You've Got Wings

He shall cover you with His feathers and under His wings you may seek refuge, His truth shall be your shield and buckler. Ps 91:4

I am continually in awe of how much God loves me and watches over me.  Just think about that verse!

He covers me with His feathers!  When I am hurt, lonely, sad, or life just seems rough I can turn to Him and find shelter under His wings of protection., He covers me with His feathers! His truth is my shield and buckler = I can trust His promises, they are true, He is faithful to save, protect, and supply all of our needs.

In my weakness, He is my strength and protector!  Oh, how deep His love is for His kids - just amazing!

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that left Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

©1995 Kingsway's Thank you Music
Words and Music by Stuart Townend



Comfort & Empathy

Sometimes, it's hard to grasp why we go through rough times. II Corinthians 1:3-4 Paul writes, "Praise be to God . . . the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." I see two things here comfort and empathy. Comfort in knowing God is there when we are going through trials! Empathy to understand and comfort others when they are going through trials.

Praying today for those who are hurting, may God bring you comfort and understanding friends to love you through the hard times!

Smelly Vac, Smelly Vac, what are they feeding you?

Does your vacuum ever get that "Not so fresh smell?" 

Try this:  place a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball, then vacuum it up! This not only freshens the vacuum but also the air in the room.

Great-Bull-Shihtzu Hint:  use lavender oil, which calms the nerves and it will help calm everyone down while you vacuum, especially if your dog doesn't care for the vacuum noise!

Dryer Sheets: Take 2!

I love dryer sheets!  I used to place them in my luggage when I packed and when I stored it, in my storage bins and in my clothing drawers - dry sheets every where!!  But they are pricey and we noticed the Great Dane (Marlee Sue) eating them!  She goes crazy over them and steals them whenever she can - silly dog! So we started making our own. (side note: I now use cotton rounds with a couple of drops of essential oils in my drawers and luggage! My faves: lavender and lemon.)

To get started:

1) water

2) a bottle of liquid fabric softener (Go ahead - buy  whichever one you like the best even if it is the expensive kind - it last so long that you can afford to splurge! Besides, you will want to like the smell since it takes a long itme to use it up!)

3) a package of sponges (4 or 6)

4) one container with leakproof lid like this one from tupperware.

To make: simply add one parts softner to two parts water, toss in the sponges and you are ready to go! (if you have a big container just dump the who carton/bottle of softner and fill it up 2 times with water and dump those in too! Remember to recycle your bottles/cartons.  We save ours and when we make our laudry soap we fill one of the bottles up and give it away along with the recipe.

To use: take out and wring one sponge and toss it in the dryer with your wet clothes! (Remember: fabric sofnter shouldn't be used on towels it messes with the pile, leaving a residue and thereby making them them less absorbant. And it could lessen the fire resistance of fabrics - so read your labels!! (GH)

Great-Bull-Shihtzu friendly use for Dryer Sheets: We still keep a few dryer sheets on hand.  We read in a dog training book that dogs sense the static electricity in the air when a storm is coming and that rubbing them with a dryer sheet reduces that feeling, hence making them less anxious.  We thought, "what the heck, let's try it."  It really seemed to work, of course Marlee-Sue still tries to eat them while we are rubbing her down, the Shihtzu has just about gotten over her fear of storms now, and the ever attention seeking Pit Bull (Geree) just revels in the massage, lol!!  The Storm stress level in our dogs has significantly decreased.  So, next time your dog is anxious and there is a storm coming run for sheets - it works, try it!

Purple Posies!

Mom, these are the puple ones I made.

I made one into a bracelett - did not care for the felt wristband but after talking it over with a friend, I have an idea of how I can make it nicer and so it will not stretch out.

The picture of the bracelett did not turn out very well, it looks nicer in person. :) I will try to take another one later.

John Donne

This is my favorite Holy sonnet.  It was written by John Donne and seems to come from his very breath as it pours out in earnest please to God.  I learned so much from dissecting this very by verse – very powerful!

Batter my heart, three-person'd God ; for you
As yet but knock ; breathe, shine, and seek to mend ;
That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force, to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp'd town, to another due,
Labour to admit you, but O, to no end.
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captived, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betroth'd unto your enemy ;
Divorce me, untie, or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

Privileged

Tonight when I came home from work there was a bird sitting on our door step - a little chick-a-dee.  I thought he must be hurt since he did not bother to move when we got close.

We were careful not to let the dogs out to disturb him. I found a little box and placed a tea towel and two little saucers in it, one for food, one for water.  I took it outside and gently picked up up and placed him in the box. He was so calm, I think he knew I was trying to help.

I placed another towel over one corner so he could hide if he wanted to, he did. A few minutes later I went to check on him and he was standing in the saucer drinking.  We were getting ready to go out so I left him along for awhile, when we left he was eating some of the birdseed I put in the second saucer, I had high hopes for his recovery but somehow knew it was not meant to be.

I think he knew he was dying and wanted to do so while being cared for and with a full belly - I came home to find he had passed.

It made me sad, but for choosing to allow me to care for him, I felt PRIVILEGED!

What is the price of two sparrows--one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. Matthew 10:29

Sock Bun Hair!

I found this "Sock Bun" tutorial online and tried it.  It is great!!! I wash my hair, let it somewhat air dry while I get ready for the day then put it up in the sock bun wear it all day and even sleep on it that night (it's comfy to sleep in you do not even know it is there) and then the next morning, I have curls!!  It is really easy to do - check out the You Tube link below!

Sock Bun Tutorial - You Tube