Taking a Break

I just wanted to let you all know that I am going to take a little blogging break. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with lots of things right now and I am finding I don't really have any words.

And bloggers need words. It works well when bloggers have words.

Right now I plan to return after the Thanksgiving holiday. I hope you all enjoy Thanksgiving with your loved ones. And eat lots of good food. Enjoys God's blessings. And give Him thanks.

Blessings,
Robin

Friday Fave 5

It's time for Friday Fave 5! If you would like to be a part go visit Susanna at Living to Tell the Story - we would love to have you join us.

This week my 5 favorite things were:

1. My friends, real-life and bloggy, who have prayed for and encouraged me as I work through accepting something difficult to accept. sigh. God does stretch us sometimes, and sometimes its beyond what we ever thought we could do. And as I wrestle and argue with Him, He just patiently waits for me to be still - and know that He is God. I'm not still yet. But I'm "stiller" than I was before.

2. Celestial Seasonings tea. I have been enjoying a cup of tea each evening this week and it has been so comforting. I especially like the Raspberry Zinger!

3. Having lunch with my college girl. She attends the college I work at and it provides opportunities for the two of us to just spend time together. What a sweet and special thing.

4. I had three evenings this week with absolutely nothing planned in them. That's a rare thing at my house. And I relished every single moment of them. I don't know if everyone enjoys just being home - but I sure do!

5. These guys - they just melt my heart.
A grandson and a granddaughter - God has blessed me so.

What Do You Do?

Sometimes life throws us curve balls. I'm trying to work through one of those right now in my life. I can't really talk about it right now. Not because it's a secret, but because it's still too difficult for me to think about - and I'm not ready to put words to my feelings yet.

Anyway - I thought I would ask you. What do you when intense emotion threatens to overtake your life? How do you handle heartache?

Trusting in God is not the answer I'm looking for - because I do. And I truly believe that ultimately His plan is always better than mine. But that doesn't mean that we don't experience pain and heartache in the process.

So -what practical things do you do when you are hurting?

Friday Fave 5

It's Friday again. Time to share the 5 favorite things of the week. As I read the other blogs on Fridays I always enjoy their pictures. I need to get better at pictures. So next week.....

Anyway, here is my top 5 of this week:

Potato Soup. I love potato soup. Fall is the perfect time of year to start making it and it's so easy. So this last week I made a big pot and used it for leftovers. If there is anything better than potato soup - it's leftover potato soup. Yum!!

My fireplace. It's the kind you just turn on with a switch. But I love turning it on in the evenings and just sitting in the living room. There is nothing that makes you feel warmer or cozier.

The fact that it only took $29.44 to fill my car with gas this week. That's much better than the $49.00 it cost me not that long ago.

Diet Dr. Pepper. I just love it. Nuf' said.

My Harmony Wood knitting needles from Knit Picks. They are awesome. They are smooth and have reallys sharp points. They knit really fast. And they are very pretty. I like the price too. And they would make an awesome stocking stuffer. Hint. Hint. ;)

Okay - that's it for this week. If you want to join in head over to Susanne's at Living to Tell the Story.

He Amazes Me

I think that if we took a vote on the best season of the year, Autumn would win - hands down. How does one not notice the incredible beauty and creativity of the Creator. The colors. The crispness. The changing of the guard as trees stand in salute of the greenery that has protected them through the intense heat and long days of summer. It is truly breathtaking.

This tree stands in my backyard and I absolutely love it. The picture doesn't do it justice. I believe it is a Cardinal Ash. It grows these beautiful orange berries all summer long that turn to red. The leaves turn yellow and red before they drop leaving the berries exposed all winter long. The first year we had this tree I kept waiting for the berries to drop too, and worried about what kind of mess I would have. Oddly, they never dropped, but continued to deepen in color. And apparently in sweetness. Because once the birds come back in the spring they descend on this tree and within a day or two all the berries are gone. Just in time to sprout new buds.

Isn't God amazing? Have you ever marveled at the detail He uses in His creation? Don't you think He just gets a kick out of His work? I just picture Him delighted and thrilled by the adoration of His handiwork as it glorifies Him each and every moment. And knowing that I am (we are) His prized accomplishment, most favorite of all that He made - well that thought just pretty much makes my head hurt. It's too much to think about.

What a mighty God I serve.

So, The People Have Spoken

We have a new president. We have change. Only time will reveal what that means exactly.

Being a conservative, my heart is very sad this morning. Not because my guy lost. He really wasn't my guy. He wasn't conservative enough for me. I am sad because conservatism lost. I am sad because I see my country changing into something I no longer recognize. I am sad because my children and grandchildren won't be able to live in the kind of country that I did. I am sad because unborn children are not valued. I am sad because seemingly the most important thing to people in this election were things that pertain to money. I am sad because our government will soon be deciding where my money can be used best. I don't know if I will be able to afford to give to the causes I currently give to if I also am forced to give to the causes the government says I have to give to. I am sad because for at least two years there is not going to be a balance of power. I am sad because it is almost impossible to have meaningful conversations with people who believe differently because both sides have become angry and bitter with each other.

But I will pray for our new president and the leadership in Congress. I will cheer them on when they do things I agree with. I will celebrate that we have risen above judging the color of skin. I will enjoy watching two adorable little girls take up residence in the White House. I will continue to keep trying to understand the liberal viewpoint and work hard at finding things we hold in common. I will pray harder than I ever have before that God's wisdom and will shall prevail across our land.

And I will never, ever quit fighting for the conservative issues that I hold dear to my heart.

Monday

It's kind of a blah day today. I think it must be letdown from the weekend. And it's raining here today. And I had to go back to work.

And I'm worried about the elections tomorrow. I have always paid attention to politics and the state of our country, but I have never been as concerned as I am now. I have never seen such division among people. I have never known such intense feelings of opposite natures. A couple of weeks ago when I was in Washington DC, I spent some time looking at the White House and thinking about the power that resides in that building. And it occurred to me that perhaps the honor of living and ruling from that house should not go to the person who wants the job more than anything else in the world. Perhaps it should go to one who would rather do anything else in the world, but cannot deny the heavy burden of service upon their heart. I know who I am voting for tomorrow. But I am worried about our country and about our future. And I am trying to leave it all in the hands of the One who said

He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning. Daniel 2:21

In happier news, BSU is still undefeated this season and well on their way to play a BCS bowl game. I made my little grandson a football hat and his daddy asked for one too. So here they are on game day.



And here is a picture of my sweet little marshmallow, Miss Ava Claire.


I'm delighted to join South Breeze Farm's Thankful Challenge again this year. Watch my sidebar to see what new thing I am thankful for each day. We don't spent enough time doing this - and I love that we take a whole month out of the year to focus on our blessings. If you want to join - I encourage you to. It makes a real difference in your day when you CHOOSE to be thankful.

And did you notice my new header picture? Let me introduce you to Willow - my new little yorkie. She is actually a full blooded sister to my sweet dog Josey. She came from my last litter. She was actually very sick and the vets couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. I really thought she was going to die. Her diagnosis varied from "a bug" to neurological issues. I couldn't sell her until I knew what was going to happen to her. And in the meantime, I got attached. Which I try never to do with my puppies. But I couldn't help it. And I am happy to report that she is perfectly healthy. I guess it was just the "bug". She is a handful - but then all puppies are. Yesterday, we were out learning to "go potty outside" and I couldn't resist taking pictures of her playing in the leaves. She is just too cute. And poor Josey is quite jealous and not at all fond of her. In fact, they act like Cinderella and the jealous step-sister! I tried to get some pictures of Josey too, but she refused to come out and play.

And for my birthday, Michelle and Andrea gave me the most beautiful framed pictures of my grandbabies! They took them to a studio along with the quilts that I made them. The quilts are used as the background of the portraits and it is just beautiful. It made me cry. I just love hanging pictures of my grandbabies all over my house. They are after all, the cutest babies in the world. And I can't look at them enough. And I totally know that I'm just a big sap when it comes to them. But I have come to learn that grandparents are just that way.

And I love it.