Finding Treasures In a Jumbled Mess

This week I've been getting consignors ready for the huge auction yesterday. There was a building FULL of stuff to sell, and lots of great items, too. Lots of stuff. Almost too much stuff. It took a lot of effort and organizing talent to get all this stuff in some sort of understandable order. And to find those hidden treasures that are at every auction, you really had to search through all of it. Over 200 pictures, stacks and stacks of LPs (yes, records BEFORE cds), Furniture that filled half the building, and about 14 tables full of small items like dishes, toys, antique tools, salt & pepper shakers, and the list could go on for miles.

Normally, I try my hardest NOT to buy anything. But as the tables were getting cleared, the most adorable little knick-knack came into view. His little bright blue face was so uplifting I just couldn't resist getting him for my own. Isn't he cute!

When I got him home, I then had to decide his purpose. I don't keep toothpicks out in the open, and I wanted him closer to my regular view. So in the office he goes. AND, his little holder is the

perfect size for my lip gloss!

Then when I realized that I hadn't blogged in awhile (again), I just had to share him with you. Plus, finding him reminded me of how God finds my heart. Through my own jumbled mess, God searches and knows me. (He ought to, He made me in the first place). But even though my heart is full of confusion and emotion and desires and aches sometimes, God finds the center, His treasure. And when I can rest in that, I find MY Treasure. Plus, He gives me a purpose and direction. Like my little blue buddy now makes me smile while he's holding my lip gloss.

"The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be." (Jeremiah 17:9-10 The Message)

When The World Seems Too Dark...

A Different Perspective

A friend of mine sent this to me in an email. I liked it so much that I wanted to post it today.


Perspective is everything.

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to
the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be
considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip , the father asked his son , "How was the
trip?"

"It was great Dad" said the son.

"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.

"Oh yeah , " said the son.

"So, tell me , what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered:

"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.

We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a
creek that has no end.

We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on and they
have fields that go beyond our sight.

We have servants who serve us , but they serve others.

We buy our food, but they grow theirs.

We have walls around our property to protect us , they have friends to
protect them."

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen

If we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about
What we don't have.

Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!

"Life is too short and friends are too few."

Fragmented Week!

} Why, oh why am I not blogging like I used to? I've been out of my mind lately, that's why. I'm still surprised how since I've not had a 8-5 job to report every day, I don't write for my blog near as much. But I get to do other things more! Like clean the house...and work-out!

} Speaking of working out. I've been doing an Atkins diet (low carbs) and working out steady for about six weeks now. Guess how it's going? I've lost 20 pounds so far! Thank you Turbo Jam and Chuck Norris! Between this lady & her "crew" and Chuck Norris' Total Gym my workouts are actually fun. I can't seem to do much else right now. Well, maybe some Dancing With The Stars. Hard to pass up dancing with Maksim!

} Another reason I haven't been blogging as much is because I haven't been around my computer quite as much. I'm currently in FOUR Bible studies. And the meatiest of them is The Truth Project put together by Focus on the Family. This series explains truth, and how God's truth is not our truth in this world. Explains God's design for our selves, family, the state (government), education, our founding fathers (history), etc. This is one of the best studies I've ever seen! HIGHLY recommend it.

} Something else I get to do nowadays is watch the sunrise while I'm doing my Bible reading/devotionals/studies in the mornings. So in case you missed it, this was the sunrise yesterday. Woke up just in time for this one!

Love these Friday Fragments! For more - go see Mrs.4444 @ Half-Past Kissin' Time:

Outside My Window

I look out my office window and to what my wondering eyes should appear? Bright shining light and patches snow-cleared!

Although, somebody had the audacity to tell me we were going to get another snow this weekend. Bye-bye no-snow-patches.

My First KIA Sunday

Yesterday was my first official Sunday helping downstairs with the elementary at GCC. If nothing else, I'm certainly going to learn how to play again.

They use curriculum, and each month is wrapped around one virtue. February's virtue is Honor. Sunday's lesson was "honor those who are overlooked." David and Goliath was the story to teach the lesson from. And it turned out awesome! We got one of our tallest men in the church to play Goliath - in full armor and weapons!

The lesson called for the leader, Bobby, split the room into halves - the Philistines and the Isrealites. Then they had to each do "war chants." then we got one of the kids on the Irealite side to volunteer to be David. As Sha was dressing David in his costume, Goliath entered complete with grand menacing sounding entry music. All the kids were fairly stunned, but "David's" response to Sha was, "O.M.G."

This went well, David shot Goliath with his slingshot & rock (a rubber ball), Goliath fell flat on his face, and celebration ensued. Bobby took "David" by surprise when he chest-bumped him - and took him off his feet in the process! Needless to say, during the knighting ceremony, "david" was knighted for his heroism and ability to survive Bobby's chest-bumping.

Once the elementary was split into their small groups, we took Goliath to see the toddlers. Their monthly lesson is David & Goliath this month! So when Goalith entered, they all took up their rubber rocks and said, "Let's get him!" Goliath didn't know what he had gotten himself into! But look at this picture...

Since the real Goalith was nine feet tall, can't you just see this as a real example of what the Isrealites look in relation to how big Goliath was. David looked like a 3-year old at the knees of an adult. Amazing!

Then there was the dress! My mom did such a great job. I got to just walk around and promote the room transformation and lesson for the month. I think I'm going to wear this every Sunday this month! How fun will that be!

Tech Princess

I am now officially a part of the Children's Ministry at GCC. I will get to do a lot of the same kinds of things I do for a concert, only for the kids. It's just a lot of organizing and planning - mixed with a little creativity and cut-loose-ness.

Each month the curriculum for the kids focus on one virtue and for February it's HONOR...Letting someone know you see how valuable they really are. And the creators of the curriculum suggest a theme for the month as well. This month is a castle setting with knights. Well, how can I resist getting crazy with that!? When the kids walk into the KIA room they'll have a big surprise - it won't look like the KIA room they know! And there'll be a real-live princess welcoming them in...me!

I designed my dress, found the material, and got my mom to help me this week since I have so much other projects on my plate. But I still need to make my crown - yes, make. Although I won't be able to find something like this in my collection...



Surely I can find SOMETHING in this mess that will work just as nice.



Maybe. And maybe I should just get my jewelry junk areas cleaned up first.

So if you see a princess in a gorgeous purple and brocade dress Sunday (or any of the Sundays in February) - don't be shy. It's just little ol' me!

When Things Don't Go As Planned

Do you see the keys? On the seat of the truck. While I'm on the outside looking in a locked vehicle. This totally put me behind today. If this happened to you wouldn't you get a little angry? Believe it or not, I didn't. I laughed at myself for being in such a hurry. Then I found something more productive to do while waiting for Bill to bring the extra key, I walked to the library.

The library is one of my favorite places. So much to read! Just to walk down the aisles, it's peaceful and motivating at the same time. I was proud of myself though; I only came away with one book! That's good because I am already reading about five others right now. So I got a book to help me prepare for the GMAT test (Graduate Management Assessment Test), so I can get into a Masters Program this Summer.

My day certainly did not go as planned. But I'm getting much better at the gift of self-control. I didn't get angry, I laughed and adjusted. How much better would my whole week, month, year(s) be if I could just laugh and adjust?

Psalm 100:1 (The Message): On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence.