The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
since we speak wedding at my house...
...when Kelly said that she'd be doing wedding dresses on "show us where you live Fridays", I thought I'd see how my dress has held up over the years. Twenty two years to be exact.
My mom made my wedding dress. I remember going to the fabric store downtown because the regular fabric stores didn't have fancy lace and fabric. (and I still remember how much the lace cost and how shocked my mom was at how expensive it was.)
I saw the dress in a bridal magazine while I was doing mission work in California and we found a pattern that was fairly close, with princess poofy sleeves and lots of buttons. Lots and lots of buttons.
There are thirty three buttons down the back and fourteen buttons down the sleeves. Teeny tiny buttons. Fortunately, I have small hands. Unfortunately, I couldn't button the back of my dress up myself.
Mom also fixed the veil as well. Some sort of crown thing that was popular during the eighties. I think it was meant to sit on the head and not mush down enormous hair.
I'm not sure if you can tell it here, but I was thin when I was young(er.) um...maybe thin isn't the word. I was skinny. I measured the waist tonight and it measures 24 inches. I'm happy to report that I measured one of my thighs and it's not as big now as my waist was then. Almost but not quite. Don't as me why I torture myself with things like that. In my head, I think that I should still be that thin. However, 22 years of birthin' babies followed by lots of pie and cheese fries have not been kind to my waist. (They have, however, been more beneficial to other parts of my figure...if you get my drift.)
Anyhow, the dress is all tucked away again. Maybe someday I'll drag it out and show it to my grandbabies. Far far down the road.
My mom made my wedding dress. I remember going to the fabric store downtown because the regular fabric stores didn't have fancy lace and fabric. (and I still remember how much the lace cost and how shocked my mom was at how expensive it was.)
I saw the dress in a bridal magazine while I was doing mission work in California and we found a pattern that was fairly close, with princess poofy sleeves and lots of buttons. Lots and lots of buttons.
There are thirty three buttons down the back and fourteen buttons down the sleeves. Teeny tiny buttons. Fortunately, I have small hands. Unfortunately, I couldn't button the back of my dress up myself.
Mom also fixed the veil as well. Some sort of crown thing that was popular during the eighties. I think it was meant to sit on the head and not mush down enormous hair.
I'm not sure if you can tell it here, but I was thin when I was young(er.) um...maybe thin isn't the word. I was skinny. I measured the waist tonight and it measures 24 inches. I'm happy to report that I measured one of my thighs and it's not as big now as my waist was then. Almost but not quite. Don't as me why I torture myself with things like that. In my head, I think that I should still be that thin. However, 22 years of birthin' babies followed by lots of pie and cheese fries have not been kind to my waist. (They have, however, been more beneficial to other parts of my figure...if you get my drift.)
Anyhow, the dress is all tucked away again. Maybe someday I'll drag it out and show it to my grandbabies. Far far down the road.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
shoes and tiaras and veils, oh my...
My sister-in-law and niece are visiting for a few days so we thought it would be fun to go to the wedding boutique and show them Jessi's wedding dress. We hadn't "officially" tried it on since it came in and I hadn't had the chance to see Jessi's shoes.
It looks like Cinderella, ready for the ball...
What little girl could resist trying on all those tiaras and veils?
imagining her turn...
warrior princess...
delightful...
dreaming...
(and no tears for me. I was so busy trying to figure out how to lace up the gown, I didn't have time to cry.)
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
My eldest child has been dealing with some major anxiety issues over the past few weeks. If you have never had any experience with panic attacks, they can be difficult to understand. The best explanation I've heard puts it like this. It's like your brain tells you that there's a tiger in the room with you. Your eyes can see that there's no tiger but your brain continues to process adrenaline like the tiger is actually there. For a multitude of reasons Jessi's anxiety has loomed large and vicious these past few weeks. Some days she has been unable to leave the house and has struggled to even leave her room. We have diligently battled the beast and she is making progress toward a normal life again though. One thing that has gone a long way in soothing her spirit has been the Word.
I have become a huge believer in the power of memorized scripture. Until this year, I'd convinced myself that my brain was too old to remember much of anything, let alone something as complicated as the Word of God. Fortunately, Beth invited us to join her in a journey of memorizing the Word. And what a beautiful journey it has been. Words cannot express the comfort I have received from carrying the Word engraved on my heart and mind. Whenever my spirit grows troubled or restless, I can flip through my mental notebook and whisper His Words to my heart. When Jessi calls me in a panicked state, I can give her scriptures that bring healing and comfort. And best of all, she too has learned that His Words bring a healing balm to an anxious heart. (She carries a small notebook filled with scriptures with her everywhere she goes.)
Life is complicated. We may encounter things everyday that are unexpected, overwhelming, difficult, traumatic, hurtful or frightening. With God's Word, we can be prepared to face these moments. I cannot encourage you enough to hide His Words in your heart. (Trust me, if my "overstuffed with fluff" brain can memorize, you can too.)
Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:13-18 MSG
I have become a huge believer in the power of memorized scripture. Until this year, I'd convinced myself that my brain was too old to remember much of anything, let alone something as complicated as the Word of God. Fortunately, Beth invited us to join her in a journey of memorizing the Word. And what a beautiful journey it has been. Words cannot express the comfort I have received from carrying the Word engraved on my heart and mind. Whenever my spirit grows troubled or restless, I can flip through my mental notebook and whisper His Words to my heart. When Jessi calls me in a panicked state, I can give her scriptures that bring healing and comfort. And best of all, she too has learned that His Words bring a healing balm to an anxious heart. (She carries a small notebook filled with scriptures with her everywhere she goes.)
Life is complicated. We may encounter things everyday that are unexpected, overwhelming, difficult, traumatic, hurtful or frightening. With God's Word, we can be prepared to face these moments. I cannot encourage you enough to hide His Words in your heart. (Trust me, if my "overstuffed with fluff" brain can memorize, you can too.)
Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:13-18 MSG
Thursday, July 9, 2009
My eyes are tired.
It's amazing how old I can feel on very little sleep.
The good news is that the Boy seems to be back to normal.
So we'll pack up our heavy duty industrial strength Lysol for another day.
And after fixing dinner, cleaning up from dinner, heading to the library, then my mother-in-law's and my mom's, heading back home, washing a load of towels, and feeding some dogs, perhaps I'll head off to bed.
Assuming my brain doesn't turn to pudding first.
It's amazing how old I can feel on very little sleep.
The good news is that the Boy seems to be back to normal.
So we'll pack up our heavy duty industrial strength Lysol for another day.
And after fixing dinner, cleaning up from dinner, heading to the library, then my mother-in-law's and my mom's, heading back home, washing a load of towels, and feeding some dogs, perhaps I'll head off to bed.
Assuming my brain doesn't turn to pudding first.
There's something magical about 2 a.m.
That's the hour when my almost adult teenager's voice sounds more like the child when he doesn't feel quite right. (Of course, that's when my diagnosing skills are at their most bizarre as I throw the first 47 diagnostic questions at him. I wouldn't be surprised to hear myself tell him it's just PMS, take an ibuprofen and go back to bed.) Regardless, here we sit. Waiting. Hoping. And trying to pretend that the workday does not start again in just a few hours. Sigh.
That's the hour when my almost adult teenager's voice sounds more like the child when he doesn't feel quite right. (Of course, that's when my diagnosing skills are at their most bizarre as I throw the first 47 diagnostic questions at him. I wouldn't be surprised to hear myself tell him it's just PMS, take an ibuprofen and go back to bed.) Regardless, here we sit. Waiting. Hoping. And trying to pretend that the workday does not start again in just a few hours. Sigh.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
A gift...
The right word spoken at the right timeis as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl.
Proverbs 25:11
Cool things I've run across recently...
an absolute truth from Shannon...
a statement from Sandy...
a lesson from Annette...
a caution from Jon...
something beautiful from Ann...
Sunday
I was thrust into your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born. Psalm 22:10
the Yard...
Kelly is hosting Show Us Where You Live on Fridays and since I have a yard and I have pictures of the yard, I thought I'd share.
First, I must confess that the condition of the yard and all the things surrounding the yard are not the fruit of my labor. My husband has the green thumb in the family and can get just about anything to grow. His heart's desire is to have a tropical garden year round. Except that we do not live in a tropical climate. (Remember this?) I do choose the tomatoes and the herbs (notice I said "choose", not "care for?") Anyway, welcome to my yard.
This is a partial view coming up the sidewalk to the front door. We have calla lilies blooming on the porch and a little bamboo water fountain thing sitting next to the steps.
This is a partial view coming up the sidewalk to the front door. We have calla lilies blooming on the porch and a little bamboo water fountain thing sitting next to the steps.
You never know what you'll find in growing/blooming in our yard. There are several lilies,
a couple of citrus trees, including orange, lime, and lemon. (good news! we may have three lemons for the annual "gathering of the lemon" this year!),
sixteen to eighteen plumeria (don't forget, we do not live in a tropical climate. What goes out must come in.),
various herbs such as basil, rosemary, lavender and thyme,
the beautiful dinner plate hibiscus (we had a pink one and a white one and somehow ended up with a multi colored one as well.),
two little ponds, complete with goldfish, water hyacinths and water lilies (and a frog named Trevor that stowed away in the house one winter),
Mabel, the aristocrat pear (he was a welcome home after surgery present that I insisted was a boy named Mabel in my post-operative medicated state),
and of course no tour of our home would be complete without a picture of our loyal basset hound, Elwood. I'm fairly sure he's plotting the fall of civilization while resting underneath Mabel's branches.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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