He Always Provides

First, can I just say, “I miss writing here!!”  There is much stirring and brewing in my heart but barely a second to think about writing a post.

It started out as a curiosity to paint a table and then another and then another until it got to the point where my dear husband requested I not buy another piece of furniture until I sold a piece.  Seemed like a fair deal.

Well, the next day I sold a table and then another and then another.  I did not set out to start a ‘business’, but was just having fun and seemed to be following what the Lord had before me.  I couldn’t really believe someone would want to buy ‘my’ stuff.  Brian always believed in me and I think he knew we were onto something here, though I didn’t.

Here we are just three months later and I cannot keep up with the painting!  I do so much custom work for people that I often times can’t keep my own supply of painted pieces up. I am having a blast!  I get to make pretty things, learn new things and bless people.

The Lord has orchestrated me teaching a class too.  Who knew?!  We are having a huge “shop the barn” boutique sale the first week in December and if half the people come that say they are it will be a huge success.

What does this have to do with the Lord providing, you ask.  Well, Brian’s work has been very slow over the last few years and we are really waiting on the Lord for our next step and we have been for some time now.  At times we have not gotten a paycheck and in the natural, our financial position does not look that good. 

We are in awe of what is unfolding with this whole furniture thing.  We all work together as a family in various ways, each using their own gifting. I  am not sure painting furniture would provide entirely for a family of ten but it sure is a blessing right now.  We marvel at watching the Lord give us favor with purchases and sales.  We delight in the people we meet and get to work with.  Our family enjoys ministering in any way we can to the ‘customers’ the Lord brings.  I cannot put into words the scope of what He is doing, but it is pretty awesome and I just wanted to ‘gush’ on Him a little this morning, thank you for allowing me.

If you are interested in what I am talking about please check out our other blog, {re}imagined just for you.  Also, if you are anywhere near our neck of the woods, (someone is actually coming from Indiana!) please, please come to our ‘shop the barn’ sale and say hi!!  I would love to see you.

Amazed by His Grace,

Michelle

 

I Had No Idea

Today marks twenty-three years of marriage for Brian and I, and I can honestly say that I feel like all my dreams have come true. 

In all reality, I didn’t even know to dream this big. 

I had no idea of what a marriage with such unity, love and oneness looked like or felt like. 

I had no idea what it would feel like to be loved and accepted so unconditionally by someone. 

I had no idea of how such love could heal a little girl’s broken heart.

I had no idea what it would feel like to live with such a feeling of safety and protection.

I had no idea what it would feel like to be so cherished and nurtured.

I had no idea what it would be like to encouraged and picked up over and over again.

Our marriage has not been without its bumps and deep valleys, but I am humbled and in awe of the keeping power of God’s grace in this marriage.  We have walked through things that can destroy a marriage and only by His grace came out stronger and closer.

Humbled, that is the right word for it.  Really, if you knew the two of us, with all our flaws and brokenness you would be in awe of His grace too, trust me

When I think of a verse to describe Brian the following comes to mind . . .

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)

Happy Anniversary to the man of my dreams! I love you forever and always

 

Who Meets My Needs?

The more my trust in God grows, the more I let go of fear and release my husband to God, the more I can see my husband, weaknesses and all, through different eyes. The less I “need” him to fulfill my emotional needs, the more I can love him unselfishly. The less my little feelings get hurt over every.single.thing, the more I forgive, the easier it is to see him as a child of God . . . for the rest of the story hop on over to At The Well

Will We Fight For Them?

I had quite a sobering conversation in my head yesterday. 

Yesterday I sort of reached the ‘end’ of my limit with a certain teenage son, who simply is going through what I would call typical ‘growing up pains’.  Each of his brothers before him did too, I know this, but somehow forget and get frustrated.

My normal M.O. is to just get ticked and say, ‘fine, figure it out on your own then.’  (yes, I know not so spiritual nor mature)  I want to just wash my hands of the whole stinkin’ mess.

Well, I called Brian, ranted something about ‘just being done with him’.  I believe I let him know that this particular son was HIS, and I was just done.  He, of course, was shocked by my words and encouraged (begged) me to stop the foolishness coming out of my mouth.  I just sat there and stewed while he talked.

When we got off the phone I went about my business, still stewing and a brewing, repeating my above foolishness in my head.  What I heard next just about stopped my in my tracks, literally.

“So, you’re done?  Well, you might as well be putting him right into the hands of the enemy.”  Giant gulp!  I literally could picture just handing my son over to the enemy because I was too selfish, lazy and prideful to deal with everyday issues!  Ugh, it pains me now to even think about it.

If we don’t fight for our children, who will?  There is an enemy who prowls around seeking whom he may destroy.  He comes to steal, kill and destroy.  A very REAL vicious, relentless killer after our children and I am willing to just say, ‘forget it, too hard, don’t want to deal with this today’??? 

NO!!  I am not willing to give up!  I choose to fight with every ounce of my being.  I will not let the enemy take my children on my watch.  If we don’t fight for them, who will, ladies, who will?

Yep, I repented yesterday.  I told God I see that I am wrong, I don’t really have the fight and the love in me to battle this, but I know that He does and I am counting on HIM to equip me.

Let the very cry of our hearts be . . .

Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (2 Timothy 2:10)

May we be willing to endure ALL things for our children’s sake!

 

Feeling Barren

Oh, my, do I miss ‘here’.  Where exactly is ‘here’?  This blog, sharing my heart, writing.  This place where I can open up and pour out what is going on inside.

This season of life is unlike any other.  The hours and minutes are completely and utterly filled up.  Between homeschooling five “grades”  (six, if you count intentional time with my preschooler) and this new business venture the Lord seems to be orchestrating, phew! 

I know this is just a season and it is no more important than any of the other season the Lord has had me in.  Because of past issues with performance and striving,     ( one more link too) I have to guard my heart against feeling better about myself because I am more ‘productive’ right now.  I am blessed to be doing this, but THIS is not who I am and does not make me any more valuable.  I was just as valuable to my Father when I was in a major season of rest and seemingly unproductive! 

You are precious to Him no matter what season you are in.  you are valuable because of who He created you to be and WHOSE you are, not because of what you do.

What I really snuggled up here to share is an encouragement the Lord gave me.  Last week as my seventeenth year of homeschooling was looming big and I didn’t feel like I had anything to offer, He showed up! 

I was pouring my heart out to Him, telling Him just how numb or empty I was feeling.  (This pace has left me a bit shallow in my thoughts and feelings.  I am a deep thinker and deep feeler and I don’t have time for either right now, which is probably good, keeps me out of trouble ) 

I expressed to Him that He was going to need to do a work in my heart as I just didn’t have it in me.  I was reading through the Psalms, looking for some little nugget, as my quiet time has been rather ‘empty’ feeling too, and I read

                     Psalm 113

Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.

Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.

The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.

Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,

Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

There it was.  Did you see it?  I have always read that last verse about the barren woman to be literally a barren woman.  But that morning, feeling extremely “barren” on the inside, empty of love and joy, numb and almost zoned out, this verse took on new meaning.

I was the ‘barren’ woman and HE, HE maketh me to keep my house and maketh me a joyful mother of children!  I chose right then and there to believe it and claim it as my own.  Do you know that each day since that Monday morning has been gloriously joyful and full of love and excitement to be a keeper of this house and a joyful mother to these children??

Oh, friends, He is so faithful.  I am not for one second saying that life is perfect (as if there is perfection) or my days are totally stress-free.  What I am saying is that He heard the cry of this tired mama’s heart.  He not only heard it, he rescued and delivered me. 

He will do the same for you.  Cry out to Him, believe Him at His word.  I am praying for the tired and ‘numb’ mama tonight.  Know you are loved and cherished and that this season will soon pass. (all to quickly)

Blessings, my friends,

Michelle

Overwhelmed

This word seems to describe to a tee how I feel of late.  Not necessarily in the bad sense, I don’t think.  I guess it depends on what/who is doing the ‘overwhelming’.

As I have been doing the last minute preparations for our new school year starting next week, I have been a bit emotional.  It hit me last night that we are starting our 17th year of home schooling.  That is a huge part of my life.

I stumbled across an old paper that had very primitive handwriting on it, that of a very young child.  It brought tears to my eyes as I realized just how blessed I have been to have home schooled all these years.  I mean I have taught them to read, I have been there for breakfast, lunch and dinner and countless snacks, all day, every day.  I GET to be with my children e.v.e.r.y s.i.n.g.l.e. day!

What a privilege it has been and will continue to be, Lord willing. Molding little souls for my King. Loving and nurturing little hearts. Being the one who GETS to hear their heart, share their dreams. Getting to watch them grow and mature.

So, I am overwhelmed with this precious honor of being a mom, a home school mom.

That is just the tip of the iceberg and all I have time to write about today.  There are other things that He has blessed me with that cause me to just bow, bow before Him in gratitude.  No words, just tears and humble gratitude.

Really, I GET to be the mother-in-law who gets her daughter-in-law over for a day.  I get to take care of her, become friends with her, love on her??  I get to hold that precious little snuggle-buns of a baby all day.  Really?

I get to have a blast painting furniture, being creative, meeting people, pouring Jesus out on all who will listen, bless others, AND make money?  Really?  People ‘want’ my work? Really?

I have the energy and strength to do all this, when not to long ago, getting out of bed took more strength than I had?

This season of life has pushed me to my limit, in a good way.  I really don’t think, and I have thought hard, that I have ever had more on my plate, that seems to be ordained by God, then I do right now.

But here is the thing, this ‘overwhelmedness’ ( I know, it’s not a word) is a good thing, I am overwhelmed with His grace, His mercy.  I absolutely HAVE to rely on Him, look to Him for my next move.  If I think of just one step ahead of Him I am buried, overwhelmed in the bad sense.

This song has ministered to my heart, “More Than A Friend”, of late.  I just sit there and sing it, tears streaming down. 

“. . .and I am overwhelmed
And I am lost for words
To describe You”

Let Me Introduce You . . .

to one of the most precious woman in my life.  Yikes, ‘woman’.  I am calling my daughter a woman!

I have been blessed with a very sweet, tender hearted, creative daughter.  This ‘woman’ far surpasses where I was 30 years ago, far exceeds my dreams of just how wonderful a daughter could be.

Victoria is so multi-talented and creative.  She loves to cook, bake, sew, craft, knit, crochet, take pictures, play with the little children.  She is an avid reader and an accomplished pianist.  She loves all things girly and feminine and old fashioned.

She even can look like a movie star, even though she has no idea what a movie star is. lol 

(yeah, she’s beautiful too!)

I wanted to introduce you to her because she has a new blog where she sells some of her hand crafts. She has been making beautiful notecards for years now.  Friends and family buy them.  She even sells them at a ministry in Georgia.  Victoria also makes and sells beautiful journals and flower clips for hair.

I invite you to visit her blog, take a look around.  See what you might like.  In the next couple of days we are going to have a fun give away of some of her products.

Considering myself to be very blessed and humbled by His grace,

Michelle

How His Word Soothes

I am not sure why it always amazes me, the power, the beauty and the wonder of His word.  Do I somehow forget how comforting the living Word is?

It doesn’t matter what ‘season’ we are in, what kind of crazy circumstances or storms we are weathering, His life giving Word can soothe our souls.

This morning my ‘soul’ was feeling a bit frazzled and frayed.  Nothing horrible is going on, but life has been at an unusually frenetic pace for the past several weeks.  Again, nothing too terribly big, just a lot of busy things. 

Simply being a mom to nine (ten if you include my precious daughter-in-law), a Mimi to two keeps me hopping.  Thank You, Father for the gift of children and the strength and health to be all that!

Now add into that mix, ministering to who the Lord puts in my path, (why did I ever question if I would have a ‘ministry’?!) figuring out the school year for six children, starting a business of sorts, a very ill father, a mama who is moving across the country . . . oh, yes, feeding, cooking and managing this home.  Not to mention, I have an awesome man who needs his woman every now and again.   

Can you see how one might be a little frayed around the edges?  I have sensed His keeping these past weeks.  Often times I hear that still small voice to ‘be still and know’.  To keep my eyes on Him and I will have perfect peace.  I have had to stop and breathe and say, ‘okay, Father, what next?’

But this morning, feeling a bit like, ‘where do I even start?’  So much swirling around me.  My thoughts flit from one thing to the next, no peace.  '”What about this?  How am I going to do this?  Should I be doing that?  I want this or that.”

I read Psalm 37.  Calm washes over me.  Peace begins to reign again.  I write out verses that are speaking to my heart.

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed .

Ahh, simply trust in Him and do good, do what is in front of me.

Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. . . Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. . . And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

Delight myself in HIM!  Commit all of this to HIM!  Trust HIM!  He will bring it to pass.  Ahh,  breathe in, breathe out.

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way . . .

Rest in HIM!  Wait and fret not, still breathing.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. . . Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

My steps are ordered by the Lord, even though I fall I shall not be utterly cast down, He upholds me with His hand!  I don’t need to do it all, I can rest, I can wait, I can trust, He upholds me.

See how this works??  Don’t you just LOVE His Word?  Where do you find yourself today?  A bit frazzled and frayed?  Have you run to His Word?  You really can’t go wrong, the whole book is awesome   Share with me what is speaking to your heart lately.

Love you and miss my time here.  Thankful for the moments to share my heart.

Homeschool Planning Session {LIVE}

Okay, today my mom has the children and I am supposed to be planning out our school year.  We don’t start until the first week in October each year on strict orders from the principal, as he wants us to make the most of the summer season and doesn’t want me spending all of August obsessing  planning school.

Brian and the children left around 9:00 ish.  I have ‘put on my face’ (aka make up and hair), had breakfast, responded to some emails, checked blogs.

10:00 am went down to the abyss schoolroom {{sigh}} to see what I could see.  Apparently there was a disaster, tornado, earthquake or something, because I am sure there is a table in the center of that room . . . somewhere.  We didn’t finish last year all orderly and organized so books are everywhere!  I tried to get the principal to call of the school year, but he says we must plow on.

10:15 am can’t stop thinking about painting furniture and the awesome, huge, beautiful barn doors the my husband picked up for me yesterday.  Nor can I stop thinking about the plans he showed me last night to make our garage into a “Barn Boutique” for all my {re}imagined furniture!!!  Yes, my husband rocks!

These babies are HUGE!  We got them for $10 a piece!!!  They are going to be the ‘walls’ of my new ‘boutique’.  Happy dance, everyone!!

Okay, 10:23 printing up Course of Study for each child (6 of them this year, 10th, 9th, 5th, 3rd, 2nd and preschool!)

I will check in later . . . pray

10:45 am decided to run a load of laundry, sweet distraction, how sad is that?!  Went to the abyss schoolroom again, really!?  When did this happen?  Brought a large container with me this time, lugged up a bunch of books to go through.  Smashed my finger and drew blood.  Still smiling though, love my job.

11:10 am  realizing I need to order more books than I was planning on.

More later . . .

11:45 am seriously making some headway!!  Yeah!

12:20 pm have 90% of everyone’s school work chosen and ordered.  Now, the hard part, planning it, making copies and scheduling!  Well, it is not hard if I prayerfully go about it, trusting the Lord to pull it together. 

I definitely think I have made some major progress and am going to reward myself by paint two cute chairs!

2:00 pm  Painted two chairs a color I didn’t think I would like, but am actually liking it!  cool!  Ate lunch and am taking a break.  it is so quiet here . . .  the UPS lady came and said, ‘where are all those kids?’  I just smiled.

3:22 pm  I have been painting and waxing frames, eating Honeycrisp apples with Nutella (shhh, don’t tell anyone) and now I must rest, for I have a date tonight with my rockin’ husband who  brought me home those gorgeous barn doors!

Have a great weekend!

Yeah, I Know . . .

I am SO blessed!

I know she is sleeping and newborns often smile in their sleep, but I think it was because her Mimi was holding her.  Don’t you? 

I got to spend most of the day pampering and taking care a tired mama whom I love so much and in the mean time, got to hold this sweet little thing!!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow . .  .

YOU! Have Overcome!!

This is the encouragement the Lord sent my way this morning, perhaps it will minister to your heart too.

I was led to 1 John 2 and 3

. . . you have overcome the wicked one (1 Jn. 2:13)

. . . because you are strong, the Word of God abideth in you and you have overcome the wicked one  (1 Jn. 2:14)

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil.  (1 Jn. 3:8)

If Jesus Christ humbled Himself and came to earth, died and rose again, defeating sin and the devil for the express purpose of destroying the works of the devil and redeeming His precious children, then what in the world am I doing wallowing in the ‘mully grubs’—fellowshipping with the devil, allowing his little buddies to defeat me and ruin my day!?!?

Greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world!!

Greater is He that is in YOU than He that is in the world!!

I am not sure what mud puddle you might be in today, but get out!  Don’t hang out there.  Don’t fellowship with the enemy!  You have overcome him, believe it, live it, walk it out!!!

Now, don’t be jealous, but I get to have my wonderfully sweet, but tired daughter-in-love and her precious baby girl over for the day.  I get to pamper her, MAKE her rest and just love on her.  I know, I am so blessed.  Don’t go into envy and jealousy

Have an awesome overcoming kind of day!!

The Highs and Lows . . . {sigh}

Do you ever have one of those days that contain what seems like the most glorious of moments in motherhood only to follow it later with what feels like the most atrocious of moments?

Yeah, me too.  I don’t know why it always shocks me.  I guess when everything is so perfectly beautiful I have amnesia and forget that it probably won’t always be like this.  So, when reality hits, I am jolted; shocked.

Yesterday was one of those days. {sigh} So, I am having a blast painting in the garage, children running in and out showing me things they find, pulling up a milk crate to chat, helping me with little projects, being serenaded with a violin/guitar duet . . . can you hear the angels singing??  I did.

Only hours later the bickering, selfishness, knocked over project that sent a piece of the furniture flying, a complaining toddler, no ideas for dinner and a husband who was working really late . . . can you hear the mama crying?

This summer has been, shall we say, FULL!  Our calendar has been very, very full.  (with fun things, just full) Also, we, as a family have been in boot camp learning how to really LOVE each other.  When God puts you in the “love” boot camp, don’t expect an easy time, trust me!  As hard as it has been, He has been speaking to us so richly about “love” and giving us ample opportunity to love. 

When I say love, I don’t mean the kind of warm fuzzy feeling that wells up in you as you hold your very new and precious grandbaby. (wouldn’t that be great if that was all there was to love?)

Nope, I’m talking about the God kind of love.  You know, love is patient (really?)  Love is kind.  (good one)  Does not behave unseemly?!?!  (oops, should of remembered that one last night {sheepish grin}  Thinks not her own . . . is not easily provoked . . . bears all things . . . hopes all things . . . endures all things . . .

See what I’m saying?!? It has been a challenging, but good summer.  More on “Love Lessons” to come, Lord willing.

I officially have my “blog” for my furniture up.  My son moved it to Wordpress and I think it is finally how I want it. (thank you patient Joshua)  Would you mind checking it out and letting me know if something is hard to navigate or find?  And you can see, in part, why it has been a busy full summer.

{re}imagined . . . just for you

Have You Forgiven Him?

Is it possible there is a root of bitterness buried deep within your heart? Do you have unforgiveness towards your husband? You absolutely must forgive your husband (everyone else too, but today we are talking about our husbands). Forgiveness is commanded by your Father. It is not an option. . .

Please join me for the rest of this important post over At The Well

We Have A New Grandbaby!

At 12:15 this morning Jaylin Christine was born!  It was so very precious to see Matthew and Elisa do such an awesome job.  I had the privilege of being in the room and seeing this precious little thing be born. 

How precious to see my son with his baby. 

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

A Few More Projects . . .

I can’t find the before to this picture, but imagine the white and gold bedroom set from your youth. LOL  With a  lot of work and prayer I think I am pretty happy with it.  Totally cute, isn’t it?

A very large mirror that I got for a deal.  Painted in Old White and glazed.

I got this sweet little drop-leaf table the same day as the mirror.  I painted it Provence, lightly distressed and glazed.

Brian and I took a trip to the local St. Vincent de Paul thrift store and found this Ethan Allen table with a hole in the middle of the top.  I snatched it up knowing I have peeps who would fill the hole for me.

Here it is completed.  I chose Aubusson blue with heavy distressing and glazing.  The color of the original table coming through almost has a ‘gold’ hue to it making it look really cool.

This big bad boy was pretty boring and slightly ugly, if you don’t mind me saying so.  Please don’t be offended if you have this type of dresser in your house, I do too.  LOL

Isn’t it amazing what a little (or a lot, in this case) Chalk Paint can do for a piece of furniture???  I love it.  I bought yet another can of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, this time it was Versailles, a beautiful greenish tan or tanish green, depending on the light.  I highlighted some of the trim with Old White and distressed and glazed.

 

Can you believe it is the same dresser?  I was going to replace all the handles and knobs, as I couldn’t stand the original hardware.  So I went through the trouble of filling the holes and sanding and sanding, only to realized I did NOT want to put anymore money into this dresser.  I had the idea to paint the hardware with the Old White and glaze them and they look AMAZING!

What have you been up to this summer?  Oh, and lest you think nothing “spiritual” is going on here, think again!  Much to share sometime about what the Lord is doing in my heart of late.  I am totally soaking up reading through the New Testament.