Love is the Sunshine and a bonus...

When my plans totally change and I am relieved of an appointment or responsibility, I usually call that a "Free"day. That's what happened to me today. I had this whole day set aside to help move my daughter in to college. My husband needed to go as early as possible, so I had to stay behind to get the other kids off to school. But, instead of calling this day a "Free" day, I'm calling today "Grace" day. (It also gave me an opportunity to blog today.) I am soooo overwhelmed right now, the Lord knew that I needed an extra day. We are having a sweet sixteen birthday party here tomorrow night and I need to get my house company clean, as well as get the party preparations finished. Needless to say, I will be glad when this is all behind me.

On to another subject... I made this card for my husband. This isn't a very manly card, but he's never complained before... he's much too smart for that! It says "Love is the sunshine that warms each soul to blossom". The stamps are from different Stamin Up sets. I rubbed a white memories dye ink pad over the textured card stock and colored the images with Prismacolor pencils. I'll write something mushy in it and give this to him later today. Now, let me tell you why I made this card for him.

A few of weeks ago, we went out on a date. A date with my husband outside of the house is a rare treat. At O'Charlie's, and the hostess seated us near the bar area. We wanted to talk to each other and it wasn't going to happen in that part of the restaurant. They moved us to the part of the room that looked like a sun room. -- They call it the Glass House. It was still early in the evening, probably before their normal dinner hour so we had the whole room to ourselves-- at least for a little while. The manager evidently goes to our church because he told one of the employees about Michael's singing. This woman came over and pulled up a chair and started talking. She wanted to know if he would sing "His Eye is on the Sparrow" for her. Let me interject her and say that at first I was a little annoyed. I could have been interrupted at home --and, this was a little unusual, to say the least! But my husband's reaction was different. His reaction made me instantly repent. He smiled and asked her if she was serious. She talked about how the song reminded her of her grandmother who passed away a year ago. It was one of the things that was omitted from the funeral. The next thing I know he's singing right there at our table. Remember we were in that area alone so it was almost inconspicuous. I don't think any of the other customers heard us. He sang the first and second verse back to back, and by the time he got to the chorus, she was in tears. When he'd finished and she'd composed herself, she went on to tell why that song reminded her of her grandmother.

When she was a little girl, she was terrified of a thunder storm. While it thundered and lightened, her grandmother would sing. In an effort to comfort the frightened child, her grandmother brought her to the front door and opened it wide. She pointed out a bird on the wires and asked if the bird looked scared. Right there in the storms and rain, the bird just perched itself there, waiting for the storms to pass. She told the child that if God can take care of that bird, He's would surely take care of them. Her story gave me goose bumps. I was moved by her emotion and the encouraged by his attitude at the opportunity to minister to her. I felt very blessed to be a witness to all that. Not just a witness, because the Lord ministered to me too.

It was helpful to me, God reminded me once again, that He's got this. I'm sure God doesn't sound like George Lopez, but it's his voice saying "I got this!" that I hear.(smile)
You see, I'm still struggling with not feeling settled. After a year, I finally feel like this house is home and the neighbors are great. But I still feel like a bystander at church. I'm not serving, just attending services and Sunday School. I haven't jumped in because I've been waiting for it to feel right. I didn't want to get too involved and make too many friends, if it wasn't the church that God wanted us to be a part of. Here's one thing that I do know. God wouldn't tell my husband one thing and tell me another. Michael's joined the choir and he seems to be comfortably fitting in. So obviously it's me?? I just decided one day earlier this week that maybe I won't ever feel warm fuzzies (at least for now) but that maybe this is where God has planned for me to minister. I need to go about doing that and then the warm fuzzies will come?
I'm going to do some more praying and then set up a meeting or two. I'll let you know how it all turns out.

Praise Update;
Also I'll update my prayer post with this information, but I'm seeing a marked improvement in the lesion on my face. The dermatologist actually injected the medicine directly into my cheek the last time I was there. Hopefully, by the time I see her in a couple of weeks, I will have improved enough that she will forget about the drug thing.
...and lastly, here's a bonus card! I showed you a similar one before. This was leftover from my last class at Michaels. The pre-stamped panel was a part of the class kit. I love coloring this flower, so I went ahead and made a card out of it. The solid floral images are Stampin Up and the saying is from a Hero Arts set.

If I survive this weekend and get my computer back online (-- on Jillana's lappy right now), I'll be back with lots of pictures on Monday.
We're making homemade pizza and having Julie's famous rainbow cake before going to a movie. When we return we will be watching DVDs, making bracelets, playing games, etc... all night long.... ok I won't be up all night, I'm sure.


"Have a blessed day! " she said with eager anticipation, but then added reluctantly" I need to get back to cleaning and preparing."