Beauty...

My church family gave me these roses in celebration of our church's FOUR year anniversary. I was touched by their thoughtfulness and moved by their kind words.
I can not get over the beauty of these roses. I took a bunch of pictures, but just could not really capture how amazing they are. Made me think about beauty and how this world's view is so twisted sometimes when it comes to what beauty really is...

Proverbs 31:30~"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."

“Character contributes to beauty. It fortifies a woman as her youth fades. A mode of conduct, a standard of courage, discipline, fortitude, and integrity can do a great deal to make a woman beautiful."

“Beauty is not caused. It is.” ~ Emily Dickinson

“You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses."

Before you ever took a breath
Long before the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Of all the earth and skies above
You're the one He madly loves enough to die for...

You're beautiful
You're beautiful in His eyes...
~Mercy Me "Beautiful" The Generous Mr. Lovewell

October 12 on 12...FUN DAY!

Well, thanks to a couple friendly reminders...I remembered that it was 12 on 12! I actually had quite the busy day - even though it was all spent at home. The night before was spent at my in-laws home. My brother-in-law and his new wife were down visiting from Washington state. My mother-in-law opted to do a Thanksgiving style dinner and since some of my Canadian friends were celebrating their Thanksgiving, I thought it would be fine! Besides, I'm up for a turkey dinner any time!
So here we go! Won't you come along and see how I spent my day?

This is Hannah, my oldest baby. She will be 15 years old in just 13 days. WOW! I can't believe it. I tried to get a picture of her getting ready for school, but of course I was not successful. Beautiful girl inside and out...such a help to her mama. =)

Here are Taryn and Naomi heading off to school. Do you see their silver limo waiting for them? It looks like it's been raining, but that was from the sprinklers. It was actually very hot on this day. It was over 90 and soooo humid!

I am usually a "clean as you go" person, but this morning I woke up to this in the sink from all I made yesterday. We had to drive an hour away, so I rushed off without cleaning up. We got home so late that I didn't care...now I wish I would've just tackled it. I hate dishes in the sink in the morning. *sigh*

A few of my friends had been asking about getting together to do a craft of some sort, so I had them each decorate a notepad and make a cover for it. It was fun. They brought breakfast and a beautiful fall centerpiece that they made for my table, so I can't complain. =)

We did have quite the house full of kids though. Well, it was only 4 children, but all under the age of THREE? Yeah. That's a house full. LOL Here they are having lunch and living the life of luxury. My son is the most hilarious (choking hazard alert!). He usually HAS to sit at the table. We don't waltz around with food all over the place, but the table was completely covered with craft stuff - so he took full advantage of it!

Here's Taryn, my soon to be 11 year old, busy on her homework. Funny thing. With all the talk about 10/10/10, I got really excited because her birthday is on 11/11... I told her it would be 11/11/11 next year and wouldn't it be great to have a blow out party because she'd be ELEVEN on 11/11/11??? She calmly looked at me and said, "But by then I will be 12"... Doh! "Oh, nevermind then.", says me. hahaha

Look what Naomi brought home today! Her first Kindergarten progress report! Of course she has high marks in all areas. This is my bookworm. She comes home and gets straight to the homework usually. Yes, she has homework every day including Fridays. She does not like to skip a thing. The thought of disappointing her teacher is just unthinkable. My girl! Let's just hope this sticks. =)

So, after homework and dinner were cleared away and the children were settled in to their evening routines, I found some time to finish a little wedding album I was going to give to Jaime and Jessica as a momento of their wedding. Turn the Pandora on, get a cup of coffee and get busy...

It wasn't long before I was called back to the living room. We all had been hearing about the Chilean miners that were trapped so far underground for months. They were finally going to be rescued. I sat there with my children (Marco was out working) and watched through teary eyes as they pulled the first man to the surface. Wow. What a miracle. Thank God for the technology we have, but I am also thankful for the fact that they were able to be in contact with people during this whole time and were able to keep their sanity while they were down there. They each came up with humility and dignity at the same time. I pray that they will not suffer much anguish in the future because of what they endured.

Naomi, who is also my little artist, wanted to paint a picture for a girl who wrote her a letter. This is a picture of them. She did this unassisted.

Well, life can't be all fun and painting and crafting. haha. Thankfully, I am able to stay on top of laundry for 6 people and am almost always caught up. Sure, there's always more - but it does not take over my life like it did when I was working away from home.

Okay. It's the end of the day...and a good one it was. My little guy fell asleep in his pj's on the couch...but then I noticed his feet. Eeeewww. That's worse than the dishes!! Bath first thing in the morning. lol
Well, there it is. I hope you'll join me again next month...How do you spend YOUR days?

My Creative Journey...

For those of you that would rather follow my art blog...you can click on the link right here. I've really been having a great time on this journey. I don't post everything...yet...still kind of scared about sharing...Ridiculous, right? Anyway, go on over and check it out.

I mention there that I am wanting to look into combining both blogs and I'd like to do the tab thing. That way, I can organize my posts under certain categories and my followers can go directly to the part they are interested in. Cooking, art, inspiration or just to catch up with me and my family... I'd love any advice you'd like to share about that.

Lead Me: by Sanctus Real

What is my purpose???

So...I've been thinking a lot about PURPOSE. What is my purpose in life? Merriam-Webster says: Purpose - something set up as an object or end to be obtained. What end do I want to obtain? Some of the synonyms listed for the word purpose were: goal, intention, dream, plan and objective.
Do I have goals, intentions, dreams, plans or objectives? Of course I do. I have dreams for myself, my family, my children, my church. I have intentions...lots of good ones too. haha I have goals (especially with weight loss and physical health), and of course I've got plans and objectives. Oh, how I plan. Always making lists, drawing up ideas and things "to do"...
I realised that this was not getting me anywhere closer to knowing what MY purpose in life was. There were so many "ends" that I wanted to obtain. As a Christian woman, Pastor's wife, and mother of four beautiful children...I wondered if my purpose was just to give to everyone for the rest of my life - to serve others. That's not so bad, and honestly I don't mind it. I love it and am happy to do it. It brings me joy. But at the risk of sounding selfish...What about ME? Do I just forget about the other things that bring me joy? Things like my art, reading, writing, being alone to just "be"... Dreams of really finding the "real me"? I was getting more and more confused. What do I do when I'm confused?
I go to my Life's Handbook...the Bible. =)
I found that God has a purpose for me. Jeremiah 29:11~For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Wow. That takes some of the worry out of it. So I continue to seek it out further. Then I find this: Psalm 138:8~The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands.
I was doing a study shortly after this about loving God. Mark 12:30 says: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. The first commandment! Must be important!
I've also done studies on different women of the Bible and how their lives had a role in history. I found that they were all of different ages, social status, some were mothers, some were widows, some were queens... But they all fulfilled a purpose for Him. I look at godly women that I know and consider to be mentors, whether I know them in real life or from studying the books or articles they've written, I find myself trying to keep up with them or trying to mother my children like other Christian mothers. I find myself trying to be the kind of Pastor's wife that I think my congregation would want me to be and all becomes so daunting.
You know what? I have it all wrong! My purpose is not to be a perfect mother, sister, wife, leader...whatever! My purpose in life - the reason I was put on earth - is to please GOD!! If I strive to please God daily, everything else will fall into place! I have no business trying to please everyone else in this world, if I haven't first pleased God. My God made me to be a caring, loving, giving person - but to balance it out - He also made me creative, a lover of art and knowledge, needing time to myself... I want more in life - always. It's okay! As long as I can do what I do and still please God, I am fulfilling my purpose. I was made to worship Him, to love Him, to honor Him and share Him with others.
I am so thankful that I know that now. Most of all, I believe that God is pleased when I live an AUTHENTIC LIFE. That is my desire and I believe that it will please Him. That's enough.