What can I say except 80s fashions were bad? These pants are back in style and I am just struggling with the thought of wearing them. Now, you can see why! Why would I wear a shirt with roosters around it? Was I crazy? I do not remember purchasing this. I think this must have been a blackmail picture!!! (p.s. Yes, my hair was red then)
Fresh Find: Fun art prints for nurseries here.
Today is father-in-law day.
As I think back to the days when Clinton and I were first thinking marriage, I remember thinking that if he turned out anything like his father then he would be perfect. Certainly blessed!
TC Wall
Fresh Find: What a sweet sign to give...
In my experience as a squirrel trapper, I have discovered several things. First, the trap must be placed under a tree. Don't ask me why because I might thread a story you would believe. Seriously, if you place the trap under a tree, they will come. Don't necessarily place it where you see the squirrels.
Most squirrels like pecan halves. They need to be halves for them to stop and pick them up and put their weight on the trap lever. Now, I have caught some squirrels with Fig Newtons, pecan allergy I think. I have even trapped a few gangsta tough ones with granola nut bars.
Squirrels are smarter than we think. Some can dance in and out of the trap like a ballerina trained trapeze performer. They may even nudge the trap over and grab the prize and leave you high and dry yelling, "sucker" all the way back up the tree.
No squirrel likes to lose their freedom. They pace. I've had two go totally crazy on me and make a bloody mess trying to get out...poor snouteroos! Made me sad. Today's crazy one even bent the metal trap, wore out the grass under the trap and dug holes at each corner.
Squirrel snouts are strong!
Several have asked about where the squirrels go once they're trapped. I always say maybe to the squirrely gates. Imagine the trap door being opened and then suddenly there is a leap-leap-hop-leap and they are happy.
(Trapping License: #1234567891011)
Fresh Find: I like the clean look of this double-diamond bedding.
My first In His Hands blog was written on May 26, 2006. May 26, 2006, was the one-year anniversary of the day Natalee Holloway arrived in Aruba. I remember following her story on a blog hosted by Typepad and that is how I came to select my blogging company. Since 2006, I may have written close to 3000 blogs since I try to write daily.
In July 2013, I decided to write an Exploring Plainview blog, also daily. Add the two together and somewhere around 3500-4000 blog post entries have been made.
Here is what I posted on July 22, 2013:
"You don’t concentrate on risks. You concentrate on results. No risk is too great to prevent the necessary job from getting done." – Chuck Yeager
Building something like a skatepark in Plainview may seem a risk to some. To Vision Skatepark Plainview supporters, it is the focus on results...what we can provide our families and young people for their active lifestyles & sport. Build it and they will come. That is the vision...catch it!!!
I understand that both blogs are read by very few people. I am okay with that. The times I have thought about not posting, God always sends someone who says how much they enjoyed this or that. So, I continue on. It is a God thing after all and one that I can do. Some posts will have thousands of 'hits' and some hundreds; regardless of the 'hits' I pray they help bring joy.
Fresh Find: Fun grip flashlight!
"You don’t concentrate on risks. You concentrate on results. No risk is too great to prevent the necessary job from getting done." – Chuck Yeager
.
Building something like a skatepark in Plainview may seem a risk to some. To Vision Skatepark Plainview supporters it is the focus on results...what we can provide our families and young people for their active lifestyles & sport. Build it and they will come. That is the vision...catch it!!!
Yesterday in worship God shared what a true leader is with me: they are ordinary, useful, helpful, cautious, hard-working, religious, responsible, a representative, and like procedure and protocol.
You will notice that being a visionary is not on the list. Through the religious aspect of leadership, we turn into Jesus who is the visionary component of true leadership. Through his guidance, we are then able to turn out and deliver a plan of action.
God seeks out the hearts of those he chooses to lead. They often learn from their life experiences and then are willing to share what they have learned with others. When we learn we are required to move forward. God engages us through circumstances. He catches our attention to become his hands and feet. God's initiative is to save the sinner through the redemptive blood of Jesus Christ, the True Leader.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
Fresh Find: What an adorable & personalized blanket!
Sweet as candy!
Since I'm on sweet, I want to share this picture from yesterday's #serve2015... this sweet woman was a volunteer at the Hale County Literacy Council when I was there. It was her birthday and the children sang Happy Birthday Helen!!!
Fresh Find: Like this triangular oven mitt!
Even at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana, God nudged me to be still and listen. The Cardinal came. Not Cardinals as described in the catholic faith hierarchy: Cardinals are princes of the Church appointed by the Pope. I'm pretty sure there are Cardinals of faith at Notre Dame, but the Cardinal I was nudged to see was a pretty red one. I sat down on the ground under a shade tree and he came over to play.
Another nudge was to pray with our Miss D at the prayer grotto and allow her to express her prayer there.
Miss A reflects on her day...
Fresh Find: What about these cute chambray joggers?
Little bitty in a great big world. Here is Miss A on the "ice rink" side of the Joyce Center (fieldhouse) at Notre Dame University as she practices for the A.Y.O.P. (America's Youth on Parade) competition all this past week.
She came home a winner! It is hard to get any type of medal or trophy at this competition. There are many age and difficulty levels in many different types of baton twirling events and everyone wants to win and most have qualified to be there, or are good enough to be there for sure. Miss A won two trophies and three medals! We are very proud of her!
Grandpa, Mommy, and Miss A time! I love watching them (wearing one of the costumes her mother twirled in at A.Y.O.P., as well)
Miss D had a fun time! She got to have all the relaxed fun and no competition, but next year...no stroller and she must win to compete at AYOP!!! Excited!!!
The Monogram Room, where all awards are given out. Everyone snaps pictures here.
Fresh Find: A fun enamel plant pot!
God allowed my eyes to see this clown...
It reminded me of the classic, 1970 Smokey Robinson song, Tears of a Clown.
I am reminded that we never know the struggles that others are facing and we should handle every person, that God blesses our path with, in kindness and understanding.
Fresh Find: Want this rocking swing!!! LOVE!
One of the highlights for me at the opening of the Skatepark Plainview was found at the cross. The cross of Jesus.
The true story of the skatepark is where it all began. Yes, it did begin with a young skateboarding entrepreneur asking if I would help. It was a few weeks after our conversation that God awoke me from sleep and said, "The time is right for the project and I will be with you."
The wonderful thing about having God go before you is that you have peace in the foundation of your strength. You rest assured that whatever comes, God is going to bring you peace and joy.
There were bumps in the project, but I knew that if the project was completed it was God's and if it was halted that God had another plan. It was my job to give him the glory as he moved in my life and used me as his vessel.
The skateboarders presented me with a cross made from broken skateboard pieces, well and other broken and repurposed things. Broken, aren't we all?
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
We all are broken vessels with cracks, some more than others, but ALL can allow the light of Jesus to shine through.
I would love to have this sculpture permanently affixed to Skatepark Plainview, but we know it would not last there. It has a place at our home where I will be reminded that it is at the cross where I first saw the Light.
I am excited to see where God leads me as I work alongside him as I follow his Master Plan.
Fresh Find: Cute captains chair!!!
e highlights for me at the opening of the Skatepark Plainview was found at the cross. The cross of Jesus.
The true story of the skatepark is where it all began. Yes, it did begin with a young skateboarding entrepreneur asking if I would help. It was a few weeks after our conversation that God awoke me from sleep and said, The time is right for the project and I will be with you."
The wonderful thing about having God go before you is that you have peace in the foundation of your strength. You rest assured that whatever comes, God is going to bring you peace and joy.
There were bumps in the project, but I knew that if the project was completed it was God's and if it was halted that God had another plan. It was my job to give him the glory as he moved in my life and used me as his vessel.
The skateboarders presented me with a cross made from broken skateboard pieces, well and other broken and repurposed things. Broken, aren't we all?
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Broken vessels with cracks that allow the light of Jesus to shine through.
I would love to have this sculpture permanently affixed to Skatepark Plainview, but we know it would not last there. It has a place at our home where I will be reminded that it is at the cross where I first saw the Light.