Just in case...

...you haven't seen me in a while...

I've been doing homework.  And that's actually what I'm up to tonight.  I don't have anything exciting for you in this post-oops!  But I thought I'd take a few quick snaps  to show you the study environment.  

I'm sitting on cream carpet leaning up against a chair covered in pillows.  Earlier I was all propped up in bed--there's about four or five pillow up there that I will strategically arrange so I can sit and be supported for reading.  Over to my right is a quilt rack with pillow cases, ornamental kitchen hand towels, and my sock basket on top of all that!  I stacked a few pillows that I don't use underneath the whole kit and caboodle.  

I used the word pillow a lot this post, which makes me realize just how many pillows are in here.  Going to do a quick count and report it to you...  Okay-got it!  Fourteen pillows!  Whew!  But I'm glad since it allows me to make little study stations anywhere I want in here.  

Want a back rest?  Done!

Want something to prop your feet on?  No problem!

Want something under your knees when they ache?  Got the solution!

Want a lap desk to rest the laptop on as you work?  Let me make a suggestion...!

Want something to curl up with when its cool out?  

I know I do!

Mulling...

     The past four or so months have presented many challenges to me, and sometimes that's been hard.  Sometimes not, but sometimes yeah, it's been tough.  I tend to put on "brave face" and plow forward on the exterior.  But what has been neat to realize is how God has been at work on the interior.

      I would say that I am typically independent, like to be in control and fore-plan things, I like being strong and capable, I like feeling safe and settled.  This list of likes has not escaped God's attention.  There is nothing wrong with any of those things in and of themselves.  The problem was they tend to get in between me and God. 

      I'd encourage you to read the snippet on the right from Larry Crabbe's book "Shattered Dreams."  There are a few points in there that really hit home.  Like the way we (I) tend to think God's Spirit and blessing equals feeling good when really it should equal drawing close to God.  To grow with Him.  To love Him more.  The goal of knowing God is not to alleviate suffering or challenges.  It's not to feel better.  It's not to keep us (me) content in how we live our lives and relate to God.  It means much more.  It means to have an actual living, breathing, vibrant relationship with Him.  Let me encourage you to read that excerpt and think it over.

     So through this season God has challenged me to let Him be in control.  To realize His provision and blessings.  To count on more than the physical and tangible.  That He is able to more than I could ever dream of, even when its weird to me at first...  

     I have had to work at abandoning myself to God.  To allow His Spirit to work in me even when it doesn't feel good.  Isn't that the ultimate purpose?  By doing so God and I have a different relationship now.  A deeper one.

     And that makes the challenges worth it.

*Note*  The excerpt mentioned in this post was replaced on 12-09-2008.  Sorry if you missed it while it was up.  Leave me a message if you want details on how to find it.

-Timmery

Small Groups...

Now I know I have a ton of schoolwork to be doing, but school isn't all I do!  So this afternoon after doing some reading, and some printing, and some thinking, and even a phone chat with my Mum, I did something sort of fun!  Whee!

These are the memory verse cards I make for our Small Group that meets on Tuesday evenings.  We have good times on Tuesdays.  We connect, we grow, we learn about God, we live our faith.  I love these women and I love meeting with them!  This is part of what I feel and think as I take time out of my busyness to make our memory verses.  

I don't have to do this.  We could hand write the verses.  We could put 'em on index cards.  We could print them straight off the computer.  We could not write them down at all!  But these little cards are special.  They take time to make, they are all different and unique.  They are reminders.

These remind me to treat God's word with awe.  The time I spend making them is time I spend dwelling in His word.  

Time I use the gifts He has given me.  

Time I use to express love for my group.  

Reminders of who I do this for.  

Reminders of why it's important to have memory verses.  

Reminders to take a break from doing one thing only.  

Reminders to stop and enjoy something pleasurable.

So if you're in Tuesday Night Small Group I guess I've ruined the surprise for this week!  But I can't wait to see you anyway.  :)

Responsibility

This is Ariel.  

If your first thought ran along the lines of "The Little Mermaid" I wouldn't fault you.  Ariel is owned by a family with three young girls all under the age of seven.  It would not surprise me to find out that Ariel's name was inspired by Disney!  

Ariel is the 3rd Ariel to grace this house.  After the second Ariel's arrival (due to the unfortunate demise of Ariel the First), one of the aforementioned small girls was very, very, very, saddened by this natural life occurrence.  So when Ariel the Third came into the scene, it happened very hush-hush.

Enter Timmery the house-sitter.  It is my responsibility to ensure Ariel remains healthy and swimming.  I was asked almost everyday the week prior to my arrival if I could handle feeding the fish.  (!!!!)

What?!

Really?!!!

Oh yes.  This is apparently a stinkin' huge deal.  The house could burn down.  The dust could pile up.  The yard could accumulate vermin and the palm trees swarms of bees (oh yes, that's already happened...), but the fish MUST SURVIVE!

So here you have it:  Ariel is happy and swimming and enjoying fishy activities here with me in the dining room!  Here is the photographic documentation.  Next time I should photograph her with a current newspaper...  Hmmm...  And (gulp), should the unthinkable happen, now I have a photo should I need to make a frantic run to the pet store...

No, I won't think that way...

Hooray for the first week of survival-its me and you, Ariel!

The Digs of the Month

      It's finally warming up today!  For some this may be inconceivable, but I was cold until about 12:45 today-brrrr!  I have moved into my newest location this year--Sprucewood Lane, and it tends to not get warm in the sun until afternoon.  I'm house-sitting here until January 4th.  This neighborhood is one I'm acquainted with-the entire area is one of the safest and friendliest places I've lived at.  My Aunt lives a few blocks up and over, which is how I first got to know this neck of this woods.  The streets have block parties, neighbors talk to each other and borrow things and watch each other's children and have community garage sales together and trade furniture.  The kids play in the street in the afternoons.  Moms jog and Dads walk the dog and kids ride their bikes.  This neighborhood is truly one of those places you enjoy living-because living is actually done here.  

     So, true to form, I shot a couple of shots of the new place.  Just the exterior for now!  Take a peek.  The front door has pear wreaths-just in case you were wondering what those vivid green things were!  The palm tree is in the front yard and seems to have a swarm of bees living in it...odd...  Anyone ever hear of palm honey?  Me neither, which makes me think its pretty rare and would fetch a pretty penny if I could access any!  The back yard is sweet and feels tucked away with bushes lining the entire perimeter along with a white wood fence.  The palm trees make canopies I can see and enjoy from my bedroom upstairs.  I'm so looking forward to spending my days here this month.

     Missy, the lady of the house, has taken her three daughters on the road while she hits the trade shows.  I believe she is the co-owner/creator of a children's clothing company called "Sweet Funky Vintage."  Since her husband is a marine deployed in Iraq she has her hands full with the house and business and girls!  Whew!  She and my Aunt are now friends and have much in common with husbands overseas and creative streaks--my aunt will sew the pieces after they've been designed and orders come in.  This weekend she is making the company banner so Missy can hang it at the trade shows she'll attend.  

     This is an especially interesting place for me to rest my head as I too share in the creativity and would love to sometime figure out a way to make that a business.  So its easy to see why  its a little like Christmas for me here to see everything...  I've taken a peek in her studio and love it!  Also fun are the deliveries that happen several times a week.  The fabrics are darling and its fun to see how she designs with them.  If you're curious, I've posted a link to the company blog down below under "Design Sites."  

     *happy sigh*

     I've spent the morning going through her mail (and let me tell you there are some fun catalogues that come in for the business!).  Now comes my reality check:  Historical Theology!