Proverbs 31 Woman

Proverbs 31 Woman.... that would be my Mom. Verse by verse it is her. She is an excellent wife and mother. She is a hard worker. She does not have idle hands. She fears the Lord. She has great respect for my Daddy. She has great insight into the future. She is always giving us encouragement...always. She cares for others and always has. And by that I mean totally with her whole heart. She has always opened her home to ones that needed it. She has great concern for the poor. She has wisdom in handling money. And above all she has wisdom period! And she uses that wisdom to further His kingdom.

She is the perfect picture of a Proverbs 31 woman. Every time I read these passgaes I think the same thing. She has always been there for all 5 of us kids. And now she is there for all of our children. Whenever I have a question about anything and I mean anything, I call her. She never lets me down. I know that when I call on her that she will give me wise counsel. We are all very lucky to have her as our Mom. I don't think that I tell her enough how much she has influenced me in my life. Sometimes when we are so blessed we may take certain things for granted and maybe I have done that with her. But I am so thankful that she is my Mom, I truly feel like the luckiest kid ever. I love you Mom! Thanks for showing me Christ through you!

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things but you surpass them all."

Edit: See what my sister wrote about our Mom too. She is the best!

JOY

When my kids were little, little I remember thinking as we would approach one of those big milestones, if we can just get through this everything will be perfect. You know what I mean, right? Oh, if I could just get her weaned life would be so much easier. And then its...if he could just get those teeth through, we could all sleep through the night. And then its...when he gets totally potty trained... or when he starts school...or when we get through elementary school...or if we can just get through middle school and the awkward years. Then it is...if he can just get through high school, it's gonna be a breeze from there...if they would start loving the Lord more, they would make better choices.

Or if only I had more money in my checking account, if things weren't so tight, when my husband gets home things are gonna be great....I could go on and on.

I wonder why we do that? Do we really think that if we can just get over that particular milestone that everything will be "hunkydory" on the other side? Why can't we just be happy in the moment?

"This is the day that the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it."

We can't make our years go by any more slowly or control the circumslances, but we can choose our attitude toward those times and find the joy to be had right where we are...if we look for it! We can do fun things with our kids, they grow up so fast. Go to the park or ride bikes or play baseball with them, whatever. (What excuse are you gonna use when they are older when YOU want to go to the park and swing on the swing or go to the zoo or the circus? Do it now while they enjoy it too!) Rejoice in those sticky kisses and first words and moving up in school. Don't look back years from now wishing you had! Give them that memory (joy) too!

I will say that from my experience I get more joy out of doing and giving joy to other people. When we are concerned about others and how we can bless them, then we are gonna receive that unquenchable joy. I know that I do!

Make time to go to the park or read a book with the kids or just snuggle with them. The Lord will make sure that we are blessed in a special way too!

Motto Monday...Expectations

"You can't succeed beyond your wildest expectations unless you begin with some wild expectations."

When I read this quote by I don't know who about a year and a half ago, I thought...whoa, that's it!! I printed it and posted it on the wall above my sewing machine where I would see it everyday! I had been making the bags for the fun of it, for me, for my family, for gifts, and everyone wanted one. At one point I could not keep up with the orders. I was a SAHM who also babysat for others to pay the bills, baked cakes to pay the bills, ironed clothes to pay the bills, bred my dog to pay the bills, oh and I could go on and on. You name it, I did it! I was always doing something just to make ends meet. I was growing very weary, just plum tired. But when I started making the bags, I could see God's hands all over it. I mean all over it! My Mom had told me that she had prayed that oneday I could quit doing all the other things I was doing and only make the bags. She had faith. She had the wild expectations for me before I even knew it. Before we knew it I gave notice to "my mommies" that I would not be able to sit for them any longer. Although it was very hard to do because they were my "kids" too, I could feel that it was the right thing to do. I jumped in with both feet and complete faith! All of a sudden I actually had time to myself where I could start succeeding beyond my "wildest expectations". And I still have faith that the Lord is gonna take care of me and my kids, because He does it everyday! The days that I start to doubt He "jacks" me up and shakes me a little, and then the orders start pouring in or whatever. I know that I am following by faith, I can tell you that it is not easy but I will persevere. I will show everyone what it means to have faith. I have already exceeded my wildest expectations and to imagine that there is so much more out there is so exciting to me. Thanks Mom! (Again!)

Cowboy Cousins

Will, Robert, Andrew and Jackson

AKA

"The Cowboy Cousins"
What a fun Saturday! Today was our first T-ball game. We are the Oklahoma Cowboys. Jackson had so much fun. The best part is that half of our team is related. And my brother-in-law, Billy, is coaching along with my brother, Bobby, and my 15 year old son, Ryan was helping too. Then my 2 nephews, Robert and Will, and our cousin, Andrew are on the team. It sure does save a lot of time running from ball field to ball field on a Saturday morning to see all of their games. They all did so great! T-ball is the most entertaining sport EVER. Jackson made a triple play, he is so proud! He can't wait to tell his Daddy!
After their game me and the kids went to visit my MaMa in the hospital, she is feeling much better now. But they are still not sure when she can go home. Hopefully very soon! We left there and went to Jess' practice. Her season starts Monday evening. Then we will really be running around crazy. They will both have games on Saturday mornings! But it'll work out, I have faith. Otherwise, I may look into cloning myself! Finally we are home for a quick break, then the kids are off to Mamaw's house for craft time while I go out to dinner with my brothers and sisters and their spouses for my sister-in-law's birthday. Happy Birthday Diana! Yippee, more adult conversation!

Go Cowboys!

Whining

Philippians 2:14-15...Do everything WITHOUT complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault.

Whining, we all do it, yes us adults too. In fact, sometimes I think that we may whine a little more than the children. At least kids may not know better, but there is no excuse for us. This verse is pretty straight forward, wouldn't you say? Why can't we just turn our whining into a thankfulness? Although it sounds quite simple, I guess it really isn't. I challenge all of you to quit the whining. Rather than whining about the things in our lives or whatever may be wrong, take positive action. How, you ask? I figure that there are a few things we can do. Give something away...think about it. When you give something away you create a space for something new and better to come into your life and that is something to be thankful for. Then, don't expect everything good to come into your life all at once. Focus on specific and achieveable goals, direct your time and energy into reaching those goals. Go from "I need" to "I want". Most of the time when we think that we need something, it is really that we want it. Then when we get what we want we will more likely be thankful for it as a luxury rather than a necessity. (Hmmm, whoa!) Choose to be thankful, all of us have more things to be thankful for than we could ever recount in a single day. So, why is it that we whine about the bad things all the time when there really is more of the good things? This verse is very convicting. I am guilty of the whining too. Now that I really think about it, I do alot of whining. (Mom, sorry, I promise to do better! :) ) I have many trials in my life and alot that I could fuss and complain about but now in this moment I am gonna be thankful for the trials and thankful for ALL of the good things that the Lord brings into my life EVERYDAY! Number one, Him! And secondly, my husband, thirdly my 4 children and the list could go one and one, but you get the picture, right?

"Jesus can turn water into wine, but he can't turn your whining into anything." -Mark Steele

Fun and Fellowship

Just a quick one tonight....I promise because I am sooo tired...Today was a great day! Among other things, I love Women's Life Thursdays. I get so touched by our small Titus group fellowships, I get truly inspired by the teachings that when I leave there I really feel like I have learned great things. Actually I know that I have learned great things! More on that later......I had lunch with a great friend (cut short of course by the school calling with a minor emergency, everything is fine! Sorry Lisa, maybe next time?). To top the whole day off I had an awesome show tonight. I had so much fun and the fellowship was great! I really enjoyed talking to all of the women who came and getting to know them all. Ms. Jo and Rose are THE BEST hostesses. They made everyone feel so welcomed, thanks guys! I really don't get out much and when I do, I have the kids with me. So to actually get to have adult conversations was ...WOW...amazing. I got some great new ideas too. (Love that!) It was just plain ole fun. I have the best "job"! I say "job" very loosely because it really doesn't seem like a real JOB. I truly enjoy what I do and am very compassionate about it and then to see other people enjoying my creations is the best payment ever. So, thank you to everyone who came, we truly appreciate your business! Sweet dreams!

Trust and Perseverance

I guess I am on a trust kick this week....or the Lord is trying to drill it into my hard head! Oh well, I know that I hate it when there are people in my life that are hurting. It bugs me sometimes that I can't help them or even help solve their problems. But, I can pray for them and encourage them the best that I know how! God must have really wanted me to write about this today because earlier when I signed on here I was clueless as to what I was gonna "blog" about today. I read through scripture during my quiet time hoping that something would just pop out at me. I had a very busy afternoon planned and I really wanted to do this earlier, but God had another plan for me. He kept putting different people in my path that were hurting in one way or another. My grandmother is sick and had to go to the ER, a friend emailed and seemed hurting inside, another friend called and was struggling with things in her life, my son is hurting which makes me hurt, I checked another fellow blogger's site tonight and she is hurting and the list goes on. All of these are different situations but yet all the same.

It led me to James 2:2-8 (Funny how that happens, I just love James...very rich!)... 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Trials....when we start to walk with the Lord we almost automatically think that everything is just going to fall right into place...not the case and totally contrary to what scripture says. We get blind-sided so to speak. He wants us to have faith in Him, how would we ever grow in faith if we didn't ever have trials? He wants us to ask for wisdom, He will give it to us freely. FREE...nothing in life is free, but this is, just ask! We don't have to understand why things happen to us in our lives but we do have to trust that the Lord will always work them out for our good. He is our Father, accept His helping hand, just as you would your earthly father! "Our security is in God, not in circumstances." As we are struggling to get out of our different circumstances, maybe remember that God is probably getting us prepared for something very special, so make it a learning experience and remember that He promises that we will persevere if we stay focused on Him.

So, for you guys that are hurting and struggling please know that you are not alone, not only am I praying for you but your Father will not let you down, He will see you through your trials.

Something fun for the kids

I happened across a cool word search that relates to South Carolina on the Family Fun website. I kinda thought it was neat and would be cool for the kids to do! Hope you enjoy it! I love this site, especially on a rainy, blah day like today!

Motto Monday!

Motto Monday....I am gonna make Monday's my Motto Monday. And I am gonna share a favorite motto or quote that speaks to me, so to kick it off here goes... this is from a book called The New Speaker's Treasury of Wit and Wisdom and is called Mottoes.

"You may bring to your office, and put it in a frame, a motto as fine as its paint, but if you're a crook when you're playing the game, that motto won't make you a saint. You can stick the placards all over the wall, but here is a word I announce: It is not the motto that hangs on the wall, but the moto you live, that counts.

If the motto says, "Smile," and you carry a frown; "Do it now," and you linger and wait; if the motto says "Help," and you trample men down; if the motto says "Love," and you hate--- you won't get away with the mottoes you stall, for truth will come forth with a bounce. It is not the motto that hangs on the wall, but the motto you live, that counts."

Isn't that the truth, ever thought of it that way? So my motto for today and this week is

"People may doubt what you say, but they will always believe what you do."

And the scripture to go along with this motto is Matthew 12:33...Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.

Chew on that for a while and see how you feel ! It makes me feel very humbled and convicted!

Philippians 4:8

Obviously, I missed church this morning because AJ was sick. I hate it when the kids are sick, especially when I just have to let the virus run it's course. She is feeling so much better today! Almost like she was never sick. So now I sit and wait for IT to circulate the rest of the family! In our Sunday School class (missed you guys today) we have been studying different books of the Bible every week. This week we are doing Philippians. What a full book! I have already been reading it because Audrey is doing this study at Woman's Life. She has challenged us all to memorize this entire book! Wow! Although I haven't done that I have become very familiar with it by reading it regularly. Well, this week our verse to memorize for SS is Philippians 4:8....Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.

Pretty simple actually, he (Paul) pretty much says exactly what he means very clearly. Whatever we decide to put into our minds, may it be books, TV, internet, the list could go on and on, that is what we are going to express in one way or another! We need to replace all those things with God's word and with prayer and other wholesome type things. Why is this so hard? Could you imagine what it would be like if everyone did this? It will take plenty of practice but it can be done. I am gonna try that! I challenge you to read God's word daily, fill your minds with the good things and let go of the bad, impure, harmful junkiness of this world!

Boy does this verse speak to me, I hope it will speak to you! Take what you read and put it to practice, obey God's word!

Crazy Saturday!

Crazy Saturday...Ever had one of those? Aren't Saturdays made for vegging out? Watching the old cartoons with the kids in the morning, you know Bugs Bunny and Road Runner? Making a quick breakfast where we all sit and eat together? Assigning jobs to get the housework done in under an hour so we will have the rest of the day to play? No siree Joe, not here in this hectic household. We have to get up early, first off setting the alarm clock for 6:30 am on a Saturday morning should be totally against the law! Actually I snoozed til about 7:15, then jumped up, got all the kids up to take JG to Tball practice at 9. Had breakfast on the run, actually in the van, grabbed a cappucino at Enmark and headed for Ladys Island, which is 20 minutes away from us. When we got up my daughter AJ said that her tummy hurt, oh great, here is that bug that had swept my sisters house just this week! She livened up enough to think it was safe to go. (She laid on the grass the whole time there....Bless her little heart!) After an hour and a half there, JG goes with Aunt Lori to see Uncle Brett play softball in Summerville and then me and the girls start to head home. Then I realized I had forgotten to get a gift for 1 of the 2 parties we had to attend today! So, I swing through K-Mart, not real sure what I am gonna get yet. A toy, nah, he's turning 1 he will get tons of toys. Clothes, not quite sure of his size. So I decided to get him a bath towel set and run home and embroider his name and a simple design on it. First time doing that, turned out sooo cute! But it took a little bit of time that we really didn't have to spare, because JT had to be at a birthday party at 2. Got that done while I also checked my email, ate lunch, took an order over the phone, talked to my Mom on the phone, etc..... Ran out he door 15 minutes before JT's party, got there just in time. Left her there, went to the next party (his Mommy loved the towels by the way). Stayed a little while when AJ came up to me crying that her tummy was really hurting. I thought I was in the clear but no...she had big elephant tears! Left that party went back to pick up JT at the other party, asked for a plastic bag, just in case, rushed back home to wait. Didn't have to wait long...sure enough half an hour later she started getting sick. Poor thing had been dragged around all day and didn't feel well at all! What a sport! So now she is sleeping, hopefully sleeping it off, and I am waiting for JG to get home so I can tuck him in bed and do this all over again tomorrow! I reckon we can't go to church tomorrow either. I pray that AJ feels better and can sleep all through the night and that no one else gets it, but I know they will!

My crazy Saturday, Momma said there would be days like these! Until ball season (and it just started) is over then this is what we are gonna be doing every Saturday. Plus, JT plays softball too!

My name is Angie and I am a ball Mom! And proud of it!

My hands

Ecclesiastes 9:10a....Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might....

My hands....I never would have thought that a couple of years ago that my hands would be my work. I love to create, I actually always have but not as making a living. I like pretty things! I take great pride in my work and love showing it off. I feel good when I am complimented by complete strangers and especially my very close friends! To know that other people can enjoy my designs, is a great reward.

I found this quote a couple days ago and really thought that wrapped it all up perfectly....

IF A TASK IS ONCE BEGUN,

NEVER LEAVE IT TIL IT'S DONE.

BE THE LABOR GREAT AND SMALL,

DO IT WELL OR NOT AT ALL!

So, off to work I go (just to the next room, still in my jammies with cup of coffee in hand...life is good!), I hope that you have an awesome day!

Reaping

Galatians 6:9- Let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap a harvest time if we do not give up.

What a verse...sometimes it is so easy to just read and say ok I can do that, that's easy, no problem. But do I really live it? I would like to think that I do. There are days when I would really like to just give up and

throw in the towel. I grow so tired! There are nights when I close my eyes to go to sleep and pray that when I wake up that everything will be normal again. Normal? Maybe this is normal!

I feel that I am doing the right thing by continuing to be a worker at home. Sometimes when things are bad and I do feel like retreating away, which is often my first reaction, I remember that I have a creative and loving God that has never given up on me so why would I give up on Him!

So, as I sit here today I know that He is always there and I will triumph through anything life throws at me! Bring it on! (But not too hard please, I do bruise easily!)

Favorites

This one of my favorite designs. It is made out of a burlap/ jute material. I will be adding this to the website in the next few days. What is it about the palmetto and crescent moon? I love it! Wait til you see the "Carolina Baby Girl" designs.....let's start em young! Ok, back to work for me!

My first Blog!

Here goes my first blog....I would like to treat this as a journalling of sorts. I am going to share things that affect me or that inspire me. Since I am a stay at home Mommy, I will talk alot about my kids and the things that we share together. And, since I am a work at home Mom and have started my own cottage type industry right here in my house, I will share alot about that as well. My prayer is that someone may be touched by my stories and be inspired as well. I will start by telling you our family verse....
Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
This verse has become the strength in our family. And I truly try to live my life by it. Note I said that I try because sometimes we have to be reminded over and over and over again that God is with us no matter where we are physically or where we are in our lives. Yes I tremble and become dismayed but then I can feel God shaking his strong finger at me saying "Angie, don't you know that I am here and I will never leave you, no matter what!" Yes sir! This has to be a constant reminder in my life and in the lives of my kids! So, this was good for me to get this "down on paper" per say. I think I am gonna like this "blog thing".