So, What Have I Been Up To???

Well, painting, waxing, stalking Craigslist for steals, making pickles, swimming . . .

Do you see how sad and awful this table looked when we first got it?  I was concerned that it was beyond hope.

But look at her now!  Isn’t she beautiful?  It doesn’t even look like the same table, does it?

Then there was this cute little nightstand that looked like it needed to be {re}imagined.

This picture absolutely does NOT show how beautiful this Aubusson Blue is!

Hobby Lobby, 90 % off and {re}imagined with some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

This beyond beautiful pile of antique goodness, which includes a dresser, vanity and gorgeous headboard and footboard, was a wonderful deal and is going to be so b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. when I am done with it!

Very traditional and boring, but not for long!  Maybe a Provence blue?

Free piano for Joshua that happens to be a Kranich and Bach, which happens to be an amazing piano!  Fully restored pianos like this sell for upwards of $10,000.  Score!

This is often the look in our dining room as I am painting anything that sits still for more than a few minutes.

{re}imagined antique fan

Tables in process.  Sanding done by Joshua.  He is my detail guy. 

Luke, well, he is building me some benches for my newly painted and stained dining room table. Yes, we are eating off of our picnic table, going on a week now. The dining room table was just sitting there, waiting to be painted and refinished.

Painting the legs brown so when I paint them Aubusson Blue and distress the brown will show through.  This is turning out so beautiful.  I will show you the finished product when I am done.

P

Lacto-fermented pickles.

Brian and I floating together in the pool.

Everyone has chores here.

A day at the beach, where I pulled my calf muscle the first run into the lake!  I hobbled and limped into the water the rest of the day, usually needing to be assisted by someone on each arm.  It was a great day though.

One more table painted.  Isn’t she pretty?

Oh, and I sort of started a business painting furniture.  I am working on the blog where I display the pieces I have painted.  I don’t know where this will go, but I am enjoying the ride!  The name of my “business” is

{re}imagined . . . just for you

Check it out.  It is not quite finished, but you’ll get the idea.

The Date Is Set!

Okay, the date is set for the FREE webinar that I will be speaking on, Morning Motivation.  August 3, 2011 at 10:00 AM (central time).  You will be there, right?!

I would love it if you could send me a question or two to be answered on the webinar.  Just email, shelookethwell (at) gmail (dot) com.  I am looking forward to hearing from you!

You Are Going To Love This!

I have met a really sweet woman, Jennifer, who shares a passion of mine, encouraging women!  She is doing three weeks of FREE webinars called, Morning Motivation! Daily Encouragement for Christian Wives! 

She has guest speakers lined up each day.  I have listened to some of them and they are so encouraging.  Only 15 minutes in length, but rich and encouraging.  If you simply cannot participate at the scheduled time you can listen to the archived messages.  I believe if you listen live you can ask questions and participate.

She has asked me to do one of the mornings, the date is yet to be scheduled.  I will let you know as soon as I know.

I plan on sharing testimony of some of the difficult things the Lord has brought me through, including severe Adrenal Exhaustion, loss of six babies and ten years of extremely difficult times!  Yes, I know I could never share ALL of that in just 15 minutes, we will see what the Lord has.

I would also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to do a “Q and A”.  Perhaps there is something you have always wanted to ask about homemaking, schedules, chores, being a wife, being a mama, etc.  If you have read my blog for any length of time you know I pretty much wear my heart on my sleeve and I am not afraid to talk about ANYTHING!  Please be thinking of question you might have and feel free to email me them or join in and ask them during the webinar.

Be sure to check out Jennifer’s Blog, Morning Motivation.  Remember, IT IS FREE!  Please go check it out!

Seeing Jesus, Seeing the Father

It is only two days into ‘Reading the New Testament in 40 days’, and I cannot get enough!  Last summer, going through the whole bible in 40 days was an outrageously fast pace read through.  I didn’t have time to stop and savor.  That is why, in part, I chose to do only the NT.  But, I still want to stop and savor.  I am trying to journal little things that speak to me here and there, but there are so many neat things!

I have determined to try and really get a picture of the Father’s heart.  I know that Jesus was the exact representation of the Father, so as I study Jesus, I see the Father.

One thing I notice so far is that healing is the Father’s heart for His children.  Jesus healed ALL who were brought to Him.  How many?  All!  I don’t understand why ‘all’ are not always healed, but I do know His heart is to heal!  Go back and look at how many times Jesus healed and delivered in these first two days worth of readings.

There is so much more that I am loving and being convicted of.  Matthew 8:13 and 9:29 . . . As thou hast believed, so be it done unto you . . . according to your faith be it unto you!  Oh.my.goodness!  That can be tough to swallow.  What kinds of things am I believing??  Are they all the truth?  Just an example of the ridiculous wrong thoughts in the last 24 hours?

This is so hard, I feel so lost.  Why bother to figure out our school, never goes how I think it should anyway.  What is the point?  This child will never change.  Today is going to be just as bad as yesterday!  I don’t even know what to do and God is not telling me.

Pathetic?  And I wonder why I am having a bad day?!  These verses shaped me up a bit.

I also loved Matthew 6:7-13 about the Lord’s Prayer.  Having grown up Catholic before coming to a saving knowledge of Christ, I am very familiar with this prayer.  It took on new meaning as I read the verse preceding it,

for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

I love, love, love, knowing that my Father already knows what I need before I even ask.  I felt like He showed me that I get all worked up and almost fret over what I think I need, but He, being a good Father knows exactly what I need!  And then, reading the Lord’s Prayer with that in mind, it just popped how much of it is about HIM! and not me.  {insert sheepish grin}

Oh, to be at that place (and stay there) where I so know and trust He knows what I need and to just focus on HIM and HIS will.  (not me and my will!)

There is so much more that I won’t prattle on about.  How about you, what treasures are you finding?

Open our eyes to behold wonderful things out of your Word, O Lord!

There Is Still Time! Join In!

Today officially starts our “Read Through the New Testament in 40 Days”.  It only takes about 30 minutes a day.  What an awesome way to close out the summer.  Can you think of anything more worthy to spend that 30 minutes on?

Who here could stand to have their eyes opened to behold wonderful things out of His law?  I know I could stand to be wiser than all my enemies!  Need understanding?  Peace?  Would you like to be “perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”?  Look no further, jump into His word!

Let’s spend the next six weeks getting to know Jesus, the Word made flesh.

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.  (Psalm 119:18)

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.  (Psalm 119:89)

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.  (Psalm 119:98)

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  (Psalm 119:103-105)

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. (Psalm 119:130-131)

Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. (Psalm 119:140)

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psalm 119:165)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Here is the schedule, all you need to do is print it up!

The New Testament In 40 Days

Day 1: Matthew 1-7

Day2: Matthew 8-12

Day 3: Matthew 13-18

Day 4: Matthew 19-24

Day 5: Matthew 25-28

Day6: Mark 1-6

Day7: Mark 7-11

Day 8: Mark 12-16

Day 9: Luke 1-4

Day 10: Luke 5-9

Day 11: Luke 10-13

Day 12: Luke 14-19

Day 1 3: Luke 20-24

Day 1 4: John 1 -5

Day 15: John 6-9

Day 16: John 10-14

Day 17: John 15-19

Day 18: John 20-Acts 4

Day 19: Acts 5-9

Day20: Acts 10-15

Day 21: Acts 16-20

Day 22: Acts 21-26

Day 23: Acts 27-Romans 4

Day 24: Romans 5-10

Day 25: Romans 11-1 Corinthians 1

Day 26: 1 Corinthians 2-9

Day 27: 1Corinthians 10-15

Day 28: 2 Corinthians 16-2 Corinthians 9

Day 29: 2 Corinthians 10-Galatians 4

Day 30: Galatians 5-Philippians 1

Day 31: Philippians 2- 1Thessalonians 2

Day 32: 1 Thessalonians 3-1 Timothy 5

Day 33: 1 Timothy 6-Hebrews 1

Day 34: Hebrews 2-10

Day 35: Hebrews 11 -James 5

Day 36: 1 Peter-1 John 1

Day 37: 1 John 2-Jude

Day 38: Revelation 1-7

Day 39: Revelation 8-15

Day 40: Revelation 16-22

Hungry? Thirsty? Dry?

Unsatisfied?  Longing?  Discontent?  Lost?  Empty?  Famished?

Do any of these words describe how you have been feeling lately?  They do me.  I am in the Word everyday, yet I feel this longing for more.

Last summer, as a family, we felt the Lord leading us to read through the bible in 40 days.  Due to schedule and age some of us read the Old or the New Testament or various combinations.  I read through the whole bible in that 40 days and it was awesome!  It was difficult and very time consuming, but by the grace of God I made it.

Last week I felt the Lord calling me to be in the Word more.  As I prayed about it, I decided to read through the New Testament in 40 days.  It is only about 30 minutes a day! 

I would LOVE it if you would join me.  I am going to start July 18, 2011.  You can google ‘read through the bible in 40 days’ to come up with a schedule.  Let me know if you are going to join in!

Oh, I almost forgot, I am going to be reading through the Psalms and Proverbs during this time too.  You know how that works, right?  On July 18 I will read Psalm 18, 48, 78, 108, and 138, as well as Proverbs 18.  So, you read the Psalm that corresponds to the date and then add 30 until you run our of Psalms and read the Proverb for that date also.  Make sense?

Hope you join in!

Nightstand and Lamp Redo

I almost forgot to take a picture before I started painting these nightstands.

I cannot even count the amount of “tries” I did beforeI came up with the final product.  I finally settled on the same green I painted our headboard.

It might be hard to tell, but I really distressed them and then glazed them the same as I did the headboard.

I poly-ed the top and waxed the sides.  Ehem.  My son actually did the ‘rub-out’ on the waxing, I pleaded that my arm was tired.  He took right over.  Sweet son.

I did not take a before picture of the lamps, but snapped a picture as they were on their way out the door to Goodwill.  I came to despise these lamps.

I found  a pair of cream colored lamps at a thrift store for $4!.  My dear generous friend, Farmgirlcyn, gave me the black and white toile.  I prayed unceasingly, as I have never made a lampshade before and I did not want the finished product to look as though I had indeed never made a lampshade.

A lot of prayers, some hot glue, Krylon Primer (it left a really cool texture) and some black bias tape, and voila!  My first lampshades!

Notice the two sweet little birdies?  Thrift store, $1 and some spray paint, I know, too cute.  I have exchanged my “latte” money for spray paint money I should take a picture of everything that I have spray painted in the last month, might be embarrassing.  Next time I hope to show the cool vintage fan I painted.

Using the Word To Defeat Rejection

If you haven’t read the whole series on Rejection, begin with Rejection Exposed, How Rejection Manifests, and How to Be Free From Rejection.

Once you have repented and removed a spirit of rejection the only thing that will keep you out of bondage and walking in ever increasing victory is the renewal of your mind.

It does no good to remove the spirit of rejection and continue on with the stinkin’ thinkin’ that got  you there in the first place.  Now that you have begun to recognize the lies from the enemy the real work begins.  You must begin to discern your thoughts.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Cor. 10:3-5)

You have to use the Word of God as your measuring stick.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb. 4:12)

I am going to give you the references to some scripture that has really blessed me as I walk this out.  Reading, meditating on, writing out the Truth is what will renew your mind.  I have recently been using the S.O.A.P method to studying scripture.  It has been so beneficial.  Are you familiar with it?  It is worth checking out.

Psalm 139:1-18 (Memorize this! It is so good)

Isaiah 53:1-6

Ephesians 1:6-7

Deuteronomy 32:9-10

Isaiah 49:15-16

Jeremiah 29:11

Ephesians 2:10

Jeremiah 1:5

Jeremiah 31:3

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

There are so many scriptures that will personally speak to your heart. Be on the look out for ones that speak of the Father’s love and acceptance, or who you are in Him.  The Holy Spirit will begin to show you which ones speak to your heart.

Unlikely Friends

We got two new kitties this week.  Maggie and Molly.

Molly is the calico and Maggie is the fuzzy grey kitty.

Molly loves to have her belly rubbed.

Kitty and Peeper cuddling.

Do Unto Others . . .

I am going to assume your husband is not perfect. Safe assumption? . . . Come read the rest of the story over At The Well.

Pretty Cute, Right?

I found this table on Craiglist and knew I had the perfect ‘look’ for it.  It was a very sturdy table, just old fashioned ‘oaky’ look to it. I knew she could be very pretty.

 

Ta da!!   Don’t you love it? 

 

I primed it with Kilz spray primer. I then spray painted it with several coats of Heirloom White. I couldn’t wait to begin distressing it, that is my favorite part! I finished it off by glazing with some Minwax Colonial Oak gel stain. Just wipe it on and wipe it off. So simple and so cool!

Do you know anybody who would want to buy it?   I don’t really have a place in my home for it, I just wanted the fun of making her pretty!  So, if your close and would love to give this pretty gal a home, let me know.

I can’t wait to show you what I did to our nightstands!!!  You remember the headboard, right?  Well,  wait until you see the nightstands.  Oh, and the lamps that are getting a makeover too.  Actually, our whole bedroom is getting a makeover, just taking it slowly, piece by piece.

Announcing the Winners!

Congratulations

to

Arwen

Alicia

and

Elizabeth!

Please email me and I will put you in touch with Julia!

It’s Been A Busy Weekend!

We have been a roofin’, swimmin’, paintin’, stainin’, creatin’, and a eatin’!

We made these delicious, fun popsicles!

These yummy Patriotic strawberries.

We also put sticks in marshmallows, dipped them in chocolate and then dipped them in red, white and blue sprinkles.  We, of course had the lick the bowl of leftover chocolate clean, right?

Look what we found under a broody hen!

We took the baby chicks away from their mama ;-( because the other chickens were not playing nice and trying to peck out the baby chick’s eyes!  So mean!

The only time the baby chicks are left alone are the hours that my four littles are sleeping.  Other than that, they are held, carried, stroked and cuddled.

These chicks are so adorable.  When you hold them in your hands on their backs and stroke their tummies, they fall asleep!  I am thinking these guys are going to be our new pets.  I will draw the line of the chicks sleeping in bed with the children.  But, oh my, they are adorable. (until one of them poops in my house!)

 

We had a wonderfully relaxing 4th of July.  Just what this family needed, rest, fun and togetherness!  Thank You, Father, for the gift of today.