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January 2008
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March 2008

Childhood toys...

When Aaron was little he had a BRIO train set.  We still have it.  As I was crossing cyberspace this week, I came across the BRIO site.  Brio1 They look the same.  I can remember Aaron & I playing with the train.  The magnets were so easy to create a train that little hands could move.  What fun we had!!!

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Remember that Tupperware shape box for toddlers?  Well, my Fresh Find today is the BRIO version!!! Such a clean contemporary twist on this classic toy!!! Look at these colors.  Talk about stimulating colors for little eyes & hands & minds!!!

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Wedding...

M_a51b10aedab61a34093fcccd28303b3eNO, NO we are not having a wedding, but my oldest (as in we have been friends longer than other friends) friend is having one for her daughter.  It is nearly here.  After a year of planning, on March 22, Kayci K will get married to Chad S.  They are at the final planning stages where all they want to do is JUST BE MARRIED!!!  I remember that was how Chrissa got, too.  Just get it over with.  Get us to the wedding day!  I think Debby might go crazy.  I tell her not to worry about all these last minute worries...afterall, not much they can do if it ain't done, right?  All you that have had daughter weddings know that!  What a fun time for them.  A year of planning for that dream come true day!!!

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I love our Fresh Find...these silhouette necklaces are too cute!Silhouettenecklace_web


Taking a break...

I'm taking a break.  I need to rest.  I'm going to spend some time doing nothing.  I have always wanted to do nothing.  Many think I have always done nothing...not true.  People who know me know my ambition.  It is hard for me to sit still so...I'm always working on something.  Have I been the "bread winner" in the family?  Nope.  I have tried to make our home Clinton's castle.  I've worked hard to keep it a place of peace & quite for us.  It is our vacation home right where we live every day.  We live in our home, we travel to our home and our home is a place that God is head of.  Anyway, I'm taking some down time.  It may be really boring around the P-diddy blog world, but I'll try to keep something exciting from time to time.

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My whole family is a hard working and giving family and I'm proud to be the lazy bum of the group!!! ;o)  Someone has to do it, right?  Hee-hee!!!

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I will be around...at Wayland, working on the CCoH, a little printing, helping at HPC some with technology, helping with Sunday School (I love these kids...you know that!) mowing & edging our yard twice a week, playing with flowers (I love digging in the dirt), taking pictures of all that God has placed in my life and you know I'm doing nothing when I'm hanging out at Wal-Mart watching people.

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Have a great Thursday.  I'm going out to catch some shots tomorrow.  Not sure what of yet, but I know God will bless my eyes!!!

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My Fresh Find for today is this pretty night light...they have different styles!

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What do you see? What do you do?

I got this email today, not sure if it is a "true" essay or not.  We can check it out over a snopes.com, but that doesn't matter on this one.  We just need to be aware of what we are doing...It is a little long, but take a moment to read it!!!

A TEENAGER'S VIEW OF HEAVEN!

Brian's Essay: The Room . . .

   
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in ‘the room’. There were no distinguishing features except for one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read 'Girls I have liked.' I opened it and began flipping through the cards.  I quickly shut it,  shocked to realize  that  I recognized the names written on each one . . .  And  then without being told, I knew exactly,  where  I  was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude Catalog system for my Life.


Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their
content.

Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named 'Friends' was next to one marked  ' Friends I have betrayed.'

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird:  'Books I Have Read,'…' Lies I Have Told,'…'Comfort I have Given,'  'Jokes I Have Laughed at.' Some were almost, hilarious in their exactness: 'Things I've yelled at my brothers.'

Others I couldn't laugh at: 'Things I Have Done in My Anger'…‘Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.' 

I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life, I had lived. Could it be possible, that I had the time in my years  to fill each  of these thousands or even millions of cards?

But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked 'TV Shows I have watched'… I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked: 'Lustful Thoughts,' I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out, only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content . . . I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me.

One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them! In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now.
I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot.

Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it . . . The title bore 'People I Have Shared the Gospel With.' The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried.  I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all.

The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.

No, please not Him. Not here . . . Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards.

I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moment I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.

He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?


Finally, He turned and looked at me from across the room.
He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and
began to cry again.

He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. ‘No!' I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was 'No, no,' as I pulled the card from Him.

His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think, I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant, it seemed, I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, 'It is finished.' I stood up, and He led me out of 'The Room.' There Was No Lock on Its Door. There were still, cards to be written.



'For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.'     John 3:16.

‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'  Philippians 4:13.

'Fresh Finds' for you today:_5521586 a really cool hands free infant carrier!!!


Human Statue of Liberty

We adopted a military person this week through Soldiers' Angels.  I am excited to give back to someone who gives so much.  We do not know this person and that makes it a little difficult to write to him or gather "goodies" together this first time for him.  In a few months it will become easier.  I got this picture in an email today and it speaks to who we are as a Nation.  Here is the Human Statue of Liberty from WWII...click on it to enlarge so you can really see it...awesome!

Human_liberty.

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Fresh Finds

This company has all kinds of great black & white jewelry...some color, too.  I like this tooth one.  It reminds me of our good friends, Dr. Gary & Janice Abercrombie.  He is our dentist and they are our friends!  To you Abers...300


Prayer...

A day or so ago I talked about why we suffer or have grief.  I stated, in my opinion, it is because of our sin or not being in a right relationship with our Lord.  I want to say that your troubles may not be from you sinning or your illness may not be from anything you personally have done.  I'm saying as a human race...our sins God will punish.  From Genesis 3 to Matthew 24:12 to 1 Peter 4:12-19, he talks about sin, turning from it, etc.  He wants a relationship with us!  For every valley I have ever been in I have been the most blessed during that time.  Dr. Hart read us a letter from our friend Pat this morning in worship.  She said the same thing about her illness and struggle.  She would not change those moments where God held her in the palm of His hands.  Unless you have been there you cannot understand the blessing, the growth, the love, the warmth, the peace!  Is it easy?  No!!!  Nothing worth anything is easy!  Just my opinion...

Prayer is talking to the One!  Who is your God?  Who do we talk to each day that takes time away from our relationship with Christ?  Think about it.

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I'm loving this Fresh Finds!  Large


Be careful of worldly books!

I was looking through book titles in the new releases over at Amazon and saw this title: "God's Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question--Why We Suffer" and I was shocked.  Okay, what part of God does the author not understand?  We suffer because we sin and we suffer when we aren't in a relationship with him.  The Bible does talk about these things.  God gives us all the answers we need!  Now, I have not read this book and I won't likely be turning its pages.  I'll stick to God's Word when it comes to understanding the whys of God.  Be careful as you read worldly books...be open to new things God shows you, but aware of sheep in wolves clothing.  I'm not saying the author is deceiving at all.  It may be a great book...just think the title is kind of strange.

Have a worship filled new week!!!

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My Fresh Finds is...drum roll please!  This great, simple lines coat and umbrella stand!Sproutcoattree66inorgs7


No News Friday...

Not much to report to you here on the blog for Friday, February 22, 2008.  I have decided that I want to do nothing.  I want to see no one.  I want no one to see me.  I want to get up each day and just serve in that day with no pressures.  Do you think that can happen?  Is that the real world?  I hope so because that is the direction I will be moving in the months ahead.  I hope you enjoy your weekend in a way that you never have before!!!

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Today's "fresh finds" are...these wonderful active wear separates from Bloomies!!!722634_fpx


I realize...

I realize what a really horrible person I am..

I realize that I am not beautiful...

I realize that I am selfish...

I realize that I am too competitive...

I realize that I am bossy...

and with that realization is where my faith carries me through each moment of every day.  I am in His hands.  So, in case you feel the urge to "slam" me...don't bother! 

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Fresh find today are these handy spreaders...Img80l


2-daaaaaaaaa

2-daa, I drove to Lubbock to take some items to be fixed to a store there.  Then I drove over to Frenship ISD to deliver some wedding stuff to a friend.  Headed home and have been cleaning and running errands and the like.  I am feeling better.  Just a day of downers for me.  Oh, I know it could be worse.  I'm thankful, very thankful.  Just every once in a while something hits me like a ton of bricks and the pain is right there as if it was just yesterday!  Know what I mean?

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I love this black viewfinder!!!  The reel look awesome, too!Arkitip0044viewmaster