When will I learn to listen?

Last night while sitting on the sofa watching TV, which was my first mistake, I got one of those gut feelings you get, out of nowhere, that tells you to do something.  My second mistake was being too lazy to get up and do it.  It seemed like such a trifle thing, didn't even make sense to me to do it.  So ... I ignored the little persistant booger till it went away.

Today I found myself in a situation where my pride was more than a little scraped (He's Too Good To Me had to tell me how to spell that, instead of scrapped. He did it with a little phonics lesson, vowels and such.  I think I will change his name now).  This happened because I failed to follow my gut last night.  Mind you, it really did not make sense then, I could see no purpose in it, and, above all else, I did not WANT to do it.

Should have done it.

While chewing on this today and trying to figure out how to kick my own self in the hiney (used to could do it, not such a pretty sight now) I thought of something our pastor preached on recently.  Jesus did not WANT to die on the cross.  The Word tell us in Matthew 26 that Jesus prayed three times asking God if there was another way than the cross.  The Message  says, "He plunged into an agonizing sorrow".  Though He was eager and willing to do whatever His Father required of Him to save His children, the human in Him could not help but fear the pain that would come from that type of death.

When Jesus was assured there was no other way, He returned to His disciples and told them the hour was at hand. He became our salvation and the only way to our Father God.

When you become a Christian you receive a truly wonderful gift - the Holy Spirit. Now, I'm not sure if last night's prompting was from the Holy Spirit or not, the only one hurt by me ignoring the feeling was myself, and then it was only my pride.  I know it was the wisdom in me that comes with age (I can't believe I just said that) urging me to be smart, and had I listened, I would have been just that - smart.

Oh, but with sadness how I must admit my failure in leaning my ears and my heart into the quiet still voice of my God. When He speaks I must listen. In order to do that I must seek Him out, He does not move, I do.

Thank you, Jesus, for doing what you chose to do. Please give me strength to do what I must.

Jesus answered and said, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him."   John 14:23 

Naughty but Nice

What I am fixin' to do is not nice. Check out the photo of this heavenly treat.  This recipe belongs to my daughter, Shelby.  It's delectable and irresistible.  Every dreamy bite is homemade. A secret ingredient or two makes it impossible to pirate and also makes it impossible for me to share. Looks like a hostess cake, huh?

Trust me - if Mr. or Mrs. Hostess tasted this they'd slap their mama!  Don't try that at home.

There are women out there, like my friend S., who are brimming over with hospitality. That little green monster in me comes out when I witness how they wrap others up in their coziness and warmth.  I'm more of a "go-fetch-it-yourself" kind of girl.  These women would throw me under the train for that little tempting morsal I just gave you - gave you but then sorta took back.  Can't help it, a secret is a secret and a promise is a promise.  

Now I'll be nice.  There is a little gem of a book out there which is out of print that you must read. This book, written by P.B.Wilson, was given to me about seven years ago by my sister, Penny.  She is the best person I know at finding hidden treasures to improve yourself and your home. Though out of print, Amazon has several new and used copies for sale through individuals.
 http://www.alibris.com/booksearch.detail?invid=9920875715&author=Wilson%2C+P+Bunny&browse=1&qwork=7731683&qsort=&page=1

This book is simple, an easy read, but a Warning:  some might call it the dreaded "old fashioned"! If being in the kitchen doesn't float your boat you will hear God speak to you through this one.  And, face it ladies, it's one of the places we belong.

If you are like me and love the kitchen but your hospitality skills are sorely lacking, then curl up with this book.  I still don't have a pie in the fridge at all times or a pitcher of lemonade chilling for those unexpected visitors.  The rug always needs vacuuming and my dishwasher door seems to be in a permanent state of open, but I can be encouraged and inspired by her words.

I loaned my copy out a couple of years back to a young new wife.  She must have liked it.  So, Amazon is now minus one copy.  Step up to the plate, ladies, and make your home a haven.

"And having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work." 1 Timothy 5:10

Gorgeous Gourds

Even though today was a holiday, it has been industrious around here. Only thing missing - a freshly mopped kitchen floor. But since that is always missing, it's not really missing, is it?

Our state fair is soon. This is the second year that Izzy gets crafty with a variety of items and takes her handmade treasures to the fair exhibit. We have been working on them for months and she uses her prize money for Christmas gifts.

 A new challenge for us is working with gourds. There are several gourd projects she is tackling and trust me, gourd shopping is fun! All shapes and sizes. I saw one that reminded me of my 5^th grade  teacher, take a look -

Izzy socked He’s Too Good To Me in the head with a club gourd that reminded me of caveman weapons.

Here is a photo of Izzy and her friend, Emily, better known around here as “My Emme” in Max language. They are cleaning their gourds.

This is Max, my youngest, we don't want to know what he is cleaning.

Finally, Izzy with the finished clean gourds.

It was a gourd vine that God sent to Jonah in the desert to shade him and bring him comfort from the sun.  What shade has He given you lately?  If you can't think of one, search harder, it is there.

And who can forget these famous gourds - Jimmy and Jerry Gourd from VeggiTales (what a BigIdea). Enjoy the video!  Go gourd shopping, it's good for a laugh or two!

By the way, I had to get He’s Too Good To Me to upload this video. Groucho Marx was speaking to me when he said, “A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five.”

My First Post

Moderation is the key. Everything in moderation. Problem is, that is a foreign concept to me. Give me more, more, more. He's Too Good To Me is at the top of my list, chocolate is a close second, and I must be careful that blogging stays out of the running. My first blog, a little intimidating.

Tomorrow's Labor Day and the plan is to sleep in. We are taking the day off from school, with the exception of a science project hubby is doing with Isabela. Izzy is my ten year old. Beautiful. Kind. Creative. Animal lover. Since we are off tomorrow she and I cuddled up tonight to a few old episodes of Gilligan's Island. We've been working our way through them for months and are still in the black and whites. Moderation is working here - we are lingering and enjoying the time together. This great classic doesn't seem to interest the other members of the family so it creates cozy time for me to enjoy her. Hopefully, she feels the same. Here she is at the Chattanooga Aquarium.