Something "Out of the BLUE"

I often blog about changing ministries.

I often remind myself and others that sometimes ministries need to change.

Sometimes ministries involve creativity.

I am not currently teaching,

I don't have an abundance of music responsibilities,

but since our time in NC, I have had a heart for college students.

 Within the next few day,

I hope that there are some very happy college students.

I organized a collection to send out boxes to 11 students and one airman.

The only stipulation was that the items had to be blue - or at least wrapped in blue.

The church came through and we filled 12 of the USPS large boxes.

The boxes were light enough that it was cheaper for me to wrap the boxes 

rather than paying the "one rate" price.

Here are 6 of the 12 boxes.

The other 6 had already been delivered to the post office.

Room for More

The HOA gave me a good excuse for more plants!

Recently, the HOA decided to crack down on exposed trash cans.

The bilaws say that trash cans must be inside, out back, or hidden from the road.

We often keep our trash can in the garage,

but

sometimes the heat of the summer can make the trash a little intolerable.

So hubby built me a planter / screen.

The center plant is supposed to be evergreen (or yellow) - so hopefully will still look beautiful all winter.

The side plants are red day lilies.

Since hubby built it,

I could stain it to match the garage header.

And hubby made it strong enough (and heavy enough) 

to survive any B.G. storm.

I am enjoying an overcast day with not such a crazy heat index.

It was the perfect morning for yardwork.

Make it Fun

Laundry is one of those jobs that seems to never end.

Even with just two family members,

the laundry builds up quickly.

With the high temps,

it seems even more so because every workout, walk or run deems an outfit worthy of a wash

and even the good clothes can't make it beyond a day.

I use wool balls in the dryer.

They are supposed to help things dry faster.

They can add scent if you put a few drops of essential oil.

They keep the laundry from clumping up so that it dries more quickly.

My last dryer balls were falling apart,

no longer removed static,

and were just begging to be replaced.

So I added some fun to my chores.

Now these little penguins greet me when I finish a load of wash.

Doesn't that make you smile too?

 

Every Job is Different

 This past month, I enjoyed a refreshing perspective and reminder.

It is easy as a homemaker to lose focus.

The article I read this was based on a question posed to the writer:

Should a wife work outside of the home?

I have struggled with this when people ask what I do.

Sometimes I feel judged as lazy or undisciplined.

I have wondered if I should do more to "help" the family?

The author's answer was based on the title "helpmeet."

Should or can a "helpmeet" work outside of the home?

Her answer was simple ... and for me, encouraging!

Am I the best help for my husband if I am working out of the home?

Some wives can be the best helpmeet and have an external job.

Every time I consider an extra job, I find myself saying, 

"If I do this, hubby might have to get his own lunch."

"If I do this, hubby might have to help with ___."

Not every wife needs to research recipes for certain health needs.

Not every wife needs to exercise each day.

Not every wife needs to keep their home quite so quiet and tidy.

Every husband is different.

Therefore every couple has to answer the question for themselves.

My hubby is very independent and capable.

He is super tidy.

He can clean better than I can.

He is able to cook and follow recipes.

He could easily do many of the jobs I do,

but I can help him by doing them so that he has time to study,

to minister to others,

and even to spend more time with me.

I can do things that help him with his health and wellness goals.

So I was encouraged.

Every job is different.

Every home is different.

Every helpmeet has different work to do.

It is OK if I work at home!

Designed for A Particular Spot

 Last Saturday, hubby built me a shelf for the Living Room.

It will house some general everyday supplies,

some throw blankets,

a plant (or 2 or 3 or ...),

and our printer which has been homeless since we moved in!

Currently, it sits in the garage waiting for a certain woman to paint or stain or stain and paint.

I think I want to experiment a little on some extra wood for a new type of finish, but we will see.

I look forward to seeing it in its new home and having the fun of decorating it.

I enjoy making my home unique and making our home meet our needs.

Do People Still Do That?

 I recently began a new homemaker project - 

and one that I never thought I would do.

I have recently taken to darning socks.

Hubby's work boots appear to "eat" socks, especially at his big toe.

For a while, the bad ones just became cleaning rags.

They were perfect for staining wood or applying polyurethane.

But, then it seemed like I was making sock purchases too often.

Hubby suggested darning the socks.

How hard could it be?

Turns out,

it is not hard.

With a doll head to keep the hole spread and some thicker thread,

the holes were soon fixed.

While it won't be my favorite pastime,

and no one will show my work as a model,

it is prolonging the life of a few socks.

What Does Your Floor Say About Your Diet?

 As I clean on Monday and throughout the week,

I can't help but marvel at how quickly the kitchen floor gets dirty.

It seems that it is always in need of a good sweep.

On Monday, while on my hands and knees,

I looked closely.

My floor says a lot about what we have been eating.

This little snapshot shows a piece of kale, a red onion paper, and a pepper seed.

Often there might also be rice, quinoa, or a stray pistachio or cashew.

The job seems endless,

but as I tidy the floor AGAIN,

I am thankful for the good food that God provides and the energy and strength it gives.

Because I Needed Some "Sunshine"

 As I said last week,

I love Valentine's Day,

but I do recognize that prices are inflated for such a flower and candy-centered holiday.

Hubby often just gets me a helium balloon.

I am as cheered by a balloon as Eeyore (which is surprisingly cheery).

And sometimes a live plant joins the offering.

And thus we avoid some of the gouging.

While I shopped on Friday,

the highly inflated prices were highly deflated.

Since hubby was out of town for 2 days,

I bought myself some $4 sunshine.

(Don't worry, he approved)

And for a few days,

the decor in my bathroom is elevated with some yellow roses!

When You Can't Let Go of the Christmas Lights ...

 I spent the past week spring cleaning and putting away Christmas decorations.

There was only one small problem ...

it was such a dark, grey week and the Christmas lights sure brighten the house.

We have not purchased a Christmas tree here in KY,

but we do hang a lit garland and put ornaments on it.

I took the Christmas ornaments off of the garland

but left the hearts (for Valentine's Day) and the pine cones (for winter).

It still needed just a little something ...

How about some red ribbon?

How about some heart "berries"?

There - now I can have Christmas lights through February!

I did put the rest of the Christmas decorations away -

and if we do get a winter storm early next week,

my lights will continue to be "cozy."

When You Long For Spring ...

 ... YOU SPRING CLEAN!

The weather has been cold ...

and wet ...

and somewhat miserable  ...

... so I decided to spring clean early.

In the process,

I realized that the timing was perfect.

The Christmas decorations come down and make a mess.

There is less laundry because the clothes can be worn for more than one day so the washer can run with linens, pillows, and curtains.

My days will be free when spring actually arrives, the days warm up, and I want to be outside with the flowers, trees, and grass.

It feels good to clean after a little "bout" with some bug or another.

And who doesn't like the smell of "clean" when the house is all closed up.

So that's what I have been doing -

Just the kitchen and garage left!

Maybe it is not spring,

but I can pretend.

Life is Short

I just got out my cards, stamps, stickers, ...

I do this weekly.

There is such joy in the action.

Who can I encourage this week?

Which card will arrive "just at the right time?"

But today, it is a little bittersweet.

I began sending weekly cards in early 2020.

It began when a friend in our church started cancer treatments.

I had no idea what to say, I didn't know her well at the time, 

so I sent her a card containing a verse each week.

Sometimes I commented on the verse, 

but often times it was just a verse.

She became a good friend as I helped her navigate a small part of what was going on.

We became friends as we cleaned her house, traveled to appointments, and navigated city streets.

We became friends as we enjoyed piano duets when she felt well.

Soon I added more people to my verse card list -

the sick, the shut-in, and those facing trials.

The list grows, and the list shrinks.

People get well,

and people reach the end of a trial.

For 3 and 1/2 years,

her card has been in the weekly stack.

This week has been a reminder that we are not promised a tomorrow.

I have one less card to write today.

My dear friend is whole,

is not in pain,

is not balancing appointments,

she is "home."

Just a reminder that life is short -

a reminder that God left us in His Word.

James 4:14

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Fill 'er up

 I challenged myself with the rainbow challenge.

It has caused me to drink more spinach!

It has caused me to grab a handful of crudites with any lunch

(a radish, a cherry tomato, a mini cucumber, a mini pepper, some baby carrots).

With just a few mini veggies - I can get most of my rainbow.

I started the challenge with a balance that leaned toward more fruit,

and ended up getting more and more veggies!

So how about some habit stacking?

Hopefully, you have been practicing the rainbow of fruits and vegetables

and it is becoming second nature.

Fruits and vegetables are a powerhouse of fiber.

The skin and seeds in the "rainbow" are great for the body!

How about looking for even more fiber?

Fiber boosts metabolism,

fiber lowers cholesterol and blood sugar,

fiber keeps things "moving",

fiber feeds healthy bacteria in the digestive tract boosting immunity and aiding digestion,

fiber keeps you full for longer (less snacking).

So start looking at your meals.

Are they empty?

What can you add to your fruits and vegetables?

How about some oatmeal or granola for breakfast?

Whole wheat bread or even sprouted grains for a sandwich?

Corn tortilla chips instead of potato chips? 

(neither is stellar, but the tortilla chips have more fiber)

Brown rice instead of white rice?

A meal with beans at the core instead of meat?

Whole grain pasta and noodles instead of white pasta?

Could you throw brown rice or barley in a soup you are already making?

How about trying a new grain like quinoa or buckwheat?

What about sprinkling some ground flax on your yogurt or blending in your smoothie?

Try nuts on your yogurt or with your cereal or granola.

Mums the Word

 Last week I mentioned that the front of the house just needed some mums.

They have been purchased and planted.

And in true "If you give a wife some mums ... " fashion ...

"... she'll want asters and pansies too."

The front landscape bed was just "green,"

so the pansies brighten it up between the phlox and bushes.

And the asters and pansies just brighten my morning workouts on the patio.

The blueberry bushes are still small enough to share the planter box.

When it gets just a bit cooler, 

I am sure we will add a nice pumpkin or two under the shepherd's hook.

Thankful Thursday: There is Always Something to Be Thankful For

 Do you look for the good,

or just dwell on the bad?

There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for.

I do not have a ministry with children as much as I would like,

but this week, I did get to teach in children's church!

I am thankful for the times when I get to pour something into the lives of others,

perhaps to support a parent who needs backup,

perhaps to introduce a bus kid to love and structure in balance.

I am also thankful for the differences that make us stronger.

I am thankful that not everyone is like me.

This is most often seen in a home.

The difference can drive us crazy,

or they can show us how each person contributes in a unique way.

I am thankful that hubby has different strengths and abilities than I do.

We can balance each other.

I am not the most organized (or neat) by nature,

but to serve hubby, I try to be a little more so.

He is by nature an all-or-nothing type of personality.

While this gets things done quickly and efficiently,

sometimes our health, or time, requires a more moderate approach,

and I can balance that with him.

Hubby gets things done as soon as they are on the to-do list.

Often this is a GREAT skill because unfinished tasks do not pile up.

But sometimes things need to be thought about for just a little while longer

and I can balance in that area.

You can see where our differences could drive the other crazy (and sometimes may)!

Perhaps you are having an interpersonal struggle.

On this thankful Thursday,

why not try seeing the good in the other person?

Why not look for the the way that person helps you, balances you?

And then why not tell them the good that you see?

Footnote:  Hubby and I are not in the middle of a struggle 😊

We are enjoying this season of life and hopefully using our strengths to help each other!

Fall Projects

 The cooler autumn weather will inspire anyone to be outside

(at least anyone in this house).

After a little debating,

we finally decided to create a defined tree ring around the front cherry tree.

We went with a simple grey paver and it was put together in no time.

The zinnias are just about ready to be replaced with fall mums.

The cherry tree still needs to fill out, but all in good time.

Of course, with how well the project turned out,

and with a few extra pavers,

I thought ...

why not outline the front bed in the same way!

So it is a project for the future.

The extra pavers are just waiting their turn.

The real project of the weekend is to stain and seal the back patio.

The planters have been moved,

the patio power washed and dried.

Today we hope to get the stain on.

We are using a semi-transparent stain in a dark grey.

There are 3 applications each separated by about 6 hours, so it will take us a few days,

but we are excited to see the results and also to add some longevity to the concrete.

Here is the before picture.

After picture will hopefully be here by Monday!

Planned By the Weather

 There are times when my work is dictated by the weather.

High temps and higher heat indices help me decide what I should do this week.

This time of year, much of my work needs to be done before 9 in the morning.

Today was no exception.

I did get my second run of the week in at 6.

From there, the lawn needed watering.

I needed a batch of muffins for hubby's snacks.

And there was a little weeding in the last adjoining lot 

(if I get rid of the weeds before they lay sod, perhaps they won't encroach on my lawn as much).

Then, it was wise to stay in (except for a trek to the mailbox).

So this week is a good time to organize closets,

to go through drawers and files,

to do the little jobs that take time and are less inviting - 

but it is the perfect week because the temps outside are not inviting at all.

And this heat makes me more thankful for the coming of fall.

Next weeks temps in the 80s look so inviting!

Faithful

 2 Kings 22:7

Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.

A few weeks back, I was reading this passage.

This verse really stuck out to me.

No explanation was needed, no books were shown, no audit was made,

because the people receiving the money were faithful.

My testimony really means something.

Do I long to be trusted?

How am I exhibiting that I should be trusted?

Do I want to get a promotion / more responsibility / different responsibility?

How am I using the job and position I have now?

Is my testimony one of just foolishness?

Am I seen and known as a hard worker?

Do I stick to a task and a job until it is finished 

or just seek the next "shiny" thing when things get hard.

What does your testimony say of you today?

What would you hear if someone was speaking of your character?

I would like to hear ...

"...because she dealt faithfully."

Road Trip

 Hubby and I are just back from a road trip.

We went back to visit our old town in NC.

No, it was not a romantic getaway.

We volunteered to take 9 teens from our church to a camp associated with the school hubby graduated from.

The road trip provided a chance to get to know some of the teens better.

The trip also provided a chance to see our old trailer home.

And it also provided a chance to see some old friends.

We were especially glad to see the "avocado couple" before they leave for Africa in less than 2 weeks.

We did have more of a relaxing trip on the way home (sans teens)

and made it home in time to celebrate hubby's birthday TODAY!

He made his birthday order easy on me.

One order of General Tso's chicken on rice for lunch

(compliments of Aldi in the freezer section)

and a pumpkin pie for dessert.

Happy Home-iversary

It was exactly 1 year ago that we signed the papers on our home.

What a fun year it has been!

We have enjoyed our own space - inside and outside - 

have enjoyed learning about yard care and some inside maintenance

and we continue to enjoy dreaming about improvements as time or funds allow.

We have been so thankful each day for God's provision of a home.

We are truly blessed.

In addition to the home itself,

He continues to provide for the payments plus extra.

As of this morning, God has paid off 85% of our home.

It appears that on our second "home-iversary," we may actually own our home outright.

In honor of our home-iversary,

I have focused on some "Spring" cleaning this week.

When asked what this entails:

it involves moving furniture and appliances to clean,

it involves cleaning the curtains,

it involves going through cupboards and closets,

it even involves cleaning on top of the kitchen cabinets (which still had sawdust from the installation).

At this point, I have the "little" guest room with its "big" closet

and I have the laundry room left to clean.

As I have cleaned and found "homeless" things, this last room has become a bit cluttered.

I have also been waging a new war.

We have had an invasion of Japanese Beetles.

We first discovered them on the apple trees

and they have since found the cherry tree out front.

We have seen their evidence around the neighborhood.

I think we caught it before the damage was at crisis level.

I had planted nasturtium and marigolds which they were not supposed to like -

but later found them living in and under the marigolds - so much for that theory.

I tried a homemade mint spray - again a scent they were supposed to hate - 

they would fly away for a bit and then come back as happy as could be.

I tried a commercial "natural" spray which again worked for a couple of hours,

and then they were back.

I have now installed two "beetle" bags.

While I may be calling the beetles from the whole neighborhood,

they are working to keep the swarms off of my trees.

I also broke down and dusted my apple trees and serviceberry tree.

Quite the lesson to learn on my home-iversary.

 

And, it looks like we will have neighbors in the backyard VERY soon.

We are praying for nice quiet neighbors.

Two houses are just about done (but not purchased yet)

and the third should be going up in the next 2 weeks.

It will be nice when their yards get some grass to extend the green that we see :)

Prayer Works!

 I mentioned that last week our church had VBS.

I was excited and nervous.

I hadn't taught in over a year.

Usually, when I have taught, I know my students.

I know how many students I will have.

I know what backgrounds they come from.

The church had "blitzed" flyers and sent out mailers.

The bus children were excited to bring guests.

What would happen in class?

How many students would there be?

The story time was the last item of the night.

They would have a rally.

They would make a craft.

They would eat a snack.

They would have game time.

Then they would come to Bible time.

Would they be rowdy?

Would they just be ready to fall asleep?

Would they be on a sugar high?

People were praying.

They were praying for each child,

They were praying for me.

They were praying for an atmosphere conducive to learning.

And God was pleased to answer in the affirmative.

I do not believe I have ever taught a class with so little need for correction.

I do not believe I have ever taught a class where the vast majority "got it."

And it was not the teacher,

it was answered prayer.

Perhaps you used to be a visible "doer" in a ministry, 

but are now limited in your ability to be out front.

Please know that a behind the scene ministry of prayer is greater than the outward ministry.

Prayer works!