As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer. Psalm 103:15-16

The intricacy of God's design in everything he created allows me to humbly praise Him. In the storms of life, as the wind blows, we are worn, we wither, but in him, we can bloom again. He is always with us. 

Fresh Find: A super fun piggy-back rider bar.

Have you ever thought that you were not good enough to do God's work? I think about this. If God can speak through a donkey, he can certainly use a fish out of water!

Read Numbers 22:21-39 to find out about Balaam, his donkey, and how God gives the donkey a voice.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation, it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. It’s written, I’ll turn conventional wisdom on its head, I’ll expose so-called experts as crackpots. So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn’t God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb—preaching, of all things!—to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation. While Jews clamor for miraculous demonstrations and Greeks go in for philosophical wisdom, we go right on proclaiming Christ, the Crucified. Jews treat this like an anti-miracle—and Greeks pass it off as absurd. But to us who are personally called by God himself—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one. Human wisdom is so tinny, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can’t begin to compete with God’s “weakness.”

Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don’t see many of “the brightest and the best” among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies”? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That’s why we have the saying, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.”

So, in the moments when we feel we are not good enough to do God's work, or we are not qualified, or not spiritual enough, remember...it is the willing heart that God will use. In all things, he alone is capable of creating in us the ability to perform his ministry. 

Be a fish out of water. Rely totally on God!!!

Fresh Find: A large fish out of water mosaic art piece!

A couple of years makes a big difference in how we change, especially our girls. I love this picture. It is time to do another one soon!!!

Fresh Find: Every once in a while I find a Fresh Find that is amazing. Look at these room dividers; plastic or wood. They are great!!! Click on the red Fresh Find to view Etsy store for other designs!

Studies find that approximately 73% of children with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) experience sleep problems, and these problems tend to last longer in this group than they do for children without AS. For example, children with AS are more likely to be sluggish and disoriented after waking. 

There are real reasons why!

My life story. Sleep issues. As far back as I can remember I have had issues with sleeping. When I was very young if I went into a deep sleep I would wet the bed. This is not an Asperger's only issue. Many children experience this sleep issue, but a high percentage of Asperger's children experience this. I remember my parent's frustration.  I had no control over this, but I trained myself to not go into that sleep which is most likely not very restful. Some nights I would stay awake all night.

There is a little thing called sleep paralyzation that I experienced many times when I was young. I felt like I was totally awake. It is a nightmare where I would feel the strong presence of people in the room. I felt like that something was holding me down. I could not move. I would scream at the top of my lungs, but nothing would come out. I was unable to move or speak. I would wake dripping wet with sweat.

I overcame these sleep problems as I matured. Nowadays if I dream, or remember a dream, it will always be a nightmare. I'm thankful it doesn't happen often.

I share these things because typically parents go to sleep and do not think about their Aspie child and what they may be facing while you are sleeping and they are attempting sleep. Be aware. Maybe this will help someone.

I found this leaf. It is nearing fall-time. Cooler days!!!

Fresh Find: Love this bar stool!

One of the greatest blessings that God has allowed me is the opportunity to be a member of the Sally Society.

The Sally Society is a group of women formed to provide education related to informed philanthropy, to inspire women to become leaders in philanthropy, and to demonstrate the impact and joy of philanthropy on the projects and programs of Wayland Baptist University. 

As a philanthropy group, we believe that by joining together as women of faith that our resources are multiplied into service and action. We have accomplished many projects for the university that impact the most students. 

Together we have created an endowed scholarship in the name of Sarah Tucker Wayland and add to this total each year. We have purchased a Steinway piano for a music practice room, supporting the university’s goal to become an All-Steinway school. We have renovated the lobbies of two of Wayland’s oldest women’s dormitories. We helped the undergraduate research projects of the School of Mathematics and Sciences. We have purchased sound equipment and enjoyed reworking the student services office area in Gates Hall. We just finished up with a little SMAC makeover (the window coverings will arrive next week).

Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, then make my joy complete by being of one mind, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Philippians 2:1-3

If you would like to be a part of the Sally Society, click this link to find out more and other giving opportunities. Sally Society

Fresh Find: This Babka looks amazingly good!!!

We all have a ministry song.

It is the week for starting school. I have very much enjoyed seeing all of the beautiful smiles, some sleepy eyes, and looking at the shoes the students selected to wear their first day. The clear winner was Converse old school.

Each of us as children of God are called to ministry. From the very young child who can understand sharing to the one taking their eternal entry breath, we have Holy Orders. As the children start school, it is important to remember as parents that you are to not only help them to learn their ABCs and 123s, but you are to help them understand that their day in school is their ministry song. Pray for them to be Christlike in all that they do. It is the young mind that adapts best.

Whether we started school, are going to our job, or are shopping at the grocery store, we have an obligation to be aware of our ministry song. We have Holy Orders to proclaim. What is in our mind and heart is what others will see. It is a song that grows with each stanza we write!

This year, I have prayed for you and your ministry song. Engage in it humbly. Converse it boldly!!!

Fresh Find: Love a fun pocket watch! How about Captain America?

Downtown Plainview is the heart of the community. FBPLV is located in this heart. My parents delivered me to this church when I was just a couple of weeks old. Sixty-three years later, God still calls me to this place. I have sat on many of the pews in this church through the years. No matter where I have landed the Word of God has reached me through song and study. Things have changed in sixty-three years and the church changes, as well. It's all good! The presence of the Lord fills this place when we gather in His Name.

Be still...

Tonight's rain coming down.

Fresh Find: Look at this adorable paw toboggan for kids! Perfect for the Bulldogs!

I've always heard the phrase when we are mad that we can get glad in the same...shoes, shirt, underwear, way, whatever that is. I must say that I rarely get mad. It takes a lot to make me mad. On the other hand, it takes very little to create brokenness within me. I process it and forgive easily. Forgetting is a different story though.

I want to forget. I believe that sometimes I need to remember so that I will grow in my faith by calling out to Jesus every day, sometimes for weeks or months or years, asking Him to take away the pain and the fear. He always does answer my prayers, just not always with the speed I desire.

Because I grew up different I knew that some were intolerant of me. Once I sense this I remove myself from the life of that person. I don't remove myself to be mean. I remove myself to protect the other person from whatever it is that I do that creates the intolerance attitude. It is an Asperger's coping mechanism that I have adapted. You may not understand it, and that's okay.

Sometimes this makes me sad and then I remember that God is the one who changes my seasons of friendships and brings people into my life for a purpose. He uses people to open and close doors as a directive for my service to his people. I am always blessed.

Don't get me wrong. There are people who frustrate the hay-hay out of me. They probably will never know it, but I will begin to move away from them; not to be mean, but for self-preservation.

It may seem that I am somewhat intolerant. In one way, I believe I am because I'm constantly trying to figure out how the puzzle of people works. On the other hand, because I do not fit the mold of what others see as "cool" it allows me to love those who don't fit or are hurting, with a few normals thrown in because they deserve tolerance, too!

I share this with you today because I want you to know that I will get glad because of this promise...

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. Hebrews 1:9

I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.

From the time that I was a little girl, God has been my mental health counselor. When I was six, he called me unto Him, and I said yes. I need him every day, many times during the day, just to make it through another day. He is my joy!

Fresh Find: This Martha Stewart Kids Craft Book has some good ideas!

Bo-peep loves to climb, and so does her friend, Mr. Wallace!

Miss A learned to paddleboard.

Fresh Find: I love the idea of children being allowed to create "free" music. Every child, young to old, needs a tambourine!!!

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:13-15

I never knew this kind of love. It puzzles me, intrigues me, and humbles me; that this Jesus would lay down his life willingly to spare mine.

I'm forgiven because You were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me
'Cause You died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be?
That You, my King would die for me?
Amazing love, I know its true
It's my joy to honor You
In all I do, I honor You

(Chris Tomlin)

All my worthiness comes from this love. The world seeks to break me down, and he whispers, "You are worthy. Listen to me I will create in you my peace. I will call you into my service to do mighty things that you will not understand."

Fresh Find: Recluse t-shirt. Because I so want to be!