Lemony Hodgepodge

 

1. Share one way you think the world has changed for the better since you were a kid?
Cell phones are a nice way to stay in touch and safe.
2. How 'bout one way it's changed for the worse?
Cell phones...there's no way to get away from anyone or anything anymore. ;-)
3. Starlight, starfish, starling, Starbucks...your favorite 'star'?
Starbucks.
4. Name a song that's overplayed, but you love it anyway.
Amazing Grace
5. When did you last have home made ice cream? Your latest favorite flavor?
Church Picnic (it's an annual competition)  The winner:  Lemon Meringue Pie
6. What do you think is the best way to inspire or motivate people?
Always be kinder than you feel.
7. When was the last time you were without power?
Last summer...2 long hours with a freezer full of beef. 
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Joyce's questions were short and so were my answers!  ;-)

Tube Tuesday: Come to Jesus

 

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!

Monday...

While I pondered things this morning...I remembered this article and decided to post my favorite parts...

The extremity of grief is an opportunity for the church to be the church, to do what the body of Christ does.  The present ordeal is a learning moment for us all, an occasion for Christ-followers to grow in our understanding and practice of “one anothering.”

As co-members of the body of Christ:

• We share in the joys and the heartbreaks of life together.
• We hold our dear ones up through unceasing prayer for superhuman strength, mega-doses of grace, and Spirit-fueled endurance.
• We communicate our support through acts of love, providing for material needs.
• We express words of comfort while understanding when space and privacy are needed.
• We do not stay silent just because we don’t know what to say.  “I know words aren’t sufficient, but I want you to know I love you and am praying for you” is always appropriate.
• We do not ask hurting people questions for which there are no answers.
• We do not offer well-meaning platitudes for which there is no basis in Scriptural truth.
• We are patient and understanding when grief debilitates for a season and when a tragedy leaves its mark for a lifetime.
• We speak truth from God’s Word into the lives of those who grieve, not with a preachy tone, but to give them solid footing during a tumultuous experience.

Emphasis mine...words by Dean Taylor.

Fleeting Friday...

I feel conscious of TIME...it's fleeting...

So, I slow down for more TIME to build block towers, forts and sandbox castles.  Play dolls, house and ponies.

I take less TIME to mop, dust or fuss.

I stop wasting TIME checking media devices...ack, how quickly an hour slips by...

I make special TIME to pick out new clothes and shoes and paper and backpacks...
and make TIME to garage sale, color, read. 

Oh, how often I hurry, hurry...and I miss moments to point heavenward.

Redeeming TIME.

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 

making the most of your time, because the days are evil."  Ephesians 5:15-16

Thoughtful Thursday from the Whispering Toad

Somehow, amid the exhaustion and fatigue of my return to normal life after partying at Quilt Camp...I've lost my voice.  Pretty much.  The kids did find out that I can still yell in my BASS voice though...hahaha.  Otherwise, I sound like a painfully whispering toad.

I was considering panic because I was supposed to sing a special Sunday and a wedding next week.  I finally cut myself a break re: Sunday and called Houston with a problem.  She nicely rescheduled me.  Phew.  My sweet Speech Path friend gave me some tips too..."No caffeine, lots of water and vocal rest.  No antihistamines."  Over the caffeine part I may or may not have suggested she was in cahoots with Satan.  She just laughed.  *smile*

I'm quite aware that I'm a talker...but there's nothing like laryngitis to make you really see how much you feel the need to talk.  Sigh.  A painful truth...quite literal pain at the moment.  As I generally think when I don't feel well...God is so, SO faithful to me.  He gave me some genius ideas to keep the kids occupied today.  See pictures.  (Thanks also to Mom and Dad for the BIG box and lots of books you sent home with me!)

I also came across my verse cards from when I was doing a word study on LISTEN.  Isn't it ironic?  Don'tcha think?  My favorite..."The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."  Ex. 14:14!

Homemade Soft Scrub

My good friend Sarah recently shared her recipe with me...

Mix in pint mason jar: 

 3/4 c. Baking Soda 

1/4 c. Dr. Bronner's Castille Soap 

1-2 T water 

5-10 essential oil (I used lemon and orange)

It works GREAT on my flat stovetop!

Quilts!!!!

Still Day 1: Edith Richmond-Dyke

Trunk show and class from such a nice lady!!

Quilt Camp 2013

Here's Hodgepodge...

1. Picture postcards were first printed back in the mid-1800's and deltiology is the official name for postcard collecting. When did you last send a postcard?  Receive one? Do you save postcards sent to you? Do you collect and/or send postcards when you travel?
I think I sent a few from camp when I was about 9 years old.  My kids occasionally get them from one of our extended cousins.  They so enjoy getting mail. 
2. What treat do you most like to indulge in while on vacation?
Focused Family Time....oh, and ice cream (and oreos for Lubby the non dairy boy)
3. Are you good at hiding your feelings?
I wish I could hide them but sadly no matter how hard I try they tend to come seeping out...generally in an embarrassing fashion.  If I'm nervous, I chatter...if I'm mad, I cry...you get the idea.
4. Does your town/city/county still deliver telephone books to your home? Do you check the yellow pages when searching for a local business number or has the internet replaced the phone book in your home?
They do...and generally in my flower beds grrrr...and I promptly throw them out.  The Yellow Pages are on the internet...
5. Would you rather be first or last?
Well....I generally push to be first.  I really struggle against this prideful part of myself.  Face it...most people do and even the disciples did.  Jesus was our servant example and said,  "the first will be last, and the last will be first."  and in Matthew 20 he said Christians are to be different, "But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”Ever notice that great Pastors are Servant Leaders??
6. July is National Park and Recreation Month (in America, but everyone can still play along)...where and when were you last in a park?  Did you participate in any recreational activities while you were there?
We just went letterboxing in Cooperstown, NY...we found the grave of James Fenimore Cooper and then walked to a park to find our secret box.  Very fun!!
7.  What was one of your worst ideas?
Well, what comes to mind I don't wish to share in detail.  Let's just saying my worst ideas entail attempting to manipulate God's plans for my life.  Not only is this ludicrous in it's ridiculous impossibility but it inevitably has bad consequences.  God's ways are perfect....'nuf said.
8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I'm tired...why do long trips not hit you for a few days?  I've always wondered why fatigue is slow to really slam ya.  Loverbrains is the same way too.  The day after a long flight I expect him to be tired but it's actually about 2 days later that it hits.  Ugh...
 

Tube Tuesday: A Song & Hard Truths

Home Bountiful...

Yes, we are home again...and finding our garden (and those of our friends) doing quite nicely. My cilantro did go to seed....*sniff sniff...

But, I've got lots of freshness to put on the table...

I even have canned grape juice and pickled beets too!! I love industrious friends...hehehe!

On Vacation...

Sew Saturday!

I made neck pillows for everyone..except myself. I don't sleep on car rides...no matter how tired I am...too worried Loverbrains will sleep while he's driving! LOL!

I also finished the block of the month for July...pretty!

My Patriotic House!

Phew...I made it through the June Nekkid House Challenge...

I only brought out patriotic stuff...and my blue bottles...

And...I think...less is more!

Independence Day Hodgepodge!

 1. What's one simple small pleasure on your summer 'to-do' list?
Crossword puzzles.  I don't make time for them at any other time of the year...but for the week of vacation I buy a Dell crossword book and work on strengthening my brain muscles for fun.
2. Do you have strong feelings or opinions regarding the immigration debate in your home country? Feel free to share your thoughts, but please play nice.
I do have strong feelings about it...but I'm not going to share them here.
3.  What's something in your home or wardrobe that could be described as 'star spangled'?
I have a patriotic skirt that I made...Emma had a matching one that she's now outgrown.  Since my home's main decor theme is Americana, it's surprising that the skirt is pretty much the only thing in my wardrobe.  I always vote in a red gingham shirt and then proudly wear my "I voted" sticker all day long.
4.  Is your house set up for a party?
Um, nope.  Although...our neighbors invite us down to the end of the cul-de-sac for food, sparklers and fireworks each year.
5. What one never-before-visited city in America, would you most like to see?
I'd like to see the west coast someday...just to see if the oceans look different!  HA!  No city names jump to my mind.  I've heard Washington State is beautiful...
6. Your favorite red food? White food? Blue food?
Red:  Steak (?)  White:  Potato  Blue:  Blueberries
7. What freedom do you value the most, and why?
Freedom of Religion
"You may allow me to vote, own property, and associate freely in the public square in every other way. But if you do not permit me to speak and to act on those beliefs about ultimate reality that define who I am and why I am on this earth, then the other freedoms mean little. In a very real sense, then, all human freedoms depend on the freedom of religion."  ~Thomas Farr 
8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Preparing for a vacation is exhausting...phew...

 

Tune Tuesday: Stay Away From Jesus

Stay Away From Jesus

Matt 5:44, 6:24, 7:13-14, 10:39, 19:14, Luke 14:26, 33, 9:23, James 2:17, 4:6, Ex 15:3, Rev 3:15-16,
John 6:53, 8:32, 14:6

You won't ever hear this song on Christian radio
Cause the Jesus that I serve is not safe
He'll say take Your cross and die
So if you want a comfy life
Stay away from Jesus

He says narrow is the gate and hard is the way
Hate the ones you love and love the ones you hate
Eat my flesh and drink my blood
But if your works are good enough
Stay away from Jesus

Chorus:
O let the children come
O let the prideful run
The Lord, The Lord is His name
He has died the world to save
But to believe is to obey
So come or stay away

He says be either hot or cold, you can't serve God and gold
Indifference is the road that leads to hell
So if you're happy in your stuff
and if 10%'s enough
Stay away from Jesus

Bridge:
He says come follow me
lose your life and be free
you must die to believe
like a child come and see

He draws every line in love, He is good and He is just
And the words He speaks are meant to set you free
But if you think you are the Way
And in control you have to stay
Then stay away from Jesus

Marriage Monday

I watched these videos...made me feel sniffly...thought they should be shared...
Salt & Pepper from Keith Rivers on Vimeo.