Mamas*Little*Treasures

Come on, Slowpoke!

“Yes, I understand that turning back or waiting for others
slows you down, but only at first.The deliberate extension of goodness, generosity, and wisdom always wins out in the end.”

~~ Lisa Bevere, “Lioness Arising: Wake Up and Change Your World”

When I was a little girl, riding my bike was one of the endless activities that filled my summer days. We lived by a lake, and our road was a dead-end, so most of the cars that drove by our house were either people who lived there or perhaps strangers who were lost. In any event, hardly anyone ever drove down that road fast . . . because there was a huge tree at the end of the road and you had to drive around that tree to turn around and go right back out the way you came in.

The other really great thing about "Our Road" was that there was a little hill just beyond our house (it seemed quite enormous to me at the time!) We would race down that hill to the bottom, and come screaming to a stop just before we would crash into an enormous Weeping Willow tree at the edge of a swampy area. Now THAT was a great way to spend a summer afternoon!

One day I was racing my bike with my BFF, and as we came zooming down that hill with the summer breeze whipping our hair into our eyes, we were laughing and yelling at one another to "Go faster! Go faster!." Suddenly I looked over and saw that she was RIGHT THERE and we slammed into each other. Of course, that knocked us both off of our bikes, right there in the middle of "Our Road," and there was blood everywhere. We both had skinned up our knees and our hands, knocked heads somewhere along the way, and we probably both had a fat lip. Fortunately, nothing was broken except our momentary dreams of being world-class bike racers, but it did put us out of commission for a few days. Not long, though!

Soon we were both back to the business of all the adventures that little girls would have on a summer day, playing in the woods, spying on the other neighborhood kids through the branches of that Weeping Willow tree, and racing our bikes down the hill again right there on "Our Road." That's the way life usually presents itself to us, both as children and as adults. One minute we are flying down the road of Life with our hair flying in the breeze, laughing as we go. And then, suddenly, we are confronted with "The Hill" of adversity, and frequently we crash and burn before we get back up and travel on.

So what happens when we have to "slow down" for someone else along the way? Sometimes my girls go for a bike ride here on "Our Road" by our house that is also near a lake with a woods in our backyard. But one of our girls can't go as fast as the other, because she has Cerebral Palsy. It is easy for her sister to get exasperated when they can't zoom down the road as fast as she would like . . . . so here's what we do: "How about you go as fast as you can until you get to the sign at the curve, and then come zooming back to catch up with your sister?" That way we all get to go for a bike ride, together, while one gets to experience the thrill of the wind-whipped hair in the eyes and mouth, while the other one gets the opportunity to learn how to make the bike pedals go around and not tip over, all at the same time!

Yes, it can slow us down when we have to wait for someone we love to catch up. But what's really important here? Convenience or compassion? The thrill of the speed or the joy of the relationship? In other areas of life, the question is the same: Do we value the relationship with our loved ones, or do we just want them to "hurry up" and do it our way? I think about how often God patiently waits for me to "get it," to understand, and to figure out that His way is always the only way on my life journey.

Do not be discouraged if you are waiting for a loved one - sometimes those moments of slowing down, taking a deep breath, and saying a little prayer is the task that is before you TODAY. No, you may not be setting the world on fire with the newest, greatest, and most incredible discovery, but you are giving a gift that is truly a treasure to those whom God has put in your pathway along the journey of Life, wherever you live on "Your Road."

If you would like to participate this week with "In Other Words," please leave a link here to your post on this quote so we can come visit you. We would love to read your thoughts on this topic! Also, you can find more information at Loni's blog, Writing Canvas, and join us in future weeks for "In Other Words."

 

 

It's a big, big world out here!

Do you ever feel like you are completely "lost in the crowd" while you are out here in the ever-growing world of cyber space? This "village" is so huge that you wonder if you will ever be "noticed" for all of the great work you are doing? Well, it is just like that wherever you go! We can't connect with everyone in the entire universe, and we don't need to. We will all find our little "niche" in the world of online business and community, and I've learned that it is not just having a million and one "friends" (although obviously quantity is important if you want to build a business) - but if you don't take the time to nurture the connections and new friends that you make while you are out and about, you have really missed an important part of this endeavor.

Of course, if we want to gain a following for whatever little business we are trying to build, we need to get the word out to as many people as possible. That's where running a successful advertising / information campaign on Facebook and Twitter is great. But along the way, it is so important to connect in a meaningful way with some of the wonderful people you meet in your online travels. I have had the privilege of "meeting" so many amazing people, and of course we don't have time in our lives to build life-long relationships with everyone who comes along - even if we really, really like them a lot. But take the time today to recognize the accomplishments of someone you have "met" in your travels. You never know, it just might be that they need a kind word, a bit of acknowledgment, a touch of encouragement, or just a friendly reminder that they are important in this great big world marketplace.

One of the people who has come into my life recently is Sue of Indiesmiles. She has been such a wealth of information and advice, enthusiasm for the work of independent business women and other artists, and kindness in unexpected ways. And then, as is always the case, when you take a minute really to listen to what another person is saying, I discover that she has had her own moments of struggle and discouragement. And I feel completely welcomed into the world of real people, with real lives, real hopes and dreams . . . . those "hidden" things that do not always come through in an email or a blog post. It is easy to hide behind our online persona and give the impression that we've got it all together and that everything is "perfect" in our life. But in the REAL world that is just not the way it is.

That is one of the reasons that I am working on my Journal of Gratitude. And that is the motivation behind my determination to include a column in the upcoming issues of Ruby for Women that will focus on the struggles and triumphs that various women have experienced through the grace and mercy of our loving Heavenly Father. Someone has to start saying it. Someone has to begin to speak the truth about the realities of life. Someone has to have the courage to be first. We're working on it here at Ruby for Women. But in the meantime, please visit Sue at Indiesmiles where you will find an incredible group of indie artisans who have created a community of celebration for those of us who work out here, sometimes in the silence of our homes, but always with the opportunity for connection through the Indiesmiles neighborhood.

If you want to read my blog post for which I was honored with the "Top Columnist for the Month of April, 2010," you can go here. But mostly I want to encourage you to join a community where you will be welcomed, embraced, nurtured, and encouraged along the way on you journey to reach your dreams and goals for 2010. When you stop by Indiesmiles, be sure to tell Sue that I sent you! 

Sugar Plum Fairies Danced in My Kitchen

Since we've been thinking about family traditions and ways to celebrate the holidays on a budget, I decided it would be fun to make some of these super-simple lollipops.  If you are looking for fun, easy, and inexpensive gift ideas, this little jar of lollipops would make a truly sweet treasure for a teacher, a neighbor, or friends who just really don't "need" anything, but you want to remind them that they are loved!  Of course, lollipops are not exactly what you would want your kids eating every day   ;o(  because they are pure sugar.  With a little butter and a bit of coloring. . . . and then sprinkled with more sugar!  But they really are cute, festive, and charming in a vintage jar with a bit of sparkly ribbon tied around the top. 

This is one of the recipes that I have been making for a very long time - since my big kids were tiny tots.  Perhaps some of you recognize this cookbook.  Either you have one that is as raggedy and tattered as mine . . . or your mother or grandmother has one . . . . or you realize that these cookbooks are truly collectors items!  Well, probably not THIS particular cookbook, in such a worn-out condition, but the ones that are mint vintage condition are worth quite a bit on eBay.  But mine isn't for sale!  I have had this cookbook actually longer than I've had my treasured recipe box.  This Betty Crocker cookbook was a wedding gift way back in 1972   ;o)  

There, now I've given myself away!  But then some of you already know that my oldest daughter is 36 and my youngest daughter just turned 7.  So, no secrets around here about my age!  I've used this cookbook every holiday season since then, and so many family traditions have come from this book that I will never part with it.  I will leave it to one of my daughters so the family traditions will carry on.  I've often thought about how family traditions come to be . . . . and why family traditions have been such an important part of my life.  Long ago I realized that family and traditions have been so significant in my adult life because that is not something that I have memories of as a child. 

Oh, there were a few things . . . . my mama used to make deep-fried "Oolie-Kookins" once in a while.  I have no idea where that name came from or what it might mean - perhaps some kind of breakfast bread, as they were kind of like fried sweet dumplings.  But that is one recipe that I did not keep in my repertoire mostly because I don't care for fried foods.  Not just that fried foods are greasy and supposedly not very healthy (which of course, we didn't think about back then, we were just delighted to have something special!), but fried foods are so messy!  I am more of a "tidy cook," and don't like to cook stuff that makes yucky messes   ;o)  When my mama would make the "Oolie-Kookins" she would take them out of the hot grease in the frying pan and roll them in powdered sugar. 

As I think back to my childhood, there are very few other memories of "traditions."  Probably because keeping traditions alive takes time .... and money .. . . and energy to make them happen even when times are tough.  I don't think that was the most important thing in my mama's mind back then, when she was struggling to keep us fed, clothed, and warm in the middle of the winter in that tiny lake cottage.  So, I grew up longing for the security and predictability of traditions.  And strong family connections.   When it was my turn to be the mama and create and continue family traditions, I decided to create new traditions . . . . and of course, since that was a while ago, those "new" family traditions are now "old" family traditions. So we carry on! 

We used to make these lollipops by the dozen!  We would make them in every color we could create from our little box of four food coloring bottles.  But mostly red and green with candy sprinkles to create various designs, including smiley faces.  I can remember watching those little ones excitedly decorate their lollipops and then put them into hand-decorated jars or tins to take to their friends, neighbors, and teachers. 

Now, here I am again, carrying on that tradition with our girls.  It was so much fun showing them how to make candy, and they dutifully sprinkled the sparkling sugar over the lollipops.  So, just in case you want to make something new at your house, of if you are looking for a "new" family tradition, give this one a try! 

Doesn't take much time, energy, or money but the joy you will see in your little ones' eyes is truly a holiday treasure!

Grammie's Favorite Lollipop's

18 lollipop sticks

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup light corn syrup

3/4 cup sugar

Few drops of food color

Lightly butter baking sheet, 15 1/2" X 12".  Arrange lollipop sticks on baking sheet.  Combine butter , corn syrup and sugar in heavy 1-quart saucepan.

Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.  Reduce heat to medium.  Continue cooking, stirring frequently, to 270 degrees on candy thermometer (or until a few drops of syrup dropped into very coldwater separate into threads which are hard but not brittle). 

 

Stir in food color. Drop mixture by tablespoonfuls over end of each lollipop stick.  If desired, while lollipops are still hot, sprinkle or press on candy decorations.  Cool lollipops thoroughly before removing from baking sheet. 

Makes approximately 18 2" lollipops.To wrap for gift-giving, you can wrap the lollipops individually with Saran Wrap and tie with a ribbon; cover a group of 6 - 8 lollipops with Saran Wrap or clear cellophane wrap and tie with a ribbon; or place in a pretty jar tied with sparkly ribbon and place in a clear plastic gift bag.   

Have a blessed Monday, and celebrate the season!  There are so many reasons to celebrate, and lollipops are just ONE of the gifts that we have been given as we treasure our family traditions.  Later this week I will be posting recipes for our traditional peanut brittle and Great-Grandma's Danish Puff.  Chat later, Nina

 

Old friends and family traditions make holiday memories

In my recipe card file, I have many recipes that have been handed down to me over the years from the grandmas, moms, aunts, sisters, cousins, and treasured friends.  When I went through the recipe card box yesterday, I was reminded that even the box was a gift!  It must be at least 30 or 35 years old, and it was given to me one Christmas by my sister-in-law. 

It is a beautiful wooden box with a charming picture decoupaged on the top.  That is ONE way I KNOW that it is at least 30 years old   ;o)   But it brings back so many memories every time I open it  . . . . and I keep it right on my kitchen counter.  It has always been on my kitchen counter, no matter where we have lived over those 30 years of making memories.  But when I open that treasured little box, so many more memories come alive in my heart and in my mind!  This holiday season, for the first time in a couple of years, I'm really in the mood to do some holiday baking, and I want to share that with my readers who also treasure the simple, homemade joy of family, friendships, traditions and memories. 

The first recipe I wanted to share today is one that I have made frequently over the years, but not nearly so often as one of my oldest and dearest friends, Auntie Ellen.  Now, of course, she really isn't my children's aunt, biologically speaking . . . but we have been friends since our oldest children were babies, and that is a LONG time! 

We walked with each other through some dark and painful days, and we celebrated together in the joyous moments that make motherhood a bittersweet gift.  We've just always been there for each other, and I'm sure you have a friend or two like Ellen . . . . . no matter how long it has been since you've chatted over a cup of coffee, whispering and giggling like two school girls, as soon as I hear her voice, we just pick up again as if we had just finished our previous conversation a minute or two ago.  Auntie Ellen makes her Creamy Caramels every year for her entire family . . . . which always includes us, of course . .. . and she has done that for so many years, I don't even know how long this recipe has actually been a tradition in her family! 

I should ask her where she got the recipe.  Maybe it was one that was handed down to her from her mom, or her grandma.  But the story of Auntie Ellen's Creamy Caramels in our family is that, ever since she started making these wonderful little yummy delights and giving them to us at the holidays, I knew that I needed to get the recipe from her.  So, after a few years when I was looking for another great holiday recipe, I called up Auntie Ellen and she gave me the recipe.  And we've been making these caramels ever since! 

Of course, I always look forward to getting Auntie Ellen's caramels, because they are so much better than mine   ;o)   But we keep practicing, and one day ours might be almost as good as hers!  Here is the recipe, and since I didn't have any pictures (yet) of my family making our caramels this year, I found a similar recipe at "How to Make Caramels," by Elizabeth LaBau, and have included a few of the pictures that you can find there.  Please take a peek around that website, and you'll find lots of really fun holiday recipes.  I've actually decided to try out a couple new recipes this year with the girls, because you can never have too many traditions, especially at the holidays!

Auntie Ellen's Creamy Caramels

*  2 cups sugar

*  3/4 cup light corn syrup

*  2 cups light cream (20%)

*  1/2 cup butter

Butter square pan, 8 X 8 X 2 inches, or line pan with tinfoil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Combine sugar,corn syrup, butter and half the cream in large saucepan.  Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir in remain cream.

Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, to 245 degrees on a candy thermometer (or until a small amount ofmixture droppedinto very cold water forms a firm ball.  This is the way my mama always did it!) 

Immediately spread mixture evenly in pan.  Cool. Cut into 1" squares.  Makes about 5 dozen candies.  You can wrap the individual caramels in squares of wax paper or tinfoil to keep them from sticking to each other and to hold their shape. 

 

 

Thank you to Elizabeth LaBau for the beautiful pictures!  Please visit her website to find so many more great holiday recipes . . . I wonder if she knows Auntie Ellen, too?    ;o) 

For this I am thankful

Sunday morning .   . . . a peaceful, quiet, introspective time when we can take a few moments and revisit the past week and make plans for the days ahead. This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. I am again reminded to focus on what we have and not on what we wish we had. We are all struggling through times of uncertainty and confusion, many of us facing financial difficulties which seem to loom so much larger as we approach the holidays. But just remember . . . . all of those things are events in life, they are not the reason for life and they are certainly not the really important things in life. Family, friendships, community, and most importantly, knowing our place in the universe. So, whether you believe in a loving Heavenly Father who cares for you deeply . ... or not . . . . you are loved and treasured, just for being YOU! And it's no big deal that you aren't perfect - neither is anyone else. It's not about being perfect, it is about receiving the loving relationship that is available to you through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. It is a gift, all you need to do is accept it. Is it real? Is it true? Well, just because something hasn't happened to YOU does not mean it didn't happen! Have a blessed Sunday, and let's start our week of Thanksgiving with a grateful heart.

So I recently met this Southern Belle . . . .

A couple of days ago, while wandering around the blogosphere, I came across Kimberley at her "Southern Belle Blog."  What a sweetheart!  Is that because she is from the South?  Perhaps, because I know lots of people in that part of the country who are the most gracious, kind, generous, and hospitable folks you would ever want to meet.  But then . . . . I guess you can find wonderful people wherever you go, you just have to look for them and then get to know them and maybe, one day, you will be friends!  That is one of the best parts of blogging, in my opinion. 

I have met so many amazing people, talented artists, incredible writers, and exceptional designers and seamstresses since I started my little blogging journey a couple of years ago.  BTW, I always use the word "seamstress" to describe someone who does a great deal of sewing . .. . I just feel that it has a more professional sound that "sewers."  You know, that can be read a couple of different ways, and I wouldn 't want anyone to misunderstand or be confused   ;o)  

Well, one of the great things about Kimberley's blog, "Southern Belle," is that she has advertising opportunities available, and TODAY ONLY you can have your blog button posted on her blog for FREE!  You might want to run right over and meet Miss Kimberley, and you will definitely make a new friend, for she is very friendly and sweet. 

And, in addition to her great blog, Kimberley has a beautiful Etsy shop, "Tie-Me-Up Apparel" where she has a bunch of fun and funky stuff that would be perfect for holiday gift-giving.  Check it out!

And last by not least, if you are looking for a new banner, button, logo or whatever else your little heart desires by way of graphic design, Kimberley can do it!  Her other website,"Banner-Mart", has a huge array of graphic design goodies to take care of whatever you might need.  Well, that was one of my blogosphere adventures this week . .. . . where will I land next? 

Just being neighborly

"If you want to have a friend, be a friend."  That's what my mama always told me.  But since we moved into this neighborhood just over a year ago, I have been so busy flying out the door every morning to go to my JOB, that I just didn't have time to be "neighborly."  Of course, I'm always friendly when I run into one of the neighbors at the grocery store or the local diner, but I just didn't have the time or energy to reach out to my new neighbors.  Fortunately, many of the people who live around us here in our little lake community have taken the initiative to get to know us, so that has been really nice.  But for me, one of the best parts of life is meeting new people, making new friends, and connecting with others in my neighborhood.  So, now . . . . . I am having so much fun with my new-found freedom to do things like bake muffins and take them to the neighbors.

The neighbors just across the street from us immediately jumped in and offered us all kinds of encouragement and help shortly after we moved in last fall.  Within days of our arrival in the neighborhood, they popped by one afternoon with a batch of homemade cookies and a "Welcome to the Neighborhood" card.  Then, just a few weeks later, they stopped by for a visit and brought Christmas gifts for our girls.  Just like living across the street from our favorite Aunt and Uncle!  And of course, birthdays are remembered (not sure how they even knew when the girls' birthdays are . . . . . ), Valentine's Day, and most recently they dropped in with some fun Halloween treats.  Oh, I almost forgot . . . . last summer they came over one Saturday with a brand-new swingset for the girls!  Apparently they had purchased the swingset for their grandkids about 10 years ago, and Mom and Dad never got it set up.  So, it was still in the box!  The girls were delighted with their new treasure, and helped Daddy put it together that very day!

Other neighbors have invited us to go out on the lake on their pontoon boat, for the Fourth of July Boat Parade and pancake breakfast.  Another family helps mow the lawn when our Daddy is out of town . . . . . and others have invited us to go swimming off of their dock.  So, when there was a tragic hunting accident last week and the son of one of the neighbors lost his life, it was such a gift to be able to reach out and offer a bit of love and support to the family.  I know that a basket of muffins and a card are so simple and so insignificant in the face of tragedy . . . . but that little basket of muffins represents so much more.  It is the simple things in life that mean the most, especially in difficult times.  It means that we are here for one another, and that, together, we will get through this.  I am so thankful for this opportunity to be a part of something so much bigger and significant than just my own self.  Life is good . . . . but so much better when it is shared with others!

The Most Costly Gift of Grace

“What I believe is so magnificent, so glorious, that it is beyond finite comprehension. To believe that the universe was created by a purposeful, benign Creator is one thing. To believe that this Creator took on human vesture, accepted death and mortality, was tempted, betrayed, broken, and all for love of us, defies reason. It is so wild that it terrifies some Christians who try to dogmatize their fear by lashing out at other Christians, because tidy Christianity with all answers given is easier than one which reaches out to the wild wonder of God’s love, a love we don’t even have to earn.”

by Madeleine L’Engle

Amazing Grace!  So incomprehensible, yet so real in its life-changing reality!  "Tidy Christianity," indeed . . . . . but what of the mystery, the magnificent and infinite wonder of the ways in which the world has been changed through His love?  The message of God's love and the sacrifice of His Son for our redemption does defy reason.  Who among us would make that kind of sacrifice?  That's why He is God and we are not!  Because His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts . . . . they are beyond comprehension by our human, finite minds.  But that makes the truth no less real, simply because we cannot comprehend it. 

One of my co-workers began asking me the other day about what I believe and why I REALLY believe "all that."  So we talked about not only WHAT I believe, but WHY I believe it.  There were questions about creation, the flood, the Cross, the church . . . . . all from a perspective that wanted to prove how foolish it was to believe all of that "stuff."  So I shared the usual (to me quite normal!) analogy about gravity . . . . that the "truth" of gravity  does not depend on my belief.  If I step off the top of a three-story building, gravity will be very "real" in my experience whether I believe in it or not! 

And what about all that Creation "non-sense"?  So we discussed the difference between believing in a world that was pure accident and chance, random mutations of "stuff" - and the logical possibility that, say, for instance, a watch with all of its intricate parts and mechanisms could just "appear" from an accidental, random mix of "stuff" all thrown together in a box somewhere could actually just "somehow" turn into a watch that actually works - and keeps time.  And even if it COULD actually happen that way (which is absurd, admittedly so), just where did all that original "stuff" come from in the first place? 

So our conversation continued with more and more questions, and I listened to her reasoning, which provided me a way to try to understand what she was REALLY asking - until she wanted to know about Jesus and the Cross, and what difference it really made anyway.  I shared with her my understanding of the difference between an "open universe" in which there is an Intelligent Creator God "out there" in the spiritual realm who loves us and wants to participate in our lives, and a "closed universe" in which there is nothing except the physical, material world to inform us of our experiential existence. 

But most significant of all was when I moved beyond the theoretical, philosophical reasoning to the practical, real-life difference the Cross of Christ had made in my day-to-day experiences.  Do I fail?  Do I falter, stumble, and fall every day of my life?  Absolutely!  Do I forget who I am as an image-bearer of our Heavenly Father and make foolish choices in my human weakness?  Of course, I do.  But that's the point!  This story is NOT about me!  I feel like the blind man who said that he didn't have a clue about all of the stuff that the Pharisees were asking him, all he knew was that "once I was blind, but now I see."  I don't have all the answers, but I know how the Cross of Christ and the message of Salvation has changed my life.  That's MY area of expertise! 

And that was the "revelation" for her that particular day.  She said that she had never heard it expressed that way, and it seemed to make sense . . . . . and for that day, that was the end of our conversation.  Until the next time she begins to ask questions, and I pray that I will again have the opportunity to share with her the reality of the message of the Cross, in all of its incomprehensive reality and amazing grace!

Indeed, "how sweet the sound."

Please visit Patricia at "Typing One-Handed" today and read the thoughts of the other women who are participating today "In Other Words." 

 

 

“What if I stumble, what if I fall?
What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all?
Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble, and what if I fall?”

Chorus from the song,  “What if I stumble?“
Artist: DC Talk
Album: Intermission

 

I don't know WHY anyone would choose this quotation!!!   ;o)   It sometimes feels like I reflect on this aspect of my Christian journey a bit too much . . . . the experiences in which I just knew deep down in my soul, that if I made a mistake or in some way just couldn't quite "get it right," that I would be abandoned.  Is that some deep-seated psychological defect?  See, there I'm doing it again!  Or is it that this truly is one facet of most Christians' experiences?  Well, now that I'm thinking about it, probably there wouldn't be a song written about this idea of stumbling, falling, crawling, and wondering if I will still be loved if it was just me.  And even if someone DID dare to write a song about all of this dysfunctional junk in the Christian communitty (and the rest of the world, too, of course . . . . but we're all reflecting on how all of this intersects with our Christian journey) - I'm sure that kind of a song would never be popular!  But since someone did, and it apparently is meaningful to someone besides me (since I'm not the one who chose this quote) . . . .  I guess I'm not alone after all.

It's unfortunate that we even have to have this discussion, or sing songs about this kind of experience in our "safe" little Christian community.  But, since we are all human, and we all stumble and fall along the way, most of us will be on both sides of this story at some point in our journey.  So I ask myself, "How have I been critical, judgmental, self-righteous, and proud when I've encountered a brother or sister who is struggling . . .. perhaps even crawling . . . . along the side of the road of life?"  I know that I have.  Because I am human . . . . and when I am self-righteous and judgmental, then I'm the one stumbling and falling.  But as long as I look really good on the OUTSIDE, my sin of pride doesn't show up quite as obviously as the one who is wrestling with more daunting demons.

And then we have all experienced (or, if you aren't old enough to have experienced it yet, you will sooner or later!) being on the other side of this story.  When my heart was breaking because of the death of a dream, I was terrified that if I was honest and let anyone know what was REALLY going on in my life, that I would be abandoned.  By my Christian community.  Because I just felt that it was more important to most of them that I look good, sound good, dress right, act right, say the right words, and sing the right songs, than that I have the freedom in Christ to address the problem.  So I smiled and raged within for many, many years.  But I looked good!  But I was NOT the perfect Christian wife, mother, woman that I appeared to be.  I was in a very dysfunctional situation, but acknowledging that to anyone around me was very scary.  I didn't want to be rejected because I wasn't perfect.

Eventually, when I collapsed beneath the weight of the expectations of being the perfect EVERYTHING, of course, my fears were realized.  Many of the people I thought were friends were too frightened and uncomfortable with the truth, so they turned their backs on me.  And just as I had feared, I had been abandoned by the very people I should have been able to trust.  But that is just the way it is . . . . and that was a very hard lesson to learn.  We are all human, and we all stumble, and fall, and crawl . . . . . and pass judgment, and gossip, and pass on some really good stories, even if they aren't true!  So, I always try to remember when I see someone struggling, that there is a story behind that face of pain, and there is a TRUE story.  And that is more important than always needing to look perfect.  I've been thinking about this lately for a variety of reasons, and in a recent discussion with my sweet hubby, I reminded him that "Time tells the truth."  Maybe that will be my next post! 

Have a wonderful Tuesday, and know that you are loved no matter where you are along the pathway of life's journey . . . . . and you don't need to be PERFECT to be loved!  If we could be perfect on our own, God would not have needed to send His Son to be the Saviour of the world.  He's got the WHOLE world in His hands, even and especially those of us who are not perfect!  Please visit Miriam Pauline today and take a minute to visit some of the other women who are participating in this week's In Other Words. 

Blessings for a peaceful week,

Nina

Frugal Friday: Redecorating My Blog and an Award!

 

How long does it take one mama to update her blog?  Really, how long does it take YOU to rearrange and redecorate your blog?  It is kind of like rearranging the furniture in the bedroom, washing all of the windows and curtains in the whole house, reupholstering all of the furniture in the living room, and painting the kitchen . . . . all at the same time! I've been working on this project for a few days now (nevermind that I had about a MILLION other things that I needed to accomplish as well) - and it has just about made me crazy!  Well, crazier than usual.  When I start on a new "corner" of my little cyber-home, I think that this part should only take about a half-hour and when I get that finished, I'll go fold laundry, sweep the kitchen floor, and make the beds.  So, I sit down and get started, and four hours later, I'm ready to take the proverbial sledge hammer to this *^&$%& computer!  I guess we better take it in and have it looked at before I completely destroy it . . . . or destroy something close at hand!

So, I started to work on my sweet little PayPal widget storefront, that is just so entertaining as it shuffles pictures of my beautiful garments, shoes, and handbags and flips them over and over.  I don't remember it taking this long the first time I created it!  I have now worked on it for two evenings, after getting the girls settled (well, except for the 9,000 times they get out of bed to go to the bathroom, get a drink, need to tell me something that I was supposed to do before morning, tattletale on each other . . . . . ) and I just couldn't get it right.  First, I couldn't figure out how to get the descriptions to "save."  They just kept disappearing.  Then I couldn't get the prices to "take."  Guess I needed to have my "number lock" key pressed down.  Then, I got all of the pictures in place, the descriptions "stuck," and the prices inserted . . . . and I did something (I have NO clue what!) and suddenly every one of the items that I had worked so hard to get into this sweet little widget, ALL said "SOLD OUT"!!! 

OK, so I'm not a computer geni us - although I'm pretty good at some other things in life - but patience with computers is definitely not my gift!  Well, I finally got it finished, uploaded it to this little blog of mine, and WHEW!!!!  It is right!  But that's ALL I accomplished in two evenings of messing around here.  And I have so many other things I want to do . . . . . like paint the kitchen, reupholster the furniture . . . you know, really spiff up my little corner of the cyber-world.  Well, one special event did happen today - I was honored with the "One Lovely Blog Award" by Sonya over at Dime Store Thrift.   I met Sonya while I was wandering around looking for some new vintage / thrift blogs to visit.  She is such a sweetheart! 

Please go on over and visit Sonya and say HI to a new blogging friend   ;o)  Now, it is my job to pass this beautiful award along to 15 other bloggers (actually I was given this award last week, too, and I just haven't had the time to honor 15 other bloggers with the award . . . . so does that mean I get to choose 30 new blogging friends for this award?)  Is this kind of like that Friendship Bread starter that I used to be blessed with from my friends at church?  You know, the stuff that you have to do something with in the next 3 days or it will multiply and become a Yeast Monster that will devour your kitchen???   I'm trying to keep up with this, really I am, but those ^%%$* little widgets just keep me tied up for WAY too long!  I promise I'll be back soon to bestow the "One Lovely Blog Award" on as many beautiful blogging friends as I can find, as quickly as possible!  In the meantime, stop by my Etsy Shop, Gossamer Wings Studio and see some of the beautiful vintage / and thrift shop treasures that I've discovered this week.  Actually, there is so much more just waiting for me to photograph and list . . . . . those *&&%$ WIDGETS again!!!