When I take pictures, I depend on the Holy Spirit to lead me to what my eyes to see are to see. It is a spiritual time for me. It doesn't matter why I am led to a particular picture because I know he will use it as he has planned.

Do you experience highs and lows and often feel like you are separating from your core?

My life is a bit different than highs and lows. It is the real me and the me that I lived prior to understanding my Asperger's wiring. Either way, for Believers, whatever separates us internally is being held together by the strong unity of the Trinity.

Colossians 1:17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Fresh Find: LOVE this globe for kids bean bag!!!

We have a ready-mix concrete plant and are trained with proper concrete etiquette. My concern is that concrete "craft" ideas are being posted online DIY sites without any warning of the possible danger from skin contact, especially for children.

When cement is dry, it contains calcium oxide, which is not particularly dangerous. However, when water is added to the cement, calcium hydroxide is formed, which is extremely alkaline with a pH of 12 to 13. The normal human skin has a pH of 5.5; therefore, wetted cement, concrete, can produce alkaline skin burns which progress and get worse without more exposure. A person may have wet concrete on his or her skin for hours without feeling any discomfort; however, the concrete is damaging the skin microscopically. Early identification of changes to the skin is important so steps can be taken to treat the affected area.

Concrete burns frequently produce discoloration of the skin, gradually changing to a deep purple-blue color, eventually progressing to painful burns. Some patients report red, inflamed skin near the affected area followed by severe blistering. 

When creating a concrete project yourself, always wear goggles, gloves, long sleeves, pants, and full shoes or boots. When working with concrete, it is best to not allow young children into the area. Their skin is very sensitive, and they can quickly get splattered because of their mobility. When you are doing a project using concrete with children, be sure the environment is controlled closely and that the children are protected with goggles, gloves, long sleeves, pants, and full shoes or boots.

Concrete is an amazing combination of cement, rock/gravel, sand, and water.  It is strong, and it lasts. It can be used for purposeful things as well as creative items. It is a beautiful medium. Just know the proper concrete safety etiquette.

There are hobby products that end in 'crete, ' and I am unfamiliar with what is in the product or if it is safe. Please, check your container for application instructions.

Fresh Find: Fun, inspirational 'crete' stones.

Today, the hail came and the power did not flicker off but shut down. It was off for about an hour, I suppose. Of course, I was in the middle of at least three projects on the computer with two other projects needing my attention sitting on the drop down ironing board. When the power goes off, what can we do but stop what it is we were doing.

Ahhh, but I am prepared with light. Limited light, but light enough to work.A few years ago I found this vintage lamp that did not work.

A few years ago I found this vintage lamp that did not work.

I loved it so much that I found someone who could repair it for me. It has helped illuminate my work area, which is windowless, several times since it came home.

As I finished the two projects that I could without electricity, I was reminded of the light that God shines on me when my life is dark. He illuminates my way. Blessed with his Light!

I had to sing it. I did! Thy Word, a song by Amy Grant, is one of the greats as far as I'm concerned.

Job 29:3 When His lamp shone over my head, And by His light I walked through darkness;

Psalm 18:28 For You light my lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness.

Fresh Find: Liking these Converse chucks!

We are yoked to those we let into our inner circle, the ones we laugh and play with. We are who we hang with or hang around with. I'm not saying this is a bad thing at all. I'm stating a truth. 

I say if we are going to be yoked with anyone, and we all are yoked, it should be Jesus.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”  Matthew 11:29-30

It brings me to this point.

Where

have we

chosen

against him?

What is it in our lives that is not in alignment with the direction of the desire of our heart; the plan God has for us? This has me thinking for sure.

The scripture says when we are yoked with him our burden will be light. Why carry the weight of unbalanced yoking and drive ourselves into misery?  Why can't we let go of the difficult and accept the simple truth?

2 Timothy 31:5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,  treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

See anything familiar that fits? I'm thankful for grace. I'm thankful for forgiveness. I'm thankful that I chose Jesus to yoke my life with. 

The joy of the Lord is my strength!

He is molding me and making me into a better yoke partner.

Fresh Find: Love this bow chair!

The author of my life is Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12:2b looking unto Jesus, the author, and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I'm there with him, and this allows me such peace and joy.

There is a sweet friend who is a published author, and she is moving to another country. She is headed to Marshall, Texas, on Tuesday. Okay, so it is not another country, but it is too far away for us to get together as often as we have enjoyed in this season of friendship. 

Phyllis, Donnet, Karen & Susan...

Donnet, you have brought so much joy to me, to us, and we are blessed for the gift of time together!!! Keep writing! Keep smiling! Keep loving in Christ! We will forgive Barry in time for taking our Donnet to a far away land!!!

Fresh Find: Father's Day. Duffle bag? I like these!

Elbert Garrett Wall was 91 when he passed from this life. He was born in 1896 and died in 1987, thirty years ago. They moved to Plainview in their "senior" years to be close to their son, TC Wall, and his family. He was a kind man. We need more kind men in this world.

Fresh Find: Smores! These look yummy.

I'm over. I'm over-committed. I'm over tired. I'm, okay; I'm outside looking up at the beautiful moon on a beautiful evening. God is good!

Fresh Find: Fun squares bench.

So, the Holy Spirit gave me this thought today. A penny and the quarter.

I just love it when I get these, for me, random thoughts. Okay, and your point is???

Okay, and your point is???

A penny, all alone, dropped onto the parking lot. If it is a heads up one, it might have a chance of survival to those who believe in luck. If it is tails up, it most likely will be left to endure the elements. It has no value to those who pass by it. 

A quarter, all alone in a parking lot. It won't matter if it is heads or tails, it will get picked up. It still has value.

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7

If we picked up the one penny, we would find two. Two pennies and we would be able to purchase five sparrows. The penny represents those who society deems unworthy to be seen, much less touched. God tells us that he has not forgotten these. We are the ones called to share the story of Love with them through words and actions.

The quarter; Everyone will pick it up, but most will toss it aside until they need it for something. In the world today, relationships are overlooked and misunderstood, and people are tossing them thinking they don't need that person. Maybe it isn't about us needing that person, but more about that person needing not to be tossed aside. God may very well be working and what if...we are not willing to pick up the forgotten.

Fresh Find: I love this window tapestry (or doorway).

What a treasure to have. This letter was written to Clinton a month after he was born. I believe the story goes that he was a T.C. namesake. Of course, there is TC Wall, Clinton's father. His name is TC. No periods after the letters because his T & C are not abbreviations for anything.

I guess that "Boss" had the T. and C. that matched Thomas Clinton and thus the connection.  I would love to have known "Boss" and his family!

Fresh Find: Fun bear ice shaver.