*arrested by wonder

It was a cold January day of this year that the book arrived in our new  Florida home rural mail box. A book that has a lovely cover, one that almost drew me to the book all on its own. In addition, blogs I have read mentioned this book, this idea, this new (lost) way of living. Practicing life daily in a way that will rearrange the way you live and see things.

I often looked at the book's pretty cover but simply couldn't find the quietness in my soul to start the read.  During this past spring my older sister was visiting with her daughter (Kierstyn) and we were laying out by the pool.  Lori was reading a book on her beloved Nook.  I started to tell her of this beautiful little book and how wonderful it must be, how I had ordered it and that I was going to read a few chapters out loud at that very moment. I ran in to get the book. I proceeded to get comfy in a lawn chair and slowly start the read. I did not get too far before I felt like I best not read out loud anymore because my niece was listening too and the line I was about to read told of a tragic accident which was what I thought too much for Kierstyn.  It probably would have been fine to have read out loud, but I stopped at that point and decided to just encourage Lori to buy the book on her Nook to read for herself.  I find it funny that I was encouraging her so strongly to purchase and read this book without even having read it myself.   Since that warm spring day out by the pool, I had picked the book up only on two short occasions to continue the read but I simply couldn't get "into" the book at all.

It  has now been 6 months since this beautiful book arrived in our rural mail box.  Six months. I mean, yes I have been busy with things here, but I wish I had stopped to really get into what Ann was trying to convey in her book, One Thousand Gifts. You see, she is a very artistic writer and in the beginning I just wasn't following her style of writing. I wasn't getting it. I just wanted the facts Jack. Just the facts. Too much fluff in the writing for me (at that time).  When I picked the book up again this past month, I have been savoring it, each word.  A lovely book indeed, both by cover and contents. The book has done a beautiful job of helping me desire more of Him. To desire that my eyes are open wide to things that are hidden in plain sight!  Lord help me to be arrested by wonder!

I have now developed the habit of recording my grace moments, my gifts, my eucharisteo!  I carry a little notebook in my purse, there is one in the kitchen and one by my bedside as well as in my sewing room.  I started my first journal entry out with a number, 1 of course, but I am not numbering from there on out, because I should live life full of eucharisteo - fully until my days are no more. To number is pointless (to me). 

To live full of eucharisteo, is to live fully.

I know this is going to be a new way of living to me. I am by no means new to Godly living, to living with Godly princeaples but to seek out Him, to give thanks for such things as the squirrels frisking around in the tops of the trees, my son misbehaving in a particular situation (so we could later get to the heart of things), for the potential offer on our home that brought hope.  It helps me to focus on Him and not me. It helps me to remember that God ordains all my steps and He has attended to each detail and when I notice and give thanks that is when a miracle comes.

I am forever grateful to Ann Voskamp for sharing this part of her story thus far with me (anyone who reads her book or blog).   So, on my list a few days ago, you would see this if you looked at it : Ann Voskamp's willingness to be used by You.

I do not believe that we have a particular pattern or set list of things we need to do in order to live a successful Christian life. However, for me, this book has come at His timing in my life, to reposition me. To turn me around and point me in the direction that I need to proceed in.  I don't know about you, but I sometimes get off track a bit and am grateful for the turn about. It is my hope that I will learn to be full of joy in all things. That I, like Paul, will learn - learn- to be content in all things, whether it is much or little; pain or happiness overflowing, in the good and bad things that come our way, I want to embrace each of them with eucharisteo - that is my desire.  I want to see the things that so often pass my eyes by.

Lord, arrest my eyes by the wonder of Your hands in this life story that You are writing in and through my life!

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp and her willingness to be used by God in the way of writing her story, her struggle and experience has been the inspiration of this post. I recommend this book to you. You can find more information out about Ann and her book, her blog by going here.

(the different fungus that you see in the pic's above are a few of the ones I began to take note of all around our property during a wet spot in our weather a few weeks ago. I was arrested with wonder.)

*all natural (well almost)

Me.  This was taken about a year ago. My hair was longer. Much longer.  And truth be told... Some time ago, I removed some lines in my face with the photo editor.  I no longer have the original and I do like this photo of me so I continue to use it. I probably like it  more without the lines than with, though, I am learning to embrace the whole of who I am more and more with each passing day!  I love my hair here.  I am far from that right now, however.

 This is me today. This photo reminds me of that childhood nursery rhyme, There was a Little Girl with a Curl....

Anyway- Here I am with my shorter hair in all its glory. Well, almost all of its glory. I do color my hair on a regular basis as I started graying right after high school.  I decided that here in Florida, at least this year while my bangs are short and not fitting in, that I would no longer fight the natural curl.  I did get my hair cut yesterday by a great stylist whom I think I shall keep!  I will be on the road to letting my hair grow back out, but for now this is what I am living with and pretty much loving it!

Have a great week!
Lynnie

*rain bops

Beehive Rain Bops were calling to me today while we were in this little shop getting Henry's hair cut.  Aren't these adorable?  The shop had them priced at $20 per pair, much cheaper that where I found them here.  I am not sure I want rain boots with heels, but I thought these were adorable. 

*going over the bridge again, and again, and again..

So how about if I need to go to any kind clothing store, computer store, major chain etc I have to travel over BRIDGES that cross MILES of WATER to get there.  Alright, alright. I hear you.  You are saying.. and??!  You see when I was growing up my mother had a fear of crossing bridges.  In fact, now that I sit here and think of it, it was probably just this one bridge that we sometimes crossed quite by mistake that caused her to be nervous.  Perhaps my mother wasn't fearful of the bridge after all; perhaps it was the location of town that she wasn't familiar with, the many turns that she would have to make to get back on the right road, then cross the bridge to get back to the right  place.  Ok, so maybe she was fearful of the bridge.  All I am sure of is this.. I have a fear of crossing bridges. Bridges with land under them, bridges with water under them, bridges with anything under them. 

About three or four years ago I was traveling to Georgia to visit family and I took an exit just past the Santee Cooper Lakes (pretty lengthy bridge) to get gas.  Upon getting back on I-95 I took the NORTH ramp instead of the South ramp... Yep, you guessed it. I had to cross the bridge again, take an exit to get back on I-95 South and go over the bridge AGAIN!  I know that God was speaking to me during that time. There after, I have done great with bridges (me and God). 

 This however, is testing me. It isn't testing God of course, but me - so much!  It isn't even that I don't trust God - I hope that isn't what it means. I will likely be crossing these bridges and ones like them a lot. I am sure that I will get over this silliness sooner or later.  (BTW.. both of my hands were gripping the wheel tighter than it should have likely been gripped.. Henry took the pictures, not me)

(this photo taken from google, not my own image)  This is one of the other bridges I have to cross.

Prayers welcomed regarding my issue concerning bridges.

*it started with Tippy the Turtle

Since I was a little girl I have always had a deep love for sketching. Do you remember the turtle with the cap that would show up in the TV Guide every few months? Draw Tippy the Turtle and mail it in to see if you have what it takes to be a great artist. I have no idea how many times I drew this turtle, but each time I felt pleased with myself.

Since that time I have continued to paint and draw.  When Robby was young  I spent some time with water colors and made a few pieces of artwork that was frame worthy.  I haven't used water color in years, though I am giving thought to possibly picking it back up in the future.  Currently my favorite art medium would have to be pencils, charcoal and a good quality sketch pad. 

I have also encouraged many a young artist along the way as well.   I have taught a couple of different art appreciation classes with some focused teaching on shading and perception.  I have used both Visual Manna  and Drawing With Children by Mona Brookes with my students.  The book by Mona Brookes helped me improve my drawing skills tremendously.  I would encourage any young adult or adult to pick up this book to work though if you are a budding artist or if you need some improvement in specific areas.   If you are a home schooling teacher you can also get lesson plans from Donna Young's site which will make this book very user friendly for your young artists!

These were not from the classes I offered but rather friends who came to paint.  Mary, Sarah and Henry had a blast on this day.  Plywood, Temper paint, brushes, able bodies and water for cleanup!

Doesn't she look like a pleased artist at the end of a hard days work. She is just taking it all in.

Kara looks as if she is standing at a grand spot, a place that has a magnificent view.   It is her imagination that is magnificent! Kara's love for art has only continued to grow and she is becoming an accomplished artist.

Several of my finished pieces were in frames and not yet packed.  A few of my favorites are still in my sketch book that is no longer sitting out, but packed away for now.  I most enjoy drawing people it seems.   Like anything, my work continued to get better and better with each piece of work.    Sometimes I long to draw, but don't feel quiet or still enough to follow through.  Here are the only two completed drawings that are out for me to share with you.

This particular picture I drew based on an ad in a magazine some years ago.  While I like the shading  in this picture pretty well, the baby's arm is in a very awkward position and even seems out of place.  Since the time I finished the portrait I felt this way, but I printed the scripture and framed it anyway because I love the sweet face.

This is a favorite too.  I actually have a similar drawing to complete for my two adopted daughters, Sarah and Mary. Perhaps before they both leave home to marry I will get them finished and off to their mother for framing. She bought the frames for the drawing about 6 years ago. UGH. Where did the time go?  Shading on this particular drawing  is pretty good, but there is always room for improvement.   

I shall revisit this topic when I unpack my drawing book after the move. I hope you have enjoyed learning something else about me, a hidden talent if  you will.

Oh.. I married an artist too...

Eric drew this about 30 some odd years ago when he first read Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

*blast from the past

We had our first showing this past weekend.  The lovely couple who looked at our home stated that they had  high hopes for "this one."  They loved the house and were terrible regretful that our property had a hilly area with a slope.  They are an older couple and desire some flat land.  Henry's response was, "Lets get some dirt!"  I love his opportunistic outlook on things!  He has always been this way.  This reminded me of a story from our life that took place about 5 years ago when he was 10.  So grab a cup of coffee and enjoy! 

Fall of 2005 (from my journal)
You know its going to be a good day when- you are ready to leave the house at 8:30AM for your child's 9:00AM piano lesson that is only about 15 minutes away. On this particular morning, like most actually, Henry needed the keys to see if his shoes were in the car (that is mostly where they belong in the closet or in the car, not on the feet). I was still inside getting my purse, a loaf of bread for my dear friend and a few other things. Henry returned from being outside and I asked him, "Do you have the keys?" He answered," Yes."  In the mean time I went off to my room for one last thing.  Henry was now in the truck waiting, so I proceeded to lock the door and get in the truck with my son  (who is just like me). Little did I know, he had brought the keys back in and laid them on the front hall table. Yes, you guessed it! We were locked out! My cell phone was inside along with the house keys and car keys.

Because of the confusion of the whole matter, it was fairly easy to contain my flesh. It was a funny happening actually in retrospect. Well, after checking all the windows (by the way no need to try and break in through our windows) and the doors, we needed another plan. Henry, sensing my frustration, suggested that I just needed to pray. So we did! The Lord blessed our day.

Our plan was to do school anyway! We had missed piano and there was nothing we could do about that. However, we could do school. I had taken a couple of baskets of our curriculum to the HS101 Meeting on Monday night, which were still in the truck!  While Henry read Farmer Boy, I read his History books. After he was finished with the reading we moved on to math. Amazingly, he finished his math in no time only missing a few. We decided at this point we should get out of the truck and move around. His suggestion was for us to run (RUN?) around the front yard a few times. We ended up weeding the flowerbeds, pulling the dead summer veggies from the garden, in addition to some weeding in the vegetable garden areas. We even got some raking done, some branches picked up and cleaned the patio up.

After much hard work (both mental and physical) we needed some lunch. The lunch was inside (the house), but we did have the bread! So, we ate Franziska's bread for lunch. Henry would say throughout the morning things like- I wish we had butter for the bread or I wish we had some socks for our feet. Each time he would say "I wish we had", I would say, "KEYS." It ended up being a very productive day. I do not wish to spend a day like this anytime soon, but we made best of a not so great situation!

In our last 30 minutes of sitting in the truck, Henry said to me, "I bet if you get really, really mad you could lift the garage door and we could go in."  Thank the Lord I did not have to get really, really mad to lift the garage door, Eric arrived home shortly there after and we all went in together!

*a day of loveliness

Loveliness:

1. Full of love; loving.

2. Inspiring love or affection.

3. Having beauty that appeals to the emotions as well as to the eye. 

4. enjoyable; delightful.

..... yes, loveliness is exactly what I was in the presence of on this day.  I have spoken of Wendie before, the mother figure who exudes the spirit of loveliness since the very day I met her. I try to recall how it is that I came to meet Wendie and it is not clear in  my mind, though it seems that it all began in her kitchen about twelve years or so ago with a small group of ladies.  Wendie was so gracious with her time to invite a small select group of ladies into her home to be a part of a ministry called  "Salt in the Kitchen" which centered around biblical teachings and delicious "from scratch" cooking.  I am so grateful that my name was one of the nine who eagerly arrived weekly at Wendie's kitchen counters to learn, grown and develop into more refined wives, cooks and even hostesses.  One day I believe that God will entrust some young women to me to guide along, teach and somewhat lead as Wendie did with us and for us. This is my desire.  

While most of my closest friends have moved away from this area, Wendie remains. My heart has been a bit heavy about moving, leaving this place.  Something I didn't think was going to happen to me. Silly me.  How is it that you can live somewhere for almost twenty three years and not feel what I had hoped to evade?  

Anyway.. Wendie and I had a lovely day today.  We started our outing at a Victorian tea house in Pinehurst, NC - Lady Bedford's Tea Parlor & Gift Shoppe. From the moment we walked in the beautifully etched glass doors I knew we were going to be treated really special.  The care that came from the serving staff could not have been any better than what we received on this day. The atmosphere was lovely.  We had a bowl of Butternut Squash Soup (with curry), and it was delicious!  Our main lunch dishes were also tasty and satisfying.  

After lunch we headed over to some of the gift shoppes in the village.  It was a hot day, so walking wasn't as pleasant as it might be at other times of the year, but I was with "Momma B" and I was happy.  Since we were in Pinehurst, and since we are quilters, we decided to go ahead and stop in at Linderella's Quilt Works.  Though I had been in Pinehurst a number of times since Linderella's opened, I had never stopped in.  The fabric selection was average, nothing noteworthy but Linderella's has a number of original applique quilt patterns for sale that caught my eye. Her patterns are funky and whimsical.  

 Look at those hands... While she is not perfect, cause none are.. I have seen these hands extend and extend and extend and extend and extend ... (well you get the picture) all in the name of love.  I am so grateful to have been one of the ones receiving and sometimes giving to these hands. I know I will continue to receive and give to these hands, but just roll with me here while I get a bit sappy. 

These are some of Linderella's patterns that are sold both in her store and on her website.  While all of the samples in the store are made with bright colors, black and whites you could use whatever suits you!

We then made our way to B & B Produce on 211 to buy some peaches from the local farms.  Wendie and I have stopped here before when driving back from a Seagrove pottery shopping trip and since we were fairly close we made the decision to make the drive. 

This was a sweet ending to a delightful day!

*can you relate?

My head is in so many places....

Traveling to North Carolina Mountains to sit with my best friend on her porch gazing at the undulating foot hills. Just being beside each other. Joyful laughing a bit here and there. Talking. Listening. Being. Farting. (did I just write that?)

Traveling to Florida to look at a few pieces of land, potential land for our home site.

Traveling to Georgia to visit my father who is having surgery this week...

Being here so Eric's parents, who hasn't been able to visit in TWO years, can leisurely travel here to visit when they wish to do so.

All of these things and MORE I must lay before the Lord.
I know you all can relate. We all have our own lives, our own set of cares and concerns.

*saving worms and loosing weight

If you have known me for any length of time, you know I have never found enjoyment in exercise. For years I have reminded myself of that very fact, often enough that I have not committed to a exercise regime.Weight has always been an issue for me, not a huge issue but an issue nonetheless.  My oldest and dearest son, Robby, would always try to encourage me to "Just DO IT".  He would say, "It doesn't matter that you do not like to do it, just get it done."  He, unfortunately had to listen to me complain about my discontentment with my weight for years so he tried to encourage me when he could.

I am finally JUST DOING IT and finally enjoying it!  A little over a month now I have been walking at least two miles a day with a dear friend and on some days four miles.  We have both found ourselves physically at a place which we wish to no longer be at.  I have prayed for God to change my attitude towards exercise, towards the way I view food and of course, He is faithful.  I am relearning to eat to live instead of living to eat. While I have my weak spots, I am starting to think before I eat - will I use this energy that I am considering consuming?  It has helped me make profitable choices in my habits.

One day early on in the beginning of this new lifestyle, Trina arrived and it was sprinkling steady. We decided to walk our two miles anyway. We walk, jog a bit, talk and save earth worms that have made it out of the lawns and into the streets when the tempting rain is coming down.  I am so glad we walked on this day. It helps me to push through, instead of making an excuse as to why I cannot walk. (I do own a nice elliptical machine as well.. so I really have NO excuse)

I do not do "diets" very well at all. In fact, I pretty much stink when I "diet". I don't take the weight off.. I am food focused.. and I am miserable.  On the contrary, I have lost almost 10 pounds in a little over a month and I am doing it by being active - energy expending focused.  I have tried to get myself motivated for years, it was just my time and for that I am grateful to God. To Him be the Glory!

*i like old

I have always liked old things. Old books. Old china or dishes. Old quilts. Old furniture.  It guides my sense of decorating style in our home. I have been thinking about things, you know, things in our home that really don't serve a spoken purpose. This is what I came up with.. the things in our home represent who we are, what our likes are to a degree, and what is important to us. For many many years I have purposed to create a safe refuge or retreat of a home for our family or those who visit us.   So in that, each thing in our home serves a purpose or represents something to us.

I have always enjoyed having people in our home, not as a show piece, because it is far from that.  For example.. our couches have places where our lovely felines have used it as a scratching pad, none of our furniture really "matches" and were either given to us or found on the side of the road at a yard sale. I feel that one of the gifts that God has blessed me with is the gift of hospitality. I haven't had much opportunity to use that gifting in our home lately. Sometimes gifts like hospitality can be taken outside the walls of our own home.  I look forward to the plans He has for me (our family) in the area of hospitality once we get settled in our new Floridian home.  I am asking Him for young girls in which I can lead in an area of home making skills such as cooking, sewing, quilting, couponing and such.

My maternal grandparents lived on a wonderfully large farm most of my childhood years. If you click on the picture it will enlarge some to see a bit more detail. The picture that is applied to the brick is an aerial photo of their farm in the early spring season. The brick itself was one of many that made the large fire pit and base of the cane juice cooker (to boil down to make  black strap molasses).  This is one of the very bricks that was near to  my grandpa's feet as he walked around stirring the juice as it thickened into the cane syrup that they were famous for making each year!

One of my last visits to my mother's house I came away with this sweet little butter dish. It was hers though she didn't use it much and was quick to push it my way.

On our last whirlwind trip to Georgia I was able to spend a brief time at my motherinloves house as well.  She had recently gone through her sewing room and thinned out her fabric to the tune of twelve or so large garbage bags full, many of which she listed on free cycle and some that she set aside for me. While I am very grateful for the fabric, I was tickled to find these crocheted table toppers that one of her friends had once made.  (note the old books here... these are wonderful stories written in the 1800's that carry such wonderful character lessons throughout)

Mr. Bear was made by Eric's mother when he was a little boy. (Sorry Mr. Bear for the clothes that you wear) On the back of the chair is another one of the lovely crocheted pieces.

This particular one is made of a smaller cotton thread and is more delicate and light. I LOVE IT.  The lamp here on this little antique table in our kitchen was given to me by Franziska, who found it at a yard sale at a steal of a price!

This bench is not in the greatest of shape, but a dear friend gave it to me several years ago and it serves us well at the front door when we need to sit to put our shoes on.  The crazy quilt that adorns the bench was made by one of the talented ladies or possibly several,  on my father-in-loves' side of the family.  It really is a piece of history and art!

Old suitcases just speak to me! I love them. What is great is you can use them to store things in if needed and you can find them at Salvation Army Stores or such thrift stores for very few dollars.

This razor belonged to my mother-in-loves' grandfather and it currently lives in Henry's bathroom space. I sometimes think of where he might have been getting ready to go after using this vintage razor.

Another of the pieces that came from Eric's side of the family. Eric's maternal grandfather was a great leather worker. There are quite a few things that he beautifully crafted with his hands that are still in the family. He made this needle case for his lovely wife, Laverne. I do not crochet, but I love the age of this case as well as the needles.

For as long as I can remember this teapot sat on top of the counter at our house when I was growing up. Many times it was filled with trinkets of this or that.. you know odds and ends that really didn't have a place. I don't ever remember drinking coffee or tea from this beautiful pot, but just the fact that it was  part of our abode brings sweet memories to mind.

Whatever it is that you like or that you are more drawn to, may you use it to create a space that says welcome. You don't have to have a large space or even your dream space but you can make the space you currently live in hospitable.   Our sons both enjoy the character of old things, so the apples didn't fall far from the tree!  How do you create a humble abode for all who enter?