Where have I been??????

What a question to ask, huh?    Well, I asked myself that too, only to come up with no answer.    It just seems like at times, we have to just get still and calm some of the noise of life that goes on around us and life seems to be getting louder every day.     So, I reckon I just went internal for a while.   Certainly not meaning to ignore my blog or those of y'all who are faithful readers and followers.    So, I do apologize for my absence, but, I really needed the time away from it.    I hope to be back with fresh new insight and fun crafts and more stories and just all that you have seen here in the past, only better, maybe.    The funny thing is, I have a blog post that has been sitting in "draft form" for almost 2 months and I have looked at it many times and just haven't been able to hit the "publish" button.     I will go ahead and post it at some point, but I just felt the need to do a totally new post today instead.  

One thing I would like to remind myself and all of y'all from time to time, is to remember those around us that are hurting.    It just seems the list is growing exponentially on a daily basis.    Friends have lost loved ones; friends are dealing with sickness, surgery and recovery; a sweet cousin just getting over major surgery; another special cousin just getting back to work after major surgery; friends have lost jobs; friends have lost homes due to fire; all the unrest going on across the nation and world..............and the list goes on and on.    I also have to say that there is a lot of good stuff going on in friends lives also.    New babies are always that special gift from God and when there is twins, that is a double blessing.     So congrats, to a long distance friend that is enjoying the double blessing of Grandma!    One of my cousins just became a wonderful Grandmother and I'm so thrilled for her!    Another special friend becoming a Grandma thru her daughter being a foster parent.    Friends with new jobs.    Friends making plans for new change coming their way.     Congratulations to all for the great things going on!!!!!     Praise God!!!!!      Folks, if you are not on the list in any way, if you have nothing heavy going on in your circumstance right now, thank God for that blessing, because that's what it is, a blessing.     On the other hand, if you are in one of these circumstances or anything that I didn't mention, I challenge you to just hang on.    God knows about your circumstance.     He is going before you even as I type and making the way for your circumstance to change for the better.     But, until "better" gets here, remember our friend Paul, and all his writings that was inspired directly by God.

In the midst of our circumstance or our season at hand, you and I can be content and have joy and peace while going thru it.  That is what Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me" is all about.   It's not about having bigger, better anything, or moving on up to bigger house or better job or nicer car or fancier clothes; but being satisfied and joy filled and contented with what we have in the circumstance or season of our lives, by leaning on what Jesus Christ has done for you and I; who, by the way, is much bigger than any situation or circumstance you or I can ever be in. When looking at this verse, and all scripture in reality, we must look at in the context in which it was written.   Paul was speaking about adverse times when he spoke these profound words.  He wasn't speaking of the good times; moving on up the corporate ladder and finding his joy because he was on a higher rung today than he was yesterday; and being able to wave down at his buddies as he left them choking on his smoke as he speed-ed on up that ladder.  Not hardly, at all!!!!!!   Paul was coming from a place of having been in chains and behind bars and little food and being led from here to there by people who had no regards for him, all for the sake of Christ.    He had found the key to contentment.   And that was leaning in on his source of strength, Jesus Christ!!!!   My friend, if you don't have joy and peace and contentment in your life, let me just say this, the only place you will ever find it is in the same place Paul found it, Jesus Christ!     The world just can't offer what it knows nothing about.     Unrest, tension, and problems can only breed unrest, tension and problems!     When we desire better for ourselves, we must go directly to the source of "better", and that is Jesus Christ!!!!     So, y'all, lets go to the source, Jesus Christ, and lift all those around us to the Throne of mercy and grace and thank God for all the blessings and ask Him to help those going through difficult circumstances to just hang on, because God is already in our tomorrow going ahead of each one of us working our days out!     Thank you Father God for all the blessings!!!!!     Thank you Father God for knowing all about each one of us, and loving us anyway!!!!!!    Thank you Father God for your mercy and grace that you so freely give!!!!!!      I look forward to seeing how God is going to work in the tests of our lives and turn those tests into "test"imonies, all for HIS glory!!!!!     Praise God and Halleluiah!!!!

While I have been absent, I have still been doing things, crafty wise, that is.    There's always something going on.     I've worked on an ongoing project of making bookmarks for church and that has slowed down for now.     It has been a most pleasurable time while making them and I loved every second of it.   God is so good and He has blessed my efforts and for that, I am so very thankful.    Some of us at church has been working on some craft projects that we will be selling in what we are calling, "The Country Store", first annual fundraiser.    It has been a great time of getting together and crafting.   Lots of fun and laughter and fellowship has been had by all who was blessed to be a part of it.    We all have been working on projects at home too.    I can't wait to see what all we come up with to put in The Country Store.   We pray for God's blessings on the efforts that have been put forth for His glory!  

In the midst of all of this fun and happy stuff going on, I have been dealing with, or should I say, not dealing with very well, an issue with my foot.    I have got achilles tendonitis in the back of my heel on my left foot, making it almost impossible to walk.    Ibuprofen and rice ice bags have been my best friends for the past six weeks.    I finally got in to see the podiatrist this week and walked out with something on my foot that I have lovingly called a "Herman Munster" cast off shoe.     I really hope he doesn't come looking for it, because I will NOT let him have it back till I'm done with it.   hahahaha    

I have had a great learning experience with this so called "Herman" boot.     The Dr actually told me that I could take the boot off when I am setting down.     Ok, I can do that, right?     Well, yes I can, easy enough.    But, I am not to be walking without it.    I have been in enough pain that I don't WANT to be walking with it.    So, I take my boot off while setting down.     Guess what, my bladder does not know anything about this Herman boot, nor does it care, not even a little bit.     So when mother nature calls, I commence to putting my boot on while talking to myself and encouraging myself that I can get this boot on and make the call of nature in time.     I feel like Houdini getting in and out of this contraption, really!     So the lesson learned is that my bladder does NOT know that it's relief depends solely on me getting this boot on, quickly!    So, while sitting down, I keep said boot on, because it IS impossible to put it on quickly enough to satisfy my finicky bladder.    hahaha     Ok, I'm sure that wasn't what you wanted to hear about today, so for that I apologize.   Just wanted to share a little bit of my "I Love Lucy" moments.    Sometimes I feel like I am in a sit com, with no viewers (thank God) hahahaha!    So, I just wanted to share a funny moment of my day.    In all seriousness, I would appreciate prayers on this matter, because if the boot does not help, surgery will be in the works, and I really do not want that.     So I appreciate your prayers.    God is good and I believe that He will take care of this.

Anyway, I have a pic or two to share with you before I call it a night and put my boot to bed.   hahahaha

This is some of the bookmarks that I have made with a fish and starfish theme.

Some more of the sand dollar bookmarks.   I love the the sand dollars, they make me happy.

This is a "flip flop" album and journal.   It is made with 5 sheets of 12 x 12 heavy cardstock with lots of scoring and folding and then cutting pieces of designer card stocks and papers.    It is an awesome album to make and so much fun!

This is the same one, just the other side, decorated with lots of beautiful designer cardstock and papers.   I just love this and may make some more later on.

Anyway, I just wanted to show you that I have been crafting and I do have a lot more to share later on.   Keep your eyes peeled, because I will be back with some special shares that I can't wait to show y'all.

Ladybug, Sweetpea loves you and hopes to get back up for a visit real soon.

Well, I think I have kept y'all here just about long enough for now.     I hope y'all have read and seen something here today that has tickled your funny bone and I hope and pray that y'all will come back soon for another visit.    In the mean time, always remember that God loves y'all  and so do I.     hugs, Patty