MK: Marcia Kate

Today is February 29th, otherwise known as "leap day".

I figured today would be as good a day to take a leap of faith, so I did!

I leapt in a direction I would have never expected myself to go:

I became a Mary Kay consultant.

To be honest, when I have thought about Mary Kay in the past I have visualized rosy-cheeked, bouffant-haired old ladies driving around in pink Cadillacs.  I could certainly never picture myself being a powder pusher, but I have recently had an encounter with this company that changed my perspective...so much so that I've signed on!

A friend of mine from college days invited me to come to a facial party to be pampered. I enjoyed the pampering but was worried the pushing and propaganda would soon follow. I did learn a lot about the company, but was in no way interested in signing up for ANYTHING.

Instead of feeling pressured, my friend gently assured me that she had no ulterior motive and just wanted me to enjoy some girl time. She wanted to know how I had been and asked how she could specifically pray for me.

I also observed another guest at the party as we went around the room telling a little about ourselves. She was quiet and unassuming, then she broke into tears as she told us, a room of strangers, that her husband had recently left her after over 20 years of marriage. I could see her insecurities, her self doubt, her worries, her feelings of inadequacy. I could see it because I have been there and, am honestly, still there some days. All of the women were extremely loving and supportive of her. When we began applying make up, she tried on a brighter shade of blush than she was used to using. She hesitated as she looked in the mirror because the truth is, that blush brightened up her whole face and instantly made her look younger and happier. One of the other ladies comment on how beautiful she looked. I noticed her smile at her reflection when she thought no one else was looking. After that, we had snacks and small talk and she was instantly more open to communication and her demeanor was much more light and pleasant.  

God has whispered to me that He wants to use what I've been through, both my illness and my divorce, to help other women. I recently told my mother that I feel like my life is an open book, but its okay because I would rather be honest with people then try to make them think I've got it all together. I have an answer for how I've made it through...His name is Jesus!

I want to help women who feel beat down, unwanted and unworthy to realize that they are loved, they are valued, they are BEAUTIFUL in the eyes of God.

All women want to feel beautiful, but beauty is so much more than cosmetics. I discovered the heart of the Mary Kay company is to empower women and that strikes a chord with my heart. The MK Foundation gives millions of dollars each year to charitable organizations that help women in crisis:

 Here is a list of their donations in 2015:

• Granted 150 domestic violence shelters $20,000 each – a total of $3 million
• Awarded 13 respected doctors and medical scientists $100,000 each in cancer research grants – a total of $1.3 million
• Donated $21,260 to Polaris Project, a nonprofit organization committed to combating human trafficking and modern day slavery
• Donated $421,260 to CancerCare^®, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free professional help to people with cancer, for its Touching Hearts program
• Underwrote the Conference on Crimes Against Women held in Dallas, Texas

The prospect of being a part of something like this is exciting to me!

I want my life to be useful and full of impact. I want to help other women see themselves through the eyes of a Savior full of love and full of grace. I want to minister to those that are alone and hurting. I want to be an encourager, a cheerleader for those who feel rejected and help them find their light so they can shine again..and feel beautiful. 

Wanting Wisdom

 

 I bought the bracelet pictured above when I was in Dallas last weekend.

The glass beads are made by a man named Simon out of recycled glass from bottles found in his village in Kenya. I loved buying such an unique piece - especially one with a great story behind it.
There were several different bracelets with varying colored beads and words. I selected WISDOM because I need a reminder to ask for it everyday, and I chose the multi-colored beads to represent the different areas of my life that I specifically need to pray for wisdom

 

 

Wanting wisdom. It is the desire of my heart and it is pressing me on all sides.

I cry out for it because I know I need it.

 

A dear friend of mine has reminded me on several occasions that when I don't know what to do I should ask God for wisdom because that is a prayer He loves to answer.

 

"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God,

and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking."

James 1:5

I'm going to be honest, I've been giving God the cold shoulder a little the last couple of weeks. The limbo-esque nature of my life has been getting me down and frustrated and I've been taking it out on Him. He can handle it, but I'm the one who suffers when I do this...I know it, yet I do it anyway. Dumb human. I know He's up to something, but the control freak in me wants to know all the details RIGHT NOW.

 

But, I'm learning that faith doesn't look like that.

Why do I need faith - believing in something I can not see - if I already know what's gonna happen?

 

In an effort to make amends for being huffy, to ease my conscience at least, I made an effort to finish setting up my prayer closet this weekend. I need a quiet retreat, a corner to cry in, a peaceful place to pray. I woke up earlier than my alarm this morning and decided to climb on in there and try it out.

I prayed for friends, I read some devotional thoughts and scripture (a lot of which had something to with waiting on God's provision and trusting in His pace - how timely, and so not coincidental), I also asked for forgiveness and wisdom. I read through a passage of scripture I have posted in that quiet place that has been following me around for the past year:

 

"I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen."

Ephesians 3:16-21 

 

I went to church this morning in need of a good word.

 God does not disappoint me when He knows I'm looking and longing for Him.

The opening passage was from Habakkuk 3:17-19:

 

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
    and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
    and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
    and the cattle barns are empty,yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
    I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
    He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    able to tread upon the heights."

 

Even though life is rough and bad things happen - YET I WILL REJOICE!

 

Then Pastor Craig began his sermon (he's STILL in Ecclesiastes, but apparently that's where he needed to be for me to get God's good word today).

 

He started out by stating that true wisdom knows it can't know everything. So as I've prayed for wisdom and gotten ticked at God for not giving me full disclosure, I wasn't being wise, I was being pushy. Some of what God has up His sleeve is hidden for a reason and I shouldn't demand to know it all, because in there is no room for real faith if my future is fully certain. My faith and trust in God doesn't come from certainty and clarity in all the details, it comes from the confidence I place in God that says "I know You've got me. I know what You've told me. I know You've got this".

 

Trusting an unknown future to a known God.

 

For the benediction Pastor Craig read Ephesians 3:16-21,

 the very passage I had read through and meditated on in my closet this morning! 

 I almost chuckled out loud but caught myself because no body but God would get the irony. 

 

And then it all came together. The only wisdom I really need is the knowledge of  how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. Because truly understanding the love God has for me will wipe away any uncertainty, any fear, any anxiousness I have about my future. God loves me BIG, He's not going to leave me and He can accomplish infinitely more than I might ask or think.

 

How exciting!

 

 

 

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...
 

After a week of unseasonably warm weather (even for Texas),
the temperature has cooled off.
The sky is clear and the moon is bright...I'm hoping it won't interfere with my sleep 

 

I am thinking...

about too much, which inevitably turns to worry. Stop it, brain!
 

I am thankful...

for a great weekend. Esther and I went to Dallas to a Swing Dance shindig (Jadan hasn't caught the dance fever yet, so he stayed home and held down the fort). My precious friend Kim, whom I usually stay with when I go to Dallas, wasn't home for us to bunk with, so she booked us a hotel room! Can you even believe that?! Am I blessed or what? The dance was the most fun I have had in a long time. I smiled the whole night. My face was literally as sore as my legs when it was over! :)
We were also able to see my brother Stephen because we met up with him for lunch on Sunday before we headed home. These little excursions I've been taking have been a real blessing. They have been good diversions and  keep me from staying home, feeling sorry for myself, bingeing on Netflix chick-flicks and eating entirely too many cookies.

 

I am wearing...

my PJ pants with doors on them. Esther got these for me a few Christmases ago because
I have a thing for taking pictures of doors. The girl gets me.

 

I am hearing...

clothes tumbling in the dryer.
 

I am creating...

fun lesson plans. I am finally out of show season
 (we've put on three major shows since mid-November),
so now we get to do a lot more playing, dancing and creating.
  

I am going...

to take a big pile of papers over to my accountant friend tomorrow to see if she can help me make heads or tails of my taxes. I've been worrying about it, so its time to turn the angst into action and get it taken care of.

 

I am wondering...

what's next

 

I am reading...

 

Daily Bible reading on my She Reads Truth app

A Year With C.S. Lewis

 

I am hoping...

that I can find a good deal on a new dishwasher. Mine is 14 years old and not acting right. A dishwasher is a luxury I'm willing to pay for right now to make my load a little lighter...I just hope it won't break the bank.

 

I am praying...

 

for wisdom
for my kids
for my Boaz
for my family
for my friends

 

I am learning...

how to snap myself out of a funk. I've been battling emotional and mental funk for the past several weeks. It tries to sneak up on me unaware - usually when I'm hungry, angry, lonely or tired (HALT). Pray is a powerful weapon against the funk. God has been hearing me say, "Lord, these thoughts are yucky and making me crazy. Please wipe them away and help me focus on the good in my life". I'm learning to "stare down the funk" and tell the blues to beat it. Sometimes a few tears of exasperation fall, but I've learned that can even be very cathartic. Onward through the fog...

In my garden...
 

 Look at my little darlings!

 

 



In my kitchen...
 

Mom got us a rotisserie chicken tonight.
She knew today was a long day for me and helped me out.
I am blessed!

A Favorite Verse for today....

 

 

A Favorite Quote for today....

 

 

 

A peek into one of my days...

E & Me ready to swing!

 

 

One of my favorite things...

 

 

My buddies from Longview Swing Dance Association!

 

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com

Life's A Dance

 

I started taking swing dance lessons in the fall. Dancing is something I've always wanted to do, but I've never had a willing partner. I believe my future Boaz will dance with me, so I figured I had better learn how to do it. And I have discovered that it satisfies me on so many levels. Not only is it really fun and great exercise which produces joy endorphins, but I am making new friends and learning a lot about myself.

 

The instructors, Mike and Shawna, have been so warm and welcoming...and they have noticed my desire to really learn and helped me as I've struggled. My biggest issue is in allowing someone else to lead me. I try to read my lead's mind and "help" him which ends up in me stepping on toes or getting completely off beat.  Mike danced the Lindy Hop with me last week. I just couldn't get it. I was so focused on counting and trying to get my feet just right that I just ended up as a big ball of nerves. Shawna saw how tense I was and got me to loosen up. Then I just closed my eyes and relaxed and let Mike swing me round and round.  

 

During last night's lesson, Shawna worked with me on how to take cues from my lead so I can support him instead of interfere with his plans. My left hand rests on his shoulder, not too tight - no death grip! - but enough for us to be connected and for him to able to lead me where he wants me to go with a simple touch. She said that once I get the hang of it, the leads will be so grateful because they will be able to do so many more cool moves with me because they know I can follow their lead. I don't have to help him, I just need to get in sync with him and let him twirl me around and have fun!

 

So many levels of life lessons here. I love thinking about my life as a dance with God as my partner. He has me in His grip and He will gently lead me if I stay connected to Him and feel the subtle nuances of His touch. The more I struggle to try to "help" Him, the more frustrated I get and we have to start again...and 5,6,5,6,7,8... Oh, to let go and let Him swing me round!

 

I have had to be so strong for so long, it is difficult for me to relax and entrust myself to someone else. I realize I've just got to loosen up and enjoy the journey. Every time I dance, I laugh a lot because of the fumbles and I am always surprised I didn't fall out on the floor! I'm gonna make mistakes, but the key is to keep going and growing, keep things lighthearted and not take myself too seriously.  

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...

 

I woke up to thunderstorms and had to drive my kids to school through a deluge.
The clouds rolled away and the sunshine brightened the afternoon.
The sunset was beautiful this evening and now the stars are shining in the clear night sky.

 

I am thinking...

about making a check list of all the things I need to do.
My mental list is driving me slightly mad.
 

I am thankful...

for my Mama and Daddy. She fixed dinner for us tonight and allowed me to sit and vent and feel sorry for myself for a while. Both my parents are such strong people who I admire so much and I am so grateful for the strength, encouragement and words of wisdom they freely give. 

 

I am wearing...

Yoga clothes. I actually exercised today. 

 

I am hearing...

Esther playing her ukulele
 

I am creating...

a Grandparents Day program at school this week. The risers, backdrop and sound equipment get set up tomorrow. Rehearsals all this week and then the performance on Friday. I love show time!

 

I am going...

to Swing Dance lessons tomorrow night and then heading to a big Swing shindig in Dallas this weekend. I'm excited that I'm getting to experience fun new things and make some good friends in the process.    

 

I am wondering...

what's next

 

I am reading...

 

Daily Bible reading on my She Reads Truth app

A Year With C.S. Lewis

 

I am hoping...

to get myself in a better routine. There are things that need to get done but by the end of the day, I'm wiped out. I need to work smarter, not harder and prioritize my time.  

 

I am praying...

 

for wisdom
for my kids
for my Boaz

I've been praying for my Boaz, my future husband, since God spoke it into my heart.
I have been so encouraged by A Modern Day Ruth:
http://ruthwaits4boaz.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ModernDayRuth
Yesterday she posted about the hundreds of prayers she prayed for her future husband. I found this inspiring, so this has become my prayer for the man God will allow to hold my heart and my hand.
Lord, I ask You to bless him, to cover him, to favor him and strengthen him in his walk with You. Help me not to settle for second best, but to wait patiently on him.
And help me as You mold me into the woman You want me to be.

 

I am learning...

to let things go.

In my garden...
 

 some of my daffodils are beginning to bloom!
I thought I took a picture of the first beautiful bud, but I can't find it.
They were a little beat down my the storm today, but I'll try to get a shot when they perk back up.



In my kitchen...
 

Mom made dinner tonight. :)

A Favorite Verse for today....

 

 

A Favorite Quote for today....

 

 

 

A peek into one of my days...

 

E and Me visiting Magnolia Market in Waco

 

One of my favorite things...

 

 

         

 Chicken enchiladas from Casa Rio on the Riverwalk in San Antonio

 

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com

San Antonio Sojourn

I just returned home from a 5 day trip down to San Antonio. My daughter accompanied me and we had a great time being together in that beautiful city.

This trip was been planned over a year ago and I have been stressed out over it ever since. I appealed to my school planning committee to amend our calendar so that I would be able to attend the annual conference offered by the Texas Music Educator's Association (TMEA). In my 11 years of teaching at my current school, I have only been able to go three times because of a scheduling conflict. The committee approved my request and I was so excited to get to go again....and then my world turned upside down. My dad and I went together the first time; my husband went with me the second time; who would go with me now?  During our separation I mentioned this upcoming trip to my husband stating that I didn't want to go without him. He said he was sure I could find a dad from my school that would be happy to accompany me. EW. I had to make lodging reservations back in the spring, so I reserved a room that would accommodate my folks, my kids, and myself. We'd just make it a family thing, I thought. Then my Dad had a stroke, and I discovered that my kids weren't going to be able to go because of school and extra-curricular commitments.  I began to really worry about whether or not I would be able to make the trip at all. But my brave grew. I decided I was going to go no matter what. I even contemplated flying down there, but my brave nor my pocketbook were quite that big. At the last minute, Esther decided to go with me. I was relieved and delighted, but also somewhat nervous. I have never driven that far before. More steps of faith were required.

As we set out, I told myself that I was driving to Tyler (a shortish drive which I've made before). From Tyler, I told myself I was driving to the Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana - just a "few" miles up the road. From Corsicana, Waco was the destination. We arrived in Waco and visited the Magnolia Market made famous by the HGTV show "Fixer Upper". Only one leg of the trip left and that was to arrive alive in Pflugerville (a suburb of Austin) where my Aunt Patricia lives. When I pulled up into her driveway, I almost burst into tears. "I drove to Austin", I said in disbelief. The next morning we left for San Antonio, with my brave fully intact. I had no idea where I was going but I had the GPS and a copilot. Upon arriving downtown, there was NO ground level parking to be found, so I had to wind my way up to the top of a parking garage, a pretty huge phobia of mine, but I did it! I got our conference badges at registration, we maneuvered through the enormous conference center. I handled the one way streets and checked us into our hotel (something I have never done on my own before). The next day we wound our way through the city streets, didn't get lost and did it in record time - the estimated 15-20 minute walk was covered in 10 minutes - little legs know how to move! We only slightly got lost in the dark on the Riverwalk, but we did not stay lost, nor did we accidently get murdered. AND, we had a grand and memorable adventure!

I was so worried about the unknown. I was also dreading a flood of any unwelcomed memories. Its sometimes hard to be places or do things that were "special" before. But I'm learning to set my eyes straight ahead and not let places or activities or even holidays (today is the dreaded Valentines - first one I've spent alone in 20 years) be defined or tainted by the past. There are happy memories that can be cherished and remembered, but oh, there are better experiences to be made and much happier times to come. I want to believe it, so I do.  

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...

 

The wind has been wacky today!

 

I am thinking...

 
about pursuing a knew venture.
 

I am thankful...

to have a friend who will help me with filing my taxes.

 

I am wearing...

jammies

 

I am hearing...

The whistle of a train.
 

I am creating...

a mess in my house. Spring cleaning purge is in effect and I need to get it
 under control and out the door.

 

I am going...

to the TMEA music conference in San Antonio this weekend! I am so excited!
The sessions are such a blast and it gives my creative self a real shot in the arm.   

 

I am wondering...

what's next

 

I am reading...

 

Daily Bible reading on my She Reads Truth app

A Year With C.S. Lewis

 

I am hoping...

 

that I can improve my outlook.
I've been bummed for a few days and I'm tired of it.
I need to shake it off.

 

I am praying...

 

for wisdom
for my kids
for a safe trip

 

I am learning...

about ways to improve my health.

In my garden...
 

 the tulip tree is starting to bud out.



In my kitchen...
 

 I don't want to talk about it.

 

A Favorite Verse  & Quote for today....

 

 

A peek into one of my days...

 

Watson & Hobbes totally relaxing 

 

One of my favorite things...

 

  

              Making cookies             

 

 

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com

Beautiful Things

 

 

Thinking back over my day, I noticed a golden thread.

Beauty.

 

I woke up this morning feeling a bit like a rag doll after an exceptionally long day yesterday. I didn't really want to go to church because it would have been so much easier to stay in bed, but I have missed the last couple of Sundays and I was beginning to feel the void. So, I got up and mindlessly got dressed. Then I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I was taken aback for a second because what I saw surprised me. I looked...beautiful. Now that sounds really vain, but if you know me at all, you know that is not my heart. I've never considered myself beautiful. My husband never told me I was beautiful...I was always "cute", which is not what a 5ft tall woman wants to hear. The woman I saw in the mirror today was striking, full of light and beautiful.

 

At church the sermon was from Ecclesiastes 8. Verse one states that

"Wisdom lights up a person’s face".

Wisdom has a positive effect on a person's character and countenance.

The wisdom that comes from God causes a softening and a beauty to emerge.

 

This afternoon an old college friend invited me to receive a free facial. She said she felt like I needed to be pampered and I accepted. In the process of cleansing my face and applying moisturizers I examined my face rather closely. Beauty. Button nose. Beauty. Blue eyes. Beauty. Full lips every ready to smile. Beauty. Freckles; aka angel kisses. Beauty. My friend has a business that helps women feel beautiful. What a ministry.

 

Recognizing true beauty is seeing so much more below the surface and appreciating what you see.

 

The father of lies likes to make us see ourselves in a bad light. Images of "perfection" make us all feel like we're subpar and inadequate. But, today I saw myself in heaven's light. I am beautiful. I am a bride in the eyes of my Groom. God sees His precious child when He sees me, and as all parents can attest, your child is the best looking one on the planet.  

 

Speaking of children, I've been self conscience of my maternal scars from my emergency caesarean sections for all these years. It recently occurred to me that neither one of my children nor I would be here today if not for those scars. Those are scars that brought forth life.

 

I once heard that scars aren't a sign of weakness, they are a sign that whatever it was that left the mark wasn't strong enough to do you in.

 

I know I have scars, both external and internal, but God is the great healer. A wise man once reminded me that God can heal deeper than our wounds. 

 

He can make me new. He makes beautiful things out of us.  

 

 

 

 

Bucket List: In Progress

BUCKET LIST: In Progress

These are things I'm currently working on...



• Taking swing dance lessons. I can't even explain how much I am enjoying doing this. I would seriously dance every day if I could...it makes me so happy! And the group that I am learning with are such great people. The leaders are Christians and so extremely warm and encouraging.
• Journaling. I kept a gratitude journal every day for about five years and then got out of the habit when I got sick a couple of years ago. I'm back in business now and disciplining myself to write down 5 things that help me have a grateful heart. Finding five things a day is sometimes more difficult than one might think, but it really helps keep my perspective on the positive.
• Writing. My friend Jeff Reedy inspired me to start writing every day. He is an amazingly talented writer and said that disciplining himself to write something every day has helped him. Check out his inspirational blog at http://jefe888.blogspot.com
• Reading the Word. I need it, so I gotta read it.
• Prayer.  I need Him, so I gotta pray. I'm finding that my prayer life is changing. It is so much more relational than regimented. He's with me all the time, so when something comes up, we chat. My kids got tickled at me as I drove through Dallas recently because I would say, "Lord, I'm merging, please make a place for me" every time I entered the freeway. And, sure enough, there was always a space. He cares very much about my precious cargo.
• Rest. My tendency is to burn the candle at both ends and I've had to learn the hard way to slow down. When I'm tired, I rest if I am able. Today was a big day. I woke up at 5:30 on a Saturday to take my daughter Esther to a dance competition. We were there from 7:30 until 6:30. I do not consume caffeine for health reasons, but around 2:00, I started to feel REALLY flaky. Esther's team met at a BBQ joint to eat and instead of grabbing a coffee, I stayed in the car and took a nap! Seriously. I'm learning when to say when.  
• My Music. Music is a huge part of my life being a classroom music teacher and piano teacher. I pour a lot of myself into encouraging and fine-tuning (see what I did there?) my students' musical abilities, but I often (always) neglect my own. I've started taking time to practice piano and to pay attention to my voice and care for it as I sing.
• My Home. Cleaning out, simplifying, creating a place of joy, remove that which hinders and embracing the new.
• My Health.  I have every excuse to lay up in the bed and eat an entire box of Girl Scout Cookies, but I'm choosing not to. I've been in survival mode for a while, eating only when I felt like it and then at that point eating whatever I wanted, but that's not healthy and I know it. If I'm going to be on an adventure, my body better be up to the task and in the best shape it can be. I really hate to exercise, but I'm trying.
• Bravery. I'm working on trying new things that are a little outside my comfort zone. Sometimes its little things like getting my first facial (a gift from a friend) tomorrow or figuring out how to do my taxes on my own. Sometimes its scary like driving to San Antonio by myself or speaking the truth. Breathe deep.

I'm a work in progress and God isn't finished with me yet!

            

Let Down Your Hair

This post will make little to no sense if you've never seen Tangled.

And if you've never seen Tangled, well, shame on you!

 It is my favorite Disney movie of all time.

I've been doing some introspection and it occurred to me that I have a lot in common with Rapunzel even though I don't have her flowing golden hair. I do resemble this version of her, though:

Rapunzel was trapped in a tower waiting for her life to begin. She spent her days in the tower as joyfully and as productively as she could, but she always knew there was more to the world than what she was experiencing. She chose to stay confined to meet the needs of someone she loved and someone that she believed loved her. Her potential and her destiny was put on hold for the sake of another's selfish ambition.

I have felt trapped for a very long time. I have been confined to a life that I have known was not exceptional for far longer than I wanted, but I stayed because of the commitment I made to love.

In my heart I've been waiting for my life to begin...and here I am at 40 years old, gazing out the window and wondering what else is out there.

I went through a period of illness a couple of years ago and had a hard time dealing with the residual setbacks. I sought counsel as to how to keep my life in perspective. I will never forget a little nugget of truth I gleaned from my counselor during that time. She said I was waiting until I felt like my old self before I started allowing myself to live again. Then, in kindness and in truth she said,

"you will never be the same person you were before - there is no reset button".

In other words, start living again, no matter how rotten or off kilter you feel.

I'm tired of waiting for my life to begin. My days get excruciatingly long waiting for some big event that is going to propel me forward. Jesus and I had a talk about this very thing this morning. I'm praying expectantly for the Lord to move and act on my behalf. I'm waiting (sometimes patiently, sometimes not so much) and I'm seeking His face, knowing He knows the desires of my heart. I know great things are ahead....but when is ahead? That Still Small Voice assured me that today is the day He has made and I should rejoice and be glad in it. My life is not going to magically be sunshine and roses, but every day grows sweeter, every day I get stronger as I lean into Him; every step I take is abundant life. Every morning that I choose to let my hair down and climb out of that tower is a life of adventure and who knows where that adventure will lead.

My heart has been wounded and I am understandably guarded, so don't mind the skillet.

Sometimes I may get spooked on my journey and feel the need to protect myself.

I am a daughter of the King and I know that He has great things in store for me. There are risks that I will have to take, there will be steps of faith as I learn to trust God and others. There will be some downright scary moments, moments of decision, moments of sacrifice. But in the end, it will be worth it, because my story will not be about a girl who stayed in a tower where it was "safe", it'll be about walking in the redemptive beauty of freedom and courage.

And that guy in the background? That's Flynn Rider.

He's my Other, my "Boaz" that I've been praying for and about for the last nine months.

God has whispered in my ear that I haven't experienced the love of my life yet.

So, I'm looking forward to meeting him somewhere along the way.

And when I do, I hope he's ready for an adventure himself.

Lord, I want to know You

 

I honestly don't know what God is up to in my life.

And just when I think I might have a clue,

 things get turned upside down again

and I just think to myself, "plot-twist".

I struggle with this because I'm such a planner

and its downright scary to feel like

 I'm flying by the seat of my pants into the wind.

 

But this is a place for my faith to grow,

and I am learning that when, not if, the plot-twists come, to say,

"Okay, Lord, I'm sure glad You see the big picture and are guiding me to the best".

 

I am learning so much about the character of God as I lean into His promises.

I know that He does not change and I know that He does not lie,

so I am hanging on to what He has said He is,

 and what He has said He does and will do.

 

I am reading through the scriptures this year using an app called "She Reads Truth".

It has a read the Bible in a year plan and helps me keep track of my progress.

As I read, I jot down in my journal anything I find in the passage

that speaks to the character of God (who He is or what He does) or

reveals the promises of God (what He says He will do).

 

God is, God will, God hears, God provides, God blesses, God knows, God gives.

 

Lord, I want to know You, live my life to show You, all the love I owe You,

I'm a seeker of Your heart.

 

She Works Hard for the Money

Write about the weirdest job you've ever had.

I thought I'd take this a bit further and try to recall as may of my jobs that I have had. I will leave it up to you, the reader, to decide which was weirdest.

Age 10: My first job where I made my own REAL money was working at an antique shop owned by Mrs. Geiger, a lovely elderly lady in our church. She asked me to help her run a sidewalk sale. Thus began my love for antiques and rummage sales. In addition to paying me for my time, she gave me a vintage red hat box  (I have no idea where that got lost along the way) and a milk glass lamp. Sadly, my lamp, which has sat upon my dresser for 30 years was recently knocked over and the glass shade shattered. I vividly remember what I spent my cash earnings on. Mom and Dad took me to Gibson's and I purchased a Barbie and Ken doll in matching shiny dressy outfits and, the piece de resistance, a silver Barbie Corvette...all of which I still have.

Age 12: My brother and I started cleaning a family friends' business for extra cash. Stephen did the floors, I dusted and cleaned the kitchenette, and we shared the load of cleaning the bathrooms.

Around this same time our family participated in craft fairs. We mainly made baked goods, but I sold a ridiculous amount of plastic canvas magnets. I remember sewing constantly - my needles would get rusty from overuse. I was quite the little entrepreneur. This was one of the pattern books I used:

Age 15: I opted to study American Sign Language as my second language and because I was homeschooled, my parents allowed me to take courses at Tarrant County Junior College. I took at least 4 semesters and became rather fluent. A lady in our church ran the local community center and offered me a position teaching signing classes to children. I taught a semester to kids and then the next semester started a beginner class for adults.

Age 16: I applied for a job at PetCo before PetCo was a big deal. Ha! My parents and I had decided that I was going to graduate from high school a year early and I wanted to earn some "real money" for college. Being able to lift an 80 lb. bag of dog food was a job requirement; I barely weighed 80 lbs., but was determined to get the job. I remember having to carry big bags out to people's cars for them...particularly the able bodied men...how weird was that, in retrospect?! 

It was during this year that I accepted a position as an interpreter for the deaf at a local church. I thought that was the direction God was leading me, but after a month or so, I resigned because it was so much pressure to be the interpreter for sermons. I was so scared I was going to mess something up and skew the message!

College: I worked as an RA (Resident Assistant) to help with my college fees and I had several odd jobs during the holidays and summer breaks during my college years.

I worked at a mall kiosk on Christmas break selling Fuzzy Feet novelty house shoes. I wore these around the mall:                           

I made those chicken feet look good and was the top seller. It was actually a lot of fun! And, you guess it, I still have my pair of slippers....

The next two Christmases, my brother got me a seasonal job working with him in a nature themed shop called The Nature Connection. It was full of save-the-endangered-whatever novelty items and tree-hugger, earth friendly gifty type stuff.

I cleaned houses with my mom one summer. Another summer I worked for a high-end interior decorator faux-finish painter in some fancy shmancy houses in Southlake.

My favorite summer job was working at J.Pepe's Mexican restaurant, and not just because I got a discount on their food! I was hired as a hostess because I wasn't strong enough or tall enough to lift the giant serving trays over my head. After a few weeks the manager called me in and made me "head hostess" which meant I made more than the others (shhh! they didn't know!) and was in charge of helping make schedules and handling their issues. I'm not gonna lie, my least favorite part of the job was Sunday lunch crowds. Let me just say that after working in a restaurant, I am extra careful about how I behave, especially in my church clothes. I learned some very useful skills at this job including knowing the difference in how alcoholic beverages were served (little things like "top shelf" and "on the rocks" had eluded me prior to this experience), how to put helium into balloons (that was a lot of fun), how to make small talk to keep patrons from losing their mind and how to schmooze wait staff when I accidently over sat their section. My favorite memory was when a deaf couple came in for dinner. I was able to communicate with them and the server for their table allowed me to wait on them. I even won employee for the month the second month I was there. Part of receiving that honor was a front row parking space, which was funny, because I didn't have a car.

Post College: I was a stay-at-home-mom for almost 4 years. During that time I tried to make a little extra money from home by being a web researcher. I think I got paid $.10 for every relevant page I could find on a given subject...and this was pre-Google, so I had to hunt. I also had an eBay business selling random things, but mostly lightly used baby clothes.

Then after receiving my degree (that's another story for another day), I began teaching school. I taught first grade my first year and third grade math & science for two years. After that, I moved to my current position as music teacher where I've been happy as a bug for 11 years.

In addition to being a classroom teacher, I have taught piano lessons and co-directed a children's theater group. Nearly every summer for the last decade I have taught in an art camp setting of some sort. I have also worked as a "second shooter" for a few photography studios.

Hm....no wonder I'm tired.....

The Age of Adaline

 

Very seldom do I watch a movie that I fall in love with, but I recently watched this beautiful film and it really touched me. I also don't like gut-wrenching love stories, which I was afraid this would prove to be, but I was pleasantly surprised that it dealt tenderly with my emotions.

 

The basic premise is about this lovely young woman who was born in the early 1900s. After being married and having a child, she is widowed, and soon after has a terrible accident in which she miraculously receives the ability to never age - she remains age 29 for decades.

 

As a retro girl myself, I loved seeing her life throughout the decades.

In one scene she walks into her  closet which is filled with various styles of vintage clothing.

She has a love for history, appropriately, since she had seen so much of it first hand. 

She is wise and cautious and fairly set in her ways. Her inability to share her condition has left her lonely and guarded. She has experienced a rich life but has had no one to share it with, save her daughter who appears to be Adaline's grandmother for most of the film.

 

She begins to realize that a life well-lived is meant to be shared with others.  And, of course, she meets the man who makes her long for a normal life where she can grow old with the one she loves.

 

I won't give away the ending (I like spoilers, but you, dear reader, may not), but it ends as it should.

 

Life is a beautiful journey and it is so much richer when you can let go of doubts and fears and embrace it as the adventure that it is and share it with those you love.

 

 

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...

 

its unseasonably warm, even for Texas.
The high was in the upper 70s today.
I think I even saw a mosquito.

 

I am thinking...

 

of how disappointed I am in myself for missing an ENTIRE week of writing.
But then I look back at the roller coaster ride I've been on during the last month
and decide to cut myself some slack.
I am getting back on the metaphorical horse, after all.  

I am thankful...

for the kinds of friends who are real enough to be there for me when I'm hurting
but also value my friendship enough to let me help carry their burdens
when they are confused, lonely and overwhelmed.
We all need somebody to lean on.
 

I am wearing...

my favorite night gown

 

I am hearing...

Mr. Biggs snoring.

He's had a rough day of resting, poor baby.
 

I am creating...

drafts for scripts, sketches for costumes and set for an upcoming play.

 

I am going...

 

to start taking better care of my health.
I've been survival mode, but its time to kick into thriving.  
 

I am wondering...

what's next

 

I am reading...

 

Daily Bible reading on my She Reads Truth app

A Year With C.S. Lewis

 

I am hoping...

 

to continue to see God's hand moving in my life. 

 

I am praying...

 

for wisdom and patience
(that last one is SO difficult)

 

I am learning...

that there is more to me than meets the eye

In my garden...

 

my daffodils are starting to peek out from their earthen beds.
I'm hoping they will bloom again this year.



In my kitchen...

 

the dishes are clean...maybe because we threw a frozen pizza in the oven.
Don't judge - its been a long day.

 

A Favorite Verse for today....

 

A favorite quote for today...

 

A peek into one of my days...

 

 

Decisions, decisions

Sometimes this is how I roll.

One of my favorite things...

 

 

             if you haven't tried these, you simply must.             

From the board room...

These pansies are so cute!

 

 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/195625177540643684/

 

 

 

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com