Monday, March 31, 2014

Those "Teenagers!"

Last night was a rare occurrence for me.  I had the opportunity to attend the Sunday evening service.   Normally I'm occupied with other service opportunities. James works with the Grace Notes, our children's choir, so he was with them. Most people sit in the same seat all the time but I like to sit in different places when James isn't with me.  Last night I chose to sit in the section where teenagers sit. I love to be near teenagers. They are so ALIVE and I love to "interview" them. They always have something interesting to say and are the most awesome people in the world. These guys and girls just want you to really be interested in them, listen to them and take them seriously.

I sat near a young man last night who stole my heart a couple of years ago during our Easter Drama. He and his family was new to our church and he and his brother was in our dramatic production of "Declare His Glory." We had a lot of rehearsals and so we spent a lot of time in between scenes chatting. He isn't in the program this year and we were talking about that and other things last night.  I love watching how teens "act" when their parents aren't around and other adults are talking to them.  This young fella is so polite. "Yes mam," "No mam."  His mom would be so proud.  We can only hope that we are training them to be polite and respectful. I can remember when my kids were small and I would ask them a question and they would say "yes" and I would say "yes mam" and they would say "yes mam." I also remember the first time I went to one of Brad's college games and someone came to me and told me how polite he was and that he always said "yes and no mam." Score!



I'm thankful for the teenagers at our church. I'm thankful that they humor an "older" lady like me and let me "interview" them. I thankful that we have a church that loves kids and teenagers.  I'm thankful that we have parents who strive to bring up their children under the sound of the Gospel and bring them to church and I'm thankful we have kids and teenagers who want to come to church. They bless my heart each week and I  want them to be able to see Jesus in me. I don't want to be just another adult in the pew that just passed by and didn't take time for them.  I want them to know that they are loved. I think that I will sit with them more often.  I came away last night with a lighter heart and a smile on my face.  Maybe you should try it too. You might even learn something.

Until we meet again, Fifi

P.S.
We will be presenting our Easter Drama on April, 11, 12 and 13.  Here is the link for more information.
"Declare His Glory"  Call 336-788-8241 for free tickets or contact me below or on my FB page and I will be glad to get tickets for you.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Favorite Pins of the Week

I love blue and white.  With spring here I find myself changing accessories to those colors. Blue is just so clean and fresh.  I change the dishes in the cabinet to blue, new coverlet on the bed, etc. I'm not partial to one particular shade. I love them all.  So today's favorite pins post is in honor of the "blues."

Kitchen



Living Room


Bedroom



Blue Willow Dishes


Do you have a favorite color that you like to switch to during the Spring and Summer?

Until we meet again, Fifi






Monday, March 17, 2014

Rain, Rain and More Rain...or Is It?

So the weather report is in and it's another winter weather advisory.  It might be rain, ice, or a mixture of the two. Will school be on a delay?  Will there be power outages again?  We need the rains and snows of winter to prepare the ground for crops that will soon be planted this Spring. This weather kind of fits with the "weather" I've had in  my soul this winter. I posted a comment on a blog last week, All Things Heart and Home, Robin was talking about changing out her mantle decor and how she was looking forward to Spring. She mentioned the cold and hard winter and how she couldn't wait to get outside and dig in the dirt. I commented: "It has been an emotional 'winter' for me. Storms of life have set in but we do have His promise that 'weeping' only lasts for the night. JOY! comes in the morning!"  It has been a long winter, physically and emotionally in some areas. We go through those storms sometimes. Thankfully, we have times of spring and summer as well.

I chose the word "Still" for this year and I'm learning daily that this is a very difficult thing for  me to do. To be still doesn't come naturally for me. I'm constantly striving to work on it. I find that I'm reminding myself daily to quiet my spirit and listen to what God is trying to teach me through the circumstances that I find myself in. I'm a fixer. I tend to bulldoze ahead and just fix "it" if at all possible. I'm finding that some things just can't be fixed by me. Shoulder surgery and the subsequent healing and therapy, Brad changing jobs and he and Kayla moving to another state, Kristen taking in and trying to adjust to a rescue dog that just didn't work out, unexpected illness with a family member, etc. These things, before you know it, begin to pile up on us emotionally.  We find ourselves overwhelmed and despondent, cranky, sore, sad, angry at the world and maybe even depressed. How do we fix it? I don't think we are supposed to. Well, from what I'm learning in this season of being still is this.  In our humaness (I know that isn't a word but I like it.) we must daily remind ourselves that we aren't asked to control and fix all of these situations. There is a reason for all of "this." These storms can be good things. Things to make us stronger and draw us closer to the Lord. Stronger in our faith. Storms of life to build our testimony and give us a voice to our story.   I sure do wish I lived close enough to Him that I didn't need trials to pull me closer. That my voice was strong enough without more storms.Don't you?

So, in a nutshell. Rain, literally or figuratively, is a good thing.  It may be hard at the time but it is still a good thing. The literal rain will make my shoulder ache. The figurative rain will make my heart ache. However, I can go to my Rock, my Shelter, my Comforter , my Healer. He will provide what I need, when I need it. Will the storm be easy to weather? Maybe not, but I do know that I have someone who is control and who can calm the storms. Do you know the calmer of the storms?

John 3:16 For God so loved  (insert your name) that He gave His only begotten son. That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.



"Still" By Hillsong United




Hide me now
Under Your wings
Cover me
Within Your mighty hand



When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are king over the flood
I will be still, know You are God

Until we meet again,

Fifi







Saturday, March 15, 2014

Favorite "Pins" of the Week

I love Pinterest.  It gives me great ideas  and tips for DIY, encourages creativity,  awesome ideas for dinner and dessert and sometimes even encouraging words.  However, if I did every single thing I "pinned" I would be busy for a very long time.  I thought I would start posting my favorite pins of the week.  


ENCOURAGEMENT

During the holidays or special occasions, I go to Pinterest and find free printables to frame and  use with vignettes.  This is one that I plan to use for Easter.  

my-redeemer-color.jpg (600×750)



RECIPE

I love chicken salad. I love wraps. Chicken salad in a wrap must be good.  I think I will be trying this recipe very soon. Doesn't it look delicious?





DECOR

I love open shelving in the kitchen. This is way over the top for anything I will ever be able to do,  but I love it.  



Do you love Pinterest too?  What are your favorite things to look for?

I hope you have a great week. Happy pinning!

Fifi













Wednesday, March 12, 2014

A Small "Be Still" Project

On a recent and beautifully clear Sunday afternoon, my creative side was hopping.  I had "pinned" the picture below on Pinterest and decided to give it a try.  This pin totally goes with my word for the year, "Still."  I am finding out the hard way that choosing this word might have been asking to be taught a lesson.  A BIG lesson. More on that later.  

Kristen and I had purchased the supplies ahead of time in anticipation that as soon as my arm felt better then I would be ready to create.



I went to work with the instructions, that she gave on the website from the pin, and worked my magic. If you know me at all then you know that is the funniest thing that I have ever said in my life.  This is the first "work of art" that I've ever done. Ever! 

I started with a canvas. You can get two in a pack at Michael's for around $10.00.  I chose two colors of paint, blue and white, wooden memoir letters, white spray paint, wood glue (thanks James), foam paint brushes and q-tips. (I'm telling you, this artist brought our her best supplies. You can laugh now.)

I glued the letters on the canvas, waited for them to dry, then spray painted the entire canvas with white spray paint. 


Then I started with my paint by squeezing some onto a paper plate  (Carrie South, if by chance you see this post, please don't judge.)


I then started the process of painting. Oh dear.


I started with the dark blue and then started adding in a little white.








And the finished product!




A daily reminder, before I leave the house, that God is in control of everything that comes my way. I just have to be "still" and let Him control the winds and waves.


Psalm 46:10

"Be still and know that I am God."

Until we meet again, Fifi


Are you an artist?  Did you choose a special word this year?  I would love to hear your comments. Please let me know what your think by leaving your comment below.




Saturday, March 1, 2014

Ready for Inspection



As most of you probably know I love a good DIY project.  There have been times when I've awaken on Saturday morning and said we should do this or that, and we would jump right in and start. I'm talking everything from spray painting a lamp to tearing down a wall.  We are actually in the middle of one now. I hope to show it to you soon. Some projects require an inspection. If you build a room onto your house you have to go through proper channels. You call the city and your builder, or you, perhaps, must get a permit and then get inspections throughout the process. The structure, foundation, plumbing, electrical all have to be inspected. You don't want your electrical work to start a fire, or your roof to cave in.  This inspection process protects you and those living or visiting in your home from danger.  It also keeps contractors from doing improper work in your home.

Maybe our hearts should get inspections as well.  I had never really thought about this until last week. Our pastor was speaking on the Lord's return in I Thessalonians 4. He said, "Are there any rooms in my heart that need to be readied for inspection?"  If I know the building inspector is coming, I make sure my electrical or plumbing meets the code that has been set by my city.  If I know that my Lord is returning I should be making sure that my heart meets code. Right? Are there issues in my heart that are keeping me from being what I need to be for the Lord.  Is there a "short" in my electrical system? Am I hot headed and short tempered?  What about leaks? Am I leaking information and gossiping and spreading rumors and lies or just "passing on information" when the right thing to do would  be to remain silent? What about my foundation?  Is it strong? Am I sharing the Gospel with as many people as I can? The Lord's return may be near and the time short.  If the rooms of my heart were inspected now would they pass inspection or would they fail?  What about your heart?  Is your heart ready for inspection?

I Thessalonians 4:16-17  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Until we meet again,  Fifi

You can watch our church services live at 10:45 on Sunday mornings and 6:00 on Sunday evenings at http://gbcws.com/   We would love to have you visit as well.