blaze was really amazing. Imagine more than 5,000 individually hand-carved and illuminated jack o’lanterns elaborately displayed.  You could walk through the display for a week and still find something that you hadn’t noticed before.

A Jack O'Lantern Devotional

     We all start out like pumpkins.  Out in the pumpkin patch with all of the other pumpkins.  God walks in the garden and selects us out of the world.
     When we say yes to Him, God gently washes us.  Then He lovingly cleans us of the gooey gunk in our hearts.

Tunnel of Love

     God carefully removes the sinful seeds of doubt, pride, bitterness, hate, and guilt from within us.  He replaces them with the seeds of faith, hope, and love.

A huge pumpkin jack in the box.

      Then God carves a new smiling face.    2 Corinthians 5:17 says that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”   Our countenance is forever changed by the power of His presence in our life.

      Like a candle set in our pumpkin head we glow with Jesus, the Son of Light. He shines through our life for all to see. His light shines through us to reveal His presence.

      Jesus said,

You are the light of the world.
A city set on a hill can not be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.”

     Our little pumpkin hearts are never the same with Jesus inside of us.

Copper Sea Shells for Fall

     I hate to put our sea shells away at the end of summer.  In fact, there are some sea shells that I like to leave out year round.  They remind me of special times.  They remind me that even though there was frost in the Hudson Valley last night, eventually, I'll be warm again.  They also remind me that we plan on moving south next year!
     So, I painted my sea shells copper.  They look great!  Copper is showing up in accessories everywhere.  I love copper because it pairs so well with other metals, especially oil rubbed bronze.

     These are small sea shells that we picked up on the beach this summer.  I have them in a bowl in our guest bath.

     I used Rustoleum Hammered Copper spray paint that I had left over from my Vintage Typewriter Table up-cycle.  I just took the shells outside and gave them a quick spray.  On the larger shells, I decided to just paint the inside.  I rimmed them with Frog Tape so that the spray paint wouldn't get on the outside.  (Sorry I was so excited about how the other shells looked that I didn't take a picture of this, but it's easy enough.)
     The extra large shell at top was a planter that I have had for years.  The inside looked a little pitted, but the paint made it look like new.  Now it's a copper eye-catcher.  I use it in our bathroom to hold an extra roll of toilet paper and a hand towel.

     I love how the copper shells gleam in the bowl in contrast to the natural shells.
     Have you added any copper accessories to your house?

Aroma of Christ

     There are some scents that each of us immediately recognize.
          Bacon frying in a pan.
          Fresh cut grass.
          Newly sharpened pencils.
          Coffee in the morning.
    I want to share a few scriptures concerning fragrance.  The first is found in Genesis 8.  Noah finally stepped out of the ark after floating around with a bunch of animals for 377 days.  One of the first things Noah did was to build an altar and offer a sacrifice to express his gratitude and to worship the God who saved him and his family. Genesis 8:21 says that “The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma.”  But it wasn’t just the aroma of a burnt sacrifice that pleased God.  God smelled the pleasing fragrance of Noah’s heart of worship and thanksgiving.
    The second scripture is found in Mark 14 and John 12.  Jesus was in the house of Simon the leper.  Martha was serving dinner - again.  Mary’s tender heart drew her to Jesus.  She broke open an alabaster jar of perfume and anointed Jesus with it.  Mary lavished Jesus with the oil and the fragrance of spikenard filled the room.  Everyone immediately recognized the aroma of this very expensive oil.  Some guests complained at the extravagance and the waste.  The oil, they reasoned, could have been sold and the money used for other, better things.  The spikenard was worth a lot of money.
     The true cost of the oil though was known only to Jesus and to Mary.  To Jesus it was the oil that would anoint Him for the cross.  But what was it worth to Mary?  The spikenard might have been the perfume that was to be saved for her wedding. It was the best she had.  It was all that she had to give.  And so, Mary chose to pour it out on the head and feet of Jesus with generous worship and extravagant love, wiping His feet with her hair and her tears.  It was the scent of adoration.  A sinner pouring out her heart to Jesus as Lord and King.  A sinner with a heart so full of love that everyone around was able to smell the fragrance.
      What is a pleasing fragrance to God?

For we are to God the aroma of Christ to those who are being saved and those who are perishing.   ~ 2 Corinthians 2:15

   We are the fragrance when we help a 90 year old woman over a curb in a parking lot.  We are the fragrance when we minister to a friend.  We are the fragrance when we bring a meal to the hungry, when we send Christmas boxes, when we shovel snow and ice off of the church roof, and when we prepare a sermon or sing a song.  We are the fragrance when we wash the family dishes and socks.  When we serve our family and rake the lawn.  When we pour out the intimate details of our lives with heartfelt adoration at our Savior’s feet.
      There is an unmistakable fragrance that  fills a room when we offer worship through our actions.  When we pour out personal adoration.

     Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  ~Ephesians 5:1-2

    May the everyday actions of our lives be worship.  May we give Jesus all that we have, only you and Jesus will understand the cost.  May we fill our lives with the intimate fragrance of worship pleasing to God.

A Matter of Faith

     A Matter of Faith is a movie coming to theaters this weekend.  It is the story of a young Christian woman in her freshman year of college who finds her faith challenged in many ways.  It is directed by Rich Cristiano and stars Jordan Trovillion, Jay Pickett and Harry Anderson.  A Matter of Faith is rated PG 13 for mild thematic elements.
     Interestingly, Christians and non-christians are talking about it and challenging the creationist viewpoint.  A Matter of Faith is a great opportunity for parents and children to engage in discussions about faith.  As you will see, evolutionism and creationism both require an element of faith.  The question becomes, in whom or what are you placing your faith.
     Our family is going to see A Matter of Faith on Saturday.  You can see the official A Matter of Faith website here to find a theater near you.  Will you be going?

Croque Monsieur

     Harney’s Tea Shop serves a delicious sandwich called Croque Monsieur.  It is magnifique!  Ham and gruyere cheese topped with a pat of dijon mustard, smeared with béchamel sauce and served on sourdough bread.   Pat and I enjoyed this on our recent trip to Millerton.
     Croque Monsieur originated in the cafe’s of Paris.  The word croque means “to crunch’ and monsieur means “Mr.”  The sandwich's first recorded appearance on a Parisian café menu was in 1910.  It can also be served with a poached egg on top.  Of course, then it is no longer Croque Monsieur, but rather Croque Madame.  The egg is said to resemble a turn of the century woman’s hat.
   I tried to re-create this fabulous and fancy ham and cheese sandwich at home.  It was a hit with four out of five of us.  The only hold out was Connor, who wants macaroni and cheese or pizza every night of the week.
     Serving suggestion:  Salad and your favorite cup of tea.  Pat enjoys Paris tea.  I prefer Tower of London.   Mais oui ma cherie.
     I suggest preheating the oven and setting the bread to toast while you are making the béchamel sauce.

Bechamel Sauce with Gruyere Cheese

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 cups warmed milk (I used 2% and it worked fine.)
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup of grated Gruyere Cheese
1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
pinch of nutmeg

 Melt the butter is a saucepan over medium heat.  Add the flour all at once.  Stir with a wooden spoon for about five minutes.
 Slowly pour the milk into the butter/flour mixture.  Whisk to stir until the mixture thickens and is smooth.  Remove from heat.
Off heat add salt and pepper, 1/2 cup of grated gruyere cheese and the nutmeg.  Set aside.

Croque Monsieur Sandwich

12 slices of bread (I couldn’t find sour dough, so I used an artisan bread
12 ounces of Gruyere cheese grated  1/2 cup will go in the sauce.
1/2 pound of Ham  (I used Black Forest Ham sliced thin.)
Dijon Mustard
1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese

 Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
To toast the bread place the slices on 2 baking sheets.  Bake for 5 minutes.  Turn each slice and bake for another 2 minutes until lightly toasted.
Brush half of the slices lightly with the mustard.  Add a few slices of ham.  Layer half of the remaining gruyere cheese.  Layer on a tablespoon of béchamel sauce.  Top with another piece of toasted bread.
Slather the tops with béchamel sauce.  Sprinkle with remaining Gruyere cheese and the Pecorino Romano Cheese.
Bake the sandwiches for 5 minutes.
Turn on the broiler and broil for 3 minutes or until the top is bubbly and lightly browned.
Serve hot.

     I had about 1/2 cup of béchamel sauce left over.  We used it on scrambled eggs and hash browns the next morning.  Yum.

Safe in the Storm

Unknown: See note below.

     About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water.  When the disciples saw him they screamed in terror, thinking He was a ghost.  But Jesus spoke to them at once.  “It’s all right,” He said, “I am here!  Don’t be afraid.”  Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you by walking on water,”
     “All right, come,” He said.  So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink.
     “Save me, Lord!” He shouted.  Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him.  “You don’t have much faith, “Jesus said.  “Why did you doubt me?”  And when they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.  ~Matthew 14:25-32

     When most of the disciples first glimpsed Jesus walking to them on the water, they cried out in terror believing Him to be a ghost, a phantom, something frightening and insubstantial.  A ghost was not capable of dealing with a storm in the real world.  The waves were high. The boat was filling with water and their lives were in danger.  The disciples didn’t want a ghost, they wanted a savior.
     But then Peter boldly called out to Jesus to let him come to Him.  Peter climbed out of the boat onto the raging water.  Peter wanted to be where Jesus was, even if that meant stepping out of the comparative safety of the boat and into the violent storm.  Peter faltered when he saw the waves crashing, and felt the strength of the wind whipping through his hair and clothes.  Bedraggled and wet, Peter started to sink deep into the depths.  But his Saviors hand took a firm grasp on his. Stumbling and clinging, Peter was led back to the boat.  Peter held tight to Jesus. Jesus did not feel like a ghost.  Jesus felt like a rock.  Peter found safety in his Savior’s arms.
     We can falter in our walks, too.  When we focus on our circumstances and take our eyes off the Lord and His promises, we sink into hopelessness and fear.   Peter was clearly afraid, but he knew enough to cry out to Jesus, the only source of help.  Jesus reached out, grabbed hold of Peter’s hand, and walked with him back to the boat.  The swirling winds ceased.
     The secret of facing any kind of storm is not to watch the thunderous waves.  The way through is to focus on the God who is in complete control.  God knows when to watch us walk on the water and when to pull us up from the bottom of the sea.  He will calm the fierce and seemingly relentless wind.  He will calm the storm raging in our life.  Trust Him with all of your heart.  We may get wet, but He will not allow us to drown.
     One of my most popular posts shows the time that my children walked on water.   I think that you will enjoy it.

PS:  A few weeks ago I came across the incredible painting at the top of this post.  I have been unable to find out who the artist is.  If you know, or should this painting be yours, please tell me.  I would love to give credit.

This post was featured at Create With Joy.

Paint By Number Masterpiece

     Last week, I told you about a treasure that I did not buy.  This week, I am going to show you the one that I did.
     Patty and I were out when I spied this wonderful original painting of a clipper ship in full sail.  Isn’t it wonderful?
     Some of you art connoisseurs may have noticed that my treasure is a Paint by Number.  Paint by Number kits included a cardboard canvas with blue sketched areas appropriately numbered so that when you applied the coordinating paint to the segmented spaces, you would, eventually, end up with a masterpiece.

Source

     I loved these kits as a child.  I painted kittens, horses, ballerina’s, and landscapes.  Paint by number kits made me, ME, an artist.  Even the box proclaimed, “Every man a Rembrandt.”
     I still remember the scent that emanated from the little pots of oil paint as I carefully opened and stirred them.  And oh, the challenge of cleaning those little paint brushes so that the next color would be true and the brush supple enough to paint within those blue squiggly lines.
     The beauty of Paint by Numbers is that even though a kit may start out exactly the same as a million other kits, the end result was determined by the artists hand.  Some artists left sure deft strokes of paint, and others little blobs and smudges.  Some were signed with pride when completed and others left unfinished and hidden in the attic.
     Vintage Paint by Number paintings are becoming quite collectible.  An unpainted Clipper Ship is currently offered on ebay for $184.00.  There is even a Paint By Number Museum.  And look what I found on-line.  The same Clipper Ship painted as a mural in a nursery.

Source

     The Book of Genesis says, “in the beginning God created.”  Stop and think on that, God created.  God made art with His actions.  And when God made us in His image, He shared the gift of art with us.  We are artists.
     Now some of you are disagreeing.  I’m not an artist.  I’m a principal.  A construction worker. An accountant.  Because chances are, most of us haven’t gone to art school or been commissioned to sculpt marble, or paint murals.
     But could it be that our very actions of service are the art that we are to create?  That the daily responsibilities and obligations, that we just want to get through so that we can get on to the bigger and better things, are the art arena’s of our lives.  Could it be that we are artists when we serve our spouse’s, care for our children, and be faithful in our work?  Could it be that the very place of service where our feet stand is exactly where God is calling us to create our masterpieces?
Let’s allow our lives to be guided by the True Artist.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” – Ephesians 2:10

     You are an amazing work of art.  A masterpiece created and purposed in love.

I Wear Pink

     I almost didn't make the appointment that saved my life.  The mammogram that detected my cancer was exactly one year and one day from my previous one.  Ladies, please do not neglect your yearly mammograms.  You can read more about my journey through breast cancer here.

 Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

 He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

 Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

 but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31