Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Have You Ever Been...?

Have you ever been so tired you pull the towels out of the dryer and stuff them in the cabinet unfolded?
Have you ever been so sore it hurts to move your fingers, your toes, your arms, your legs, your back, you name it?
Have you ever been in either of the situations and still have to get up and keep going?

Then you know how yesterday and today have been for my family and me. My mom did that first scenario last night. We're all doing the second this morning.
Why?
In one word--roofing. 
If you're ever in need of some real exercise, you should give it a try.

Sometimes we get like this with our walk of life. We get tired, worn out. We get bruised and sore until the only thing that can fix it is rest. Good thing that's what Jesus offers, rather He invites us to do. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).

What situations have you been in that made you that tired or sore? How has God helped you when you thought you couldn't go on?

Monday, March 19, 2012

Packed

"The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present." ~ Alice Morse Earle

You ever had one of those days where it feels like you took two days worth of work and shoved it into one? Well, today is already turning into one of those days. Trees fell on high line wires sometime before 5 a.m. which meant lights out until sometime around 10 a.m. Oh and of course, one of those trees had to fall on my fence which meant clearing off the deadwood after the electrical people left (and didn't move it :( - more work for me - woohoo.) I also worked for at least an hour in the garden before the light people showed up, then loaded the dishwasher while they were working. Now, I'm working on my blog (yes, I'm writing this a day early) because with the high chance of rain my internet might very well be put out of commission tomorrow.

But I got to thinking--everyday is a gift from God. My uncle died of cancer over the weekend so it brings that realization home even more. Everyday is priceless whither it's packed or peaceful, hectic or happy. We are here for only a short time and not guaranteed tomorrow. Each day matters for eternity. How are you spending it?

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Cats, Dogs, & Monkeys

Most people have heard the saying, "it's raining cats and dogs." Well at some point in time during my childhood. we took it a step further. When it's down-pouring especially hard--like it was this weekend--we say, "it's raining cats, dogs, and monkeys."

Often when it's raining cats, dogs, and monkeys, we lose our electricity. This weekend was no exception, except I took exception to what happened to me in the darkness. I love oil lamps. (Some call them hurricane lamps--I even have one with kerosene still in it.) However, I learned the hard way that refilling them is not always the easiest feat (especially without the best of lighting). I know the whole trick of pouring the oil down the wick so you don't pour it everywhere, but of course--talented girl that I am--I still managed to make a grand mess. How?

My brand new bottle of oil needed opening. It had one of those push-turn lids. Easy enough, right? Wrong. I pushed and turned. It didn't break loose. I pushed harder. The bottle capsized and started pouring liquid all over my counter. I hurried to pop the plastic back out, but not before I had a huge mess that I could hardly see to clean up. When I went to pour it in the oil lamp, I ended up spilling even more on my counter. I sopped with rags, paper towels, anything close by that I could get my hands on. Do you have any idea how overpowering that stench can be? I smelled it for days before I realized--after I began airing out my house and still smelled it--that I put the paper towels in the trash. :)

As you can see, I give myself plenty to laugh at. Share the joy. Have you had any of those I-can't-believe-that-happened-to-me moments?

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Good Read--In Too Deep

I borrowed Mary Connealy's new book In Too Deep from my mother and I really enjoyed it. Book 1 of The Kincaid Brides Series was great and this one was just as wonderful. I can't wait for book 3 which you kind of get a taste for in the last few pages of the story. (I can see the conflict a-comin'!)

Anyway, Ethan's and Audra's story is unique, fun, suspenseful, and romantic. With two people that agree to a marriage of convenience, a deep danger-ridden cavern, one half-crazy brother, and one controlling older brother, excitement awaits you on every page. Throw in a greedy man out to retrieve his stolen money and you can't put it down. A great book I'd recommend to anyone.

(Okay...now back to bread making. :)  Have a great week. )