Quote Of The Day

John Maxwell once said,
"People change when they hurt enough they have to change,
they learn enough they want to change,
they receive enough they are able to change."

NECESSITIES OF LIFE

Yesterday I spent 3 hrs at Lowes designing a new kitchen for Timber Trail cottage, and then finally got home in the storm only to spend more time faxing info etc. (and I'm still not feeling well). These things take so much time, and even though I enjoy the creativity of it, I think I would rather be doing something "more important" that I believe has eternal value.
As I thought about those three hours spent with the kitchen designer, again I am reminded that this is all part of God's plan and purpose us - the necessities of life! I had met someone and spent 3 hrs with them that normally I would not have met or spent time with. At first the computer kept crashing and she lost it all. We talked a little about the storm while she worked at getting it back, and she shared her concern about wanting to leave a little earlier to pick up her little girl before the weather got any worse. I made a mental note of the time she wanted to leave by, and began to pray that all would go well (my motives were not entirely unselfish I
must admit), and that God would bless this project, as well as for safety on the road for us both.
She seemed tired, and I prayed that God would refresh her etc. I told her I was praying for her and she seemed grateful. All went well, and when I told her what time it was she said that it was perfect timing because she was finished. I felt I knew her after the 3 hrs and wanted to give her a hug, but didn't, instead I just thanked her profusely.

Then there was the day before at the grocery store where I always see the same sour lady (sorry Lord!) supposedly giving out samples of food. My thought usually is "she's doing the wrong job" and I always try to say "hi" and/ or something positive as I go by. Either I get no response or I get "the eye". Well the day before yesterday I did neither. I walked away thinking "what is her problem???" and right away I felt in my heart the Lord say to confess my judgement of her and to pray for her. I was doing this when the Lord said to go back and tell her I was praying for her. I had no problem with this, since the thought crossed my mind that by letting her know I was praying for her, she might get the hint that others notice she needs prayer. (I know this is terrible, and I should have prayed for MY attitude before going back to her ..but I didn't). Anyway, I went up to her and softly told her that I was praying for her, and WOW what a transformation!! She actually smiled and thanked me! I walked away realizing again that the people who need the most love are the ones that are hardest to love. I asked the Lord to forgive me and continued praying for her as I shopped. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder. She had come after me to ask me to also pray for her granddaughter who was very rebellious, and "would not listen". I listened and then suggested just loving her might help her through this difficult time, and that I certainly would pray for her. I prayed as I continued shopping for "the necessities of life," and was humbled that God would use me after all. Now I look forward to how God is going to work - I know He certainly is doing a work in me!
I guess it's while we're about these necessities of life that God works beneath the surface, and we sometimes think what a waste of time, I could have been doing something that had eternal value =)

The Snowstorm Of The Year (Our Elmerton Ave home)

This is it! The snowstorm of the year - they say by tomorrow we should have about 6 - 9 ins Yea!! This is the house we're presently in and the one we've lived in the longest (ten years) and probably the one we'll miss the most. I love the coziness of this home especially when it snows.

I just couldn't resist going out and taking these pics... by the way it was coming down pretty good! This was taken from the left facing the front of the house.

II
I just love this shot (I'm sure Christian would agree it's a great shot of the front door and living room windows)

This is the other side of the house. The large wreath is on the screened-in porch off the dining room and connects to the patio. It looks so picturesque in the snow. I love all the angles of the roof - pity we could not take the house and relocate it on the lot overlooking the golf course. =)

Steps leading from the driveway to the back patio. We love the look of all the green ivy...even in winter. The last time we visited Christian & Holly we took some for them - sure hope it grows as fast as this has in the 10 years we've been here.

Icicles off our bedroom dormer.

The back patio taken from the kitchen door. We have lots of birds and this little area is a refuge for them, esp. red cardinals (which I love seeing against the white snow and green ivy....sorry it's the artist in me, I can't help it =)

Then I came inside and thought I'd take some cozy shots, but you can't really see the fire.... I guess the camera focused more on the screen - disappointing!
When we got these gas logs put in, Owen our little grandson said "Grandmum, these look like fake logs" Thanks Owen =) The truth is there's nothing like the real thing and they are used to making great fires in their fireplace (under supervision of course). Al likes to have "bonfires" in the one downstairs. (Ask Sean to tell of his "bonfire"experience sometime...I'll just say I'm glad the house is still standing =)

Our living room. (The flash was off and so the light looks weird - I need to take some lessons from C & H) Anyway, here I am sitting in that chair on the left typing, as it's more comfortable for typing than my rocker on the right... which is where I usually sit to read etc. (Homesick yet Sean?) Well, Thanks for sticking with me, but I'm feeling a little melancholy knowing this will be our last winter, and possibly the last snowfall in this cozy house. I praise God for the homes He has provided for us, and we have enjoyed them all, but this one was a real refuge and seemed to hug us within it's walls. We will miss living here in many ways.

Having said all that, I needed to post a pic of our second home... this is our 'new' little RV. I just love it.....you talk about cozy!! When we went camping in December, I had a hard time falling asleep because I kept giggling, and did not want to close my eyes because I loved staring at it - could hardly believe my eyes =) Al and I had a lovely time, and we're really looking forward to going out west in it to visit our children and grandchildren.

Timber Trail Lane Cottage

Well here it is, our little Timber Trail cottage. Don't be too shocked! That's the kitchen with the dining area full of tools and drywall sheets. The dark panelling on either side will go, and for that matter the kitchen too (we believe). I'm off to Lowes tomorrow to design a new one... hopefully it won't be too much! Also time is a real consideration as we have to be out of here by April 30th

This was only the second day, and Al had a new support beam in and the walls broken down. We like opening up spaces....and what a difference it has made! My husband is amazingly fast and so good at what he does. I'm really proud of him and his attitude toward all this work, especially since we are going to be building soon. He's such a hard worker and really enjoys what he does... and I enjoy my part -helping with the planning, designing and the shopping etc =)

Well here it is - the little cottage - but it does not exactly look like this anymore. There is now a beautiful front door with glass side panels.... and what a view from the inside! We are planning to put on a big front porch with a gable which will really make a difference. The stream is on the right, so our driveway crosses over it (Al also wants to put in a nice little bridge at some point like we did in Sleepy Hollow). It is so peaceful there ... I can just picture us swinging on a porch swing in the summer listening to nothing but the sound of the water.

There's a lot of work to be done, but once we move in, it won't take a lot to maintain even though it's over an acre, and we can then start building on our lot 2 minutes away. We were really so blessed to be able to purchase both house and lot from the owners of the 850+acre resort, (who also live there).

The really lovely thing is the location. It borders Felicita , which is the name of the beautiful quiet resort with a golf course (which our land is on) and about 27 named gardens and paths through woods etc., and this borders a state park as well. See felicitaresort.com/

The Lord is so good to us, I am so amazed! We prayed for a beautiful quiet place near some water where I can walk and paint, in the country but not far from the city, and this is all of that and more. (It is only 12 mins from Harrisburg, where we presently live).

We also wanted to downsize and live simpler, but had a desire to live in a community as well. This is all of that and more. There's a lovely little community in Fishing Creek Valley, and we're looking forward to meeting our neighbors, who will remain our neighbors after we build.

Al and I both feel that we could stay here if we needed to though! It's a very simple cozy place. In fact, tomorrow night we're expecting a big snowstorm and we both agreed we'd love to get snowed in there. We can't wait to see it in the snow. I'll have to post pictures, and maybe even some of "the land" or the lot on the golf course.

WE BOUGHT THE "COTTAGE''

Last night we closed on the Timber Trail "cottage" finally, and went out to Chinese (short for we went out to a Chinese restaurant...for the future =) to celebrate, and then went back to see it in the dark. It is so very peaceful there - all we could hear was the gurgling of the little stream under the ice!
There is a lot of work to be done on it before we move in, like drop ceilings and panelling removed and drywalled etc etc., so this morning Al was off and running by 6 o'clock, and I was also on the road by 7 am..... but that's another story!
I'll try to post some pics very soon and keep you updated, but right now I need some time with the Lord, and have three appointments later on ....and like the song says "Baby it's cold outside"!

RESTING

I haven't been feeling well the past three days....getting over a cold with an accompanying cough that keeps Al and I both awake at night =(
I haven't left the house, and have been taking everything I know to get over it quickly. It's been nice in some ways, as Al was home over the weekend and we had a constant fire going, so we both stayed warm and cozy.
I did as much reading as my headache allowed, and tried to rest lots. This is something the Lord's been teaching me for some time now... to learn to rest in Him. Even among the busyness, I'm trying to keep in an attitude of rest in His presence. Resting in the Lord is not easy, but so very necessary! I know that everything should be done out of that place of rest. Hebrews 4 :11 tells us to "strive diligently to enter that rest (of God, to know and experience it for ourselves)..." It's the only place in Scripture apparently where we're told to strive, but it's to strive to enter into God's rest that He has for us as His children. It doesn't come easy or we would not be told to strive ( the KJV says "labor") for it.
I know God has a purpose for everything, and that alone helps me to rest today - Tomorrow is another story altogether! A busy day it's going to be, with our house closing at three! =)

NEW PAINTING

I just finished a new painting, and finally figured out how to turn off the flash on my camera, so I was able to get a better picture than the last time.

I have wanted to do an oval painting ever since Al & I went to see Sanford Gifford's exhibit at the National Art Museum in Washington DC. It was an incredible experience seeing so many of the Hudson River School Paintings together in one place. (They were brought from all over the world for the exhibit). Needless to say, he had a couple of ovals that I became enraptured by =)

I'm not sure what to name it! Al suggested 'River Of Life'....any more suggestions??

THE WEBSITE SAGA

Earlier I had mentioned getting a new art website for half price after praying that morning for a deal. Well, I emailed in my request by midnight that day, and a signed contract the following day,which also had to be in by midnight or I would not get it for half price.....and I heard NOTHING. Meanwhile, Christian did the same for his photography business and got confirmation back from them right away. So I kept asking them to confirm whether or not they received my signed contract... and no word back. This went on for almost a week, until finally, after much concern, I was able to surrender the whole thing to the Lord, knowing that if I did not get it, He was protecting me in some way.
I had the best night's sleep that night, and wouldn't you believe it, the following morning they called and apologized for not getting back to me before, but their email was down, and lines of communication were all messed up and overloaded.
I have much to learn in order to rest in my Father's care of me. Now I'm ashamed that I was anxious and worried that I would not get the half price deal after all. If it was from God in the first place, wouldn't He see to it that I got it? And if it was not His will for me I truly would not want it anyway. I believe God was more concerned with teaching me a thing or two about resting in His care and love for me in this new area of websites. To say I am technologically challenged is a joke ( see comments by my family on Christian's blog if you don't believe =), BUT my heavenly Father is a web master, and I have no doubt that I'll have a new alive website shortly to His honor and glory. Check it out in a couple of weeks if you don't believe, and see what He's going to do. =)

Our little Mary Kate - She's so gentle and sweet!! Our daughter Dana, Al (in the back) and Will with the rest of the tribe - in front from left to right is Owen, Timothy, Andrew, and Megan. (you may click on any picture to make it larger)
We had so much fun that night at their home. After dinner we played Cranium - which is a great game. Tomorrow all four will sleep over here with us, and then on Sunday we're going there to watch the Superbowl (supposedly =). Will and Dana do such an amazing job of parenting - it's like watching symphony orchestra leaders - and what a joy our grandchildren are to us! AL and I can't wait to see the two in Oklahoma soon...our family is our greatest blessing, and yes, our good friends as well =) The Lord is so very good to us!!!

IT'S SNOWING!

OUR HOUSE IN THE SNOW -
You can't tell but it really is snowing. I got so excited that I went out and took this picture. We have not gotten any real snow all winter, and they aren't expecting anything more than 1 to 2 ins. tonight, but it sure looks beautiful! It's a "sticking snow".

We are supposed to be closing on the "cottage" on Tuesday next, and then I'm hoping for some nice weather to go to Oklahoma to see our new granddaugher and help Holly. So... let it snow, let it snow, let it snow........ at least this week!
(I'm still waiting on Al to decide what we're going to do, whether I'm going to drive the RV to OK and he'll fly there and meet me, and from there we'll go on to visit Sean in CA)