Counting (Laundry) Blessings

Laundry and I are rarely on good terms. Normally, I view it as a neccessary evil, but today I challenged myself to find some blessings as I went about gathering up the dirty clothes. Here goes:

• I am thankful that we have so many clothes, many in this world do not have enough.
• When I look at my husband's uniforms, I am thankful that he has a good job.
• My children are healthy, happy and active which is why their clothes are dirty and there are holes in their jeans.
• I have a washer and a dryer (and soon, a new and improved clothesline) making laundry easy.

I'm trying to think of more, but that's what I have for now.

An Essay

Sometimes, I like to write essays just for fun. Since they are just sitting in a folder on my desktop, I thought maybe I'd post a few here occassionally. So, here goes.

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The Stone House

I imagine a builder, preparing to build a house out of stones. The builder gathers the stones for his project, not searching endlessly for perfect stones, but collecting as many as he can to suit his needs. I doubt he would have found a single flawless rock, even if he had wanted to. I’m sure it was a daunting task, looking at that huge heap of stones, piled one on top of the other without form or function, but without hesitation, he consulted his plans, rolled up his sleeves and went to work. He probably sorted out larger stones for the foundation and smaller stones for the chimney, imagining the warmth and shelter he would enjoy when at last his job was done.

All stones are different, some big, some small and many in-between. Some are very beautiful with flecks of quartz, streaks of violet, or made entirely of bright, white limestone. Some of the stones are probably ordinary at first glance, but each one interesting and unique when examined closely. The builder mixes mortar to place between the stones and carefully begins to position the rocks and painstakingly piece smaller stones in the openings between the larger using the mortar seal any gaps. The mortar covers each individual stone’s flaws and binds them firmly together to form something enduring, beautiful and solid.

So, I’ll bet your wondering, “Why go on and on about a stone house?” “What on earth does this have to do with me?” Let me explain.

Imagine that the builder is Jesus and each stone is one of his followers. Each of us is different and flawed, but he uses us anyway – ordinary or extraordinary. Instead of mortar, his grace covers our iniquities and binds us together to form something much larger than ourselves. We are his Church and he is our creator. Without the builder and the mortar, we are merely a pile of useless rocks.

Socialite Dress - Take 2

Another finished dress from the Anna Maria Horner pattern. (I just ordered her tote bag pattern, too)

Don't judge a book by its cover

As I was eating lunch today and surfing the internet aimlessly, I came across a story that seems to be everywhere today featuring a contestant from Britain's Got Talent. I was curious, so I searched out a video of her performance and was moved on so many levels.

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If you have a chance, watch the video and then read the rest of this post.

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What was your first reaction when you saw her? Personally, I hate the thought of being mocked, so my first reaction was What is she doing? Doesn't she know they are all laughing at her? Why put yourself out there to be made fun of on national (international) television?.

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I was angry at the expressions on the faces of the judges and the audience, furious that they would judge her by her "packaging" - completely unaware that that was EXACTLY what I had done as well.

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Then, she began to sing. Wow, did she ever sing. Truly, the Lord has blessed her abundantly and she was determined to use her gift. And did you see their faces?! It's so true. Dont' judge a book by its cover!

Sewin' and Bakin'

I splurged a bit and bought one of Anna Maria Horner's new sewing patterns. I loved the way the Socialite Dress looked and had a terrific day with my daughter shopping for fabric for some new dresses. This pattern was so easy - and a lot of fun to put together.

We're both really happy with how it turned out. It is so satisfying to sew something that actually looks like the photo on the cover of the pattern.

While reading one of my favorite blogs, The Pioneer Woman, I found instructions for these adorable little cupcake bites. Here is the link for the instructions -

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/03/quick-and-easy-cupcake-bites/

All in all, a very fun weekend!

A Greyhound's Easter

A pictorial essay*

*No chocolate was ingested by any canine in our household. Runner did, however, try to convince it to hop into her mouth.

A Very Special Tradition

Holidays are a time for families.

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All families have there own holiday traditions, right?

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I'd like to share a very special Easter tradition that our household (well most of it anyway) enjoys every Spring.

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The annual viewing of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - the Donny Osmond version.

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We do normal stuff, too. We watch Charleton Hesston, and if that isn't an Easter staple, I just don't know what is.