New Clothes

Last night I went shopping for some clothes for work. I haven't needed office attire for several years and my closet is looking rather bare for something to wear in the cooler autumn weather. I found a beautiful plum colored sweater set at my favorite store and a gorgeous, soft scarf to match. I spent quite a bit of money on it and decided to wear it to work today.

The minute I put it on, I felt it; that deep seated confidence a woman feels when she loves what she is wearing and it makes her feel beautiful! This simple sweater set and scarf makes me feel pretty! As I was sitting at my desk smiling, I realized people where noticing! My boss, my co-workers, the janitors, all smiled back and said hi. Some even stopped for a bit of a chat.

Now I am not an unfriendly sort.  I smile, I laugh, and I like to visit, but there was something about today that  pushed it over the top.  It was the way I felt on the inside and it got me thinking.

If a simple set of clothes can make people notice how I feel, imagine what would happen if I let my love for Jesus and the relationship I have with Him, shine through as well. Would people notice that too? I believe they would!

If i clothe myself in the words of the Lord, letting them seep and settle into my soul, would they shine back out at the world?

Just a note on what I  am learning on this wonderful journey!

God's Blessings on you all....

Move Complete!

*Huge Sigh of Relief* The big move is over! Well at least most of it.  All the furniture but the desk and shelving unit are in the house. Well the couch and living room chair are in the porch but....

What a lot of work! It has been 8 years since the last time I moved and then I had vary little. I was just starting out  on my adventure as a single parent and was left with half a household. Of course, as I replaced the other half and my children grew, so did my possessions.

I am so grateful to my nephew and to my bestie! Without them we would not have been able to do it over a single weekend. I took Friday off to pack and Honey was home too. We packed and hauled 3 loads in our Jeeps and rented a U-Haul truck for Saturday. There are still bits and pieces to be moved. I'm hoping we can finish that tonight!

Cookie Monster is coming to mow the yard one last time and Honey is going to weed-whip. Princess Pea and I will be inside packing and cleaning.  Walk through and inspection is Friday afternoon.

I just want it done! To be settled. To enjoy this beautiful  autumn we are having. I want to relax, to sit and read a book on my new front porch swing, or work on a craft (thanks to Pinterest my creativity is overflowing).  It seems so long since I have been able to do any of that. I have moved 3 households this summer and I'm tired of it. Now that I'm in my dream house, I'm not moving again if I can help it! 

I'm so sorry for whining. I just wanted to give you all an update. I'm hoping to get pics posted soon but we are without internet this week and its difficult to post from my smartphone. But soon I promise!

Until then...May God Bless Your Comings and Goings!

Much joy to you all....

Mixed Emotions

Well...it's here....moving weekend! Yes, I know, it's only Thursday. I took a vacation day tomorrow to try to get everything done. Ha! I also have to squeeze in a doctors appointment and a trip to take the kiddos to their dads (a 5 hour excursion).

And in this, the beginning of a new chapter of my life, I am having some very mixed emotions. I am sad that we are leaving our drafty old trailer with the broken windows that don't open and the threadbare carpet. It is the home I moved my babies to when I began my life as a single parent almost exactly 8 years ago. It is where my daughter started school and my son brought his first girlfriend. It is where we have made Christmas cookies, carved pumpkins, played board games and made snowmen. It is where she learned to read and he learned to drive. There have been dreams, hopes, adventures and laughter. We have also grieved the loss of loved ones and prayed through the illnesses of others. We have worshipped,  we have grown,  and we have loved.

When we first moved in, I saw it as a stepping stone on the path to something better.  We were going to have a nice house in the country, with animals and a big garden. At first it was temporary, only a trailer house. It was my sweet daughter who reminded me that this trailer was the only home she could remember living in. Then it hit me, this is HOME! And now I am sad to be leaving it.

But leaving it we are. We move into a new home this weekend. One that us familiar  to all of us and yet new and strange. It is a house we have all spent a great deal if time in and holds many fond memories. It is my childhood home and to my kids, its "Grandma's House".

We are all really excited about the move. We will have a large home that feels more permanent.  It is a place they can be proud of with neighbors who are more like family. Some of them have lived there since my parents moved in 35 years ago! We now have a huge yard with room for a garden and flowers and grapes. Room for a tire swing and a fire pit. We have a screened in porch, a beautiful view and a basement for storms.

Not only are we excited for this, but the rest of the family is as well. Something was lost when my dad remarried after my mom died and then moved to a smaller house. I feel like I am giving that something back, to my siblings and to the grandchildren.  I'm giving them back "HOME". It's that place to gather with loved ones, for coffee and cookies or for Christmas and Easter. That place in everyone's heart where they feel like they belong.

So it is with mixed feelings that I take this next step. It is good and it will be blessed, but there is an ache in my heart none the less.

Stepping out in faith

<p>This morning I was listening to Pastor Chuck Smith in my local Christian radio station, just as I do every morning on the way to work. Pastor Chuck is working his way through the Bible verse by verse, something I've never done. I enjoy his teaching and he makes it easy to understand!</p>
<p>So right now we are in 1Samuel learning about the life of King David. How Pastor Chuck interpreted the story of David and Goliath really hit home for me! When David stepped forward to battle Goliath,  David was nothing more than a boy and yet David knew that the Lord was with him. David stepped out in faith!

Have you ever cowered in fear rather than do something your heart is yearning for? Have you ever hidden yourself or passed on a challenge thinking "That giant is too big for me?" I know I have!

But in a few short days I will be stepping out in faith, after many prayers and petitions. I will be moving into my parents home, renting with intent to buy asap!

There are many unanswered questions, but I know they will be answered in His time.

In the meantime, I am stepping out in faith! I hope you do too! Good night!