Keeping things lively!

Oakley is our toddler!  Always causing messes and getting into things.  She has toys spread out all over the house, but yet goes after the shoes, my face, Ted's feet, towels, rugs, clean laundry, toilet paper rolls, and ice cubes.  She did manage to do the llama in after all the years Chica and Velle played with it.  Oakley chewed the plastic eyeballs off and pulled stuffing out.  We had a moment of reflection before I  put the llama in the garbage.  Puppies are not smart enough to NOT eat the plastic parts and the synthetic stuffing.

Sunday night, I was trying to have a chat with her about behaving for the groomer.  This was her response...growling and trying to bite my fingers.

We went Monday morning to meet the groomer at the vet.  We were there for a half hour and Oakley came out all pretty.

No drugs were used.  She did not fight the gal who held her.  She did yip once when they got to her toe nails.  We have a plan to go every couple weeks to hang out with Mrs. Beckie and get used to her house with all the sights and sounds.  "Mom will leave to go to her Bible study and we will be friends!"  I appreciate her help and advice.  And now that she has figured out how to get up on the couch...a whole new world has opened up to her!

Ted left work a little early and we went to Yoders on Monday.  The kitchen was closed for the sandwiches we wanted.  New hours...they now close at 5pm!  We got to get the deli style sandwiches, fresh chips, and a Buckeye to split.  We came home and spent time in the pool and then had our picnic lunch/supper at the dining room table.  It was yummy!

It was so hot and I didn't feel like baking.  I made no-bake cookies for our last ESL class on Tuesday.

Tuesday, Ted and I left early to head to the plant and get set up.  He had executives coming in again and I had class.  The time to start came and went...no students.  Ted went to see what was going on...there was a mandatory meeting...and the HR manager and trainer neglected to inform me.  Bummer!  I was more annoyed to lose our last class than getting up early.  I made my way back home and fed the dogs breakfast.  I caught up on a couple other things and then headed to our first Bible study for the season.

It was such a blessing to be back together and catch up after being off for the summer.  It was the adult version of the first day of school!  The music and the teaching touched my heart.

Our table has gone beyond the Tuesday morning to make time to do lunch together every once in awhile...and we did it this week.  To sit around the table and hear the testimonies of these gals was so encouraging.  God is at work in the messy and hard times of life...in my life...in her life...here and there...near or far...all at the same time!  The care of ladies who are at various life stages ministers in a special way!  God knew I needed this to bolster me through the week.  When we sit with others, we learn to not focus on our life and problems.  When we sit under the teaching of God's Word, we learn how to do life and expect problems.  When we are honest...that life is messy and life is hard...we see that others are covered with the messy and hard too...and we can cry together, pray together, and laugh together.  I am thankful for this season of life.

This little oak branch fell during Wednesday's storm.  I picked it up yesterday and snapped a picture.  We won't always have sunny, beautiful days.  There will be storms...it will get rough and loud...but we need the rain and nitrogen from the lightning...because it promotes growth and prepares us for the next season.

So this morning...we rested in the thought that He holds all things in our life in His almighty hands.  The sun is shining as we look ahead to the weekend.  But first, we will enjoy coffee, time with God, and puppy snuggles.
 

June 24...a Happy Golden Birthday!

I saw the beautiful colors of sunrise at 6:00 am, thanks to Oakley!  Later, the fog rolled in till the sun got higher to burn it all off.  What a pretty morning as I got to work to finish up the last parts of a special delivery!  

Fresh strawberries to go into cupcakes!  Homemade buttercream that I was hoping wouldn't melt!

I filled the cupcake liners too full and they baked into each other.  Next time...less will work better!

I packed up lunch, birthday treats, the dogs, and we drove to Knoxville to be with the girls!  Such a beautiful day for a drive!

Pink and gold...whoops, Alisa's Christmas placements...added more color.

We sang to her and asked her to make a birthday wish as she blew out candles...2 candles and 4 candles for 24!  Mom has botched multiple opportunities for birthday plans this year. I forgot to go back and grab the gold 24 I had found at Hobby Lobby.  In my defense, I was not supervised in my favorite store and wandered the rows, overwhelmed by all the pretty things!  I had not been in several months.

The day's plans were lowkey and involved a day spent inside away from people.  No fanciness!  And I have learned to not snap pictures when we are in the relaxed, no makeup, messy hair, and lounge clothes state.  Just three girls and three dogs...food, treats, chick flick, naps, and quiet!  I hope and pray they felt re-energized to be adulty and peopley today!  Working in and with the public is no joke these days.

Happy Birthday to our sweet Alisa!  and Ashlynn too!  She had a June birthday too.

It was yummy!

Oh the memories!

Our sweet girls!  And we didn't even take a picture together...again!  We have been together a couple of times and have not documented it well for the memories for the blog.  We will next time!

I am in awe of how fast the years have gone by as I look at pictures and then get to watch our young women!  24 and 25 and the best of friends...and I now know how my Mother felt every time we all got together.  Thankful...teary...blessed...
 

I love the writings of Corrie Ten Boom

As I read this one again this week, I cried!  So quickly I lose focus on the important work that God is doing in each moment, day, and event in my life.
 

Another Opportunity

Ted presented me with another opportunity.  I got started and it is making my brain work and my hand sore.  BUT I can do it while I do laundry AND I can do it on the porch!  The dogs and I spend most of the days outside listening to the birds and feeling the breeze.  I am taking a course to be an ESL teacher.  I will be able to help Ted with some training for people at the plant who do not know much English, but they NEED to in order to work safely and efficiently.  I am 3 modules in and I have to do 7...the 8th one is the test.

I have asked the Lord for opportunities that He would have me do.  He brought this one to me unexpectedly as Ted presented a need he had and acknowledged I was the one who made the most sense.  I know I can teach basics!  I am crazy enough to like English grammar.  I love Mexico and the culture.  Of course, I will do what I can!
 

A Night of Worship

On the way home from Sunday morning services, we asked Alisa if she wanted to join us for Sunday brunch and then go with us for our church's night of worship.  She said "Yes!" and showed up looking all cute, holding a yummy coffee drink from Cultivate for me.  MMMM!  I think she said it was a Samoa something or other.  I will have to ask her again.

I love doing things with our children...planned or spur of the moment!  I had tears streaming down my face a couple of times as I let the words that were being sung wash over my heart and mind.

"The Lord is my Shepherd and He is everything I need."

"I am the living proof of what the Lord has done."

"Oh, I know it is well.  Oh, that's the story I'll tell."
 

On both sides of me...Ted and Alisa...I was reminded of how God has worked in our lives.  He has led us to where we are now.  He has done and continues to do all things well.  It is important to look back and thank Him for what He has done in our lives...not always easy...but always for His glory!

There are so many different things that satan uses to steal our joy.

In the background of all these life changes, I am doing my best to to spend time with the One who is the source of joy.  There is contentment in the still, small moments of life where I hear His voice whisper, "Peace!"

 

Stepping into spring

The sun and warm weather are bringing all the sights and sounds of spring.  I love sitting on the deck in the morning listening to the birds.  A friend recommended an app and now I know all the different types of birds singing happily on this side of the mountain.

Northern Cardinal, house finch, American robin, Carolina wren, blue-gray gnatcatcher, Eastern phoebe, Carolina chickadee, Tufted titmouse, mourning dove, blue jay, Eastern towhee, American crow, downy woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, song sparrow, Eastern bluebird, and counting!

 

She thought this would be a good place to sit...

till she decided she wanted to get down!  I heard her whining from the other room.  When I walked around the corner...this is what I saw.  "Really?  It is about 24 inches, and you can't jump down?  You got up there!"  Nope...I had to lift her down.  She did it again the next day.  No amount of coaxing from me could get her to jump down.  What an object lesson!  We want what we want...and then we get stuck...and cannot get out of the predicament on our own.  Psalm 107:28. "Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringteth them out of their distresses."  We often wait to talk to the LORD till we are in trouble.  How about talking to Him before and letting Him lead us away from the trouble?  And then ask Him to keep us from trouble...and listen to Him when He directs.  It seems simple...yet...in our human weakness...it can be so very hard.
 

Thankful

Today (Thursday) was full of reminders of God's provision and protection over us!  I am so thankful for the man that God put into my life 28 years and 4 months ago!  God has sustained us through many ups and downs in life.  I have spent time praying for my love through all sorts of events...often before even knowing what is ahead or the outcome of a day's event.  When I wake up at odd times, I pray myself back to sleep.  And then...I understand why God prompts me to pray.  Thursday morning, Ted experienced the dreaded TN slick roads and black ice conditions as he made his 27 mile trek to work.  He came up a hill to see a car on its roof in his lane with tires still spinning.  God helped him think quickly through a couple scenarios to get around the car and pull off to help the young man.  How quickly a moment can change your day...your life!  God gives opportunities to help others...and they are not always in the safest places, warmth, or in the light.  

I spent the morning listening to a message about how our view of God shapes our eternity.  I stitched as I listened.  And tears fell as I thought about how faithful our God is to lead in ALL parts of our life...the known, the unknown, and the yet to come.  I know it is affecting my prayer life.  "The Lord is my Shepherd;  I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:  he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul:  he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:  for thou art with me;  thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:  thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:  and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."  Psalm 23

I believe God leads His children in many ways (acts of obedience) that are righteous.  I know He leads us to pray for others.  Do we actually take the time to listen to His voice and do so?
 

Love these opportunities!

I had made roast, potatoes, and carrots for supper.  While I was waiting for Ted to get home, I looked where he was for timing and I saw that Alisa was "not that far away" at a store.  I texted her and told her she could drive a little farther and come for supper...and she accepted!

It was fun to grab a hug and have supper together.  She got her puppy cuddles and got to hear first-hand about her Dad's job stories.  We should really write a book about the things that happen.  Ted shares things all the time, but I think the kids think he is exaggerating.  Alisa found out tonight...nope...if anything...he tames things down...way down.

I sat listening and watching...taking it all in with a grateful heart.  God has blessed Ted with so many opportunities.  I know he is overwhelmed most days and repeatedly ask God for strength, wisdom, and protection over him.  Our kids have opportunity to learn from their Dad's experience...and I see it and hear it in their words.  I was reminded once again that God uses every opportunity in our life for His purpose and our good.  God has given me different opportunities right now and I am thankful to be able to use the time...to pray and cook and be available!
 

Tuesday sunset

 

On the 26th day of December

Ted had to go back to work.  Alisa and I went out and about after a leisurely morning.  She found a couple things she wanted to get with bonus money for her apartment.  Her choices look so pretty!  She has worked hard and dealt with the discouraging politics that are in every work environment.  We encourage our kids to "put your head down and stay in your lane and work hard!"  God sees when nobody else does and His rewards are best.  His time is not dictated by our timeline.

Perseverance, dependability, diligence, kindness, attention, honesty...those are things that matter most, and in this day and age, these traits are greatly lacking in job settings.  "The people who know...know and see!  Don't give up!  Ask God for help and do your best!  That...is how you shine your light for Jesus every day!"  God has called us to be different...not weird or obnoxious...but different in how we conduct ourselves in daily life every day.  It isn't easy...but it is worth it for your peace of mind and heart.  And then...when the promotion comes...it is exciting and sweet!  We celebrate and thank God for His goodness in the hard work.  I am thankful that we get to sit on the sidelines, cheer on, watch, and sometimes coach, but always celebrate!

 

On the 14th day of December...

a beautiful drive to church and back!  Thankful for the encouragement of God's Word in song and worship.  He gave us what we needed through His Word today.  We both were feeling worn out mentally, physically, and emotionally this week.  As I was serving pie for dessert, I knocked one of the brand new plates on the floor and it broke into pieces and my spirit followed.  It is hard to sweep with tears flowing!  A cup of coffee and some rest helped reset the wounded spirit.  I was able to pull it together to make the dessert to take for the small group Christmas party we were invited to attend.

Ted got a nap in during the football game.  And then we were off on another adventure!  It is such a pretty drive...no matter where we go!

We found the home of the host family!  They have a structure outfitted for such gatherings and it was neat.  The attendance was amazing!  We have never done a white elephant gift exchange with over 50 people!  I lost all 3 blankets I went for!  Ted's idea was fought over at the end.  There was tons of food and lots of laughter.  We appreciated the kindness extended to us 

as we try to navigate all the change in life!  Truly memorable.

 

Thankful for the sweet surprises

 

It is not a secret that I have struggled with soupy pecan pies.  I was determined to make Ted a treat on Friday.  What should I find in the utensil drawer from Teddy's collection?  A thermometer!  I made sure the pie came to temp before taking in out of the oven.  Success!  And I got to serve it on our new dishes that arrived Friday...not Wednesday...before Thanksgiving as advertised!

We went to the storage unit and grabbed a couple things...of which were the Christmas tree bags!  I set up the tree while Ted had a football game on...

and watched me pull random things out of the bag.  I think he was impressed.  I had pine branches to make the top of the tree come to a point.  I did not put the last section of the tree on...because Teddy told me I could not poke it up through the ceiling.  Ha.

The lights I ordered via Amazon were delivered during the set up process.  Alisa sent me home with the load of bubble garland I made for craft shows.  And we have a "homespun Christmas" for our first official Christmas in TN!

It adds a coziness to our living space.

This made me laugh...while I make Ted shake his head.

Alisa left her insta-pot with me so I could cook up the turkey bones.  

We got some good bone broth to use!

Saturday morning, I finished going through the big, red bags.  I found another tree!  I found garlands, poinsettias, four more smaller trees, a wreath, and some other odds and ends.  I was excited to spread Christmas cheer throughout our temporary dwelling place.  My haphazard way of putting things away last January provided some extras to make this first Christmas in TN festive.

I went over to Ashlynn and Alex's to do our laundry.  Memories of their special day last year filled my mind as I enjoyed quiet time as the washer hummed.

They were away for the weekend and got to enjoy some time together.  I love pictures from our young adults as they live life.

We woke up to a rainy and foggy Sunday.  Our drive to church was filled music and conversation.

A stop at the plant and then at the gas station.  Now Ted's car has a tire with a slow leak.  Thankful for a roof overhead and a chance to double-check that all is well.  A small yet very helpful tool!

The ever-changing look of the mountains fascinates me!

We rested for the afternoon and then Ted got a text with an invitation.  We drove back to Morristown to meet up with a co-worker of Ted's and his wife about 5:30.  We enjoyed getting to know them and taking advantage of making that personal touch that we were challenged with in the morning service.  God brings daily opportunities to us...what will we do with them?