Doing a little changing

     We have been making some changes around here, in many ways, but this is one of them. I started scraping off the wallpaper in the stairway about a year ago I think. Then life got crazing and I had to stop and do other things. We all know how that goes, don't we? At the first of the year I vowed I was going to get it finished and some other projects I had put off way to long. I have to say I did love this wallpaper when we moved here twelve years ago, but it was showing some wear and tear. Especially with a washer and dryer going up those stairs, wow what a trip that was. Any way, as you can see I forgot to take pictures of the before but here is a few of the during.

My date is way off on my camera. It happened when I dropped it in the kiddy pool last summer while taking care of my grandchildren. Amazed it still even works and if I was not technically challenged I would remove it, but haven't learned that yet. Any way after much work and lots of help from my husband fixing the old walls, and such. We painted a nice color of brown called Latte and I love it.

Most importantly I wanted to take down the old throw we had hanging at the top of the stairway for all these years that had the "As for me and my house...", verse on it. And replace it with a vinyl one made on my Pazzles cutter. Which my wonderful husband surprised me with several years ago. At that time I said I wanted to do this. So a few years later, I finally have it done and put up. Also many thanks to my husband since he has so much patience to measure it all out and place it precisely where it needed to be.

I'm thinking about painting one of those huge tree's on the wall to the left and hang pictures on it. Also someday we are going to put a panel wainscoting on the right going up and around the stairway. So as we get it done I will post pictures. Please don't hold your breath, we are slow and steady kind of people. Also I keep us moving all over the house instead of staying in one place to long. You will see as we get to know each other more. Have a GREAT day!!!!!!

Martha working hard to be a Mary

 The other day I said I stay at home and don't get out much. You see, I am a Martha. I was raised very old school, not that that is bad, I like old school. My dad always said when your work is done you can play. So I have always lived that, and in my 40's learned your work is never done. Now I can probably say he was a workaholic. I admired him, he worked very hard and very long hours. Even in his 70's shortly before he passed away, he was working very hard and long hours, with his feet all bandaged because they were bleeding. It makes me cry just thinking of it. Yet there was no way you could slow him down. If you offered to do what ever it was he thought was so important. He just saw it as a way to get more done. He wouldn't sit down and let you do it. I'm very much that way also and yet God has showed me a different side of this with the Mary, Martha story.  

 I appreciate a good work ethic, and tried very hard to raise my children in that manner. You see I have also saw the other side where people will let you do everything for them. They even say I would rather pay to have it done, then do it myself. I really have never understood that kind of thinking. In my eyes that is just lazy, but maybe I have some learning to do there. What I have learned is because of my thinking I have missed out on some fun times that I could have had. I always went to all my kids ballgames, events etc. but missed too many times when I should have just played. Don't get me wrong we had some really fun times, and my children have been told they have great work ethic's by others. Yet at what price? My dad drove my brother and I hard, just as he drove himself. I also drove my children hard, sorry to say. The saying children learn what they live, is true. I have apologized to them and asked for their forgiveness. Yet that being said I'm proud of them and how they have turned out. God is good.


  I need to clarify, that I do not believe in any way that I can work my way to God. That is not my driving force in any way. I know my salvation is a free gift from God that I just had to accept. Which I did many, many, years ago. It is that I am driven by that to do list, as Martha was. Our childhood ways are hard to change. Yet I do believe this is one, I am being called to work on. In Luke 10: 41-42, Jesus says to Martha "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary had chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." I believe he is calling me to focus on Him and telling others about Him. As I sit here writing I'm fighting everything in me to go do my to do list for today and yet I believe, in a strange kind of way it is satan's foothold. I just read a few days ago in Sarah's e-book, Frumps to Pumps over at her blog, Stretching into Blue at sarahmae.com." The imposing standards on myself that aren't from God is a sure way to give a foothold to the enemy." Wow is that powerful!!! She goes on to say, "Don't let yourself trip into any legalistic landmines, they will burn up your joy." Thank you Sarah!! That's exactly what I'm talking about. I recommend all her books, they are great!!! 


I want to work and keep up my home etc., but I believe God wants us to put Him and others ahead of that to do list. I once heard a woman speak on organizing time and she said if you have scheduled on your list some household chore and a friend calls you to go for coffee. You have to say sorry I can't, I have a prior commitment. I disagree!!!!!!!!!!! Yet I'm so sad to say I have done this in some form or another. God forgive me. I do not believe when I stand before Him this will be honoring to Him. Maybe for you, it is something else that steals your time from Him. TV, crafts, telephone, exercise, etc., it doesn't have to be a bad thing. None of those are bad in themselves it's what we sacrifice for them that makes them bad. Don't let satan steal your joy, take it back TODAY!!!! I am.

Finding Direction

I have to admit I struggle with this whole blog thing. Don't get me wrong, I love reading them, and especially looking at the beautiful pictures some people put on, or the great ideas. Yet that being said, I have drug my feet in believing I have what it takes, as you can see by the last date that I posted. Today I feel like it is time to be obedient. I pray I can be dedicated and open to the Holy Spirits prompting.

In my quiet time with God this morning, he showed me this verse in Luke 8:16 "No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand so that those who come in can see the light. You may look at that and say ya duh, but in God's wonderful way he revealed to me that the light is my life with Him and I need to put it out there for others to see and learn from. What better place then to let my light shine then in this blog for hopefully others to read. You see I'm a stay at home wife, which I love, but I really don't go out much except to church, Bible study, a few errands here and there. I'll explain more about that later. So I'm excited about serving God in this way.

I love how God even covers our weaknesses. As I said before I have really drug my feet here, with little confidence that I have anything to teach others or that they would want to read. Today He also shows me this  in verse 24-25. The disciples went and woke him, saying "Master, Master, were going  to drown!" He got up and  rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25."Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. I ask myself, where is my faith? I serve a God that can command the winds and water and they obey and yet here I am not. How can I doubt that. I may not have what it takes but He does.

I think maybe I need to go to another country or something like that, I'm willing. Maybe then I could teach someone or tell something everyone doesn't know. Verse 39, "Return home(that's my word) and tell how much God has done for you." That I CAN do and I will. I appreciate your prayers.