I have seen two new doctors in the last couple of weeks and I am scheduled to see three new ones in the next couple of weeks. Then a follow up with each of the two new ones I already saw in the coming months.
Sounds like fun, huh?
Does to me. I'm looking forward to all the visits, waiting rooms, exam rooms, tests, waiting for test results, new treatment plans, copays, and probable biopsies and procedures.
I really am.
Because for the first time in a very long time I actually have hope that I am going to get better and have a life again.
For that, I am thankful.
I really am.
Updates to come .....
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Life
Sorry I haven't posted anything for awhile.
Stuff.
You know.
Life.
Stuff Happens.
Anyway, lots going on. I am happy to report I successfully crocheted two pretty nice and functional bags ... you know, purses, or totes as they were called in the patterns. Both were for my daughter. She seems pleased and I was happy to learn how to make something new.
So that's what I've been doing. Oh, that and playing with my wonderful granddaughter as much as possible before school starts again.
So not much to tell other than that and that is why I haven't posted. I'm sure you all missed me like CRAZY! LOL
Hope everyone has been having a great summer. TTYL
Stuff.
You know.
Life.
Stuff Happens.
Anyway, lots going on. I am happy to report I successfully crocheted two pretty nice and functional bags ... you know, purses, or totes as they were called in the patterns. Both were for my daughter. She seems pleased and I was happy to learn how to make something new.
So that's what I've been doing. Oh, that and playing with my wonderful granddaughter as much as possible before school starts again.
So not much to tell other than that and that is why I haven't posted. I'm sure you all missed me like CRAZY! LOL
Hope everyone has been having a great summer. TTYL
Friday, July 15, 2011
My Anthem
I'm claiming this song as my personal anthem
Please have someone sing this at my "going away party" ...
(Scroll down for lyrics)
When I Get Where I'm Going
When I get where I'm going
On the far side of the sky.
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.
I'm gonna land beside a lion,
And run my fingers through his mane.
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
There'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.
I'm gonna walk with my grandaddy,
And he'll match me step for step,
And I'll tell him how I missed him,
Every minute since he left.
Then I'll hug his neck.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
There'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.
So much pain and so much darkness,
In this world we stumble through.
All these questions, I can't answer,
So much work to do.
But when I get where I'm going,
And I see my Maker's face.
I'll stand forever in the light,
Of His amazing grace.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Oh, when I get where I'm going,
There'll be only happy tears.
Hallelujah!
I will love and have no fear.
When I get where I'm going.
Yeah when I get where I'm going.
Please have someone sing this at my "going away party" ...
(Scroll down for lyrics)
When I Get Where I'm Going
When I get where I'm going
On the far side of the sky.
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.
I'm gonna land beside a lion,
And run my fingers through his mane.
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
There'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.
I'm gonna walk with my grandaddy,
And he'll match me step for step,
And I'll tell him how I missed him,
Every minute since he left.
Then I'll hug his neck.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
There'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.
So much pain and so much darkness,
In this world we stumble through.
All these questions, I can't answer,
So much work to do.
But when I get where I'm going,
And I see my Maker's face.
I'll stand forever in the light,
Of His amazing grace.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Oh, when I get where I'm going,
There'll be only happy tears.
Hallelujah!
I will love and have no fear.
When I get where I'm going.
Yeah when I get where I'm going.
One of Those Lives
I like the body of work by Brad Paisley, but I particularly love this song, "One of Those Lives."
If any of you reading this know me personally, you know I battle illness on an ongoing basis ... NOT anything as serious as cancer, but I have had to go through that with my husband as he battled melanoma. However, I do not appreciate this song so much for its recognizing people such as myself or my husband who battle these illnesses. I appreciate it as someone who realizes that I too need to be reminded as I look around that there are those who are much worse off than myself, "Folks that are fightin' for every breath."
I am sharing the lyrics of the song with you; please read them carefully. I have also included a link to a YouTube upload of the song so you can listen to it while you read the lyrics. (Scroll to the bottom of the lyrics for the link. It will open a new tab so you can listen on that tab while reading the lyrics on this one)
Time to stop and get perspective on life ...
If any of you reading this know me personally, you know I battle illness on an ongoing basis ... NOT anything as serious as cancer, but I have had to go through that with my husband as he battled melanoma. However, I do not appreciate this song so much for its recognizing people such as myself or my husband who battle these illnesses. I appreciate it as someone who realizes that I too need to be reminded as I look around that there are those who are much worse off than myself, "Folks that are fightin' for every breath."
I am sharing the lyrics of the song with you; please read them carefully. I have also included a link to a YouTube upload of the song so you can listen to it while you read the lyrics. (Scroll to the bottom of the lyrics for the link. It will open a new tab so you can listen on that tab while reading the lyrics on this one)
Time to stop and get perspective on life ...
One of Those Lives
Rush hour traffic,
Always puts me in a bad mood.
I got chewed out by the boss today,
And now I'm stuck on highway 92.
Then you call me on my cell phone,
While I'm cussin' out a Cadillac.
You say remember Tom and Janie's little boy?
Well, the doctors say the cancer's back.
Man its been one of those days,
When I been thinking poor me.
I got no right to complain I guess,
Cause right now all I can see.
Is a little angel in a Yankees cap,
It makes me realize.
It's just been one those days for me,
But for him it's been one of those lives.
Everybody under my roof,
Is healthy- knock on wood.
Oh but I sure do sweat the small stuff,
I don't thank God as much as I should.
Tonight I'm thinking about Tommy and Janie,
And how they've spent the last four years.
All those extended stays in Memphis,
All the sleepless nights, the prayers, the tears.
It's just been one of those days,
When I was thinking poor me.
I got no right to complain I guess,
Cause right now all I can see.
Is that family moving back into Target House,
It makes me realize.
It's just been one those days for me,
But for them its been one of those lives.
And so it's been one of those days,
I let things get to me.
I got no right to complain,
Cause when I look around I see,
Folks out there fightin' for every breath,
It makes me realize.
It's just been one for those days for me,
But for them it's been one of those lives.
Listen to the song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqI-QUheGKs
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Master Potter and Jar ... A Parable
Many years ago I wrote the following parable. During my prayer time this morning I was reminded of it and felt compelled to share it with you. I hope it will be a blessing to you as it has been to me each time I read it.
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Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Hope
This morning I have been reading scriptures on Hope. They really are very encouraging. As I contemplate them, I think about my previous blog post on Faith. It seems God is leading me down a path of reflection of Faith, Hope ... and Love. So today, hope.
I was thinking about faith and what occurred to me was that faith is like believing something will be or will happen because it is likely that it will. For instance, you have faith when you go to bed at night that you will wake up the next morning. The reason you believe that -- have faith in that -- is that is always happens. Well, for most people, it usually happens. It certainly does not happen 100% of the time for all people, but for any of you reading this, it happened for you this morning! And every day for all of your life this has occurred; you go to sleep with absolute faith that you will later wake up. And you do. So it is easy to believe for this. That is faith.
Hope is different. Hope is really wanting something to happen, but not being certain that it will. For instance, you have hope that when you go to bed at night, you will wake up the next morning and be a millionaire!! LOL. Seriously, if you have health problems you hope you will wake up feeling better. If you are having financial worries, you hope that you will get a raise at work. If you are having relationship problems you hope that today will be the day you will get those sorted out. If you are having problems with your teenager you hope that today will be the day that will change and something or someone will affect change that will put them on a new and better path.
You hope for these things but you do not know if they will happen; unlike faith of which you are 99.9% certain something will happen, like waking up.
But for both of those virtues, when they are placed in the Lord God of heaven and earth, they are much more certain that simply having faith or hope in waking up or seeing change in your life.
With God, all things are possible! (Matthew 19:26) Praise be to God!!
If you see my previous post on Faith you will see that the biblical definition of faith is "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 So here we see faith in action as it believes for those things for which we hope. Hope gives meaning to life. Without it, where would we be? There would be no reason to go on. But we can and do have hope! What a wonderful promise. See some scriptures that encourage us to hope:
Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalm 146: 5
You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
Isaiah 26: 3
But as for me, I will look to the Lord and confident in Him I will keep watch; I will wait with hope and expectancy for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Micah 7: 7
May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope. Romans 15: 13
But as for me, I will look to the Lord and confident in Him I will keep watch; I will wait with hope and expectancy for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Micah 7: 7
Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord. Psalm 27: 14
Just as I said in my previous post on Faith that it is not blind, but based on what we know and believe of our God, so is our hope based on what we know and believe of our loving and merciful God. We can have hope each day that as we place our situations in the capable and loving hands of God, that He will hear and answer our prayers and our joy may be full!
Praise God. Amen.
I was thinking about faith and what occurred to me was that faith is like believing something will be or will happen because it is likely that it will. For instance, you have faith when you go to bed at night that you will wake up the next morning. The reason you believe that -- have faith in that -- is that is always happens. Well, for most people, it usually happens. It certainly does not happen 100% of the time for all people, but for any of you reading this, it happened for you this morning! And every day for all of your life this has occurred; you go to sleep with absolute faith that you will later wake up. And you do. So it is easy to believe for this. That is faith.
Hope is different. Hope is really wanting something to happen, but not being certain that it will. For instance, you have hope that when you go to bed at night, you will wake up the next morning and be a millionaire!! LOL. Seriously, if you have health problems you hope you will wake up feeling better. If you are having financial worries, you hope that you will get a raise at work. If you are having relationship problems you hope that today will be the day you will get those sorted out. If you are having problems with your teenager you hope that today will be the day that will change and something or someone will affect change that will put them on a new and better path.
You hope for these things but you do not know if they will happen; unlike faith of which you are 99.9% certain something will happen, like waking up.
But for both of those virtues, when they are placed in the Lord God of heaven and earth, they are much more certain that simply having faith or hope in waking up or seeing change in your life.
With God, all things are possible! (Matthew 19:26) Praise be to God!!
If you see my previous post on Faith you will see that the biblical definition of faith is "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 So here we see faith in action as it believes for those things for which we hope. Hope gives meaning to life. Without it, where would we be? There would be no reason to go on. But we can and do have hope! What a wonderful promise. See some scriptures that encourage us to hope:
Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalm 146: 5
You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
Isaiah 26: 3
But as for me, I will look to the Lord and confident in Him I will keep watch; I will wait with hope and expectancy for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Micah 7: 7
May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope. Romans 15: 13
But as for me, I will look to the Lord and confident in Him I will keep watch; I will wait with hope and expectancy for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Micah 7: 7
Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord. Psalm 27: 14
Just as I said in my previous post on Faith that it is not blind, but based on what we know and believe of our God, so is our hope based on what we know and believe of our loving and merciful God. We can have hope each day that as we place our situations in the capable and loving hands of God, that He will hear and answer our prayers and our joy may be full!
Praise God. Amen.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Update on My Health Status
Well, after years of battling, some answers are beginning to emerge. Constant headaches, swollen nasal passages, temples swollen and enlarged like golf balls, raspy voice, chronic bronchitis ... most recently horrible sore throat and tongue. X-rays revealed I have an impacted sinus infection in my right maxillary sinus cavity. Antibiotics are unable to "get to it" so I have to see an E.N.T who will probably have to "go in there and drain it."
Not looking forward to that, but am happy to finally be getting somewhere with a possible solution to years of battling health problems. This won't address all of my problems but I estimate it will affect approximately half of the things I battle with on a regular basis.
So I thank God for answered prayer in directing me to a solution and I look forward to getting better. Thank you all for your prayers and please keep them coming!
Not looking forward to that, but am happy to finally be getting somewhere with a possible solution to years of battling health problems. This won't address all of my problems but I estimate it will affect approximately half of the things I battle with on a regular basis.
So I thank God for answered prayer in directing me to a solution and I look forward to getting better. Thank you all for your prayers and please keep them coming!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Faith: Little Word, Big Idea
Faith has varying definitions but here are two taken from the dictionary. The first is a simple definition of the word and the second ushers in the spiritual aspect:
1. Confidence or Trust in a person or thing.
2. Belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion.
Those definitions are from the dictionary about what the word means. But what is faith to you personally?
The Holy Bible gives us this definition: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1. Following this explanation of what faith is, the entire eleventh chapter of Hebrews goes on to become a treatise on faith, giving real life examples of what is accomplished when it is put into practice ... as belief in the God of the Bible. Verse 6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him (God), for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
So now we have a definition. What do we do with it? The eleventh chapter of Hebrews tells us what many who came before us did with it and what they accomplished. What do you want to accomplish? Whatever your goals, it is certain that if you are relying on God to guide you in them and help you achieve them, you must have faith in Him.
It is important to grasp the concept that faith is NOT blind. Faith is believing that which we cannot see, but it is based on what we know; therefore it is not blind, but definitely focused. Just because what we believe cannot be seen with our eyes, it does not mean it is not real. You cannot see the wind, but you know it is real because you see the effects of it on objects around you. You cannot see air, but you breathe it. Not believing in air, or the wind, would not change the fact of their existence. Friedrich Nietzsche said, " A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything." He was stating that just because you believe something, that belief alone does not make it true. He is right. But Christians do not place our faith in what we cannot prove. The God of the Bible has been proven over and over and over again. Nietzsche was observing misplaced faith; Christians place their faith in the God of eternity.
Jesus said, "Have faith in God." Mark 11:22.
In Faith's Confession Roy Hicks, Sr. said, "Faith that speaks is first faith that seeks. The Almighty One is the Source and Grounds of our faith and being. Faith only flows to Him because of the faithfulness that flows from Him. Faith is not a trick performed with our lips, but a spoken expression that springs from the conviction of our hearts."
The concept of faith is simple, but the execution of true faith is not easy. It requires courage and conviction of what we believe.
In the eleventh chapter of the book of Mark after Jesus instructed us to "Have faith in God," he went on to tell us that if we tell a mountain to be removed and cast into the sea and we do not doubt in our heart, but believe that the things we say will be done, we will have whatever we say. Then Jesus summarized in Mark 11:24, "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when your pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."
We must pray and we must believe, but we must pray according to God's will and not our own or we ask amiss ... God will not answer prayers that are contrary to His will, and we should not want Him to.
Someone said, "Faith can move mountains, but don't be surprised if God hands you a shovel." Faith is believing and when we believe, we must act. We pray, we believe, and we act, putting things in motion. I encourage you today to be read the eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews and see what mighty things can be done by exercising our faith.
Pray, believe and do. You will see your prayers answered.
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death." Author Unknown
And finally, be confident in whom you believe. Our faith is founded on the Father God and His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus told us, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
Faith and peace walk hand-in-hand.
Shalom.
1. Confidence or Trust in a person or thing.
2. Belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion.
Those definitions are from the dictionary about what the word means. But what is faith to you personally?
The Holy Bible gives us this definition: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1. Following this explanation of what faith is, the entire eleventh chapter of Hebrews goes on to become a treatise on faith, giving real life examples of what is accomplished when it is put into practice ... as belief in the God of the Bible. Verse 6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him (God), for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
So now we have a definition. What do we do with it? The eleventh chapter of Hebrews tells us what many who came before us did with it and what they accomplished. What do you want to accomplish? Whatever your goals, it is certain that if you are relying on God to guide you in them and help you achieve them, you must have faith in Him.
It is important to grasp the concept that faith is NOT blind. Faith is believing that which we cannot see, but it is based on what we know; therefore it is not blind, but definitely focused. Just because what we believe cannot be seen with our eyes, it does not mean it is not real. You cannot see the wind, but you know it is real because you see the effects of it on objects around you. You cannot see air, but you breathe it. Not believing in air, or the wind, would not change the fact of their existence. Friedrich Nietzsche said, " A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything." He was stating that just because you believe something, that belief alone does not make it true. He is right. But Christians do not place our faith in what we cannot prove. The God of the Bible has been proven over and over and over again. Nietzsche was observing misplaced faith; Christians place their faith in the God of eternity.
Jesus said, "Have faith in God." Mark 11:22.
In Faith's Confession Roy Hicks, Sr. said, "Faith that speaks is first faith that seeks. The Almighty One is the Source and Grounds of our faith and being. Faith only flows to Him because of the faithfulness that flows from Him. Faith is not a trick performed with our lips, but a spoken expression that springs from the conviction of our hearts."
The concept of faith is simple, but the execution of true faith is not easy. It requires courage and conviction of what we believe.
In the eleventh chapter of the book of Mark after Jesus instructed us to "Have faith in God," he went on to tell us that if we tell a mountain to be removed and cast into the sea and we do not doubt in our heart, but believe that the things we say will be done, we will have whatever we say. Then Jesus summarized in Mark 11:24, "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when your pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."
We must pray and we must believe, but we must pray according to God's will and not our own or we ask amiss ... God will not answer prayers that are contrary to His will, and we should not want Him to.
Someone said, "Faith can move mountains, but don't be surprised if God hands you a shovel." Faith is believing and when we believe, we must act. We pray, we believe, and we act, putting things in motion. I encourage you today to be read the eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews and see what mighty things can be done by exercising our faith.
Pray, believe and do. You will see your prayers answered.
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death." Author Unknown
And finally, be confident in whom you believe. Our faith is founded on the Father God and His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus told us, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
Faith and peace walk hand-in-hand.
Shalom.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
My Alternative to the Round Ripple ... A Straight Ripple :)
This is the afghan I ended up making for my daughter as a housewarming gift when I could not master the Round Ripple. I just made a straight chevron ... zig zag ... ripple ... whatever you call it. She likes it and that is all that matters.
Someday I really do want to do a Round Ripple, but I really enjoyed making this one for her too.
Someday I really do want to do a Round Ripple, but I really enjoyed making this one for her too.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Status Update on the Round Ripple Project
For original post, see here: http://billenesworld.blogspot.com/2011/01/mystery-of-round-ripple.html
I have finished it! It is about 8 inches in diameter and is being used as a table doily! LOLOLOLOL. Here it is shown as it currently is (minus the hook since the project has been tied off). It resides beneath a table lamp on my end table. It started life in the hope of becoming a full-sized afghan :)
I am not a quitter by nature, so I shall attempt it once again at some point, but for now I am giving up.
Oh well. Can't win 'em all.
I have finished it! It is about 8 inches in diameter and is being used as a table doily! LOLOLOLOL. Here it is shown as it currently is (minus the hook since the project has been tied off). It resides beneath a table lamp on my end table. It started life in the hope of becoming a full-sized afghan :)
I am not a quitter by nature, so I shall attempt it once again at some point, but for now I am giving up.
Class Reunion Greenville Ohio High School
I am getting so OLD!
My High School graduating class is celebrating with its 35th reunion this year. I actually graduated a year early in 1975, but grew up with the class of 1976, having attended Greenville schools my whole life.
35 years? Impossible!
We were so YOUNG then!!! We thought we knew it all and had the world on a string, etc..... But none of us knew what lay ahead. There has been good, bad and ugly. That's life. But the thing is we had NO idea! And yet we thought we did, we really did. I can look back at school now with a different set of eyes, through the lens of my life experiences.
I don't know if I'll make the reunion because of my health, but I hope those who do enjoy sharing the old memories and new experiences.
My High School graduating class is celebrating with its 35th reunion this year. I actually graduated a year early in 1975, but grew up with the class of 1976, having attended Greenville schools my whole life.
35 years? Impossible!
We were so YOUNG then!!! We thought we knew it all and had the world on a string, etc..... But none of us knew what lay ahead. There has been good, bad and ugly. That's life. But the thing is we had NO idea! And yet we thought we did, we really did. I can look back at school now with a different set of eyes, through the lens of my life experiences.
I don't know if I'll make the reunion because of my health, but I hope those who do enjoy sharing the old memories and new experiences.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Perspective
Perspective is an interesting thing. Two sides of a coin are very different from each other. Two sides of an issue or situation are often viewed through two very different sets of eyes, rendering extreme variations in perception.
I had a boss once who was fond of saying, "perception is reality." Her point was that the way someone views something is to them, their reality. But it indeed might not be the reality. Who is to know?
People view circumstances through the filter of their life experiences. Therefore each and every one of us is likely to have anywhere from a "slightly different" point of view to one that is extremely opposite. I am an impulsive person and tend to rush to judgement, not taking time to adjust my filter to see what the other person is seeing. I have had to make a concerted effort throughout my life to alter this behavior. I now try, sometimes unsuccessfully, to see a situation through the eyes of another and not only my own.
That is not to say that I am compelled to change my mind or view after so doing, but at least I am being honest with myself in considering that there just might be another side to the coin and I should turn it over and take a look; I might see something entirely different when do.
After examining the other side of the coin, I may turn it back and decide that I definitely agree more with the first plane I viewed. But at the very least, if I look with an open mind at the other side of an issue and still maintain my initial opinion, I am secure in the knowledge that I have examined the other side and can now emphatically remain true to myself.
The important thing is to remember that we all see things differently and we should at least take a look at the other side before making an argument for our own. You never know ... you may see something that you've never seen before and have a change of heart, if not an understanding at least of where the other person is coming from.
Food for thought . . . . .
I had a boss once who was fond of saying, "perception is reality." Her point was that the way someone views something is to them, their reality. But it indeed might not be the reality. Who is to know?
People view circumstances through the filter of their life experiences. Therefore each and every one of us is likely to have anywhere from a "slightly different" point of view to one that is extremely opposite. I am an impulsive person and tend to rush to judgement, not taking time to adjust my filter to see what the other person is seeing. I have had to make a concerted effort throughout my life to alter this behavior. I now try, sometimes unsuccessfully, to see a situation through the eyes of another and not only my own.
That is not to say that I am compelled to change my mind or view after so doing, but at least I am being honest with myself in considering that there just might be another side to the coin and I should turn it over and take a look; I might see something entirely different when do.
After examining the other side of the coin, I may turn it back and decide that I definitely agree more with the first plane I viewed. But at the very least, if I look with an open mind at the other side of an issue and still maintain my initial opinion, I am secure in the knowledge that I have examined the other side and can now emphatically remain true to myself.
The important thing is to remember that we all see things differently and we should at least take a look at the other side before making an argument for our own. You never know ... you may see something that you've never seen before and have a change of heart, if not an understanding at least of where the other person is coming from.
Food for thought . . . . .
Friday, June 17, 2011
I Will Praise You in This Storm
In beginning to follow the Bible Study on the book of James by Mark Hall of Casting Crown, he mentions the song, "I Will Praise You in This Storm." I just happened to have my iPod sitting here with that song loaded on it and knew I had not listened to it for some time, but knowing I must.
So I paused the video Bible Study (you can find it here: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150418477440594) and popped in the ear buds and listened to the very difficult but spot-on lyrics.
The sad fact is that I have been weathering an illness-related storm in my life for some years now -- seemingly unending years. Lately I know I have begun to wonder "where is God in all of this?" Does he even know I exist anymore? Has He forgotten me? Is this really all there is and the best I can expect for the rest of my days on earth?
I have not admitted these thoughts and doubts to anyone until this moment. But they have been there, pushing harder and harder to surface through my feeble efforts at "faith."
However, at the very core of who I am there exists a being who was bought and paid for completely by my faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ when I was only 14 years old. I cannot abandon that person now. Even in this storm I am still in the very loving, caring and capable hands of God ... in whose hands are also my tears, as is pointed out in the song. Most of those tears for me have remained unshed by my eyes, but are spent in my heart. Now I am reminded that those tears and all they represent are held in the hands of God, who is with me in this storm. He is the God "who gives and takes away" and as Job said, would I accept good from the hand of God and not accept the Not-so-good? (my paraphrase)
Today I face the fact that God does not change. He is God now and forever and His love is as constant as He is. No matter what I am going through, He loves me no less now than when His blessings seemed to flow freely before this period of illness.
If His love has not decreased, then why would my praise do so?
I must begin again to sing and to praise Him in this storm.
The words of the song say it so much better than I can. I share them with you:
"Praise You In This Storm"
by Mark Hall, Casting Crowns
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear
Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear
Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
So I paused the video Bible Study (you can find it here: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150418477440594) and popped in the ear buds and listened to the very difficult but spot-on lyrics.
The sad fact is that I have been weathering an illness-related storm in my life for some years now -- seemingly unending years. Lately I know I have begun to wonder "where is God in all of this?" Does he even know I exist anymore? Has He forgotten me? Is this really all there is and the best I can expect for the rest of my days on earth?
I have not admitted these thoughts and doubts to anyone until this moment. But they have been there, pushing harder and harder to surface through my feeble efforts at "faith."
However, at the very core of who I am there exists a being who was bought and paid for completely by my faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ when I was only 14 years old. I cannot abandon that person now. Even in this storm I am still in the very loving, caring and capable hands of God ... in whose hands are also my tears, as is pointed out in the song. Most of those tears for me have remained unshed by my eyes, but are spent in my heart. Now I am reminded that those tears and all they represent are held in the hands of God, who is with me in this storm. He is the God "who gives and takes away" and as Job said, would I accept good from the hand of God and not accept the Not-so-good? (my paraphrase)
Today I face the fact that God does not change. He is God now and forever and His love is as constant as He is. No matter what I am going through, He loves me no less now than when His blessings seemed to flow freely before this period of illness.
If His love has not decreased, then why would my praise do so?
I must begin again to sing and to praise Him in this storm.
The words of the song say it so much better than I can. I share them with you:
"Praise You In This Storm"
by Mark Hall, Casting Crowns
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear
Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear
Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
I Come
I COME
O Lord my God. I come. I come to you … I come because you invited me.
I am not rejected because your word says I am accepted in the Beloved, Jesus Christ your Son.
I come to you in faith believing that you are – that you exist, and that you reward those who seek you. I seek you. I want to be in your presence.
I know you sit high on a throne – you are the King after all. But it is, as your word says, a throne of grace. Grace, the undeserved goodness of you, my God. I come to the undeserved goodness of my God, my Father, my heavenly Father.
You bid me come, You call to me. And so I come.
Faith. I need faith to come to you because I must believe that you exist. I do believe, Lord Father God. I believe in you. And I believe that you love me. I also believe that you reward those who diligently seek you. I seek you. O Lord I seek you with all my heart.
It is good that I do not need to drag this weak physical body to some far city and beg access to the King, a King who sits on a throne protected from the common people. Were that the case I would not be able to come to you. Firstly my derelict body would not be able to make the trek. Secondly if I could find a way to accomplish it in spite of my body, how could I hope to gain an audience with the King? It is a laughable thought.
But you, O Lord, are not like earthly Kings. Your throne is in the heavenlies, a place which mortals cannot even comprehend, let alone guard and protect from common folk. That heavenly throne sounds even more far off than an earthly throne in some distant city. And yet all I need do to travel there is to bow my head and I am in your presence. No distance to travel, no bodyguards to pass, no assistants to convince.
Jesus spanned the distance when he came to earth from you as a babe and grew into the man who would become the sacrifice for my sins. Jesus removed the need for guards since his sacrifice opened the way and granted me free access to you at any moment. Jesus is your assistant and since the way was made clear through him, he has already approved my coming. There is no petition to be made to gain access, there is only petition to be made once I am there.
I know you hear me because your holy word tells me that is the case. You hear me because you want to; it is that simple. You invited me. You want me to come …
YOU want ME to come to you. Oh the thought, the glorious thought. Sometimes Lord it is almost unbelievable that you would and could love me so much. But I know it is true. You love me so much that you were willing to sacrifice your one and only begotten son to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world, including mine.
O Lord, I accept that sacrifice and I accept your love. I love you back.
And so I come.
Originally posted on facebook Sunday, March 27, 2011 9:47 AM
O Lord my God. I come. I come to you … I come because you invited me.
I am not rejected because your word says I am accepted in the Beloved, Jesus Christ your Son.
I come to you in faith believing that you are – that you exist, and that you reward those who seek you. I seek you. I want to be in your presence.
I know you sit high on a throne – you are the King after all. But it is, as your word says, a throne of grace. Grace, the undeserved goodness of you, my God. I come to the undeserved goodness of my God, my Father, my heavenly Father.
You bid me come, You call to me. And so I come.
Faith. I need faith to come to you because I must believe that you exist. I do believe, Lord Father God. I believe in you. And I believe that you love me. I also believe that you reward those who diligently seek you. I seek you. O Lord I seek you with all my heart.
It is good that I do not need to drag this weak physical body to some far city and beg access to the King, a King who sits on a throne protected from the common people. Were that the case I would not be able to come to you. Firstly my derelict body would not be able to make the trek. Secondly if I could find a way to accomplish it in spite of my body, how could I hope to gain an audience with the King? It is a laughable thought.
But you, O Lord, are not like earthly Kings. Your throne is in the heavenlies, a place which mortals cannot even comprehend, let alone guard and protect from common folk. That heavenly throne sounds even more far off than an earthly throne in some distant city. And yet all I need do to travel there is to bow my head and I am in your presence. No distance to travel, no bodyguards to pass, no assistants to convince.
Jesus spanned the distance when he came to earth from you as a babe and grew into the man who would become the sacrifice for my sins. Jesus removed the need for guards since his sacrifice opened the way and granted me free access to you at any moment. Jesus is your assistant and since the way was made clear through him, he has already approved my coming. There is no petition to be made to gain access, there is only petition to be made once I am there.
I know you hear me because your holy word tells me that is the case. You hear me because you want to; it is that simple. You invited me. You want me to come …
YOU want ME to come to you. Oh the thought, the glorious thought. Sometimes Lord it is almost unbelievable that you would and could love me so much. But I know it is true. You love me so much that you were willing to sacrifice your one and only begotten son to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world, including mine.
O Lord, I accept that sacrifice and I accept your love. I love you back.
And so I come.
Originally posted on facebook Sunday, March 27, 2011 9:47 AM
Rest
Resting in the Character of God
Originally posted on facebook Tuesday, August 17, 2010 9:03 AM
How can I 'rest' in times of turmoil, stress and anxiety? I rest in the character of God.
If I know God and his character, then I know that nothing can disrupt my rest and peace unless I allow it to. The character of God is who He is. And I walk with Him; therefore I can rest in Him.
"The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down." Psalm 145:13-14
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is His faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5
The character of God is multifaceted, but if I focus on his faithfulness and love I can take comfort in knowing that He is greater than my circumstances and I can truly rest.
When the sudden storm arose around those in the boat (Matthew chapter 8), all but Jesus were afraid. They were convinced they were going to die and wondered that he didn't care about it because he was sleeping. So they woke him to plead for help or at least some understanding of their current situation. What they didn't realize was that Jesus, though sleeping, was aware of the situation; he simply was not worried about it. He was able to sleep - to rest in his father God because he knew the character of his father. His father - our father - is faithful and loving and cares about us. Jesus could rest in that despite the circumstances, the storm, raging all around him.
Of course we know that the story then tells us that because Jesus was also fully God in the flesh, he commanded the storm to cease and it did. The wind and waves obeyed him because they must. He was the creator and had dominion over them; they had no choice. But he only did that for the benefit of his friends; he didn't need to do that for his own peace of mind. He was sleeping through the storm anyway.
So can we rest in the midst of our storms - if we are resting in the character of God.
Do not put your faith in your circumstances; put your faith in God.If your circumstances are good, do not trust in them because they can change - put your trust in God.If your circumstances are bad, do not assume they will stay that way because they can change - put your trust in God.
Father God Jehovah is the only unchanging thing we can know and trust. Everything else changes. Trust in Him. Put your faith in Him. Rest in Him.
Rest.
Originally posted on facebook Tuesday, August 17, 2010 9:03 AM
How can I 'rest' in times of turmoil, stress and anxiety? I rest in the character of God.
If I know God and his character, then I know that nothing can disrupt my rest and peace unless I allow it to. The character of God is who He is. And I walk with Him; therefore I can rest in Him.
"The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down." Psalm 145:13-14
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is His faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5
The character of God is multifaceted, but if I focus on his faithfulness and love I can take comfort in knowing that He is greater than my circumstances and I can truly rest.
When the sudden storm arose around those in the boat (Matthew chapter 8), all but Jesus were afraid. They were convinced they were going to die and wondered that he didn't care about it because he was sleeping. So they woke him to plead for help or at least some understanding of their current situation. What they didn't realize was that Jesus, though sleeping, was aware of the situation; he simply was not worried about it. He was able to sleep - to rest in his father God because he knew the character of his father. His father - our father - is faithful and loving and cares about us. Jesus could rest in that despite the circumstances, the storm, raging all around him.
Of course we know that the story then tells us that because Jesus was also fully God in the flesh, he commanded the storm to cease and it did. The wind and waves obeyed him because they must. He was the creator and had dominion over them; they had no choice. But he only did that for the benefit of his friends; he didn't need to do that for his own peace of mind. He was sleeping through the storm anyway.
So can we rest in the midst of our storms - if we are resting in the character of God.
Do not put your faith in your circumstances; put your faith in God.If your circumstances are good, do not trust in them because they can change - put your trust in God.If your circumstances are bad, do not assume they will stay that way because they can change - put your trust in God.
Father God Jehovah is the only unchanging thing we can know and trust. Everything else changes. Trust in Him. Put your faith in Him. Rest in Him.
Rest.
Today Could be the End of My Race
Originally posted on facebook Wednesday, July 14, 2010 9:37 AM
Springboarding from a devotional in the Max Lucado devotional Bible (excerpted below), I was reading and the thoughts began to cascade into this:
We can start "well" or start "badly." As as the race takes place we can run well or stumble and fall. But what matters most is how we end. Will we finish the race well? The writer of the book of Hebrews said, "...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Heb. 12:1) This addresses how we run the race - what I will call the "middle." Whether or not we start well, we can certainly follow the advice of Hebrews and make our very best attempt to run with perseverance. After all, the middle is where we will spend most of our life.
After our race is done people will remember how we ran the race in the middle -- how we lived the majority of our lives. They will remember whether we had a rocky start or a rock solid start -- our childhood and early years. But mostly they will remember the end. That is what will be fresh in their minds at that point. I'm not talking about our physical condition, whether we are weakened and have lost some of our vitality - or even end up with diminished mental acuity. I'm speaking about whether or not we "kept the faith" to the very end. Paul said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7
If we start well and finish badly, people will remember that will a sad shake of the head.
If we start badly but finish well, people will remember that with a smile and a nod of the head.
But no matter how we start, run or finish, people will remember. And so will God. As I considered all of this a thought suddenly invaded my ponderings and I was made aware of one glaring fact:
TODAY COULD BE THE END OF MY RACE
We assume that the "middle" we are living now will give us time to prepare for the finish line. But what if something unforeseen takes place and today actually turns out to be my finish line? What if today becomes the place where I find the end? Well, then I had better make sure that today I am running the race to win.
I need to follow Paul's advice and very conscientiously live my life today - and every day - as though I could reach that finish line because I want to be able to receive from my heavenly Father any and all trophies, medals and words of "Well done." And that is how I want to be remembered by those here on earth as well.
Borrowed from Max Lucado in the NCV Devotional Bible: It's the end of the race that matters. "Trophies aren't given for great starts. Medals aren't awarded for entering the race. A good start is crucial, but in the end, the end is all that matters. First Samuel is a book of good starts but bad finishes. It seems that every key character put his best foot forward and ended up in last place. Take Eli for example ... Samuel is another case ... But the most dramatic example is Saul ... Why are these stories in the Bible? To remind us that we too are in a race. And that race isn't over. How we started isn't nearly as important as how we finish."
So again to emphasize my central thought: Since it is the end of the race that matters most, consider that today could be "THE END" and run today as though that finish line is in sight and I run with all my might to finish well!
Springboarding from a devotional in the Max Lucado devotional Bible (excerpted below), I was reading and the thoughts began to cascade into this:
We can start "well" or start "badly." As as the race takes place we can run well or stumble and fall. But what matters most is how we end. Will we finish the race well? The writer of the book of Hebrews said, "...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Heb. 12:1) This addresses how we run the race - what I will call the "middle." Whether or not we start well, we can certainly follow the advice of Hebrews and make our very best attempt to run with perseverance. After all, the middle is where we will spend most of our life.
After our race is done people will remember how we ran the race in the middle -- how we lived the majority of our lives. They will remember whether we had a rocky start or a rock solid start -- our childhood and early years. But mostly they will remember the end. That is what will be fresh in their minds at that point. I'm not talking about our physical condition, whether we are weakened and have lost some of our vitality - or even end up with diminished mental acuity. I'm speaking about whether or not we "kept the faith" to the very end. Paul said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7
If we start well and finish badly, people will remember that will a sad shake of the head.
If we start badly but finish well, people will remember that with a smile and a nod of the head.
But no matter how we start, run or finish, people will remember. And so will God. As I considered all of this a thought suddenly invaded my ponderings and I was made aware of one glaring fact:
TODAY COULD BE THE END OF MY RACE
We assume that the "middle" we are living now will give us time to prepare for the finish line. But what if something unforeseen takes place and today actually turns out to be my finish line? What if today becomes the place where I find the end? Well, then I had better make sure that today I am running the race to win.
I need to follow Paul's advice and very conscientiously live my life today - and every day - as though I could reach that finish line because I want to be able to receive from my heavenly Father any and all trophies, medals and words of "Well done." And that is how I want to be remembered by those here on earth as well.
Borrowed from Max Lucado in the NCV Devotional Bible: It's the end of the race that matters. "Trophies aren't given for great starts. Medals aren't awarded for entering the race. A good start is crucial, but in the end, the end is all that matters. First Samuel is a book of good starts but bad finishes. It seems that every key character put his best foot forward and ended up in last place. Take Eli for example ... Samuel is another case ... But the most dramatic example is Saul ... Why are these stories in the Bible? To remind us that we too are in a race. And that race isn't over. How we started isn't nearly as important as how we finish."
So again to emphasize my central thought: Since it is the end of the race that matters most, consider that today could be "THE END" and run today as though that finish line is in sight and I run with all my might to finish well!
Moving Over
I am going to post several things today, but they are not new. I am moving them over (copying actually) from my facebook Notes section. I set up this blog months ago but have not been using it and decided I actually should utilize it as intended. So you will find several posts all dated with today's date and if you are looking for something specific, you should probably search by topic rather than date.
This blog is simply a small window into my world. Random thoughts. I hope it helps, encourages, enlightens or affects you in some way.
Please let me know if you have any thoughts as you read what I share from my heart and sometimes from this brain bundle of mine. Thanks and have a blessed day!
This blog is simply a small window into my world. Random thoughts. I hope it helps, encourages, enlightens or affects you in some way.
Please let me know if you have any thoughts as you read what I share from my heart and sometimes from this brain bundle of mine. Thanks and have a blessed day!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
God is so good.
I reflect this morning on the goodness of God.
You may think I have lived a charmed life to be able to make such a comment, but is quite the opposite. I have endured 53 years of seemingly endless trials of one kind or another. And yet through it all my heavenly Father has been present, keeping me and sustaining me in every conceivable way; physically, emotionally and spiritually.
The song "My Redeemer Lives" says pretty much how I am feeling this morning about the God I serve. He is sovereign over the entire universe and yet cares enough about lil ole me to be there for me throughout my life. Praise be to God.
My Redeemer Lives
Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning
Who told the ocean you an only come this far?
Who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?
Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives
The very same God that spins things in orbit
He runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory
Now I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life wihtin me cry
I know my Redeemer, He lives
To take away my shame
And He lives forever I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He's alive
And there's an empty grave.
And I know my Redeemer, He lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives
You may think I have lived a charmed life to be able to make such a comment, but is quite the opposite. I have endured 53 years of seemingly endless trials of one kind or another. And yet through it all my heavenly Father has been present, keeping me and sustaining me in every conceivable way; physically, emotionally and spiritually.
The song "My Redeemer Lives" says pretty much how I am feeling this morning about the God I serve. He is sovereign over the entire universe and yet cares enough about lil ole me to be there for me throughout my life. Praise be to God.
My Redeemer Lives
Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning
Who told the ocean you an only come this far?
Who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?
Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives
The very same God that spins things in orbit
He runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory
Now I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life wihtin me cry
I know my Redeemer, He lives
To take away my shame
And He lives forever I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He's alive
And there's an empty grave.
And I know my Redeemer, He lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives
Monday, January 24, 2011
The mystery of the Round Ripple
I learned to crochet the weekend following Thanksgiving last year (2010). I absolutely love it. It is calming and therapeutic for me and the items I am creating are benefiting friends and family. Being such a newb has its disadvantages because most of the time I have no idea what I am doing ;-).
My sisters taught me the basics that weekend and sent me home with a pat on the back and kind wishes for success. But we do not live near each other and therefore I had no one to help me after that initial lesson. Thank God for You Tube! I have learned so much there. And now I have found a wonderful new community of crochet friends -- Crochetville. Thank God for Crochetville!!
After becoming somewhat accomplished at making basic items with basic stitches I decided I wanted to make a round ripple afghan. I had already taught myself a straight ripple and I figured, "how much harder can a round ripple be?" HA HA!
It seems that I can crochet in the round ... and I can crochet a ripple, but I cannot do both; sort of like not being able to chew gum and walk simultaneously. The ladies at Crochetville are trying very hard to help me through the process, but it is slow going. I think if they could be with me in person they would probably bonk me right on the head, as I am not getting this at all. *Sigh*
I will not give up though. I will keep trying and if anyone has any helpful hints to throw my way, I will gladly take them. If I ever get this accomplished I will post a pic. Don't hold your breath.
Oh yeah and PLEASE pray for me!!
My sisters taught me the basics that weekend and sent me home with a pat on the back and kind wishes for success. But we do not live near each other and therefore I had no one to help me after that initial lesson. Thank God for You Tube! I have learned so much there. And now I have found a wonderful new community of crochet friends -- Crochetville. Thank God for Crochetville!!
After becoming somewhat accomplished at making basic items with basic stitches I decided I wanted to make a round ripple afghan. I had already taught myself a straight ripple and I figured, "how much harder can a round ripple be?" HA HA!
It seems that I can crochet in the round ... and I can crochet a ripple, but I cannot do both; sort of like not being able to chew gum and walk simultaneously. The ladies at Crochetville are trying very hard to help me through the process, but it is slow going. I think if they could be with me in person they would probably bonk me right on the head, as I am not getting this at all. *Sigh*
I will not give up though. I will keep trying and if anyone has any helpful hints to throw my way, I will gladly take them. If I ever get this accomplished I will post a pic. Don't hold your breath.
Oh yeah and PLEASE pray for me!!
My first post
Hello. Everyone has a blog nowadays, don't they?
Well, I have had several websites, but never a blog. Now that I am into crocheting, it seems that everyone I am interacting with has one. And many of my family members have had for some time. I thought it would be a great place to share my little world with the world at large.
I am a wife, mother, grandmother, friend and most importantly, a Christian.
I have a long history and will not bore you with any of that right now, but I can direct you to my personal website which contains information about me and the two books I have written. There you can learn about me if you care to. It is found at http://nicol.net.
As this blog unfolds I may be inspired to share more about myself but for now I will settle for having a little place of my own where I can share with you what is going on in my world at any given time.
Thanks for dropping by.
God bless,
Billene - also known as B.J.
Well, I have had several websites, but never a blog. Now that I am into crocheting, it seems that everyone I am interacting with has one. And many of my family members have had for some time. I thought it would be a great place to share my little world with the world at large.
I am a wife, mother, grandmother, friend and most importantly, a Christian.
I have a long history and will not bore you with any of that right now, but I can direct you to my personal website which contains information about me and the two books I have written. There you can learn about me if you care to. It is found at http://nicol.net.
As this blog unfolds I may be inspired to share more about myself but for now I will settle for having a little place of my own where I can share with you what is going on in my world at any given time.
Thanks for dropping by.
God bless,
Billene - also known as B.J.
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