Thursday, January 28, 2021

Cat Love

 I know! 

Two posts in a row. There must be some sort of extra juju in my morning coffee. 

Actually, the electrician is here again today and I need to appear busy. I don't want to for him to think I sit around all day long reading murder mysteries and binge watch Grey's Anatomy. 

Say what? 

The work crew from the energy company is still here. Yesterday, they secured the gigantic pole they installed next to the Parsonage with a couple of bungie chords and a few enormous French knots (poorly done French knots). It looked frightening. This morning they gathered around looking up at it like it had just appeared overnight. One guy even left the doors on his truck open like he was prepared for a quick getaway. 

Princess and I were concerned. 

I shared this picture on my FB page. 


Her favorite napping place is now my chest. 

It's a good thing I love her. 



Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Expectations

 Today the Parsonage is getting plugged in. At least, MORE plugged in. 

An electrician is here installing and repairing electrical outlets. The Parsonage is old. I'm not sure how old, but let's just say that the master bedroom has ONE electrical outlet. 

ONE. 

We have cords running everywhere. Which, of course, is not safe. 

I'm perched here on the couch trying to look purposeful and occupied. I even heated up some leftover stir fry for breakfast so I wouldn't dirty up my very clean kitchen. 

What's more is that the power company has loads of worker bees in the church parking lot. They have been installing power poles all over town and have basically used the parking lot as home base. Our front window has provided quite the view. 

Princess the Cat is beside herself today. All the activity has put her on high alert. She keeps looking at me as though I am supposed to keep all of this chaos in line. She is a Siamese. They have high expectations. 

Speaking of expectations. I think sometimes we set ours too high. We have an idea in our mind about how things should work. 

People need to act a certain way. 

A circumstance should happen this way. 

Life just plain needs to look a certain way. 

I am not for a minute about to suggest you shouldn't hold the people in your life to some sort of standard. Abuse is never okay. And plain courtesy and consideration is necessary for healthy relationships. 

It's just that sometimes life drops little "surprises" on us. Or we have unrealistic views of what should be. 

I would say that marriage is probably the hardest on our expectations. We expect the fairy tale. The magic. Life is not so magical when the bills aren't paid, a spouse is sick, and the looks of love become more looks of exasperation. 

My husband never acts like I think he should. He wants to talk when I want to stay silent. He wants a night out when I would just as soon have a night in. Sometimes he doesn't say the right thing. Or notice when I need help. I think he should be able to read my mind and I'm offended when he doesn't. 

Our first year of marriage was rough. A family tragedy occurred roughly around the same time as our wedding. And though I felt like I handled it fairly well, I still was traumatized to the point that I stuffed a whole lot of feelings down. 

I was weighed down with indecision and insecurity. 

Plus, The Studly Muffin was a whole lot different than me. My laid-back tendencies annoyed and frustrated him. I couldn't figure out why he couldn't just let me be. He just needed to chill out. 

My friends. Little did I know that I would need his intensity and energy in my life. I would need his never failing loyalty. He would need my calmness and positivity. 

What a mess we make of things...just by living vicariously through expectation. We don't appreciate the beauty and blessings right in front of us. We are too busy trying to mold life into our own vision of happiness. 

By the way, the electrician just popped in and apologized in advance for the crazy noises he is about to create. Princess the cat has disappeared into Josiah's bedroom to hide.  She has decided that all this activity is too much for her today. 

I don't blame her. I'm thinking a second cup of coffee might be in order. 



Tuesday, January 26, 2021

The Bible Ladies Brunch Bunch - Learning to Live a Beautiful Life- Sorrow - An Interview with Debbie

 I have something special for you today. 




This might be a tough interview  to watch. But, I felt it was so important to talk about trusting God through our sorrows AND learning to life a beautiful life DESPITE of heartache. 

I am talking with Debbie today. We actually filmed this interview before Thanksgiving of 2020. I had already had in my heart the "Learning to Life a Beautiful Life" series we are going through now. 



My hairstyle is old and I'm rocking a pumpkin graphic tee and I look about 7 feet tall (and as wide) next to Debbie. I'm only 5'4, but Debbie is a tall 4'11. She is, in fact, the same height at my momma. 

Debbie is one our faithful Bible Ladies. She would join the rest of us every Wednesday morning at my house for brunch and the Word. She is also our piano player and church and (before Covid) our adult Sunday School at church. 

In this video, Debbie tells of navigating the loss of a child. Every parents' worst nightmare. Despite her loss, I have only known Debbie to be sunny, outgoing, and generous. I hope that her story encourages you. 

As promised, I am sharing a printable for you with Debbie's favorite Scripture. I know! I told you NO PRINTABLES this series. 



Next week, we will be talking about Identity. Do you know who you are in Christ? How do you see yourself? Do you compare yourself with others? 

For now, I know you will be blessed with our video today. 



Saturday, January 16, 2021

The Bible Ladies Brunch Bunch - Learning to Live a Beautiful Life - Gratitude

 It's that time again. 

Time for another round of The Bible Ladies Brunch Bunch. 




This time I keeping it simple. I am not going to be sharing a yummy brunch recipe with you nor am I going to have a bunch of printables available for your use. 

At least, not many. I might get a wild hair and create something late at night when I need something creative to focus my attention on. 

Right now, I am just keeping one of my resolutions. I have a tendency to be a little bit "extra." I need some time to be a little better to myself so I am giving myself permission to let some things go. 

Anyhoo. 

This series of The Bible Ladies Brunch Bunch we are going to talk about how to live a beautiful life. This is something I have discussed, wrote about, and spoke about for years. I decided to create a simple series that can help all of us to be more mindful about living that beautiful life. 





Our first topic is Gratitude. I understand that this is a biggie. Many of you don't feel very grateful right now. I, myself, have a list of things that is causing me some anxiety.

However, I completely believe it is the DISCIPLINE of gratitude that makes the difference. Sometimes you gotta "fake it til you make it." 

I promised in the video (which you can watch below) that I would provide some of my favorite Gratitude scriptures...appropriate for study and for plastering all over your house. 

 

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Ps. 100:4-5

 

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Phil 4:6

 

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” Ps. 103:1-5

 

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him." Ps. 28:7

 

"I will praise the name of God with song, and shall magnify Him with thanksgiving." Ps. 69:30

 

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; ..." Ps. 136:1-5

 

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." Heb. 12:28-29

 

"Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" Rev. 7:12


Another little note before you watch the video. The sound is ATROCIOUS. I think our external mic needs a little revival. I tried to fix it in editing, but it was just too far gone. 

I didn't have time to film another go around. I hope you don't mind attempting to read my lips. I AM SO SORRY! 

I promise I will fix it. For now, I hope you are encouraged. 




Monday, January 4, 2021

New Year?

 New Year? 

Just be aware that I am a tad bit wary of this new year 2021. After all, we started out 2020 with shiny sparkly dreams and hopes for a fantastic year. 

I recognize I have been downright terrible with keeping up with the blog. 

The truth is that I don't feel good. 

Nothing serious. Just the usual troubles of living with chronic illness. I need to hunker down and start this year off with a nitty-gritty, back to the earth "Be Good to Beke" strategy. . 

I have decided to approach this year with baby steps. 

Getting back to my usual cauli-egg white scramble with garlic and turmeric breakfast. 

Soaking in my Epsom salt bath every other night.

No caffeine after 2pm. These late nights are rough on me. 

Keeping track of my planner and my meals. 

In short, all the things that keep me ticking. 


I always enjoy making Resolutions for the New Year. I like to take a step back and look at things critically. 

What am I not doing that I need to be?

What is my vision for a room, space, idea, or plan and how can I achieve that vision? 

Are there any habits or mental attitudes that are keeping me in an unhealthy space? What can I do to make the changes I need to get where I need to be?


Stay tuned. I'm too skeptical to declare 2021 as my year. But it doesn't hurt to be hopeful.





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