Never Forget To Remember

I am a real softie. I wear my emotions on my sleeve for all the world to see. Even when I try my best to be tough I cannot hide the rivers of tears that stream down my face when my heart is touched. Unfortunately this happens often, much to my dismay.
Some of those emotions come from my heart being touched so deeply by God's great blessings that I cannot contain myself. I have felt that a great deal lately.
Sometimes it is from the kindness of others; when I feel so deeply touched by the love and kindness of another soul.
Sometimes my heart swells with such great pride (the good kind) when I witness my grown children accomplish amazing feats in their lives, or just make great choices  ;)
There are times when I cannot keep the tears from spilling over due to the pain my heart feels as I miss the ones I love so much who are no longer here or I feel the angst of life.
There are times I simply become consumed knowing full well how great God is and how blessed I am.
The spilling over of tears comes from many reasons. My heart aches or it bursts, bringing forth a well spring of tears.
Currently my heart is weeping huge tears in deep sadness as I have learned of a great loss of an acquaintance. I actually only met her a time or two, but took many of her scrapbook classes through the years. Her 16 year old son has died. I have yet to learn the circumstances, but that really does not even matter. A family has lost a son and a brother. He held many roles; he was a grandson, a cousin, a nephew, a friend, a fellow rugby  team mate.
When I went to bed last night my pillow was filled with my silent tears as I thought of a family who would be so deep in grief they might not find the peace of sweet sleep. Their life forever altered. Their hearts broken into tiny pieces.
It is my nature to begin putting it all into perspective. I begin thinking about my great blessings. Of course I think about my own precious family and I feel compelled to love them deeper, to hug them tighter,  hold them longer.
I live my life pretty aware of the fact that we never know what tomorrow holds or that it can change in the blink of an eye. I have had a few devastating experiences of my own. Yet, like many, I am afraid I might find myself "forgetting to remember."
Tonight I am reminded, my heart has been re-booted and recharged, I shall not let any such great loss go without learning a valuable lesson, being more aware.
That is what I want to share with you today sweet friends.
Do not forget to remember your blessings. You may be struggling, but in the grand scheme of things you can find your way to knowing God's got this, He's got you. I pray you can find perspective and allow your heart to weep tears of gratitude or even anguish as you let Him know how you feel. Let Him carry the heavy load for you.
Hold your loved ones tighter, smile at others who may just need that tiny pick-me-up, lift up your head and know that He is mighty to save you and your situation.
Remember that we are not promised tomorrow and we must make the absolute most of each day. Live it fully. Love deepy.
I pray that you are in a place of peace in your life, and if you are not you will find your way there. God is the only route there. Hold on tight to Him and to the ones you love and hold dear to your heart.
Sending much love to each one of you tonight as I personally count my blessings and pray for the hearts that are breaking, especially Heidi Swapp and her family.
XO

A Little Piece of Heaven

I have been slightly distracted lately. It’s not every day an angel comes down from heaven and graces your presence.
We have been blessed with a precious new grand ANGEL: Princess angel Savannah Joy arrived on May 20th. She is the firstborn to my youngest daughter.
To  say I am smitten is a huge understatement. If hearts are capable of melting, mine has done just that.
I will never cease to  be in awe of God’s amazing creation, the perfection of His handiwork never ceases to amaze me. I am pretty sure my world has shifted on it’s axis, never to be the same again.
I may get my wits about me again soon and begin blogging about pertinent topics, but for now, my head is in the clouds.

XO
Praying all is well with you!
Sherry

He Is Our Strength....

I love how God brings the Word to us to reassure and comfort us just when we need it.

Yesterday morning I woke up with many thoughts and concerns floating around in my mind. I jumped into the shower and was astonished at how quickly I had gone from a deep sleep to all this concern and worry going on in my brain. I tried to reign it all in and pray about each situation...and as happens often with me, I was soon off to the land of what ifs and when/how...etc. I kept on having to retrieve my thoughts. All that in the time of a shower!
A bit later I sat down with my devotional and a hot cup of coffee and cracked open my devotional; "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young.
Let me just share what it had to say........
"I am your strength and shield. I plan each day and have it ready for you, long before you arise from bed. I also provide the strength you need each step of the way. Instead of assessing your energy level and wondering about whats on the road ahead, concentrate on staying in touch with Me. My Power flows freely into you through our open communication. Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you will have strength to spare.
Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am your Shield. But unlike inanimate armor, I am always alert and active. My Presence watches over you continually, protecting you from both known and unknown dangers. Entrust yourself to My watchcare, which is the best security system available. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go."
Isn't God so good to bring the perfect reassurance just when we need it!?

I am certain that I am not the only one needing a little reassurance today. A hopeful rest and trust that God has it ALL under control! It is so difficult to remember sometimes.



SO, the above is yet another draft I found in my pending file on my blog and it is as timely as ever. Again this morning I woke up with loved ones on my heart, namely my kiddos. This is obviously a trend of mine!  The words to today's devotion were straight to the point and quite appropriate for this particular time of life.  "This is a time in your life when you must learn to let go of loved ones, of possessions, of control. In order to let go of something that is precious to you, you need to rest in My Presence, where you are complete.
Apparently I am a slow learner!
Yet equally apparent God is not giving up on my lack of ability to catch on. Thankfully!

In case you too are feeling apprehension, worry, fret, anxiousness, here are some valuable verses to help ease your angst...


Psalm 28:7
Matthew 6:34
Psalm 56:3-4
Genesis 28:15
Psalm 89:15
Hebrew 13:8
Isaiah 41:13


I pray that as you go into this day, the day the Lord hath made, that you will find your strength and courage in the God who made you!!! Seek Him, seek His peace amidst the darkness, the struggles and trials. He is the light and the life!!!


God Bless you...and MUCH LOVE to you!!!
XOXO
Sherry

YOU ARE ENOUGH!

Here I am doing what I do best.
 The dance of avoidance!
It is not because I do not like what I need to be doing, or that I do not have PLENTY to do!
 That certainly  is NOT the case!
 Yet sometimes I simply find myself unable to focus on the task at hand with a torrent of other things running through my mind.


I am always drawn to post here because, even though I do not have a large following, the ones I do have are so sweet to let me know they are encouraged and inspired. Which happens to be my main goal in life.... to encourage and inspire others!




So now that I am here, what is the one thing I would like to tell you on this sweltering hot California day?  That's easy....I definitely want you to know that......


YOU ARE ENOUGH!!!


God made you just as you are and He longs for you to rejoice and celebrate who you are!!!!


If you can just soak that in and feel it to the depth of your being you will be moved to a whole new level of confidence in Christ! A whole new level of validation and peace about who you are, who He created you to be. That is the most important thing! To have a strong, deep rooted faith and confidence in Christ!


Read Psalms 139 and insert your name...He made YOU wonderfully, beautifully, with a plan and a purpose. He loves you, treasures you...adores you and He says...........


YOU ARE ENOUGH!!

Flitting and Trusting

Have you ever found yourself in a dance of avoidance?  When you are supposed to be doing one thing but you keep on flitting and doing OTHER things? It seems like your mind cannot focus or that you have too much inside and you have to get it ALL out?


Well, that seems to be where I am today!


I am supposed to be preparing for a retreat I am going to be speaking at, yet I am finding myself suddenly wanting to create a blog post!  Not sure where this is even leading, I am going to discover it along with you  ;)


I have so much on my mind and my heart. As we all do at any given time.


The retreat message I am preparing does not come difficult to me, only the thought of "speaking" does...I can write all day long and feel fine about people reading what I have to say, but when it comes to standing in front of sweet gals and trying to eloquate the message in my heart, I struggle BIG time!


My heart is also being pulled by the vortex of a huge life event that is in the wings.
 My son and his wife and two little girls will be leaving in two weeks for three years to Japan. That is a whole lot of ocean between this mom/mimi and my precious ones!
For years they have lived 7 hours away which was inconvenient but oh so doable! Now I cannot just jump in my car on a whim and go hang out with my loves. They surely will not be able to come home either.
So, my heart is left to ache this difficult time and I feel like a bucket of tears, spilling over at the tiniest bump. That bump can be just a thought, a word, a song, a sight, a text message, a photo...you name it!


Life is full of struggles and challenges.
  Many of you are going through some pretty tough times.
 You wonder when the fog will EVER lift!
 Seems like some days you just feel so weighed down by all that is on your "plate" as you hope for brighter days ahead.
When will you be able to rest peacefully when you lay your head on your pillow at night.
 When will the lonely feeling ever end.
 When will you receive the answer to that prayer that is ever on your lips.
 How can you keep on going like this?
 How can you make it another day?


God holds every answer. He is also the source of our comfort and joy as we find our footing in this often treacherous world, as we navigate through our struggles and anguish. He is reaching out to hold our hand and guide us through any struggle we find ourselves in.
He loves us more than we can ever imagine.
He knows the outcome and He wants us to be reassured that in the end, it will be okay. 
It really will.
Not everything is perfect or easy, but He is almighty and will never leave you nor forsake you.
He has the whole world in His hands and He wants you to find comfort and peace in the fact that He wants nothing but the best for your life.


I am going to remember that as I kiss my sweet boy, my darling daughter-in-law and my two little grandangels good bye. As they fly off to this new adventure in their lives. I KNOW that God has great things for them, I just also know that my heart is in knots at the very thought of missing them!


I want to encourage you today in anything YOU are going through, that you know God has YOU, He has your loved ones and your circumstances. Relinquish all the control and worry over to Him. He has never intended for us to worry and fret, but to think on good things!


I am going to leave you with the verse that has been my great companion through many a tough time. It has helped me keep my focus when my son was deployed, or when I feared the worst in a diagnosis or just had a time of anxiety that I could not get a grip on.
I would encourage you to write it upon your heart as I have...so you can pull it up when you are feeling those moments of overwhelm and anxiety.


"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be you."
Philippians 4:6-9


Let's focus more on HIM and less on our circumstances! By doing so we will feel the peace of God that SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING!


Love and blessings to you on this beautiful day that the Lord has made! REJOICE and be glad in it!!!


XO Sherry

BACK TO SCHOOL

I thought I would share this in honor of all the kiddos heading back to school.

I was one of those moms that actually did not have to peel my little one off the tree to get her/him to school. They all were pretty excited, it was me who was apprehensive. Especially on their first day of kindergarten, I hated that they were growing up and moving on.

I may or may not have driven by the school to be sure they made it on the bus."

I was definitely the one clinging to them when they moved away.

I think I have shared here before a little bit about my transition into the empty nest.

It was not easy breezy by any means.

 I would probably have kept them in the nest for the rest of their lives!

I have three grown up kiddos.

The first little chick a dee flew the nest in  a hurry. After finishing beauty school and beginning her future in that field she suddenly decided she did not want to miss out on the college experience and would be heading out in a few short weeks! We hustled getting her all pulled together and ready for the big day. We spent the weekend getting her settled in and attended the welcome to college life meetings. One called Issues to Tissues"where a lot of parents were voicing their sorrow of how they were gonna miss their kiddo being at home, their weekly rituals, stuff like that. I cruised through it all, I was having a good time with my girl, getting to explore her new digs, getting her all settled, meeting her new friends....

UNTIL............

It was time to say good bye!!!!!

I nearly fell into a heap in the parking lot.

I had to pull it together and get out of there with some dignity.

I found myself on the 4 1/2 hour drive home sobbing my heart out.

Her life was flashing through my mind....

To say it was an adjustment would be an understatement!

I may or may not have went into her room and cried on a regular basis.

We adjusted.

Life went on.

It was not the same. It never would be again.

 But life was not over

That little chickadee flew back home.

Only for a short while......

THEN......she and her baby sister decided to fly off together.

So, now I was saying good bye to BOTH my girly chick a dees!!!!!

My heart ached.

BUT.......

They were only moving 25 minutes away.

I was still a sad momma bird.

I missed my girls.

I had a hard time adjusting.

 But I did still have one more to keep me busy, my boy.

It wasn't long til I was bidding him good bye as well.

He was leaving on his 18th birthday to become a US Marine!!!

YUP, that was a tough one!!!!!!

Momma bird cannot just pick up a phone and call her baby then!

MANY days/weeks would go by without hearing his voice.

OUR NEST WAS EMPTY.

and truly, so was my heart.

The house was empty...

SO, I took one of the rooms and made it into my very own,

first ever...

craft room!!!!!

I called it my consolation prize!

I learned to adapt.

I crafted a  lot!

I prayed a LOT!!!

 I cried a LOT!!!!

But I am here to say that it was all a part of the growing process and in retrospect I might have cried a few less tears. (maybe)

I have definitely adapted to the empty nest and have to say.......

It's not bad!!!!!!!!!!!

Granted, there are days/times, when I feel the ache of days gone by when it was a family of five hanging out, laughing, playing, living......together!!

I have the added "prizes"now of "grandchildren"and they sure do make life sweeter!

There is still nothing like hearing my kiddos'voices on the other end of the phone or feeling their hugs when we get to see one another.

During all those years they were home in the nest we were creating tender memories, the foundation they are now building their lives upon.

It was vitally important.

It was what made them who they are today.

So, to all you moms out there sending your babies off to school.

I wish you well.

Know that you WILL get through this.

It hurts.

No doubt about it!!!!

One day you will be enjoying the peace and quiet you are craving today.

You will actually miss the sticky kisses and fingerprinted windows.

 (well maybe not the work of cleaning it up, but you know what I mean! ha!!)

Growing up is a process for us as well as for our kiddos.

This is the beginning of a new season, embrace it as best you can.

Send them off with love and prayers and know that no matter how old they are, your job as MOM is never done, it is just ever changing!!!

Love & Blessings!
XO

You are a TREASURE!!!!

You matter more than you will ever know.

God loves you more than you will ever realize.

If you can know anything today, those two things would be plenty!!

Have you really stopped to think about how valuable you are?

Do you know that God made you JUST AS YOU ARE,

with all the specific and unique talents, traits, abilities, gifts, personality.

He had a plan and a purpose for you so He created you for just that.

If you have never read it....Psalm 139 will spell it out for you.

"For you have formed my inward parts; You have covered me in my mother's womb.

 I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

 Marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well."

YOU ARE A TREASURE!!!!

There really aren't too many days that we feel like a treasure, or maybe not special at all. BUT if you stop and think about it, think about the fact that HE created you just as you are AND then He GAVE His one and ONLY son to die so you might live....

then, you might begin to grasp it.

Right now, I hope you can pause and just soak in the love of God,

 to FEEL treasured and cherished.

"For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die;

 yet perhaps for a good man someone woud even dare to die.

 But God demonstrates His own love toward us,

in that while we were still sinner,

 Christ died for us."

Romans 5:6-8

You are special

You are wonderfully unique

You are beautiful, just as God created you

You are loved

You are treasured!!!!

XO

Love & Blessings!

Sherry

DoN't bLinK!!!!!!

I do realize it has been forever....geez, how does the time go by so swiftly!?

 Time is the equalizer of all mankind and yet I find myself feeling as if I am particularly short of it most days. I know I am not the only one, nor am I the busiest person ever. In fact I have had much busier times in life, yet....time is escaping me at a rapid rate these days.

 Anyone else feel this way?

Is it just how it is for most people these days?  More than likely it is just another ploy of the enemy, trying to make us feel like we just cannot keep up.
I sure feel like that most of the time!

Back in the day (meaning several years ago when I was a young mom) I read a book "More Hours In My Day" and followed the author Emile Barnes. She had no "great secret" either,  it was just all about managing our time and doing things that will be more effective and purposeful.
I am pretty sure I am utilizing as many time skills as possible, yet it seems to escape me.
Once again....I KNOW I am not the only one!

When I was a mom of "younguns" I felt like the days were so long
. So much to do, so many demands on me, my time, my energies..... YET....I knew then, and it is even more apparent now...the days were fleeting!!! No matter how much I enjoyed my babies and my time with them, they were all gone before I knew it!
Oh how I miss those days of being mom, with all my little chickadees here in my roost.

Ah, but life in an empty nest sure isn't bad at all I have to say.

When I have the chance to tell young moms, I like to tell them...the days are LONG (there is SO much to do, so many demands on you in every direction) BUT the years are fleeting....
so be sure and enjoy every moment while you can!

 It is something you will never get back....EVER!!!!!!!

 'Whatever you do.....don't blink!!!!!

One of the things I like to do while I am not "blinking"is to capture the moment in my heart, like a photograph. I like to close my eyes and take it ALL in..the sights, the sounds, the faces, the memories. I look around and take  a mental photograph that will live on in my heart forever! As the years have gone on I have revisited some of those mental photographs and they are just as precious as those physical phot.ographs

SO, take it from the mom of an empty nest....one who at times aches for the sights and sounds of her precious kiddos being close at hand, little ones who still needed their mommy.

DON'T BLINK!!!!!!!!

XO

I LOVE New Years!!!!!

A fresh start...
A clean slate....
A new chapter.....

However you see the new year, one thing is for sure, it does us good to pause and reflect over the past. Not to dwell on and fret over the bad parts, our mistakes and blunders....but to learn and grow from them. To use them as stepping stones into the future. No lessons are wasted if we learn from them.

As we enter into the new year with an empty calendar waiting to be filled up, take time to think about what filled up the calendar last year. How much of that did you WANT? How much of it was just getting by and muddling through? How much of it was focused and deliberate?

If we don't plan and set goals we will just flounder and find ourselves at yet another threshold of a new year wondering what happened to the time! Why didn't I get anything done? Why have I not seen change and progress in my life?

I make it a practice every year to sit down with my calendar (I jot down what happens on a daily basis, just a few sentences as a synopsis) and recall all that filled my days, where I went, what I did, who I was with, that which made me happy and that which I sure would like to do without next year.
Of course much is out of our control. I sure cannot tell the US Marine Corp to quit sending my son to war! However there us much that is in our control if we really think about it. A lot depends on the choices we make.
When I am looking over my calendar I like to take stock of what took up my time and evaluate if that lines up with how I WANT my life to be filled, how I feel God has meant me to live this life.

Once again there are certain things we MUST do. Most of us have to work, and that will undoubtedly take up a large portion of your time. How you fill the rest up, is up to you.

In my case I function on limited amount of energy due to my chronic health issues. I try to carry on and act like that is not a part of my life. Yet in reality it determines a great deal. If I have used up my energies doing things that really do not matter to me then I have nothing left to give to those things that DO matter.
It is a terrible thing to find yourself void of stamina and energy when you want to spend time with your grandchildren! So, I am learning....ever so slowly....that I am not superwoman and no longer the energizer bunny my husband once dubbed me. Unfortunately try as I might I have limitations.....
I ONLY tell you this to open your eyes to YOUR OWN limitations. We ALL have them.

What are yours? Identify them. Know what they are so you know what it WILL take to be able to fulfill your desires. What saps you? What drains your energy levels?

There is an old exercise that is fun to do....Create a list of DRAINS and FILLS.
Drains being those things that sap you of energy, happiness, peace, etc. FILLS being those things that make you feel good and happy and peaceful.
That might be a good place to begin as you ponder the new year and how you WANT to spend your time and energies. Keeping a list like that handy to refer to now and then will surely help you remember what really matters and what does not. What you forgot to remember...and what you should be forgetting about....

There is definitely no better time to start than NOW....the new year, the fresh slate, the clean page......

Okay, I need to get back to my lists and those calendars that are begging to be written in! I think I will schedule in some time for pursuing some of my goals for the new year. How about you!?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
May God bless you and keep you all the days of your life!!
XO
Sherry

The Power Of One.....

Today is 11-11-11...the most ones you can possibly have in a date. I do not know the statistics but I am pretty sure this will not happen again in our lifetimes!
Seems like all year long I have found myself noticing the clock every time it was 1:11 or 11:11. It has been a bit odd to me. I have often wondered what the significance is. Still do.
What I do know is what God impressed upon my heart this very morning as I was on my dark and early morning walk.
He was reminding me something He had shown me YEARS ago. In a dark and difficult time I happened to be at a women's retreat in the mountains. We were sitting in this incredible A-frame chapel that had windows up at the very top. I was transfixed with the view out those windows, seeing the tops of the gorgeous tall trees reaching the sky. I felt alone. Small. Insignificant. Useless. Meaningless. I was lost.
He, ever so gently brought to me the scripture about leaving the ninety and nine to find the ONE.
I could literally SEE it as I was staring out those windows.
Have you ever read that scripture???.....the shepherd is out with the flock in the field and ONE little lamb comes up missing. That shepherd leaves the 99 sheep that are there and accounted for to find the ONE that is missing.
(Matthew 18:11-14)

 That ONE was ME!!!
God was reassuring me that He wanted ME to be found and accounted for.

WOW!!!!

I will never forget that!

Today I want to send that message to YOU!
You may be just one, but YOU ARE ONE!!!!!
One is significant.
One is powerful.
One is enough.
YOU ARE ENOUGH!!!!!!

Back to today, on my walk, God was reassuring me that if I were the ONLY ONE on this earth He would have STILL sent His ONE and ONLY son to this earth to die....for ME!!!!
Okay, if you are anything like me this is soooooooooooo hard to comprehend!!!
 Really?!?! ME!??!?!?

JUST ME!?!?!?!?!?!?

He says YES!!!!!!

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God loves you and YOU are ONE and you are ENOUGH!!!!!!

Try to remember that.........try to write that upon your heart and forever keep the image that you are that ONE sheep that He left the fold to find. It was YOU and He found you!!!!

And forever He shall keep you!!!!!!

Let ONE be a significant number to you today as it represents YOU!!
For you are ONE...ONE very important one!!!!!


XO
Love & Blessings to you!
Yup .......
YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

God is ALWAYS on Time!!!!

I had the most awesome experience of God's PERFECT timing this morning.

It brings MANY different situations all into play to create the perfect timings.


You see in a land far away it was actually ALMOST November 3rd as I sat down at my computer. November 3rd is my sons birthday. Since I wanted to wish him a happy birthday as soon as I could, and since he is on the "night shift" in Afghanistan I thought I better get on here and send him a message before I left for work this morning.

SO I did.......... a sweet little birthday email to my amazing son!

Then I proceeded to get ready for my day.

I was about to leave for work when I decided to check my email one more time (just in case I heard back from him).
Lo and behold there was a message from him, a very sweet message that made this momma cry (dang now I have to go fix my make up!!!).

He said that as he was reading the message I sent this morning a Marine walked in with the two packages I had sent him for his birthday. How do you like that for timing!!!!

Now I have to interject the story of those packages.

I was trying my darnedest to get those packages out last week on Monday I think it was.......I hit several obstacles ending with it being 4:50 pm, Post Office is about to close and I just CANNOT make it work! SO I had to wait til the next day. ugh!!!! I was sooo frustrated! I came home and my sweet husband helped me get the packages to work (I was having trouble getting my little birthday balloon to fit and the sign to fly out with it (cos it was attached) and the funfetti cookies were not fitting and ...well you get the idea..........

Apparently the timing was not right.......and needed that extra day!
Go figure!
Because in the end the packages got there at the PERFECT time!!!!!

I tell this story for a couple of reasons. First because I wanted to show the power of God to touch hearts so many miles apart through this fabulous world of technology we have today.
I am so grateful!!
AND because I know so many lovely people out there right now who are struggling to understand Gods timing, His divine wisdom and power to make it all work out for their good. Oh they know it and they are trying to believe it with their whole hearts BUT when life continues to seemingly go awry and all that they want and hope for and dream of is so illusive it becomes quite hard to hold on.

My getting frustrated and dealing with the issues of getting those packages off in the mail is far less than the issues they are facing.
I know that.
BUT I believe in the picture stories we are given in life to help us SEE. God used these parables all the time cos he knew that is how we would grasp and comprehend the lessons we must learn and the promises that they hold.

I want to encourage you to hold on!!
To TRUST and BELIEVE!!!
God DOES have a perfect timing!
Underneath the surface is a perfect plan working it's way out.

Have you ever heard the illustration that Corrie ten Boom used? She said life is like a tapestry. The side that you are seeing as you are stitching along is the underneath, it is tangled with threads going this way and that. It doesn't look like it makes any sense at all. In fact it looks quite jumbled up and messy. BUT, turn it over and take a look at the finished product. Those colorful pieces have been used to create the different parts of the picture to create the beautiful masterpiece.
Such is out lives. Some times they seem to be so messy and jumbled up. Sure doesn't seem to make a lick of sense or look pretty at all. BUT just you wait, one day the finished product shall be revealed to us and we will then behold the beauty behind every single difficulty. We may not see it all on this side of heaven.
This is where the TRUST and BELIEF comes in. Trust that He loves you and is there for you, He will NOT leave you nor forsake you. BELIEVE that He is sovereign and IS working ALL things together for the good to those who love Him!!!!

I pray that today you will see the beauty in God's perfect timing and you will remember that even those annoying frustrations in life can be a part of a better timing, a part of the bigger picture!

Hold on dear one.............HOLD ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XO

Oh soooo long!!!!

I sure did not mean for so much time to pass before posting!!! I always think of plenty to write about but struggle to find the time to actually DO it!

I am toying with the idea of a website (actually a dear friend is thinking of putting one together for me!). I certainly must get better at keeping up if I plan on doing that!

It is my desire to write posts on a regular basis that might be of an encouragement to those who happen to read my blog. I long to encourage others...YOU...on this journey of life. Part of my personal "mission statement" says that "I want to share that which I know to help others and encourage them" I only "know" what I know because I have traveled this path long enough to have learned many a lesson and I have gone through my own troubles and trials just like you. In each of these I grew a little bit and though I have far from "arrived" at a place of full growth and wisdom (I am not sure I will ever fully "arrive" until I arrive in heaven!) I use those lessons to GrOw from. (that is my fancy way of combining GO and GROW....which I feel is exactly what life is about...going and growing forward.

I love to share. I bet if my parents were alive they would say that I shared well when I was little. It seems like every time I know something I want desperately to share it with any and everyone who might be able to benefit from the same knowledge. I want to do what I can to spare others from having to learn "it" the hard way.
"IT" being anything from hard learned lessons in life about self-esteem, overcoming issues from childhood all the way to the much simpler things like recipes.....
All of it mixed with the Word of God, the measuring device for all things good in life.

So....in my desire to be an encouragement I shall try to be better at posting more often.

Let me leave you with a little encouragement right now..........

So many I know are going through a difficult time, a trying time. It is not easy to keep the faith let alone be strong in that faith. I want you to know and to remember that you are NOT ALONE! You are NEVER alone! God has not and never will leave you nor forsake you. He loves you more than you might ever comprehend. It is a love that is hard to comprehend in this world because it has no strings attached, no conditions, no judgements...it is PURE LOVE!
You deserve every ounce of that pure love!!
KNOW that you are deserving of every good gift and that He will give you just what you need when you need it. Life is certainly not without troubles and trials, you know that very well. BUT, do not lose hope...do not grow weary. He is with you and He cares!!!!! He really, really does.

So do I so if I can pray for you or encourage you in any way, let me know!

Love & Blessings!
XO Sherry

Next Page Please....

Life is ever changing.

Some things seem to always be the same and NEED changing and other things change so fast it makes our heads spin.

Many of us are afraid of change and fight it tooth and nail. I venture to say that I am one of those comfort creatures that likes things to be similar and run smoothly. Actually I am all about things running smoothly. I am a planner and like things to be planned out.

I have had that challenged a great deal in the past few years. I did not like it most of the time and I have had to learn a great deal about flexibility. Uhmmm....I don't bend real easily, BUT on the other hand. I am one who MORE THAN ANYTHING is interested in being faithful to God and HIS plan for my life.

SO I bend and I move and I ditch my own plans in the trash while going for HIS plan!

The way I see it, it is ALL a learning and growing experience. It's what we need to be closer to HIM, our source of strength and passion and love and ..............
well EVERYTHING!!!

After a few years of these flexibility lessons, it seems as if He is about to mix things up and after one HUGE change I will be living a much more "planned" out daily routine. I kinda like that idea!!! I think it will be so good for me.

After 13 years of working as an Assistant to an Interior Designer; making plants & topiarys, decorating, assisting, choosing tile and paint colors, hanging window treatments, and pictures, etc. etc. etc.
I have a NEW job!!!

I am leaving the decorating field and entering a new job as a front desk receptionist for a welding company.

At this new job I will have more routine. Things will be far less physically demanding (my body NEEDS this!!!). I will be able to use some of my other talents and abilities.

I am excited!!!!!

This chapter is complete (or it will be after this work week).
Now it is time to see what else God has in store for me, what great things have yet to come.

I am looking forward to it with great anticipation and excitement,
and saying.....


NEXT PAGE PLEASE.......................

A Pig-Pen Mentality.....

Do you remember the Charley Brown character, Pig-Pen???

He's this little guy who brought with him a cloud of dirt and dust everywhere he went.

Back in the day when I worked in the forest service was when I was first referred to as "Pig-Pen". Rightfully so, because I was the one at the end of the day with the dirt swipes across my face (you know when you are hot and sweaty and you wipe your forehead).

Jeez I get dirty doing ANYTHING! I don't mean to, but I tend to be so messy!

Recently I have had this image in my mind again. Only this time I am seeing the swirl of dirt following him along life as more like our persona....our attitude, our cloud, our atmosphere.

We all bring a sense of yourself everywhere we go, whomever we meet along the way is touched (whether it be positively or negatively) with this puff of personality we permeate. It is our very BEING, our CHARACTER, our attitude, atmosphere, disposition, ESSENCE, heart, identity, individuality, influence......

Think about it. Are you exposed to someone who brings a specific PUFF of personality everywhere they go? It can either draw you in or repel you. It can either make you feel good or make you want to cower in the corner. You either see this person coming and feel wonderful or you want to turn the other direction.

Oh, sometimes our "persona" is not THAT extreme. But either way, you are bringing it along with you everywhere you go. You are creating your own atmosphere.

Hmmmmmmmmmm................

Think about that!

Have you ever heard the phrase, "everywhere I go, there I am"?

Yea, that is what I am talking about.

You cannot escape your own cloud.

So what IS YOUR influence, your atmosphere??

How are you making others feel?

How do you leave people feeling when you have spent time with them?

Are you even aware of how you are behaving?

Lord knows we ALL need help in this department. We all need to be aware of the atmosphere we are creating around us.

We have a short time with each person we encounter (for the most part) so we need to be a positive, happy, joyful, encouraging personality that draws them to the love of Christ.

My prayer today is that I can remember my own little cloud of "dust" as I go about my day that I might bring smiles and encouragement every step of the way!!!

Tell me YOUR thoughts about this little theory of mine.........I would love to hear them!

Have a blessed and beautiful day!!

XO

Hurting Hearts and the Love of our Faithful Father.....

Good Evening all of you lovelies......

My heart is heavy thinking of so many precious people who are struggling deeply. There are so many aches and pains in living this life on earth. We are going to feel these effects of an imperfect world more and more every single day until the day we get to heaven.
It is inevitable. Our reward is coming.
YET, the pain that you are feeling RIGHT NOW is real and it hurts deeply.
I know.

No matter how desperate you feel,
how deep your heart has been cut,
how depressed you have been,
no matter how grim the future looks,
how scared you feel right now,
how impossible the situation feels at this moment,
how confused you are, how lonely you have been feeling,
no matter how crazed you are feeling......
ALL of those things are oh so real...........
But I want you to remember that SO IS OUR GOD!!!!!

He has your back!
He is bending over to pick you up.
He is wiping the tears from your eyes.
He is smoothing out the way before you.
He is opening doors where others have slammed in your face.
He is clearing a path where the one you are on has become over grown with weeds.
He is the sunshine that will brighten your days.
He is the peace that will surround you,
the smile that is in your heart.
He is the author of all good things, and He is writing your story.

He created you perfectly, wonderfully, beautifully, with a plan and a purpose. (Psalm 139)
He has not forgotten.
Check YOUR OWN decisions and choices to see if YOU are the one in the way of the blessings.
If not, then it is just not time YET!
They shall come.
He ALWAYS provides.
Granted, it is not always in the way we had hoped or asked for.
Believe it or not, to get everything the way we want it is not always the best for us.
Just think of how parents are with their kiddos. Children are always asking for something....and parents don't always say yes, because they know what is best for them. Maybe they want more sugar and the parent knows how destructive it can be. Or maybe they want to do something dangerous, the parent is only looking out for their safety.
Sometimes there is no apparent reason when God tells us no, but just as our children trust us, we must trust GOD with the answer He is giving us.
Trust and Obey.


One of the first scriptures I memorized when I was saved at the age of 24 was Proverbs 3:5-7
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge HIM in ALL your ways and He will direct your paths."
Not many days go by that I do not think of this scripture and KNOW that it is my favorite, my "life verse" for a reason...because GOD knows where I am weak (trusting HIM/letting go of control and trying to figure things out.

God knows your weaknesses too.
He knows what you need and when you need it.
He knows your hearts desire, because HE PUT IT THERE!!!!

I want to encourage you...whatever you are facing, I can list the NUMEROUS things I know of at this moment:
loss of job
no home of your own
desperate to become a mommy
starting a new life
confused about love
severe health issues that are looming over you
a medical scare
financial struggles
marital trouble
starting over
raising children and all the struggles that comes with that
exhausted and overwhelmed
someone you love is incarcerated
someone you love is distant and leaving you out
depression threatens to takes hold/or it has taken hold
you are in pain all day, every day
your work situation is miserable
your car is broken down, again!
you are grieving
you are scared
you are desperate
you are struggling with addiction
you cannot seem to keep up
you are overwhelmed
you feel isolated and alone
you feel like you do not have a purpose

I kid you not, I had someone particular in mind with each one of those issues I wrote!!! Some people I realized fell into more than one category even.

These are desperate times.

Once again, I have the answer for you.........the only answer there is.

The answer is GOD!!!!
Allow HIM to permeate your very being and to be your all in all. Once you begin lining your life up with HIM and HIS WORD, you will begin to feel a peace that passes all understanding. Knowing it is NOT up to you, but up to Him, should allow you to relax!

Something I say to myself often is: LET GO AND LET GOD!!!!!!
Whatever it is you are going through....I pray you will find the strength to give it to the omnipotent God and leave it with HIM!

If you would like me to pray for you, I would be honored.
Know that as I wrote this I was doing that very thing, praying for all these needs and knowing full well that there are so many more that I have not touched on. GOD KNOWS! When I pray, He fills in the gap.

May you feel that love and peace today.
God Bless You!!!
XO

Happy Mother's & UN-Mother's Day

To all of you moms out there who lovingly devote your lives to your children I pray you had a very blessed day designated to

YOU!!!!

Motherhood is a group I have been a proud member of for 32 years now.

It is the role of a lifetime for me.

I do not remember ever wanting to be anything else besides a mom when I was growing up.

While I thank God for the three precious blessings that God entrusted me with here on this earth, I know they are not mine, but they are His.

(I need reminded of this from time to time though, I will admit).

Each one of them are unique and incredible in their own right.

Each one was created wonderfully and beautifully by our awesome God.

Psalm 139 speaks of how God has created us just as He wants us to be,

He has given us specific talents and abilities that are there for His reasons.

I would love to introduce you to each one of my pride and joys and tell you all about Shelly, Sara and James and the fabulous qualities and traits they each possess.

HOWEVER....

I am feeling something else on my heart at the moment
(and............. I did not get permission to exploit them here! LOL!!!)

While I am thankful and feel beyond blessed to be a mom.

I am mindful of so many women who long to be able to be a part of that group

called "Motherhood".

It breaks my heart to see the pain of these barren women.

I KNOW that God has a plan for their lives, I also know that at times that seems so distant and elusive compared to the longing deep within their precious, loving hearts.

I do not know God's ways, nor can I understand why sometimes we cannot have every desire of our heart, especially when it is something we feel so led to.

I can only say that GOD LOVES YOU and

HE SEES EVERY PAIN YOU FEEL.

He knows your heart, because HE created it!!

He DOES have a plan for you!!!

Please be encouraged by God Himself on this day that your heart feels heavier than usual for the longing within you heart.

As I have been writing I have been thinking of the many other types of moms that are struggling with this day.

There are the grieving moms who have lost a child.

The moms who have children but cannot be with them,

for one reason or another.

The mothers whose children have grown up and moved on

leaving them feeling lonely and without a purpose.

There are also those of you whose moms have passed away

and you are missing them desperately today.

There are some of you who feel an emptiness on this day because you have never felt the love of a mother and you long to have that in your life and in your heart.

For all of you I pray healing and wholeness within you, within your heart.

I pray that you know this is but one day in your life,

it is no more valuable than any other day in God's eyes.

He wants you to know and feel His love and JOY,

He wants you to feel His PEACE!!!

Remember...He knows your heart, He created it

and He does have a plan and purpose for your life!

I am praying for ALL of you moms right now......

in the mighty name of Jesus!!!

XO

Shake It Off....

You know those phrases...."Shake it off" or "Let it roll off your back"?
We should let "it" be like water on a ducks back and let it just roll off.....
Don't let it stay with you....

"It" being something that is bothering you, something someone has said that hurt you, something you did wrong a mistake you made...etc.

I struggle with doing this. I realize it when I find myself crippled by the effects of the things that trouble me. I think I have always done this. I think many of us do.
Do you??

I watched a word picture. a lesson of sorts, play out before me last weekend when I went to watch my teenage grand-daughter at Cheer Competition.

There were many well practiced, skilled, incredible girls doing their cheers, dances and stunts. Not many mistakes were made (errr...noticed!).
I saw one girl make a little fumble in her flip, she briefly fell to the ground, but she was UP on her feet with her smile just as big as it was before. I kept on watching her to see if she was gonna be "off" from this little falter. She was NOT. She kept on going like nothing ever happened! I was so impressed. I am sure deep inside she was feeling like "bummer! I fell" but NOTHING showed on her face! She was definitely letting it roll off her back, she definitely shook it off immediately, and carried on.

Later I saw an opposite episode take place. Once again there was a falter, a fall...but this time the cute little cheerleader did not seem unaffected. In fact her face wore the episode all over it. She looked fretful and her smile was completely gone. She seemed to be shaken and off one beat the rest of the routine, as if she just could not make up for that one mis-step. It completely consumed her and affected her every move.

I sat there thinking what a great visual that was for this issue I have been dealing with; NOT shaking it off, not letting it roll off my back. Instead I tend to keep on falling all over myself for the ONE mistake I made, or the ONE problem I am having, for the ONE time someone hurt me.
Instead of it owning ONLY that ONE moment it happened, I am allowing it to own SO MUCH MORE!

I have mentioned before that I am taking a Soul Restoration Course (see side bar for more info..they are offering more classes coming up and I HIGHLY recommend them!!!). In this class we are referred to as "Brave Girls" (that is the name of the group that puts these classes on). So I have begun telling myself "You are BRAVE...you CAN do this!" You are not that one thing, that one moment, that one infraction.
Move on.
Carry on.
Put that smile back on your face.

If you let it roll off your back right away it will not bottle up and build up and become something far more than it should be in your heart and life. Otherwise it can fester and build up and become a deep infection within you causing you more pain and suffering than necessary.

Let me be your reminder today to; Let it roll off your back.
Shake it off and carry on!

Here's to shaking it off, even when we fall before HUNDREDS of spectators, and carrying on in God's strength!!!
When you find yourself falling this week, I pray you remember to pick yourself up and carry on. Take it to God and be released from the stronghold it can keep on you.
Remind yourself that YOU ARE BRAVE!!!

Have a happy and blessed week full of BRAVE moments!
XO

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

Don't you just love it when several things come together to reveal to you a message!?

Over this past weekend while I was visiting my son and his precious little girls I was teaching them the Sunday school song "This little light of Mine".

Do you know it?

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine,

this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine,

let it shine, let it shine, let it shine"

Then the little ditty seemed to stick in my head and I found myself humming it to myself on my seven hour drive home.

THEN....Once I came home it was time for Soul Restoration class.

What an amazing thing to discover Melody was talking about

how our lights shine and make a huge difference in the world.

How even one light can make a difference in the darkness.

About how amazing it is that we can light another's light

without taking anything from our own.

I was touched by the message,

the video and the very thought of how

each one of us women in the world

are a light

and when we allow ourselves to shine before men

we make an amazing difference in the world we are a part of.

Okay...THEN........

I opened up my art journal to do some of the art part of the lesson (a few days later)

and found that I had written something in there a couple of weeks prior.

"Dear Brave Girl, Don't ever doubt your strength, the power within. It is God IN you. With HIM all things are possible and He wants to shine through you!!!"

Apparently God is sending me (and others) an important message..........

and I wanted to share it with you!

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

I believe God wants you to know too that

YOU ARE A LIGHT!!!!!!!!

That He made you wonderfully, perfectly and that you

have a specific light that you are to SHINE!!!!

What is it that God put in your heart?

He put it there for a reason...for a purpose.

It is up to you, a responsibility,

to use it and to be a LIGHT for others to see.

It is our light that will lead others to HIM!

So, my question to you is this...

Are you letting your light shine?

I have to tell you something..........

I have found myself with my own light buried so deep

that no one could ever see it if they wanted to!

No one would even know it was there,

because it was buried under the mess of life.

I would allow the issues and overwhelm of life to darken the light.

Are you doing the same???

Let me encourage you to release the junk of life

to the only one capable...GOD Himself.

To trust HIM with your troubles and trials

and in the process your light shall SHINE

I hope the little ditty is ringing in your heart now

and you will go around singing the song to yourself as a reminder to

LET YOUR LITTLE LIGHT SHINE!!!!!

Lots of love and blessings to you!
XO

Restoring My Soul

So far 2011 has been a wonderful time of GrOwing forward in hopes of becoming a better ME!

I am in the midst of some SOUL RESTORATION at Brave Girls
WOW, it is amazing!!

We all get caught up in life and the demands it makes on us and we get a little LOST in the shuffle. We lose a part of us that yearns to be heard, to be known. It is vitally important that we restore that part of our soul because God put us here on this earth, each one of us, for reasons HE has in mind.
It is up to YOU to be who He created you to be so that you are doing YOUR part in making this world a better place. There never will be another one just like you. It is up to you to be and do all that you can while you are here on earth.

I talked last time about a lot of RE words and this time I am talking about GrOwing
(I write it like that because to me it means I am GOing forward and GROWing along the way...).

If you put the two together you have REGROW..........hmmmmmmmmmmmm...........

Sounds like a pretty good plan of action to me!!!

So, here's to REGROWING in 2011. I pray that you will re-grow all the things in your life that have gone dormant and been crushed and trampled.
We have so much to look forward to, so much to do while we can.

With much love and blessings....
Sherry

RE...............

I have finally had time to sit and read and write and think and ponder and pray and look forward to the NEW YEAR with faith and hope and anticipation.

I love this time of the year for this very reason!!!

I am one of those who loves to set aside time to come up with a plan for a new start, a fresh beginning, a RE-grouping of sorts.

I do not believe that New Year's Eve/Day and thereabouts has any magical power....I just believe it is a great reminder to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN...to the world and our life around us. To REflect over the past year, the blunders, the absurdities, the blessings, and everything in-between. To RE-evaluate that which you stand for, the traps you have fallen into and all that you have forgotten to REmember!

It is a fabulous time to RE-focus.

In doing so I literally list the areas of my life that I believe need to be fine tuned (actually I list them all and RE-evaluate each one of them). I try to REmember the things I felt over the year, good and bad, making sense of each one of the feelings and the REsults they had in my life.

I REport to GOD and together we REorganize what needs more attention, what needs to be REleased and how I need to go about all of this!

Some of it does not come without a heavy price.

This year I had to come to a few decisions that will affect me both good and bad, but it was time. One of those was to choose to REduce the amount of time I work so I can REgain my health. It will be a financial sacrifice but it will also hold great REwards in the end I am certain.

So I am sort of REorganizing my life.

It is also time to REnew my commitments, REflecting on what those are and how they need to be REpurposed to serve me better in 2011.

I do not feel as if I am REinventing myself so much as I am simply REcovering that which was already there, which leads to a REnewing of my BODY, MIND and SPIRIT.
It was time I REspect myself enough to REplenish that which has gotten lost in the shuffle of life.

As I look at all the lists, the REsolutions, I have ultimately made...I am feeling REjuvinated to REpurpose my time and my energies...it is a REcipe for the new year.

It is my tendancy to fret and worry and be consumed.....instead I am going to REjoice in the fact that GOD has it ALL under control. (I may need REminded of this from time to time!) he he!!!

So, a little late I know but HAPPY NEW YEAR dear ones!!!
May you find the RE's in your life and come alive and thrive in 2011!!!!!

XO
Love & Blessings!