Ordinary

He made some days holy and important, and made other days ordinary.
Sirach 33:9 

Today was decidedly ordinary. I decided to take the day off, there were things at home that needed my attention and I needed also to rest up from the week. I've pushed hard this week and I'll pick up tomorrow where I left off.

Tonight brought us a good steady rain, much needed. I love to listen to it falling through the trees...it's so peaceful. 

It was good to have a simple, ordinary day today. 

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=amcGIfMu0bw

Press On

Run your best in the race of faith, and win eternal life for yourself; for it was to this life that God called you when you firmly professed your faith before many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12 

It was another good day. I finished measuring the office building I have been working on, which has been a large undertaking. It has been quite tiring being on my feet on hard floors for hours on end as I've worked to detail what is a somewhat complicated building... but it has been such a great blessing to have a project of this size to do!

As I was pulling out of the parking lot this song came on the radio:

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=yQsRKCH59qw

I just love it!

Lots more to do to get it all drawn up...I press on. :)

Measuring

He took the measuring rod and measured the east side, and it was 840 feet. Then he measured the north side, the south side, and the west side; each side had the same length, 840 feet,   Ezekiel 42:16-17

Yesterday was a 19 hour day that started at 4:00 AM and I realized this morning that I didn't get a post done! Oops! Even though it was a loonnng day it was a good one.

Today I continued measuring a large multi-tenant office building to be able to draw as-built plans for the building owner. It is an historic building that was once home to tobacco manufacturing, and when it was renovated to become office space they kept the exposed high ceilings, glass block windows, and other original details. It's really cool space and I love the feeling of connection to history. 

While there are parts where I still use a good old fashioned tape measure, mostly I use a laser tape to determine distances. It makes it go a lot faster and I'm able to measure everything by myself. I was interested to find this Scripture...imagine having to measure a large building with a rod! And yet, they were able to build the temple with all of its intricate details. God inspires every generation.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to document this building. And I'm thankful for the modern tools to get it done.

Learning

People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron. Proverbs 27:17

I got a new phone today.

Lord, help me.

I'm thankful for my kids who can teach me how to use it.

:)

Rest

And Jesus concluded, “The Sabbath was made for the good of human beings; they were not made for the Sabbath.   Mark 2:27 

After several days of hard labor in the yard, today was a true day of rest. We had a family church time at home this morning...no rushing to get dressed and out the door today. We spent time at the in-laws having a mini family reunion with all of my husband's siblings (from out of town and state) for lunch and most of the afternoon. We put the boats in the lake and fished, and then met friends for dinner out.

Admittedly I am not good at stopping. I'm pretty driven and with two teenagers, two dogs, a busy consulting business, and a traveling husband my cup is always full to overflowing. But I'm learning to make deliberate time for rest. It is God's plan for our benefit.

And it's great... :)

Cleaning Complete!

The pressure washing is finished! It took about six hours today to finish it up. All the while this song kept coming into my mind:


http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=OOjpkqrCEOU

Washed

Remove my sin, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.  Psalm 51:7

I've been on a mission to clean up the yard. Beds have been edged, weeds removed, and for two evenings I've been pressure washing the front porch, sidewalk, and steps to the driveway. We had the sidewalk replaced seven years ago and I'm not sure it's been washed since. Maybe once? But for sure and certain it was gross, the steps had moss and all kinds of weeds and junk growing on them, and the front porch had enough dead plants on it to look like we had moved. Yuk!!

But now? It looks brand new!

Little by little the dark, dingy sidewalk revealed a clean, bright white. And the further I went along the dirtier I got from the spray. There was some grime being flung and by the time I was done I was covered in yuk from head to toe!

All the while I was cleaning I thought about how God through Christ washes us clean. About how He took our "yuk" upon Himself so that we could be clean and made like  new. How that Grace powers through the deepest layers to remove the yuk to the point that it's like it was never there in the first place.

Just the way I felt after showering and watching it all go down the drain.

Blessed...washed...

Learn

Pay attention to your teacher and learn all you can.  Proverbs 23:12

Thursday is knitting class day! I'm a newbie...so far I've made scarves, simple hats, socks, and now I'm diving into my first sweater. Both of the classes I've taken have had great teachers and its a whole lot of fun learning something new! The sweater is only about 3.5" off the needles so far...it will take some time to complete, but in the process there will be a lot to learn which will carry forward into future projects. 

Learning how to knit has been on my bucket list for a while. I'm happy to have patient teachers who can show me how to do it! 

Now to find a spinning teacher... (eventually...)  

:)

Provision

Your work will provide for your needs;  Psalm 128:2

Today was filled with work. For that I am grateful!

Happy Birthday!

Be joyful always    1 Thessalonians 5:16

And especially today...it's my husband's birthday! :)

Wages

"Name your wages, and I will pay them.”  Genesis 30:28 

Today was invoicing day. I can't begin to express my gratitude for the work I have had lately. It is truly a blessing to me and my family. 

Thanks be to God!

Do Good

So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone,
Galatians 6:10 a

And today I had a chance. Someone had a real need that, with the help of some good friends in construction world, was able to be met at no cost to him. His home will be much safer now and I'm glad I was able to help make that happen.

They say you can't help everyone, but you can help someone.

 If everyone would help someone, then I suppose everyone could be helped.

Something to think about...

Friends

Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody.
Romans 12:18

I met my friend early this morning at Krispy Kreme to deliver the stoles I made yesterday...of course that meant a doughnut and coffee was on the agenda in addition to spending some time together! After that I made a quick stop at a quilt shop for a fabric refill and enjoyed catching up with the folks there. Then I ended up meeting another friend to get some items being donated to help someone I know and had a good visit with her. 

Later we had a good visit with my husband's parents and finished off the day catching up with some neighbors.

Saturdays are perfect for slowing down the pace of life and spending time with friends. It was so nice to see everybody!

It was a peaceful day.

Creative

For all things were created by him, and all things exist through him and for him. To God be the glory forever! Amen.  Romans 11:36 

Today was spent creating clergy stoles for C and M Designs. For me that time is an act of worship and given that it was an all day event, it made for a great day! I completed three...I'm hoping that whoever receives them is as blessed as I was in creating them.

It's been a long and very good, creative day.

Home

Anyone away from home is like a bird away from its nest.  Proverbs 27:8

My husband has to make frequent business trips. What was good about today is that my traveling husband came home. 

<3

Change in Plans

Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God, the Creator of the heavenly lights, who does not change or cause darkness by turning.
James 1:17

Things don't always go the way that you plan.

Today was supposed to be a "desk day." Time in the office to get specs done on one project, a proposal done on another, selections made for another. But a client asked if I could bring some prints of their building over "like nowish." As in drop everything and drive into town. Ugh.

So I did. 

I was able to get enough done before I left not to be behind when I got back. And I figured while I was out I'd tackle a few errands. I grabbed a plan from another project, some couch cushion covers to take to the cleaners, a list for the store, and off I went.

I got to town just a bit ahead of my time for dropping off the prints so I popped over to the arts district to see an exhibit I've been wanting to see. But the gallery was not open! Drat. Another plan diverted. I went into the shop next door to fill the time and ended up finding the cutest salt and pepper shaker set...which I wouldn't have done had my plan not been redirected. Simple gift, yes, but one that makes me smile.

After my client meeting I took the couch cushion covers to the dry cleaners. Turns out that they are washable and don't have to be drycleaned. Finding that out was a nice gift! 

Then I hopped across the street to the knit shop to see if they could help me with the socks I had almost finished (well, sock. The first of the pair). The lady who had taught the class I took was in and she graciously sat down with me and was able to jog my memory. One sock is now completed! Learning to knit is a gift...I like new challenges.

On my way home I was able to swing by another client to review a new layout for a space they are considering, and then I hit the store with my list getting that task done.

Not at all the day I had planned, but so many nice things happened! 

Our plans may change, but God never does. And how wonderful are the gifts He gives, even when, and today delightfully because, plans get changed!

Ordinary

Give us each day our daily bread.  Luke 11:3 

Today was decidedly ordinary. After a day out yesterday "making rounds" today was a desk day. Much needed, I have a lot to do. Most of the day was spent writing specs for one of my projects. It was good to get it to that part of the process. I'm excited about how it is going to look!

I have a lot to do, but I got a lot done. And I'm trusting Him to give me what I need to get the rest done. Each day to its own, each day's provisions given as are needed.

And thankfulness for it all.

Work

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.  Psalm 90:17 

I had an important presentation today. It was a redo...the first selections I had brought before my client, a new client, were not the look they were after. That rarely happens...in fact I can't really remember it ever happening. I'm a very intuitive designer, but my idea of pattern and theirs was very different. So I was a bit nervous going in today. I wanted to get it right this time. I prayed for favor the whole way there.

They loved it. 

My next meeting went well also. This client is one I've worked with for several years but they have a new property manager and this time around I'm also working with the building owner who is in town. I had never met either, but both are very nice, and they have quite a bit of work for me to do. I am so thankful for that! The economic downturn really hit the construction industry hard and it's so encouraging to see things moving in the right direction.

People have told me they think I'm talented. I don't know about that. I just know I pray a lot. I pray for work to do, and for the work of my hands to be blessed. I pray for direction. So I have to give God the credit. Any gifts I've been given are His.

I just work at being led by Him.  

Mother's Day

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
Proverbs 31:28

Without a doubt the best thing that has ever happened to me besides marrying my husband was becoming "Mom" to two of the most amazing boys in the world. If I look back at the last seventeen years the things I remember most and treasure deeply are the times spent together as a family and the times spent watching my babies grow. Nothing is more important.

It has been a wonderful weekend. Breakfast in bed, flowers to plant, a special day at church, lunch out with my guys, cards from all three of them...I truly am blessed.

Rain

He provides rain for the earth; he sends water on the countryside.
Job 5:10

What was good about today?

It rained.

It was a typical Southern scattered showers kind of day. First we had relief from the 80+° temps at the soccer game...a nice cloud cover came in and we had a few splatty raindrops. Just enough to cool it off but not enough to get things wet.

Then we got a great rainfall at home, which meant I didn't have to water the garden!  The plants just soaked it up. 

I really like spring rains...they cool things down and clear the air, they make things grow and wash things clean.

It rained...and I loved it!

Flowers

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Matthew 6:28-29 

It's Mother's Day weekend and as we do around here, we started celebrating early tonight. (That's how we roll with reasons to celebrate...birthdays last a week!) We've been doing some things around the yard and the guys decided they wanted to give me a special plant to add to what we've done. I suggested a white knockout rose bush. I had seen some at Lowe's earlier in the week and thought they were pretty.

Since it's Friday night and we always do something together, we all went to Lowe's to pick out a bush. They had a huge lot of knockout roses, but no white ones! I asked, but the guy said there weren't any left. We debated on the pink ones, walked around a bit and debated on the hydrangeas, then wandered back to the roses to pick out a pink one.

And then...my sweet husband saw one lone white one in the middle of all the pink ones! It only had a couple of blossoms open so it was easy to miss. Impressive, especially since it was dark outside when we went. 

I can't wait to plant it and watch it grow. Flowers always make me think of this verse in Matthew 6, my favorite chapter. We will put it at the end of the driveway, so whether we're coming or going we will have a beautiful reminder of God's provisions, mercy, and love.

I'm one happy, blessed mom. :)

Catching

For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,
Luke 5:9

My sixteen year old son took me fishing tonight. Just the two of us, out floating in the boat with birds chirping and as night began to fall the sounds of tree frogs carried across the water. It was blissful.

And the fish were biting. Catching is always more fun. :)

I caught three and he caught four. Not bad for a little more than an hour on the water. But my biggest catch was that time spent one on one. I'm too keenly aware of how fleeting time is. All too soon he will be off to college and I will wonder where the time went.

For now I will treasure days like today and the time spent catching memories.

I Painted

Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.   Psalm 86:4

And a joy filled day it was! In spite of the things that tried to trip me up - a child home from school sick, a meeting cancelled, demanding clients, and worst of all two days worth of CAD drawings gone in a crash - it was a day filled with joy!

I painted.

As in artistically. On canvas. 

I painted! 

It's been a while. And oh did it feel good! My easel is set up in our guest room where my son spent a good bit of the day resting, so it allowed me to hang out with him while I worked.

I like how it turned out. The painting, and the day.

God-incidence

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."  Luke 11:9

I have been asking God to bring Godly women of faith into my life lately and twice now I have been in a crowded gathering with a single empty seat beside me, in a room where I knew no one, and just the right person sat down. The first time was during a multi-day conference, in an arena of literally thousands. That was no coincidence...it was a God-incidence! By the end of the event we had become fast friends and several others had joined the circle as well. All of us were from different places but we have kept in touch.

The second time was today. Smaller gathering, but again just the right person sat down. Turns out we have friends in common and we will be getting together again soon.

A simple prayer on my part...and in the unwritten details an unmistakable answer from above. 

God is so good!!

Teaching

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.   Proverbs 9:9

It was a fairly routine day. Got up, had coffee, went downstairs to work. A lovely day for sure, though nothing out of the ordinary. But late this afternoon two young ladies from my church came over for a sewing lesson. What fun! I've known them since they were little...they were part of the Sunday School class I taught for several years. I still refer to that group as "my kids" so it's especially nice to be teaching sewing to two of "my girls." 

They are both super smart and are doing SEW well! I'm having such a good time teaching them. :)

A Day to Shine

This is why it is said: "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Ephesians 5:14

Today was Youth Sunday at church. The entire service was conducted by the youth and they did an amazing job! Everything they did was centered on Ephesians 5:14 and being spiritually awake. They had skits, the youth praise band, liturgical dance, and one of the best youth sermons I've ever heard. 

Christ did indeed shine through those kids today!

The day ended with a big cookout/potluck at church to kick off the celebration of Christian Home Month, which we celebrate every May. Turnout was great...it was like a big family reunion. Lots of good food, kids playing frisbee and basketball, lots of good conversation and fellowship, and the weather was beautiful.

It was a great day!

Music

"It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High,"   
Psalm 92:1

Tonight we were treated to a piano "concert" by our niece who is staying with my in-laws for the weekend. They came over for a cookout and while I was getting things done in the kitchen she sat down to play. I was pleasantly surprised to hear the first piece she played was one I played in a recital when I was about the same age she is now. That made me smile. She played through several other classical pieces then started sight reading one of my favorite arrangements of "Be Thou My Vision'. Love, love, love! And then "As the Deer"...another favorite! Classics are great...hymns, though, are the best!

There is just something wonderful about live music drifting through the house, especially when mingled with the aromas of a good meal being cooked and the sound of family conversations. 

It was a feast for the senses, all the way around.

Carry

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2

I stumbled upon this story today. As a baseball mom it really touched my heart.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/28/softball-players-carry-opponent_n_5228442.html?utm_hp_ref=good-news&ir=Good%20News

What awesome young women they are! They truly understand the heart of the game. They could have let her own teammates send in a runner. They could have just stood there and watched.

But they acted instead.

What a great example they have given...a memory they will carry with themselves forever.

A lesson we can all carry.

Woop!!!

"Shout for joy to God, all the earth!"    Psalm 66:1

I was #9 in line at the DMV this morning! I took knitting with me and only got about four rows done before it was my turn. Quick in, quick out! That was the hand of God at work...I didn't get there until 9:30!

Best of all, we finally got my husband's car back!!!! It's been seven long months. SEVEN LOOOOOONNNGGGG MONTHS waiting on a new wiring harness so it could be repaired from where it caught on fire last year (from faulty wiring)... @_@  Another unfortunate chapter closed! Hallelujah!!

Today was AWESOME!!!