Sunday: Disturb us, Lord

Disturb us, Lord, when

We are too pleased with ourselves,

When our dreams have come true

Because we dreamed too little,

When we arrived safely

Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when

With the abundance of things we possess

We have lost our thirst

For the waters of life;

Having fallen in love with life,

We have ceased to dream of eternity

And in our efforts to build a new earth,

We have allowed our vision

Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,

To venture on wilder seas

Where storms will show Your mastery;

Where losing sight of land,

We shall find the stars.

We ask you to push back

The horizons of our hopes;

And to push back the future

In strength, courage, hope, and love.

This we ask in the name of our Captain,

Who is Jesus Christ.

-Sir Francis Drake, 1577 

Before and After: Master Bedroom

I finally decided to makeover the master bedroom.  I don't know if makeover is exactly the right word.  The past few months has included the consideration of possibly moving to a place where we could better accommodate caregiving for family.  With that being on the table I was very slow to do any upgrades that weren't necessary and resale became the word of the day.  It turned out not to be the best way to care for our family so we won't be moving for the foreseeable future, which allowed me to open some paint and go for it.  My Loverbrains thought this was a bit silly, cuz no one sees this room but us, but he loves the finish.  So, that makes it worth it. 

Before:  I made the gray, roman blinds and they were beginning to droop.  Very tricky to make, just saying.  I apologize for my photography skills but the room is quite large and has a vaulted white ceiling.  It felt very builder beige blah.  Also, the art had worked with our previous wooden bed but was too small now somehow.

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SO, I selected a beautiful shade of blue...Refuge by Sherwin Williams.  I painted just the one wall and  created a collage out of mirrors I'd been collecting over the years.  We added cordless, bamboo roman shades and hung heavy black out linen/brocade drapes.  I added a plant too.  I may still add a dust ruffle to the bed.  I haven't decided.  I love it.  It's very much a room to exhale in...a refuge.  

After

Thoughtful Thursday: Time alone

 Today, I had tea, with jam and bread...for any other Sound of Music fans out there.  I have had a lovely hiatus of alone time lately.  Maybe even too much.  I can get all inward and overly analytical.  Today was probably one of my last alone days for quite a while.  School is ending tomorrow.  Grandparents are coming to visit.  A quick, 'off the grid' vacation to TN is in the works, followed by a serving trip, VBS and trips to see loved ones and their new, squishy baby.  

I made some freezer jam.  It's so beautiful.  I'm always alarmed at the amount of sugar.  Yikes.  But, it's a sometimes food, right?  We still have a lot of berries just for eating these next few days.  I made it alone.  Clinking and smooshing in my kitchen.  Scrubbing and wiping.  Quiet.

The weather has been humid and full of thunderstorms lately but this morning was clear and beautiful with a light breeze.  Perfect for berry picking.  If my back didn't remind me I was over 40 I would have picked forever.  I didn't want to be greedy though either.  Last year we experienced a bit of a "hoarding' around here and fields were picked clean very quickly.  I never got into a field...so no jam, apple butter, or canning happened.  

Usually, I berry pick with my kids but when I saw the chance to get into the field I decided to take it.  My girlie is learning to drive this summer.  The boy child is very into playing and teaching board games to his friends.  So, today I picked alone...I listened to others chatting around me a wee bit...and thought how good it was to be quiet...here the birds and the breeze...breathe the berry scented air...squish the mud underfoot. 

I've felt a bit tender after the season of discipline and trial we've just come through.  I find my usually extremely extroverted self shying away from gatherings.  I have been tired in every way...and feel the expectation is for me to be my normal cheery self but sometimes we go through things that change us...and we just want some time alone.  I hope I'm ready to jump into the summer season...maybe a little more sober minded, serious...not necessarily a bad thing...just different.  I can say with confidence that God is good, all the time.  He is close to the broken hearted.  He is good and does only good...no good thing does he withhold. He will never leave me or forsake me.  

Memorial Day Hodgepodge

 1. We're approaching Memorial Day Weekend in the US of A...will you mark this in some way? If so tell us how. According to a list found here some things you might do in honor of Memorial Day would be-shop in a Veteran owned business, learn to play a patriotic song, watch the Memorial Day concert, take a virtual tour of the White House, write a letter to a soldier or a soldier's family, fly a flag, attend a Memorial Day parade, donate flowers for a soldier's grave, put together a care package for a soldier, and take a moment of silence at 3 PM (the National Moment of Remembrance)....of the ideas mentioned are there any you will try?

We will fly a flag and talk about why the day is important.  Sometimes we watch a parade in town.  

2. What's something recently that made you 'come to attention'? 

We've been going through a season of discipline and trials and waiting...As we've started to come out the other side, many things have caused me to "come to attention" regarding my priorities at home, in marriage, in parenting, in ministry, etc.  Hard is not bad, it's just hard and sometimes it gives you better perspective.

3. In what area of your life do you need to 'soldier on'? 

I think whenever you're in a time of waiting...just plugging along and being faithful...'soldier on.'  Makes me think of a song "The Warrior is a Child"...

4. As a long weekend approaches and summer draws near, what's a favorite food from your childhood you think about adding to the menu? 

This time of year I always think of my Mom's potato salad.  It's the best.  I generally make firecrackers...mini saltines soaked in oil, ranch powder and red pepper flakes...yum.

5. Your favorite patriotic movie? 

I love the movie Iron Eagle...

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It was fun to join in today. I am always inspired by the Hodgepodge...and had time today.  I want to make commitments and plans to be more consistent in blogging but maybe I'll be more likely to write if I don't put those pressures on it.  I miss you lovelies.