Black and Blue

So...I got up and headed to Menards at 10:30 A.M. and was able to purchase what I'd seen in the add...in fact, they had plenty left. Tried out the purchase only to realize it would not work, returned it to the store that afternoon and what to my wondering eyes should appear????? The prices for all of the "Special" items was the same or just a dollar more. Then I went to my second home and SHOCKER... same thing. So, I have learned that I am not "buying" into the hype of all the "Black Friday" Talk...

It's so good to feel as if I've learned a lesson :D Now, on to the next one I need to learn~

Thankful...but no Thank you!

I know that in just a few moments...BLACK FRIDAY begins! I must confess I am torn if I should go out or not. There is something my husband would love for Christmas but I feel like paying the extra money instead and sleeping :D

I just got home from my "home away from home" Wal-Mart-they are open 24 hours today and so they have their employees standing guard over the "deals" Wow...talk about high security...every isle you walk, every corner you turn there are sets of eyes watching you! Cars are in the parking lot WITH PEOPLE IN THEM camping out til the deals start.

This all seems CRAZY to me...I love you honey, more than you may know...but my pillow and I will not be parting this Black Friday!
If you are braving the day...Whoa Nelly!!!

The Art of Losing

It's been fun watching our 11 year old play "Traveling Basketball" this year. He IS a Forest Lake Ranger. I remember when he got his jersey and game bag...there was a sense of pride on his face as he walked with a new swagger in his step. Now, we've been told that this is a learning year...and truth be told---it is!

The team has played 6 games and their record is 1 and 5. They have had a few games where the span of points was greater than 20, and yet-there is an art that they are learning about how to be humble, gracious and carry themselves with integrity in the midst of the loss.

I wonder how well I do when things just don't go my way...maybe I feel, at times, like the "ref" has made a bad call. I want my life to reflect the Character of my Savior...even in the midst of the losses...in fact, even more so in the losses. It's easy to be a great winner but challenging to be a great loser.

Hamster on 2 Legs...or Martha in a Mary World

The wheel is spinning and I can't get off-or so it seems. I must confess that my life is more frantically paced than I ever imagined it would be. Do you find yourself in the same boat?

Well there is hope for you and hope for me...I love that God tells us to "Be still" and know that HE is God..."Be Still" means to let go! That is so AWESOME that God tells us to let go...I confess, it is hard to do, especially if you are a control freak like me (shocking I know).

But I want to encourage those of us who just can't stop the hamster wheel of life with these words from God's Life Giving Scripture...

Psalm 46~
God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though it's waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging...The LORD Almighty is with us...Be still and know that I AM God.

Such good stuff-Maybe today is the day where a decision is made to slow the pace, set the priorites and value what God has given us charge over...I'm willing to be human again how about you :D

The Wonder

Right now I am listening to 2 guys from my worship team jam...just jam! Now these guys are both under the age of 21 and are crazy good musicians, who not only have been gifted but use their gifts for their Creator! How awesome is that!!!
I love music!!!!!!!
I love the creativity, the melodies with complex harmonies, the dissonance, the majors and the minors...it's alot like life isn't it? We go on-day by day-some days the melody is beautiful and those who walk along side us join in as if they are the complementary harmony. Some days have dissonance that we wish would resolve into a clear major chord. Music moves us...compels us...I'll bet there are songs in your life that bring you right back to a moment in time. What a tremendous, Artistic God who sings over us and breathes His very life into us...enjoy the song of your day-whatever song it may be