Thouhts on a long weekend!

I love long weekends, its a great time to spend time with family or get some things done, for me its time to rest my mind.
Resting makes me thankful!
*We had tons of out of town customers at the store, its fun to hear their reactions and find some items they hadn't seen before.
* I was able to spend sometime with Dawn R last nite, it was so nice to catch up, she is full of life, loves Jesus and is real. It was a GREAT nite. Jean popped in a for awhile too, I am glad they enjoyed each other's company
*Speaking of Jean, she is alive! now thats something to be thankful for...
*Joe, Bren and Ang came by Saturday to hang out for awhile and Brenda helped me make a darling SPOOKY banner, I will post some pictures soon
* Today I did some dishes, cleaned the kitchen, some laundry came and went and tidy'd, up its far from perfect but its home
* Mom and I went to costco, wow, what a blessing, we found some of our favorite tortillas, fresh cut pineapple, green beans, garlic chicken, english muffins, what a great shopping trip
* Tonight I played with the dogs, the weather was so perfect, I thought for a few mins that I was back in So. cal with such a cool day. Amazing!

I was thankful today for so many things, friends and family who are fully invested in our lives, a store that is a happy place for so many, an upcoming family week at the beach, the sunshine, my funny dogs, Savan and how many families love her to babysit, our cozy home, and another day off tomorrow.
We've been invited to a potluck tomorrow and we just might make an appearance. I hope your weekend is going great and you are thankful too. I love looking forward to Fall. I need a change of season, how about you?

If I could host a party...

I was thinking today how fun it would be to host a scrapbooking party with some blogging friends. I have an abudance of amazing girls locally that I scrapbook with on a fairly consistent basis, but I read a ton of blogs and at times I think it would be fun to have some of them over for an evening of laughter and creativity....

Here is a quick list.

Angie- she keeps it real and really says things that I am thinking. I love her honest faith

Stephanie- she has more energy and ideas in her, I would love an evening to soak it in and she has an authentic faith

Sherelle- a fellow Idaho girl! I love how down to earth she is and she makes stuff I could make. She is a WAY amazing photographer

Teresa - a party wouldn't be complete without this fun loving girl!

Brandi - I don't know if she scrapbooks but she is a great mom who loves Jesus and keeps it real

Janna - creative, fun and so friendly, we met at CHA was winter and she is the nicest girl ever!!

Layle - I also met her at CHA this winter, she has rockin' great hair, she is fun and really nice

I have a longer list but this is a start, I am sure we would all be talking non stop, there would be cookies from Steph, and Sherelle, hopefully something homemade from Brandi and some really great projects. If you could host a party who would be there?

little dream weekend

I took a few hours off of work today to regroup. It was nice not running out the door at 7:40 and jetting across town. It made me thankful that I have vacation time that I can take when I need it. It was nice that the dogs came and found me and were glad there was room in bed for everyone.

I was thinking today about vacation time.. If you could go someplace this weekend, where would it be and why? Do you have a place you are longing to go and just "be?"

I am thinking that if I could take a little weekend getaway it might be Seattle. I love wandering the city, but since Jay and Kari has moved away it wouldn't be the same. I would say Boise to see Mike but I wouldn't want to come home and I hate that drive. I would think Missoula would be fun since I have friends that have recently landed there. But I am going with the Oregon Coast, just a quiet weekend on the beach, no worries, no stress, just the sounds of the waves and some family/friends. Of course James would have to be with me and we wouldn't drive we would magically arrive, afterall this is my dream weekend. Oh yeah several other friends would magically appear as well like Tami, Cori, Steph, Melissa, Erica, Laurie, Teresa C, Janna W, heck even Angie S and Brandi too, they are such cool chicks!

No more words-

"I am afraid."

I used to believe that God was all about fixing my life;

working it out for good; enabling everything to come together.

I don't not believe that, but I don't believe it the same (and simple) way I once did.

My experience in life has taught me differently.

I believe that God will be with me - meeting my needs in the moment as necessary (most often through my own abilities, understanding, and deep-down, intuitive knowledge, as well as through my relationships with others) but not necessarily working out some pre-ordained plan that assures my safety and security.

In my best moments, this isn't upsetting.

It's growth and maturity.

But most of the time - not just in adolescence - growth and maturity is painful.

And it makes me afraid.

Really?

Is God not going to swoop down and make sense of everything?

Is God not going to give me an "answer"?

Is God not going to fix it all?

Is God not going to make the plan perfectly clear - one that will assure my security,

meet all my (temporal) needs, and make me peaceful and comfortable?

I'm afraid not.

I'm afraid.

Who is this new, more complex, and un-understandable God?
If this God isn't about my happiness then what?
And ultimately, will I trust this God?

Maybe my fear is a way of calling me to acknowledge that God has shown up - awe-full, frightening and right in front of me; that I am worthy of being met by and seen by God
I am afraid. And I am deeply humbled.

What would it mean for me to more frequently consider, understand, and experience my relationship with God in a present-passive way? What if the action (or verb) I defaulted toward was one of "happening right now and to me, not because of me?" There are a number of ways this could be applied. Here are some quick examples:
Jesus prays for me - right now and not dependent on my effort, work, or worthiness.
Jesus loves me - right now and not because of my perfection.
Jesus is with me - right now and not because I'm worthy of such or have even asked.
Jesus takes care of me - right now and not dependent on my self-care, worry, or even stewardship.

Our Father
You are in the heaven of my heart
Even when it seems to be a hell;
Hallowed be your name,
May it be called upon
In the deadline stillness of my perplexed silence;
To us come your kingdom
When all abandons us;
Your will be done
Even if it kills us because it is life,
And what seems like a setting on earth
In the rising of your life in heaven;
Give us this day our daily bread—Let us ask for this also
That we never mistake ourselves for you,
Not even in the hour when you are near us,
Rather, at least by our hunger,
We notice that we are poor and our idols meager;
Free us from our guilt
And protect us during all temptation
Which is actually only one;
Not believing in you
And the incomprehensibility of your love;
But deliver us—Deliver us from ourselves,
Deliver us unto you,
Deliver us into your freedom and into your life

amen and amen

(i hope this wasn't too deep, I am just contemplative w/mike being gone its like I am shaken to the core and have to find what I hold dear)

Favorite School Supply

What is your favorite School supply?

I can't decide if its those new pencils or an organizer.....

Spooky and School- new albums too!!

don't you love new paper? these have sparkles and shimmer and fun! I am so glad to finally have some fun back to school and Halloween in stock.

What fun!

HURRY you don't want to miss you

Missing something?

I know this may sound funny to some but I really miss my husband. In all reality he has been gone since the beginning of July and its almost the 1st of Sept. I know he is in a good place, safe and working on getting well. BUT I detected an ache deep down, I miss him being near. I am thankful for the peace that comes with a break and trusting he is in the right place.. BUT it still feels weird.

It was a nice weekend, Savannah has been prepaping for school that starts tomorrow. There was tons of activity at the store with Hot August nites in town. I am glad for a new schedule and some sense of purpose that comes with school. Savannah is a senior, its unbelieveable!

What do you miss? Are you excited for school and for Fall?