Daily Verse: Psalm 127:3-5; Mark 9:37a

Psalm 127:3-5

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hands of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Mark 9:37a

Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me:

I had other verses chosen, however there was an article in the local news that prompted me to choose these two. There is a father who was convicted this week of torturing his 10 week old daughter. I'll spare the gruesome details, but just reading it made me SICK. How can anyone do such a thing to a child, let alone one that tiny. At first, the doctor's didn't think she would make it, but she is doing fine. He claims he was so drunk that he doesn't even remember the incident. It makes me furious. It is just unbelievable.

If you have children, tell them you love them, today; hug them...if they'll let you. If you are a child, tell your parents.

Quilted Wallets: Crazy night!

I spent the night working on my quilted wallets that I hope to sell. Out of 4 that I started, I was only able to complete one...the other three, I ran out of thread. Two of the three are complete except for the final binding. The other one is ready to be sewn; all the parts are together and ironed as needed.

So, for 10.5 hours I only have this one done:

Evening/Dusk/Sundown

My favorite time of the day is at sundown/dusk. It is a peaceful time for me; I especially enjoy getting outside (spring/summer/autumn) and just walking as the sun is going down and into the dusk there after.

Sunsets are a blessing each day; each one is different.

Tonight, the moon is about half full and shining brightly amid the blues, purples, pinks and oranges of the sundown. Seeing the palm trees outlined against the dusk sky was another sight I observed tonight (see example picture below). Last night it was a momma duck with her little chicklets (10 of them), floating along in the irrigation canal.

It is a fitting end to each day, my being privileged to walk at dusk each day.

Dwell refreshed.

Daily Verse: Psalm 91:1-2

Psalm 91:1-2

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Learning to trust is a difficulty for me. Learning to trust the Lord is included, but I have found that as I keep my eyes on Him, it is much easier then just attempting to do it on my own.

How is your trust?

Where do you go to hide?

Dwell Refreshed today!

Daily Verse: Psalm 90:1-2

Psalm 90:1-2

1 Lord, thou has been our dwelling place in all generations.

2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

I hear this verse often on the radio station I listen to...it is the intro to their Bible reading fellowship program. Each time I hear it, my soul just rejoices, so I wanted to share it with you.

Dwell refreshed.

Tuscan Honey

I found this hand cream the other day at the Haggin Musuem in Stockton, CA. It is delightful! Just had to pass the link on (click on title above).

Dwell refreshed.

Life of the Unemployed

Today I took my grandmother to the doctor. Then we went to lunch with my uncle, his office manager and her son, who works there also, and a friend. We went to China King Buffet, one of my youngest brother's favorite restaurants. I then dropped off two job applications, Joann's Fabrics and Dress Barn, which is the job I hope I get. No the waiting begins...will I hear from either place? Will I get a job? Will I have to stand on my head and beg? Well, I guess that is going too far, BUT I really hate the waiting.

During this time of unemployment, I promised myself that I would accomplish everything that I couldn't do while working...of course, I didn't. However, I have been reevaluating my life and how I spend my time and I have been making an effort to do more of the things I want to accomplish. I started making an effort to be more aware of what I am eating and working at not having as much of the junk as before. I am also working on my crafts more, as space allows. Next week I am hoping to start & finish going through some of my things in storage, reorganize and maybe get rid of some things.

Today I accomplished one more goal...start walking/exercising more. I walked and I did some weight training. I feel so much better for it, physically. Tomorrow I will probably hurt more, but am thrilled to be motivated to be moving.

Dwell refreshed!

Spent an afternoon with my mother

I spent this afternoon with my mother, shopping. She was buying me a blouse or dress for my birthday. It took a month, but we were finally able to go. We went to several stores and at one we found two shirts. I'll post pictures later. At another store, we found more clothing that we both liked. She purchased a skirt that she will be wearing in a friend's wedding. I also found someplace that is hiring, picked up an application and tomorrow I am returning it to hopefully have a job!

It was such a lovely afternoon!

Meet Whiskers

We have two cats at our house. Spitz (Joe's cat) and Whiskers. We have had both cats about 13 years, but Whiskers is about 14 yrs old, Spitz 13.

Whiskers is named because of her white whiskers. When she arrived 13 years ago, she was scared of everyone and everything. When she showed up at the back door, we got a kick out of her reaching her paw up into the cup with food in it and taking some out to eat. She realized that this was a place for food and she stuck around. She used to eat lots of birds and moths, but not so much any more. She has decided she likes to be a house and lap cat and most of the time she can be found indoors.

This morning she climbed up on me to sleep. Since I was cold, I was glad to have the warmth. She likes to be up on our laps when we are sitting in the recliner. She will even meow at my dad, if he doesn't sit down fast enough for her.

She is still skitterish some, but is doing so much better. She doesn't like to be picked up and held, but I am working on that.

It is said that cats will bring their owners presents. Thankfully she hasn't brought a mouse. She has brought a large moth to my mother and myself. She plopped it down on the floor and looked up at us expectantly..."see what I brought you..." We had a time catching the moth to get it back outside.

Life has been an adventure with Whiskers. I just thought you'd like to meet her.

She just doesn't like her picture taken...

Sitting on her favorite chair

Spitz, Joe's cat

Daily Verse: Isaiah 43:24

Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

What are the "fat of thy sacrifices" that you have not given over to the Lord? What dreams and desires has he requested of you to give back to Him. Do you continually take them back?

What are the sins/iniquities that you have made Him to "be satisfied/wearied" with?

Take some time to reflect today, give your desires/dreams to Him, plead for forgiveness from Him.

Dwell refreshed today.

Attributes: Presence

Presence

He is near; He is touchable. No matter what our struggles and joys are, He is there. He is able to keep us from falling; He will present us faultless (Jude 24).

We are refreshed at/in His presence (Acts 13:19b). He created nature & fellowship with others as times of refreshing. When did you last spend time in His presence? His presence is everywhere (Psa. 139:7). Every moment in our lives is in His presence. Are we spending our times in His presence failing or growing? We are to dwell in His presence with praise & trembling (Psalm 140:13; 95:1-3: 100:1-2; 114:7-8; Ezekel 38:20).

Rejoice for He is in the presence of God, for us! When He comes, our presence with Him will be cause for celebration. If we do not know Him or if we refuse Him, His presence will bring punishment...everlasting destruction from His presence & glory (Hebrews 9:24; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-9).

Acknowledge His presence & dwell refreshed today.

50lbs in 90 days (start July 27)

Pre-Challenge: I really need to do this, to get my eating habits and weight under control. I have requested Joe, Bryan and Tammy join me in the, for moral support since all three are also wanting to do this. Whether they join or not, it is up to me to take on the challenge for myself. Go me!!

Why

I just took a little trip to the local convenience store. While sitting in the car, a young male (late teens, early 20's) stepped out of the car next to me. He proceeded to pull up his pants, then he pulled his shirt down and then he tugged his pants down a little. WHY?

I just can't imagine why people walk around with their clothing around their necks and ankles. Do they think it looks good. Well, it doesn't. It just looks horrid.

In the past 365 days, I have been unemployed for over half. It is no piece of cake...it gets OLD...FAST!

I have decided to blog my catch 22 boring life. For no other reason that I have nothing else to do.