Doggie vest

I put this on a vest for a friends dog. Its not perfect but hopefully its not too bad.... The tension was acting up.....

Funny I found....

An Englishman and a Scotsman were discussing oats. The Englishman, with his nose in the air said "In England we feed oats to our horses, and in Scotland you feed oats to your men...", to which the Scotsman replied "...that's why in England you have such fine horses and in Scotland we have such fine men!"

My new bag!

This should not have taken me this long to finish but I only had time here and there..... I like it, its bigger than I thought it would be but I like it.

Cheesy Pork Chops with Spicy Apples

Cheesy Pork Chops with Spicy Apples

Taken from Allrecipes

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Cook Time: 20 Minutes

Ready In: 35 Minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
2 onion, sliced
2 pinches red pepper flakes
2 apple, cored and sliced
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon white sugar
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
8 pork chops
salt and pepper to taste
8 slices extra sharp Cheddar cheese
Directions:
1.
Prepare a grill for high heat.

2.
While the grill heats, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook until soft. Season with red pepper flakes then add the sliced apple. Stir in the sugar and balsamic vinegar, and simmer for 5 minutes, or until apples are soft and golden.

3.

Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Grill for 3 to 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Spoon the onions and apples on top of the chops, and top with a slice of Cheddar cheese. Cover the grill, and cook for about 3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.

This was SOOOOOO good!!!! I added tablespoon extra sugar, didnt measure the red pepper and had 12 chops.

Still in trasition

I am currently living in tempory housing. We should be moving in next week to our home. Just in time for Thanksgiving. I am so excited to have our own home again. The baby is currently dealing with a double ear infection. The kids are doing well considering the lack of space we have at the moment. Sebastian takes the girls to the park daily for me. There is teen center here that we let him go to in the evenings to play wii and pool. The kids are doing a modified school right now. Workbooks and art stuff. I am going to love our new school room. My brother blessed me with a laptop so I now can get online in our room. :) God Bless!

She wants to be a worker!

Im on the Mainland

We are staying with family for a few weeks until we settle in Texas. I miss my own stuff but enjoying the time spent here. I lost my thread to finish Emaly's quilt so I have to get more to finish sewing the binding on. Im glad I kept a quilt with me for them.

Moving!

I am in route to be moving. I wont have my machine again for about 2 months at least. I may make stuff while visiting family next month and be able to post that. Woohoo! IM on my way Jennifer and Christi!

Emalys Quilt

Im not done with the binding, Im still handsewing it on. but here it is, big enough for her twin sized bed when we move......she LOVES tweety bird!

The song

New song

Ok so the song Give me your eyes by Brandon Heath, has been on my mind alot lately. I really listen to its words and want to really see people thru Gods eyes, not my fleshly eyes. I want to see my children and my husband thru his eyes not my own. I want to stop the cycle of divorce and abandment through our families. I want my children to know and feel the love I have for them. I dont want to break their spirits or their excitement for life. I want them to know Jesus. I want them to know him so much and not have struggles with knowing him and accepting his unconditional love for them. I want to nurture them and love them. I know by my actions I dont always display that kind of love to them and I am soo sorry, I tell them that too. I dont want to be like my mother. I want to love my children no matter their choices in life. Thank you God for my husband and my children and for blessing us sooo abundantly. Help us and give us wisdom in this world on your perfect will for them and us. Help me see people and them thru your eyes and to never loose heart in praying for them even though it seems useless at times. THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!

Sebastians a poet

For school this past month Sebastian has been studying poetry. He had to make up a poem. Well he ofcourse fussed about it, but come to find out, he actually has some talent in this. Here is are the two he did, the first one is funny and was his first one, the second one really shocked us. Um who is he thinking about?????LOL



My pants are black

Black as night

out of sight

My shirt is blue and not black

blue as a blue birds back

My s hoe is green not blue

it's as green as my other shoe.



A heavy heart I have born

All night and in to the morn

As the sun shows its face

I'll wait for you embrace

A time that is yet to come

until then my heart is stung



Those are his exact words. Im impressed.

I'm 32!

Hi, This is me. I am 32....lol anyways, I am celebrating my 32 nd year today. Happy Birthday to me. THank you to all who remembered all who were reminded and remembered and those that I dont even know who knew and wished me well. Thank you, it really means alot.

More pillowcases

I took the girls recently to pick out fabric of their own choice for a pillowcase. They were thrilled and even more thrilled when I got them done, these are so fun to make, this time I added a trim and I think they look even nicer with it. Emaly wanted to tweetybird, which she loves... and Leia picked out the carebears, only cux they didnt have a princess choice....

Shoes

This past Friday was my 10 year anniversary and my wonderful Husband, took me out. So I got to wear nice shoes. When I say nice, I mean they werent slippers....aka flipflops for you mainlanders. I love these shoes, although they arent the most comfortable I think they look great and make my legs look nice too. anyways, just wanted to share, do you have a shoe that you love?

I did it!

I, yes me, made butter! Whew, this was exciting and fun to watch. I used this reciepe that jennifer reccommended. I used some already on my fresh baked bread! The best! I used the buttermilk I got to make buttermilk biscuits, they have to sit overnite before baking so I havent tried them yet. I have one more cup left of buttermilk, its sooo sweet!



Thank you Andy for letting me get this awesome mixer, it made this task easier!
Starting off

cool whip stage!

butter, straining out the buttermilk
butter!
on my tastey bread!

My quick homemade Salsa

Ingredients:
1 can rotel
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 to 1 whole onion
cilantro
dash of lime and salt
1/2 jalpeno, more if you like it REALLY hot.

Place in blender, blend to consistency you like, we usually like a few chunks but this time it was smooth

I like my salsa warm. So I then cook for about 5 mins, I dont want the onions to cook throughly though, so not too long, but this is very yummy! and quick!

Simple spelt pancakes

These are soooo yummy! And not cux of the cream, syrup and cinanamom we add either. The flavor is wonderful!
Simple Spelt Pancakes

The King Arthur Flour Company

The sweet flavor of spelt shines through in these simple pancakes. You can dress up these pancakes with fresh fruit, spices, or nuts, but we find the flavor of the grain is good enough to stand on its own.

ingredients

2 cups (7 ounces) whole spelt flour
2 tablespoons (7/8 ounce) sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups (14 ounces) milk
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla (optional)

Instructions

To make the pancake batter:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the spelt flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Combine the milk and melted butter, and the vanilla if you’re using it. Form a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Stir the batter just until the dry ingredients are thoroughly moistened: it will seem very wet, but will thicken as it sits. Let the batter sit for 15 minutes before you use it.

To make the pancakes: Heat a non-stick griddle if you have one, or a heavy skillet, preferably cast iron. If your surface is not non-stick, brush it lightly with vegetable oil. When the surface of your pan is hot enough that a drop of water sputters across the surface, give the pan a quick swipe with a paper towel to eliminate excess oil, and spoon the batter onto the hot surface, 1/4-cupful at a time.

Let the pancakes cook on the first side until bubbles begin to form around the edges of the cakes, about 2 to 3 minutes. You may need to adjust your heat up or down to get the pancakes to cook through without scorching the surface, or being too pale. When the cakes are just beginning to set, flip them and let them finish cooking on the second side, about 1 minute more, until they’re golden brown on both sides.

©2006 The King Arthur Flour Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Nutrition information: 27g whole grains, 137 cal, 4g fat, 5g protein, 20g complex carbohydrates, 4g sugar, 4g dietary fiber, 11mg cholesterol, 376mg sodium, 189mg potassium, 57RE vitamin A, 1mg iron, 192mg calcium, 309mg phosphorus.

makes: 16 4-inch pancakes
serving size: 2 pancakes, 89g

pillowcase

This is a pillowcase in a tube pattern, cant remember where I got the pattern online at but here is the finished pillow case! Im very pleased with it.

Hubbys score!!!

149 As a 1930s husband, I am Very Superior Take the test!

1930's wife

104 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Superior Take the test!

Homemade Chocolate Cake

Just ground 4 cups hard with 1 cup soft to make my allpurpose flour. Froze the remaining that wasnt used in recipe.
Mixing.....
Tada!! Andy loved it, I thought it was a little grainy. Overall not bad!

HERSHEY'S "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" Chocolate Cake Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour (I used My fresh ground flour)
3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
"PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING(recipe follows)
Directions:1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.

Frost with "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING.

"PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter or margarine

2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa

3 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.

Updates!

Whew I bet some of you wondered if I would ever be back....lol well anyways, Im here and have some new stuff posted. I dont know when I will have more but here is some. I have also cut onsies and made them teeshirts and sewn a arm back on a baby doll, no pics of that. Finished up the last of my napkins, I know I still need to mail mine.... Still working on that flower wall hanging, Im stummped and dont know what a flying geese ruler is and if I can use my square one I have or not and if I can how to postition it on the fabric I have put together so until I figure it out, that is on hold.... anyways, Leave me some comments!

Sara's new dress

Front
shorts
Back
continuous lap( I had to look online for video of how to do this) the pattern had me so confused!!!

Matching dresses

My little hams, I made them matching white dresses. I am making the baby one too. I bought the pregathered fabric at walmart and made a lining and added straps. On the straps I put eyelets like the dress has on it. I also added buttons on the dresses. Im happy with how they turned out. I know that the lining is hanging out at the bottom that is on purpose. Leias needed to be longer and I actually like the look....I dont think Im lining the babies though.

Embroidery Work

These are long sleeve onsies for Sara. I had to make them pretty!

Napkin Swap!

These are the napkins I got in return. I still have to send mine off. Im soo happy and think I will do this again in October sometime. Only then I will be there with my friends and we can make together!!!! woohoo!!!! Jennifer's, Gloria's and Christi's. Thank you for adding a variety to my new napkins.....Can't wait to meet you Gloria!

Something new

My Friend Doreen gave me these pieces of fabric a LONG time ago and Im just now getting to do something with it. I emb on it then added ribbon. I will hang in my sewing area. Thanks Doreen!

Jennifer I lost the cheat sheet somehow to link to people otherwise I would have added a link to doreens blog...

Pillow cover

I made this for a lady at our local MOPS group who was the girls teacher the whole time. She is amazing and loves the children and Has been a blessing to my girls. Her father passed away the night before our last MOPS meeting and wasnt able to attend the meeting. I wanted to get a pic of her with the girls for Leias book. Please take a moment to pray for her and her family. Her name is Beth.

Sewing machine cover

This cover is huge! I wanted to keep the thread holder up so I made it tall. I used stiff interfacing so it would stand up and not fall.

Napkins

Well I still have to topstitch and tack but otherwise Im halfway done. I have 3 people who want to exchange. No hurries. I will keep three out, please let me know what ones you want, I have the two prints here to choose from. :) Sebastian came into the room, and said wow, that really nice... :) funny from a almost 15 yr old.

Cloth napkin exchange?

Hi, I'm making more cloth napkins for the kitchen again. I am cutting out lots and sewing when I can. I say lots, it will be about 24 more. So I wanted to extend the idea for others to make some and we can exhange one from our stash of making them so we have a variety. Jennifer and I did this awhile back and Its fun to have a different one in the mix. In my mind we can exchange just one per person for each person. I measure and cut them to be 9 1/2 in then sew decor fabric on one side and flannel on the other. turn and top stitch. In any color choice you want. Sound fun, wanna join? Then respond here....

Thank You Secret Sister

Thank you Trina!!!! I hope you got my letter in the mail.

Swap Gift

Here is the swap gift I made for me and my girlfriends.

The Children of Caesar

Listen

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER
by Maya Angelou
'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.
' When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin'' I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain.. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Pretty is as Pretty does... but beautiful is just plain beautiful!

Are u overlooked?

Overlooked By Everyone Else
Lysa TerKeurst

"After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart, he will do everything I want him to do.'" Acts 13:22 (NIV)

Devotion:
Sometimes I wake up on Monday mornings a little grumpy. Time to do it all again. I'll buy food that gets eaten. I'll wash clothes that get dirty again. I'll sweep floors that an hour later will be littered with crumbs. Is there more to all this than just doing the tasks of everyday life?Before I jumped into the normal routine this morning, I sat with Jesus. And I found some big truths as I took a little glance into David's life. Despite how others saw him, his own propensity to sin, and lack of position in his own family, David had the sweet reassurance of God and that was enough.

Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.To his older brothers, David was a pest. To his father, Jesse, he was just the youngest son. To on-lookers, he was just a shepherd boy. But to God, he was the one destined to be king. And not just any king. His lineage was the one from whom Jesus would come.Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.Even how David was anointed to be the future king is a telling story. In 1 Samuel 16, God tells Samuel that He has rejected Saul as king and chosen one of Jesse's sons to be the replacement. Think of the list of qualifications that must have run through Samuel's mind for such a position: tall, smart, articulate, brave, groomed, well mannered, a natural born leader. "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his outward appearance or his height, for I have rejected him (meaning Saul who had these qualities). The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (verse 7).Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.Samuel had Jesse line up all of his sons before him. All of them were to be looked at. Yet, Jesse doesn't call David in from tending sheep. Was this an oversight? An assumption? A judgment call? A necessity? A deliberate choice?Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.Samuel passes on each of Jesse's sons and then asks, "Are these all the sons you have?"I imagine Jesse with a quizzical expression replying, "There is still the youngest but he is tending sheep." Surely one who spends his time taking care of animals is not the one to take care of a nation. Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.As soon as Samuel saw him, he knew he was the one. David was anointed to become king. But he was not immediately ushered to the throne. It was years before David would be recognized by the world. So, where did he go after being anointed as king? To a refining school? A government academy? Military training? Nope.He went back out into the fields and continued to shepherd his flock. A king doing lowly tasks. A king whose character was being refined in the fields of everyday life to prepare him for his calling.How like us. In the midst of smelly laundry, dirty dishes, snotty noses, misplaced keys, overdue library books, bills, and that birthday gift that still needs to be mailed to grandma - there is training there. There is character building. There is attitude shaping. There is soul defining. There is heart grounding. All of which must take place for us to become what God intends.Ever feel overlooked by the world? Take heart sister- we are handpicked by God.I am not just doing tasks. I am building a legacy. I am shaping God's kingdom. I am in the process of not only discovering my calling but that of my family as well. And I don't know about you, but it sure does make me look at my everyday tasks... even the smelly laundry in a whole different light.

Dreams do come True:)

Mostly these pics are for my friends who are interested to see my space. Also included in pics is my NEW Janome!!!!! My sweet hubby blessed me with my DREAM machine.... A Janome 6600P.... Yippee!!!! And to my swap sisters, I finished your item today so I will be mailing on Monday!!!!!

Standing in kids area, looking at sewing area....:)

Other side of room, with kids toys To the right of the toys is the computer desk with computer....

Standing behind my desk looking out the door.

Sebastians shorts

Sebastain is refereeing now and has to wear his yellow uniform shirt and black shorts. I Found the shorts at the Airmens attic. He needed snaps to keep his phone from falling out so I added snaps to them. It makes me happy that I could do that for him. :)

Wonderfully made

What's Wrong with Me?
By Renee Swope
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
Devotion:"What's wrong with me?" Do you ever ask yourself that question?

Recently I noticed how many times I do. When I can't find my keys, when I fight with my husband, when I let someone down, when I'm late for work, when someone hurts me, when I forget to do something important. The list goes on.

It dawned on me that every time I think, "What's wrong with me?" I actually tell myself that something is wrong with me. Then I try to figure out my illusive fault so I can change it. But what I need to change is the way I talk to myself.

Why? Because every time I say, "What's wrong with me?" I tell myself that something is wrong with me.
That is not what God wants me to say to myself -- a woman He created. It's not what He wants you to say to yourself, either. But there is someone who loves it when we do. He often whispers, what's wrong with you? He's the enemy of our soul and he's trying to convince us that we're incompetent, inadequate and all alone in our struggles -- so that we never become who God created us to be.

He wants us take our eyes off of who we are in Christ and focus on our flaws; then spend our days figuring out how we can hide them. It's what he did with Eve in the Garden. I wonder if she might have even thought, "What's wrong with me?" when faced with her own inadequacies and failures. But think back to what God said to Adam and Eve. He asked them, "Who told you that you were naked?" In other words, "Who told you that something is wrong with you?"

God acknowledged that there was someone casting shame on them and it wasn't Him. He warned that they had an enemy whispering lies into their hearts, causing them to move away from Him and each other.Satan's plot is the same for us. But we don't have to comply. Instead we can refute his accusations and lies with truth. We can stand on the promise of who we are in Christ -- chosen, holy and dearly loved. We can discover and embrace our God-given design (and all the quirks that come with it), and we can accept that we are the way we are because it's all part of our "package."

None of us is perfect. All of us have strengths and weaknesses, but we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" - just the way God planned.

Lord, make me aware of the times when I am not so nice to myself. Help me recognize my self-doubt and the enemy's accusations. I want to turn away from the lies so I can listen to and live in Your Truth. I want to become all that you created me to be! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Secret Sister!

Thank you so much for thinking of me and my babies! They so were so excited to see stuff for them too! Sebastian was super stoked too! A HUGE thank you for blessings us!

Secret Sisters

Thank you so much Secret Sister in hiding! I have been so down and out the past two weeks. Hubbys away for work and Im tryin to be normal without his help here with me. Things have been rough lately but we are making it. So getting some of your favorite things was a nice surprise. I love burts bees too!!!! Three tubes of there lip balm should last me a little while. Thank you. I have never tried the hand santizer you sent or ever seen that kind but it is so nice and has such a pleasant clean smell. I LOVE IT! Thank you for blessing me with your prayers and kind gifts!

Nursing necklace

I wanted one but d/n want to spend money on one if I could make one myself. Well here is my attempt. I really like it but Sara only really messes with it when shes not nursing.

Toby Mac

Have you seen the videos about car insurance? well Toby Mac did his version, talking about what his song boomin is about. Check it out, its funny!

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=5902965

God and his love

God's Power to Heal You from the Inside Out
Jan Coates with Rebekah Montgomery


"I am the Lord who heals you..." (Exodus 15:26b)
When your heart is shattered, there is one truth you need to hold on to: God loves you unconditionally.
It's true: Satan's lies can greatly sway you and me during those vulnerable moments. But regardless of our weakness and fears, God does hear us when we call for his help. We need to hold on to this important truth.
Yet in a traumatized state, we may not--or cannot--comprehend the depths of God's unconditional love. To help us experience God's love and prepare our hearts for his life-changing healing, we must first know him.
May I introduce you to my friend God?
God created us with an innate desire to know and love him. While this desire will last eternally, trauma can shock it into temporary dormancy.
So who is God? Through his inspired Word, he tells us. In the Bible, we find God has many names that identify his nature and character. These names clarify why he heals.
Elohim means "God Almighty, one true God." It denotes God's supernatural, creative power. Elohim or "El" can be combined with other words to emphasize attributes of God.
Jehovah is the greatest name of God, which means, "I AM" God, "I AM" Lord. It implies the relationship of God to his creature, man. It comes from the Hebrew verb "YHVH" meaning "to be." Jehovah is frequently used with other words to describe the covenant names of God, including:
Jehovah-Jireh means "the Lord who sees and provides."
Jehovah-Nisi means "the Lord is my miracle," or "the Lord is my banner."
Jehovah-Tsidkenu means "the Lord who is our righteousness."
Jehovah-Shalom refers to "the Lord of peace."
Jehovah-Rapha means "the Lord who heals you."
God's names tell us that he is perfect, holy, all knowing, ever-present, the beginning and end of all things, the same, yesterday, today, and forever. While neither he nor his love ever changes, his love changes us from the inside out.
Who would want to make us holy, whole, and lovable? His name is God.
Why God Heals
Meet Jehovah-Rapha, or the God who heals.
If you are deeply wounded, you may ask: "Why would God heal me?"
1. God heals because he is The Healer--and because he loves you. He created you for his infinite love. In Jeremiah 31:3, God says to you, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness."
2. God heals in response to his promises. In Jeremiah 30:17a, God says to you, "I will restore you to health and heal your wounds." Think about it: Jesus dedicated much of his ministry to healing diseased bodies and broken hearts.
3. God heals when you demonstrate faith--even a smidgen the size of a mustard seed. Matthew 9:22 tells of a woman hemorrhaging for twelve years. As Jesus walked by, she touched the hem of his garment. Jesus turned and said, "Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you." By faith, she reached out and was healed instantly. God responds to faith.
4. God heals to encourage people to come to Him. David wrote: "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--who forgives all your sins, and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion" (Psalm 103:2-4).
Healing--Inside Out
Here's a mystery you may find hard to believe: God not only heals but he can turn even the most horrid experiences in your lives into something good for you as you come to love him. I know; it's almost unbelievable, isn't it? But I am living proof that this is true. Jehovah-Rapha, God our Healer, brings life and brings it more abundantly.
But if that stretches your imagination, then believe this: Although the damage and scars in your life may run extremely deep, Jesus can heal them. He heals broken hearts; he repairs wounds.
No matter what sins you have committed, no matter how terrible your life may be, God loves you. Let me say it again--God loves you. Your job is to rest in his unfailing love and surrender your heart to him.
Jehovah-Rapha, let the healing begin!

Surprise mail!

Thank you Secret sister for the two books u sent me and the pretty bracelet too! It may take me awhile but I will have to sneak in moments to read em. Thank you so much for yr prayers and encouragement, me:)

God uses your children to speak to you....

January 2, 2008

A Heart More Beautiful
By Sharon Sloan, She Speaks Graduate

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51:17 (NIV)

Devotion:
The condition of my heart matched the weather conditions outside as I drove my children home from school through the steady rain and dreary clouds. Bringing my children to and from school each day is precious, almost sacred, time to me as we enjoy captured moments together to talk, listen, sing and pray. This day, however, my heart ached with fresh wounds. I silently cried out to the Lord while Joshua and Gabrielle munched on a snack and conversed contently between themselves.

Years ago God had taught me a valuable lesson: if someone says something in a critical spirit and not in love, still take that to Him and ask Him if there is any truth in it. "Is there something offensive in my heart You want to change, Lord?" I wondered after receiving criticism from an unexpected place. My heart lay bare and broken before the Lord.

As we pulled into the garage, my sweet five-year-old daughter, Gabrielle asked if she could put her rain boots on and go jump in the puddles. As my heart admired her enthusiasm, we worked together to dress her in her rainy weather finery. She gave me an extra tight squeeze declaring her appreciation. I then went about my regular after-school-unloading-and-reorganizing tasks as my silent conversation with God continued. "Lord, the pain seems unnecessary and the criticism seems unfounded. You know I want to serve you with abandon and show Your mighty works for Your glory. Please let me see Your faithfulness and purpose in this pain."

A few minutes later, Gabrielle was in the kitchen excitedly handing me a paper heart she had made for me instead of going outside to jump in puddles. Gabrielle's caring heart and artistic gifts are always a delight. On this rainy day, this hand-made gift served an even greater purpose.

As her precious hand lifted the paper heart up to mine, I noticed the heart had scissor cuts all through it, and I thought to myself that it didn't look very pretty that way. Graciously taking the heart from her and kissing her head in thanks, I met my eyes with hers and she said, "Mommy, I made this heart for you. I put cuts in the heart because I thought the heart would be more beautiful that way." Immediately, tears rolled down my face. I felt the Lord quiet my heart with His love and say to me, "Sharon, I am making your heart more beautiful through the cuts and wounds I am allowing you to experience. Be still, be quiet and wait on me. You will have a heart more beautiful."

Noticing my tears of amazement, Gabrielle asked why I started to cry, and I told her that it was because God just told me that He loved me through the heart she made. My child's delight in the promise of fresh rain and the beauty of a broken heart had ministered His love to me.