God Encounters

It's been too long.
It's not that I have been on vacation,nor that my mind has settled to nothingness,I returned here several times to try to put words in their place ...
I am back.

In the past week I have had God sightings - no, more like God encounters.

Soon it will be a week. Saturday 4:00 AM it will be.
We woke to the sounds of our young neighbor in desperate need of help.
What to do?
God said "go"- so I went.
I sat there with my arms around her on her concrete garage floor.She cried, she talked.I whispered the name of Jesus, giving encouraging words where appropriate but mostly just letting her talk as her mangled thoughts became words.She sat stiff and rigid,holding on to my hand.
I prayed with her and at that moment  her body totally relaxed against me.Jesus was there.
He was holding her.
He was holding me.-Oh he was ALWAYS there but at that moment I felt him.
I wanted to keep her there. She soon went back to the horror of the morning.
 I pray she will never forget that moment.
I won't.

Earlier this week the setting was completely different.I was sitting by the beach overlooking the water.I had a small time of just resting.It was if He found me there sitting still and came in close.Again it was just for a short moment , but I knew he was there- reassuring,encouraging.

You know He is always pursuing , always wanting to draw us close, have one on one time.
He is ALWAYS there.
I  just wonder...
 how many times I miss him because  I am too distracted or too restless to sit still long enough to feel.
Although,
I am convinced these encounters  happen in the middle of busy.
BUT if I don't know how it is to have him close or hear his voice  in quiet how will I feel him in busy or in noise?

Growing Pains

Had a good talk with a friend recently.
A very honest conversation.She took what I said and responded with truth.Truth that wasn't really fun to hear although, it will help me grow in the long run. It woulda been more fun to hear her say " nah~ your not like that at all..it's only the people in your life...they need to understand you...".
Growth is tough.
When you were little do you remember your parents talk about "growing pains"?
It doesn't stop when your fully grown ....except it's in character rather than stature... it still aches, just not our bones but our spirit.
With the pain of growth we become more Christ-like and better people.Though the end result is for our good ( and hopefully others,because we will be easier to live with).;0

Do you ever think that your enjoying holding that grudge a bit too much? It's a kinda  a good feeling to hold onto those thoughts that make you feel a little "more better" than the other guy? "psh...at least I don't __________"(fill in the blank) 
 "Whoa!"...my mind is telling me... that's exactly what Jesus called  " like a Pharisee" plus-"do not be like them"!
In the midst of the growing pains I hear God asking me to make that first move- the move that will reconcile.
Why ME?!
 I wanna argue back and remind God whose right , whose argument makes more sense,
-c'mon aren't I more Biblical-y correct here? He than reminds me that If I am so concerned about whose "Biblical-y correct" than I should not only listen to him but DO what He asked!
It stops me in my tracks, because you see-
I like justice-

but you know what?

Life is not always fair!
At any rate....
God knows what makes me grow...
what makes me more like Him...
sometimes it takes too many nudges before I move...
too many lessons...
too many days between hearing the direction and the actual doing it.
The wonder of it all?
He Never gives up on me.
He asked so I need to...
Swallow.....breathe....step out and DO what God asked.
Because if He suggested it doesn't mean it will be easy, but that He will be right there beside me encouraging,in front of me leading, behind me nudging.
After words he doesn't say "I told you so".Simply, "I love you ,next time don't wait so long- trust me".

  

Appliance Alliance...

  

So here I sit at 

My dryer broke….. It started to make a horrible noise that sounded like I had  a tin can in the dryer with the laundry ...
 we suffered through it…closed the laundry door to block the horrific noise, the next step would have been ear plugs- On it’s final run we discovered black streaks on our clothes and a burn hole on a pair of shorts. In that event we decided until we find a new  used dryer we would have to visit the  ol’ laundromat.
 I found it funny that the place is called “Coin Laundry”.
Really?
 Literally?
Funny…my dryer sounded like it had a whole lotta coins rumbling around in it.:)
Oh- If you are wondering what the going cost is for a load of laundry- For every 25 cents you get 6 whole minutes of drying time (this was for a commercial size dryer).My cost?

This pile is 2 washer loads

dried in this humungo dryer was $1.00 for a grand total of 24 minutes....

My washer still works but probably not for long....it's day's are numbered!

 In case It's been awhile that you frequented a place like this ...some things never change! This one was
is very clean.

Those ugly yellow chairs.  I wonder-why are they connected? AND.. Remember to always take something along to do ,plenty of change, and COFFEE!

A must...soda machines

These soap machines...cutsie little boxes of soap that cost $$$.Wow  the price for that small amount of soap would make any coupon-er faint!

In case #1- you only have paper money....

in case #2- you forgot your own game thingy that is what?  300 times smaller....

LOVE vintage signs...I want one like this for my laundry room!

 OH YEAH...
To add to all of this…my dishwasher gave up the ghost last week too! It refuses to drain. I think my appliances formed an alliance(forgive my play on words here) and decided to all break down in one week. Wonder if there is anyplace one can take a pile of dishes and run a load through the dishwasher…funny thought! I could start one and call it a “Dish-o-mat”!   If I told you I was washing my clothes by hand because my washer broke you would wonder why I don’t load up my clothes and go to a Laundromat ,but never would we question washing dishes by hand….:)-just a thought...

That was yesterday....
Let me tell you what God did today...

Chip came home from work and said "Honey I got your Christmas present -Come and see!"
I followed him out the door and this is what was on the back of his truck...

not only a dishwasher but....

A washer AND a dryer...

I was in awe!
Chip did a demolition in a condo today and this was what he took out...
They by far are not the latest version ,front load or stainless steel but they are  CLEAN, barely used and given by God who knew last week when Habitat got the days mixed up for pick up that I , HIS CHILD was going to NEED this!
I still sit her amazed at this provision! it chokes me up and makes me cry...(wow!)

Just over the weekend I heard the old song "His eye is on the sparrow ,and I know He watches me..."
He proved it hugely this week...

 

Friends,Wisdom and Summertime

My day off...
It's been a good day although it started out a little rough.I met with a friend  she asked a very common question-"So, how are you?" My response came out all jerky and teary because I was trying to be strong and not cry but you know how it is when a good friend asks that question....! Needless to say I fell apart and the truth of how I was came out.We had a healing conversation about what was troubling me, it was so good to just get it off my chest ,she had encouraging words.We moved on to other subjects enjoying our coffee....friends are wonderful!
Most importantly,
Before I met with her I had met with another friend and HE reminded me of this ;
Proverbs2:1-11

1. "My son,(Caroline) "if you accept my words
   and store up my commands within you,
² turning your ear to wisdom
   and applying your heart to understanding,
³ and if you call out for insight
   and cry aloud for understanding,
⁴ and if you look for it as for silver
   and search for it as for hidden treasure,
⁵ then you will understand the fear of the LORD
   and find the knowledge of God.
⁶ For the LORD gives wisdom,
   and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
⁷ He holds victory in store for the upright,
   he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
⁸ for he guards the course of the just
   and protects the way of his faithful ones. ⁹ Then you will understand what is right and just
   and fair—every good path.
¹⁰ For wisdom will enter your heart,
   and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
¹¹ Discretion will protect you,
   and understanding will guard you."

 .God is real -HE met me there at Pastry Art in that comfy chair...
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The rest of the day went MUCH better!

• A  stop at GOODWILL, (makes any day fun!)
• Grocery store(savings,savings,savings=satisfaction!)
• Put make ahead suppers in the freezer
• Baked home-made Granola
• A walk/run with my boys on the man made hill close to our house

Summer is here?
I question that.
Because,
1.It's Florida and
2. It's May (actually,the middle if May)
This weather is UNBELIEVABLE! This evening sitting around a fire on the patio would not have been too warm. A beautiful breeze and wonderful lighting made sitting outside perfect.(I guess June 21st id the OFFICIAL first day of summer)

Even with the previous questioning of whether summer is actually here , I have tried a few "summer-y" recipes already ...

Fresh peaches

Salads with strawberries and home made  Celery seed dressing

The ultimate summer food! 

Sticky bun sandwiches...simple easy and fast! I chose to use a loaf  here instead of little rolls...it was YUMMY and dripping with delicious!

 May I suggest? If you live here in Sarasota,the most "delicious-est" bread to use is our fresh breads at Detwilers Farm Market ...Freshly made every day!




Preview(without the view) of my next post: Our weekend at West Palm Beach (waiting for pictures in my inbox)