Sometimes Tacky Is Funny

I'll admit-a little tacky.

But sadly, I think it's funny.

I just wanted to see who was tacky with me.

Who'd a thought I would ever post a picture of ladies underwear?

What has this blog come to?

*Shaking head*

Ready, Set!

Set-  a. To place in position with deliberate purpose b. to put in order
Colossions 3:2- Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Mind sets.
We have them about a lot of things and how we choose to set them is pretty powerful stuff.
It can make or break a situation in our life, be it good or bad. A lot of difference can be made based on our chosen mind set.
For example, when I'm having a bad day or feeling depressed I have a choice.
I can wallow (and I've been known to). I can cry (and I sometimes do). I can dwell on all that's wrong (the natural inclination).
That's a mindset. It's also what the flesh most desires us to do so it's far easier to stick around there, keeping our mind cycling through the pain and the woe is me attitude which ultimately leaves us even more miserable.
That's choice 1. But choice 2 is far better, if not much harder.
When feelings or circumstances begin to creep in that would seek to bring us to a place of emotional discouragement we don't have to give in to the feelings that can almost overwhelm and handicap us. I know about that. I've been there. I've actually camped out there a few times with feelings so heavy I couldn't dig my way out.
To be completely honest with you it hasn't been too many days since I've been in that spot. Crying out to God for help because I could feel myself going down and going down hard.
That's when Colossians 3:2 came to mind and I've been dwelling on the phrase "set your mind" ever since. And you know what? It's really working! Every time I feel myself slipping I hear almost a shouting in the back of my mind "set your mind" and I try to refocus. Amazingly, before long I'm actually singing.
Do you know how powerful that is? The knowledge that with the help of the Holy Spirit (and sometimes ONLY with His help) we have the power to change our feelings. Contrary to the fleshly side of us that says, "It's too hard!"
Notice I did not say we can change our circumstances. No amount of good thoughts can do that. But when we set our minds Godward our focus changes and we can see things from His perspective, thereby changing ours. Thereby bringing peace. A peace in the midst of the still pounding storm. Peace that passes understanding (Phillipians 4:7). If you read that verse, notice it says that in that peace He will guard our mind. If we purposely change our mind set to praising Him, focusing on Godly things, what He's done for us, and who He is in our lives, then I believe that as we do that, He will guard our minds to keep us there. Colossians 3:15 says we are to let the peace of God rule in our hearts because we have been called to peace. Not tumult and disorder.
God desires us to be peaceful. Because of sin, that is not the natural way of things. But in the Holy Spirit it is.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Tim. 1:7
A mind that, through Christ, can be set, firmly and soundly in Him. Notice that only comes in the power of God. But through His strength working in us we can choose and act to have a sound mind when it feels for all the world as if we are about to lose our mind.
Isaiah 26:3 says "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed (set) on You, because he trusts in You."
When it hurts it's hard to trust. When you ache, it's hard to have faith. But when we do, when we deliberately purpose to rise above what we feel and stretch our necks out to see beyond the looming cloud to the glory of Heaven beyond we can steadfastly set our minds on a much higher plain than we would naturally dwell and there find a perfect peace, resting in a perfect God.
Have I arrived to this yet? NO Have I started working toward this? YES.
I've had opportunity to practice this today. And I probably will tomorrow.
Truthfully I think it will always be a struggle for me. But as I allow the Spirit to work more completely in my life, I pray that when things arise, my first bent will be to set my mind on the power and love of God in my life and not the feeling of anxiety. After all, one of the fruits of the spirit is peace, right?
And our Lord- isn't He the PRINCE of PEACE?

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just,
whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely,
whatever things are of good report,
if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.  (Phil. 4:8)

What happens when you set your mind to these things instead of what you naturally want to? The next verse says "the God of Peace will be with you".

Oh Heavenly Father, help us set our minds firmly on You today!

*Side note: This is not to say that a mind set can solve every dark feeling and make everything a-okay.
I understand (and have experienced) emotions that go far deeper than what can be changed easily by simply focusing even on God. I am not talking here about that sort of depression.
Although I do believe that through the help of the Holy Spirit we can overcome those deeper emotions, I believe those take diligently seeking God in prayer, Godly council and time. I am not suggesting that if you struggle with these issues you just aren't "spiritual" enough.
I am primarily talking about life's discouragements and fears that although deep and hard to deal with are different from clinical depression.
That is something different and I would not begin to say "just think Godly thoughts" and expect that to be the be all and end all of the issue.
Just sayin'*

This Just Makes Me Snort

Oink Oink!

Okay, so this is just about one of the craziest diet tactic out there but it's so crazy it totally cracks me up. I can't help myself.
The whole idea of this thing is to remind you of what a porker you are when you eat.
You are supposed to place Mr. Piggy in your refrigerator and every time the door opens it oinks at you, supposedly to remind you not to pig out or you'll start looking like Mr. Pig.
Now come on, admit it, that's a little funny. Don't think it would work but I have to give the inventor kudos for thinking of it if for nothing more than a great gag gift. I'd laugh myself silly if someone got this for me. I wouldn't even be offended at the "you need to diet, you Porker" implication.
Personally, I think he is rather cute. I love that intimidating piggy look as if to say "Back away from the food."
So now you have further proof of my wacky sense of humor. But seriously. I actually snort laughed when I saw it.

You can buy it here- when it's in stock.

Seasons

I have a friend who always talks about the seasons of life.
She says life is made up of seasons.
The encouraging part of that is season's change.
That can also be the scary part.
When it's cold and things seem dead, it's made better by the fact that spring will come, the sun will shine and along with it the promise of warmth and beautiful new life. When our lives are going through a season of winter gloom it's hard to see our way out. Just as when the sky seems to stay gray and dark forever so it seems our days will be. It seems we are in a Narnia experience of "always winter and never Christmas".
But if we have the vision, we can see with certainty that "as long as the earth remains" there will be a spring. On the earth and in our lives.
On the flip side of that however, warm, sunny happy days will envitably turn back to winter's chill.
That's the way of things (unless you live in Florida, right Angie?)
But seasons have their purpose and each one has been designed and given from God's hand.
Earthly seasons were designed to fulfill a specific role within God's creation. There is a reason for the rain, the sun, the snow, the sweet smellling fragerance of budding trees.
In our life each season has been ordered for just as specific a role. There is also a reason for our rain, our sun, be it welcome warmth or scorching heat, and also for the blossoming of life within our hearts.
The one who makes the blossoms also makes the blizzards. But praise God, there's a vica versa in there.
Whatever the season you are in, stick around cause it's gonna change.
(My hands are somewhat shaky writing that because I'm not too sure I like that right now!)
But there is One thing that doesn't change. Our Lord is the same "Yesterday, Today and Forever".
Just as sure as seasons change, He won't.
Just as sure as your season will change. He'll be with you when they do.

Whisper Sweet Words In My Ear

Last week our ladies Bible study went out in the country for the day.

The house we visited belonged to the parents of the Bible study leader, Jenny.

We spent the morning sipping apple cider, eating donuts and homemade soup and discussing God's word.

Good times.

While we were inside, Jenny's girls were outside with the kids, babysitting. Yippie! A break!

Emma, who just happens to be a great photographer snapped this shot and I just LOVE it! It was one of those sweet moments you just happen to catch and I'm so glad she did.

The little boy is Luke, my friend Laura's son.

I love how he is slightly leaned toward Lydia, seemingly saying something to her. I also love that she has her hand on his, apparently soaking up his charming words. Typical girl, that one. I'll have to speak to her about cute boys and their smooth talk.

Apple Time

This free scrapbook design customized with Smilebox

We took Lydia on her first Apple Charlies visit while Mom and John were here. Going there to pick apples has become a fall tradition. It's one of the reasons we love Michigan autumn.
Lydia seemed to like it and REALLY liked the apples. She's hooked.
A girl after her daddy's heart that's for sure. Now every time we have an apple in our hand she fights for a taste. She is a complete apple nut!
Enjoy the pictures of that day.

God Blesses Above and Beyond

There are things we all have on our, “I’d like to have” list but we know they probably won’t happen for one reason or another. Most often it’s because of finances.
There are a few things on my list but I just sorta file them away in the “not happening right now” part of my brain and I’m okay with that. Reality trumps want.
Two of the things I have often wanted are a patio set for our deck and a nice grill so we could indulge in steak, grilled chicken and the like. Since we have a nice deck I wanted to utilize it because I love being outside, eating outside and so forth.
However, there is always something that is more important so these items always get put on the “someday” list.
But sometimes God surprises us and sends blessing down to us just because.
Suddenly we get things we thought we wouldn’t and they are all the more special because you know good and well it was only an extra blessing and if not for that you wouldn’t have it.
Guess what? That just happened to us! I don’t know whether to jump up and down in excitement or hit my knees in praise. I think I may do both.
When my parents came up to visit this past week they brought us a grill that John had gotten really cheap at Lowe’s. It is our Christmas present. Sweet!
We’ve already used it several times. I drool just thinking about the wonderful steak we ate last night.
I was thinking that was pretty cool in and of itself -but God wasn’t done!
For the icing on the cake He plopped down an almost brand new, spotless clean patio set for so cheap it’s crazy! It’s the perfect size, perfect color and I am perfectly in awe of it.
I see it as a personal gift from above. Really I do. I didn’t expect it and it just showed up.
God really does give abundantly more, People. He really really does.

See? Isn’t it just perfect?

(Click picture to enlarge)

The patio set actually has an umbrella and stand with it (yeah, I know!!!) but we decided not to put it up this late in the season and will wait to put it out next spring.
We got the set today and we just had to use it this evening, even though we almost froze our nose to do so. We ate fast.

It all makes me want to squeal! I am having a little trouble processing that it’s actually happened. So out of the blue and all, but it’s real and I love it!

My Ode To Socks

If I were singing “These are a few of my favorite things” one thing that would make my favorite list is socks.
I so love socks. And the funkier and cozier the better.

When it starts getting nippy I pull on the socks and I keep them on until I absolutely must stop wearing them (sometime around June) because my feet are swimming in a pool of fluffy sock induced sweat. It’s not a pleasant smell.

I have my favorite socks too. I actually get excited about pulling my favorite pair out of the drawer for the first time each year. I slip them gently on my feet and my toes curl in glee.

I have recently owned two pair that will forever live in my beloved sock memory.

One pair was from my mother in law. They were bright red and fluffy. I LOVE them.

The other pair was from my pastor’s wife as a gift to me after Lydia was born. They were black with multiple random colors thrown in. I heart them. I so do.

But sadly my feet will not be meeting them this year.

I wore them so much they sport holes in both heals. (pause for a moment of silence)

So I threw them away. I wanted to have a funeral.

This is a rather common occurrence because when I have a pair I love that much I wear the life out of them, and rather quickly. Most of my most beloved ones only make it one season.

There is one pair, however, that has stood the test of time.

I got these socks when I was in 5th grade. I remember getting them.

They are neon green Gitano slouch socks and at the time they were the height of fashion.

You can not wear these babies out! They are still in better shape then some I’ve had for just a few months and I still get excited about wearing them come fall.

If you come to my house you may just find me in my purdy green slouchies. And I’ll show them off proudly.

I seem to have passed down my great love of socks.

Lydia is fascinated with them, too.

Problem is, she’s slightly confused about what socks are for. Currently she is using them for chew toys. No matter the sock, no matter the size, no matter the color, if she can get her hands, I mean mouth, on them, she’s a happy camper. It is not uncommon to see her crawling around with a sock hanging out her mouth or sitting in the middle of the floor stuffing a sock as far in as she can and chewing until the thing is soaking wet. They are her greatest love at the moment and the one sure fire way to bring a smile to her face.

She is her mother’s child.

And I’m so proud.

Whistle While You Work

Last week my parents were here.

I say that as my excuse to the fact that my house is a complete and total disaster.

It looks so neglected that if I listen closely I can hear it weeping.

I'm weeping too.

I have to clean this place, and unlike the video I can't summon little creatures to help. Drat. And to be brutally honest singing a "Happy Little Working Song" doesn't do much to make it more pleasant. Double drat.

I've heard it said that a dirty house is a sign of a life well lived. I don't really know if I totally buy that one but if it's true than this past week I lived life WELL!

I really did put things off because I didn't want to spend my time cleaning when I had family to visit with and I don't regret that. But people leave and then it's like, "WOW! How did all this happen!?!?" Yep, I'm there.



Thankfully, with a little elbow grease and get-to-itness (and maybe a little singing?) the house will be right again. And I'm OCD enough to push myself to get it done as quickly as possible just for the joy of the moment when it's all done and I have a nice, clean, put in order house again. For two seconds. Those two seconds however are worth it, such is my joy and sense of accomplishment.

And the icing on the cake is a husband who isn't asking me where his underwear is and if it will ever make it to the drawer again.

Poor guy.

Clutter, dirty laundry and dust bunnies here I come. You shall be vanquished and I shall reign victorious over you once more.

The Best of the Trade

For short sorrow, we shall have eternal joy.

For a little hunger, an eternal banquet.

For a little sickness and affliction, everlasting health and salvation.

For a little bondage, endless liberty.

For disgrace, glory.

For Satan's temptations, the comfort of God.

~D. L. Moody~