Put the Hope in Dysfunction

Remember the old saying, “Put the fun in dysfunction”? Well, how about if we put the hope in dysfunction? Anybody out there have a little dysfunction in their life? Last week I spoke about hope and how we can be a participant in it. We participate in many ways and it isn’t a one size fits all, but rather what is right for you. Whether we are waiting or doing what we believe is the right thing to do, there is always something that we can do. If it’s not working then perhaps we should look at it from a different perspective. That’s where that “ask the right question” thing comes in. How many of you have listened to a speaker that you really looked up to and heard them talk about “healing relationships?” You know, they say things like “maybe this is the year” or “what can you do” or “God wants us to have good relationships with each other” (true, but more on that later). How does that make you feel? Have you been one of those people that heard that and “hoped” that this might be the year or thought “what can I do”, “what should I have done”, etc? Well, I would have to agree that God does want us to have good relationships, but He also knows that we live in a broken world. How many of us hang onto beliefs such as “when this relationship is healed, then I will be okay”. Maybe you haven’t said those exact words, but maybe you have believed that your life can only be okay “when this happens” or “that happens.” That kind of belief system keeps us stuck because we truly believe that we will only be okay “when this thing happens.” Well, what if it doesn’t happen? Does that mean that we won’t be okay? I don’t think so. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to go around believing that certain things need to happen before my life will be okay. If I did believe that, then I would be living not only a miserable life but also a lie. The truth is that you are okay. If you have a relationship with God then you must know that you and God are enough. That statement right there gives me hope. What more do you need? How about it? Is there some hope in dysfunction?
stress / family / relationships

Happy Pink Saturday to you

Don't you just love this saying?! Years ago I thought that it would be fun to run a bed and breakfast...you know, the elegant Victorian look, having high tea by the cozy fireplace, decorating each bedroom and bath..... and then it occurred to me  - breakfast.  Yep, that did it for me.  It's not that I don't like breakfast, because I do - cinnamon rolls, gourmet egg casserole, fresh berries, piping hot coffee with fresh cream.  The problem is, I would have to be the one to get up and fix it...You are looking at a non-morning person.  They say that you know if you've had enough sleep because you feel refreshed when you wake up.  Huh?!  I cannot remember ever feeling that way.  It doesn't matter if it is 5:45 or 8:00, refreshed is not in my vocabulary at that particular moment.  Now give me about 10-15 minutes and a cup of coffee (with cream) and I'm much better.  So, for now I will settle with going and staying at a bed and breakfast and enjoying being spoiled under someone elses care. Speaking of, several years ago my husband and I stayed at the wonderful Tarabino Inn at Trinidad, CO - and look - it's even PINK!  It was wonderful and we were spoiled.  If you haven't experienced a bed and breakfast before, put it on your bucket list.  (Picture is from historictrinidad.com)

My next picture is a cottage that I made from the sleeve of a sweater.  I belong to an art group and we have a Christmas party every year.  This year we were to buy something from a thrift shop and make something out of it, so this was my idea.  I like how it turned out.

The last picture was really supposed to be in my sidebar but I couldn't get it there. So, I am posting it here.
Christie is having a give away and it is so gorgeous.  The last day to sign up for this is Sunday, so go on over. You must first go to Shabbyfufu.com and follow the directions for the giveaway.  You will enjoy her beautiful website as well.  Last, but not least, be sure to visit Beverly, our lovely PINK hostess at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/pink-saturday/.  I hope that your Saturday is full of lovely PINK blessings!

http://chateaudefleurs.blogspot.com/



Do We Participate in Hope?

Do we participate in hope?  I think so.  What is it that you hope for?  To lose weight? Be debt free? Be organized? Have a relationship healed? Not being in pain - emotionally or physically?  Wanting your life to improve in some way?  Wanting someone else's life to improve?  What is it that you can do? 
Write it down.  See, already you have done something.
Make a reasonable goal.  Rome wasn't built in a day and you aren't going to lose 20 pounds in one week. (I know...bummer).
Seek wise counsel from someone you trust.
Ask the right question. ( I was a slow learner on this one).
Be an encourager - to yourself or someone else.
Ask
Seek
Knock
Wait (expectantly) - waiting is something that we can do.
...waiting with you in hope...

How do we measure success?

So, I’m rethinking this eating right thing….I know what you are thinking….she is already giving up….No, I am just thinking how can I do this and be successful?  Well, how will I measure success with this?  If I measure it by looking great at the end of January, then I am doomed to fail.  But, if I look at it as a progression toward a healthy lifestyle change where I am eating is good for my body and my overall health is good, then that is much different.  I’m still pretty sad about the cheese thing though. 

Did you ever notice that some people have more faith in their ability to mess up than in God’s ability and willingness to make a new thing?  Is that you I am talking to?  I know it has been me before.  Take our creative endeavors…have you ever made something only to be disappointed at how it turned out?  Maybe you threw it away because you believed that it wasn’t redeemable.  Do we ever look at who we are or what we do as unredeemable?  Been there, done that.  But, I have good news for you.  There is nothing that you have done or not done that cannot be changed or made new.  We are reminded in Isaiah 43:19 that "Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? How about you?  Will you not be aware of it….or will you?

There is no hope in redeeming the time unless God is in it.

For those who may have wondered what 2911 Jeremiah Avenue is, it is named after a scripture that gives me great hope. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.



In fact, God has spoken to me many times lately specifically with this verse as if to say, “I hear you, I know your struggle, hang on, I have it all planned out.” I really like how The Message says it: I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Isn’t that wonderful?!


Well, there was something that I missed for years when reading this and I think that we should take note. Beginning in verse 5 of that same chapter God says to them while they are waiting…build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have children…Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city…


I’m going out on a limb here and going to say that if you really like this verse that you too are waiting for that hope. I don’t know what it looks like for you or for me, but it is a great verse to take delight in. However, while we are waiting for that hope, God is very clear about what we are to do…we are to live! Just because what we hope for hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean that life isn’t full of blessings – it is. God wants us to rejoice in Him and trust Him for the future and present.

Happy Pink New Year

I love to hang pink pretties from our light fixture....they are, of course, PINK.


I am looking forward to this pink new year. Not only is my attitude pink, but so is my planner!

Every year I put out a basketful of pink poinsettas that are lit up with tiny white Christmas lights...

Because I am choosing to start the year IN THE PINK, I thought that I would share with you some of the changes I am going to make with my PINK attitude.

One of the gifts that I got for Christmas is the book, “Eat Right For Your Blood Type.” I have heard about it, and it seems to make sense. Sadly, I should not have some of the things listed for my blood type such as cheese (sad), wheat (sadder), and coffee (saddest). That’s not to say that I am going to forever give these things up. NOOooo. My plan is to do this in January and then we’ll play it by ear…I do like to enjoy life. However, I will not be giving up coffee and the dollop of cream.
The next pink change I will be doing is posting more with my blog. By the way, how do you like the background? It is from the art of John William Waterhouse. I like it. The site where I got these graphics has some other wonderful graphics too – so hard to decide…which brings me to my next pink change…
Use what I have….yes, this will be a big pinker for me. You see, I have focus issues. I can hardly walk into Hobby Lobby and come out with only what is on my list…I seem to take detours as I hear certain sections of the store calling my name. Recently I have walked in their front doors saying, “Focus, focus, focus” to myself much like they did on the old Mervyns commercial (is that the right one) where the lady stands at the door and says, “Open, open, open.” It really works, you should try it. Another one of those weak places for me is any sale that is going on and that includes online AND thrift stores. How do they get rid of such fabulous items? I really do believe in the motto, “Another woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure.” I am not beyond dumpster diving – just ask some of my local art friends. In fact, because I am going to use what I have (and if you saw what I was talking about, you would shake your head), I plan on having several “creative” items to sell….hmmm….we’ll see.
Well, I’ve told you about my pink new year. I would love to hear about yours.

Happy Pink Saturday brought to you by our extraordinary pink hostess, Beverly at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/.

A Year of Hope

I spoke with a special friend a few days ago as she shared with our study group that she keeps a journal of sweet gifts that God gives her throughout the year. I asked her to tell me more about it and she said that Christmas had been a difficult for her once upon a time so a friend encouraged her to keep a journal of all the sweet gifts that God gives her throughout the year. She said that she was just getting ready to sit down and read through them. I appreciated her openness as she shared her struggle with the holidays because I too have struggled with some pain as this special day comes around. That's not to say that I don't love the music, the decorations, spending time with friends and family, etc....I do love it all. But, like many others I hae expereienced pain and am reminded of it during this time of year. Even as she shared her journal idea with me, my thoughts began to brighten because I too have been given many sweet gifts. Years ago when the pain was so difficult I asked, seeked, cried and fervently prayed that God would use this pain for good. There was a time in my life when the pain was so great that any hope was swallowed up by the darkness I felt. But, God in His graciousness sent the right people at the right time in my life. One sweet friend gave me a journal and told me to write down one thing each day that I was thankful for no matter how small it seemed. I have to admit that it was not always easy, nor did I do it each day....but, I did do it and as I took those steps to write, hope began to loom on the horizon. Many years have gone by since then and much good has come. I continue to think that God is not finished with this story, so I continue to believe in hope. I have thought a lot about that word because I have always wanted to encourage women to find hope in their lives. As I think about that, I have to ask "just what is hope?" Hope is about what is to come - what we wait expectantly for - what keeps us going. I don't know what it looks like for you, but I know that we all hold onto it especially when times are difficult. It is the spark that keeps us going, waiting, hoping. So, I thought that I would title this year for me, "A Year of Hope." I look forward expectantly knowing that God is working on our behalf and gives us the desires of our heart. I believe that those desires are coupled with the gifts that He gives us and that is exciting to me. I would love to hear from you and know what hope means to you!

End of the Year reflections

The week between Christmas and New Years is a time of reflection for me. I always pray that God would make clear to me what I am to do. Unfortunately, I have asked Him to be very specific which often (okay, usually) results in frustration and disappointment on my part because He usually (okay, 99.99% of the time) doesn't answer that way. A friend of mine taught me a few years ago that many times when I would make a request of God that I was "asking the wrong question." So, I contemplated that thought and looked at my request in a different light. There are a couple of things that I have been hoping for. I hadn't realized it until yesterday that perhaps they may or may not be linked together - at least as far as God was concerned. So, it occurred to me that (in addition to asking my question differently) perhaps I should just continue to do what I have been doing and allow God to work through me and my circumstances. After all, if I truly want to bring glory to Him, then I should just simply be the vessel and allow Him to work through me. So, today I decided to continue to do what I had been thinking about doing and allowing God to decide how He would work through it....so far so good. I'm guessing that I am not alone in my thoughts and desires. I would love to hear what God has laid on your heart....

New background

What do you think of my new background? I call it a happy accident. I was looking to change the Christmas theme I had up and fell into this wonderful design by http://blo64rt.blogspot.com/. I love it because it is of one of my favorite artists, John William Waterhouse. Consider this picture of "The Soul of a Rose". You can almost smell the fragrance of the rose along with the woman in the picture. It truly depicts the soul of the rose!

Christmas Present

I'm so far behind on my posts. I'll make this one brief and then try to play catch up later this week. Oh yeah....I forgot....it's the week of Christmas....prob'ly not....have church tomorrow morning, open house in the afternoon and cantata that night....I have something to do Monday but I can't remember. But, I do remember that it is my oldest son's birthday and we will be Skyping that day to hug him via Skype. I am so blessed with wonderful children! Tuesday I go to a dear friend and fellow dollmaker's home to learn a new way to paint eyes - can't wait! Wednesday I am having an open house at our house....somewhere between now and Wednesday I need to decide the menu and what I am cooking AND clean....that's kind of a biggy. On Thursday I go to Denver to pick up my other son who is flying in from Montana and then driving home. On Friday we will have a Christmas eve service and Saturday is Christmas.

How about you? How is your week looking? Oh, and I learned something today...I thought I would share....holidays have been difficult for me for the last several years because of life's circumstances. However, I learned something today from my monthly study that was most helpful. Jesus is going to show up that day and I have a choice whether or not I will show up....I get to decide what my attitude is...I get to decide whether or not I am going to live in the past or in the present. I have decided to live in the present. I have decided that I will embrace today, this week, the people that come and go across my path. How about you?

Oh shoot!

hello lovely ladies! I didn't get a post done because (very legitimate excuses) I was out shopping til I dropped yesterday at Black Friday (love the experience). Anyway, Happy Pink Saturday!
Blessings!

I would be much obliged...

I would be much obliged, truly honored, and humbled to have the good pleasure of your company on my friend's list.

Doing Kingdom Work

I am thankful...so, so thankful...I participate in a study once a month with author, Dr. Gay Hubbard. She is amazingly gifted and always encourages us to see what God is doing in our lives. What she said this past weekend was so helpful to me. You see, I have had a slight job change this year. I am a school counselor and worked for 4 years with the middle school kids and LOVED it! I know, call me crazy, but I truly loved that age. This year (because of changes in our school district) I went to work with K-6. That was a huge adjustment for me and I have at many times felt like I was drowning - partly because of the needs of this age but mostly because there are so many kids and there simply isn't enough time. Well, I have a new zest because of what Dr. Hubbard said. I am going to translate: Jesus talked most of taking care of widows, orphans and strangers (those who are different from us)....in other words, we are to look after those that the world, for the most part, ignores. How many times do we think that someone else will do it or get so caught up in our own world that we ignore the needs of others? It helped me turn the corner on my sometimes "negative attitude". Dr. Hubbard helped each of us to see that we were doing kingdom work: I work with young children in a community of high needs, two of the women there take care of their aging mother-in-laws who aren't able to do much anymore, and another goes to the far sides of the earth to work with children and families. The list goes on.... how about you? Are you feeling discouraged where you are in life? I bet that you too are doing kingdom work. Ask God to show you how He is working through you to make a difference in the lives of others. He is looking forward to showing you...

Pink Saturday with a touch of curry

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the pumpkin soup is so delightful....I told Beverly that I was going to share a pumpkin soup recipe with you. It has curry in it, so if your family doesn't like the flavor of curry, then you'd better invite your girlfriends over for a special luncheon and fix it for them. Make a fresh salad and crusty bread and you have a wonderful meal!

Pumpkin Soup

1/4 c butter

1 cup chopped onion

1 garlic clove

1 tsp curry powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp coriander

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

3 cups chicken broth

16 oz can pumpkin

1 cup 1/2 & 1/2 (or Pet milk)

Sour cream and chives for garnish (optional)

Saute onion and garlic in butter. Add spices. Cook 1 minute. Add broth. Boil gently uncovered for 15-20 minutes. Stir in pumpkin, milk, and cook 5 minutes, Pour into blender and blend until creamy. Serve warm. Yummy!

I'm writing this on Thursday night because I'm getting ready to go out of town for a couple of days. I want to keep up with my thankful posts, so I am going to say all the pink things (that I can think of) I am thankful for because I truly adore the color pink!

I am thankful for:

the color pink

pink peonies

pink poinsettias

pink roses

okay, lets just cover the bases here and say pink flowers

pink nail polish

pink sweaters with a touch of angora

pink pearls

pink gemstones

pink cowboy boots

pink purses

pink Mary Kay cars (they make me smile) I think that I want a pink hummer. What do you think?

pink Christmas trees ( I have one)

pink walls

pink rugs

pink cheeks

baby girl pink clothes

strawberry milk

pink apples (yes, there really are pink apples)

pink furry socks

pink shoes

pink bike

pink sunsets (we have gorgeous sunrises and sunsets where I live)

pink Christmas ornaments

pink dolls

pink markers

peppermint ice cream (it combines both of my favorite colors)

strawberry cake

strawberry iced donuts

pink glasses

pink dishes

pink paper

How about you? What would you add to this list?

Oh, and one more thing....

I am thankful for the Pink Saturday ladies!

Happy Pink Saturday everyone!

another day....

I have for many years prayed to God that He would use me...little did I know what would lay ahead. The good news is, I am a much better person for it....the flip side of that is that it has been painful...but I am thankful for it. So, moving onto my point for this.....I was asking God the other day if what I was thinking about my situation was correct? You see, it goes something like this: I have been working hard for many years doing this idea and that idea and thinking "surely God will use me with this" or "God, You made me this way...this seems like a good way to go." Well, as you may have guessed, those haven't worked out like I expected. So, as I have processed these thoughts I have wondered if perhaps a piece of what I was thinking in each of those situations might be true but that the timing is not now....So, I asked God to confirm that if it was so....Later that day I came upon one of my favorite verses (which just so happens to be the name of my blog) by flipping to the next day of my perpetual calendar. I truly believe that God was speaking to me - He was saying, "I know the plans I have for you...plans to give you a future and a hope...." I love that! Two more times throughout the week that verse was presented to me in unusual circumstances....such peace (and excitement) comes from when we know God is speaking to us.. I am thankful that God does have it in control and does have plans for me...I can rest in that. How about you? What plans does God have for you?

Day Four

I have been driving with my daughter for the past five years to school and a couple of years ago I started what I call the "Have a great day" sayings I started with "Have a Magnificent Monday, Have a Terrific Tuesday, Wonderful Wednesday, Thankful Thursday and Fantastic Friday." We have had fun with it because we both tried to outdo the other with who could be the most creative in their "have a great day" sayings. Magnificent Monday also became Marvelous, Monumental, and Momentous. Terrific Tuesday is Tremendous, Tantalizing, and Tu-tu. Wednesday took on fun names like "Wonka Wednesday, Willie Wonka Wednesday, and Wacky Wednesday. Thursday was a little bit more of a challenge with the "th", but we came up with Thriving Thursday, Thrilling Thursday, but I think that I like THANKFUL Thursday the most. Friday was fabulous, fantastic, frilly, frou-frou, fine, and finesse Friday. So, what am I thankful for today?... Creativity, spending time with my daughter and creating memories with her. Oh, and by the way....tomorrow, I hope you have a Wonderful Wednesday.

Day Three...Random Acts of Kindness

Today was a good day and it was Monday - that's kind of like an oxymoron. Anyway....

I teach counseling classes with K-6. Today I talked about bullying and a boy raised his hand and stated, "I have something to say and ask the class." I asked him to tell me first and I was in awe. Here was a 9 year old boy who stood up in the front of his class and told them that he wanted them to quit picking on another student. Wow! Then he went onto ask the class why they did it and then added, "She has never done anything to us." Wow! Many of the other students chimed in and class ended with a challenge of being kind to her and each other.

So, today I am thankful for the good that is in the world. I am thankful for a nine-year-old boy who didn't worry about what the others in class would say but was more concerned about how another student was treated.

There really is good in the world...........

2nd day of being thankful

Today I am thankful for Skype because I am able to see my son and daughter-in-love as we talk to them all the way up in New York. If it were 100 years ago, we would have to wait weeks for a letter from them let alone get to see their beautiful faces. This is a great age we live in.

How about you? What are you thankful for!

I am thankful for...

Today as I was visiting blogs, I saw that people were posting one thing each day they were thankful for. What a great idea I thought – that will be easy! There are many things to be thankful for! Then I went grocery shopping tonight and stocked up on all the great sale items for Thanksgiving dinner and then it hit me…there will only be three of us this year. My oldest son is just about as far away on the east coast as one could be. My next son is up north in the great state of Montana and because I was already feeling sad, it hit me that my daughter will be graduating next year and wants to go to Texas to school. I have to admit that I was feeling quite sad. It made me think about the times my husband would say, “How can you stand the noise” when the kids were “being kids”. I said to him that it didn’t bother me at all because I knew that “someday the walls would be silent.” The laughter would be distant and so would someone saying, “Mom, he hit me….” No, the noise didn’t bother me. I loved the noise. I relished in it. My favorite days were when all three children were at home “just hanging out.” I loved those days. How did I get here – today – it’s quiet as I write this. My daughter is out on a date, my husband is in bed and my two springer spaniels are lying quietly on the floor. Well, just as David would often start out lamenting in the Psalms, he would end up on a positive note by recognizing who God was and is. So, I would be remiss if I did not do the same thing. Here goes….My son is enjoying his first Thanksgiving as a husband and is loved by dearly by his wife and her family. My other son in Montana has a job in a time where jobs are scarce. My daughter is having a good senior year and my husband treasures his family. I have great stepchildren and two lovely granddaughters who called me “grandmom” – how cute is that?! Every day I see God’s handiwork and can visit with Him as thoughts come to my mind and His mercies are new every morning! I love that. So, with that I will close this first day of being thankful.
Signed,
Very Thankful Indeed

Happy Pink Saturday From Vail

I was up in Vail for a 2 day conference and had such a wonderful time. Why, oh why didn't I bring my camera?! My cell phone had to suffice. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pictures from my trip...what a charming place to visit. One of my stops was at one of Vail's many local galleries. These stunning glass chandeliers are by artist Ulla Darni. To see them in person was breathtaking. It was eye candy.

This is my "pink" in Vail. It was one of the many stores lit up at night and the lights were pink...I just wish that the stores were open when we were down there. I was certain that I heard them calling my name.

We weren't able to get down to Vail Village until 6:00 p.m. which made it quite dark. It was beautiful. The snow was gently falling and the street was lit up. This was one of the "trees" that was lit up. I found out later that it changed colors from white to blue, purple, pink, and green. It was fabulous!

I have seen this sculptors work at the public library in Pinedale, WY (another wonderful mountain town). I decided that when I saw all of these wonderful animals that I had to know who the artist is. His name is Jim Budish. He has his own website. Go check his sculptures out...they are fun and make you smile.

One of my (many) dreams is to live in the mountains...the cool crisp air, cool summers, shoveling snow (it really is therapeutic), mountain towns, warm fireplaces, cold outside and warm inside, drinking something warm while sitting by the fireplace, white Christmas lights in the trees year round.....okay, I am a romantic at heart. But, I would move in a heartbeat if the opportunity came our way.

As always, please stop by Beverly's place as she is our pink lady who began Pink Saturday. Pink blessings to all!

It's a tough life...

I am sitting in my hotel room in Vail, CO writing this right now. Today and tomorrow I will spend at a conference here at the Vail Cascade Resort learning and being inspired. Outside there is snow, the air is crisp and I can hear the shops calling to me. Come on 3:00 so we can go to downtown Vail and enjoy all it has to offer. I love the mountains, the snow, the charm of mountain towns. I will enjoy this moment in time. Have a blessed day everyone!

The many faces of pink

Last April my son got married and we received the beautiful gift of his bride. She chose Gerber daisies as her flowers and the colors of the wedding were fuchsia and green. As I reflect back over their celebration of marriage, I thought about the color of pink and the many faces it has. This darling face is Becca's niece and flower girl. We'll call this pink face "precious pink." This is my son(s) and his friends who traveled many miles to celebrate this special day. I like this picture because it looks like a rainbow going across them.

This is the very happy groom. Note the chair is made out of skis...they got married in Lake Placid, NY....I keep telling them that I am going to come and "visit" for an extended period of time.... This pink face is very happy.
They surprised everyone after the wedding and bought the wedding party these silly glasses. "The pink faces of fun."

more silly pink faces

My younger son giving his speech to his brother and bride. "The having fun pink face."

"The adorable pink faces."

"The priceless face of pink."

"The pink face of joy."

Some of her bridesmaid's gathered in a circle for this picture. "The many faces of pink."

Please go show your beautiful PINK face over at Beverly's place who started the idea of PINK Saturday.

Diamonds are a man's best friend

Russell Conwell:
In 1870 when making a circuit of the earth as the correspondent of the New York Tribune, I visited Baghdad and there we hired a guide to show us down the Euphrates and the Tigris Rivers. He was full of ancient traditions and on the first day down the river, he told me their tradition concerning acres of diamonds, which I have used in my lecture six thousand times.
He said that there once lived, in, near the river Indus an ancient Persian by the name of Al Haphid. He said that Al Haphid owned a large farm, that he had orchards and grain fields and gardens—money at interest—and was counted as a wealthy and a happy man. Happy because he was wealthy and wealthy because he was contented. One day there visited him one of the ancient Buddhist priests—a wise man of the East—who told him about the discovery of diamonds in Europe. He said that the diamonds are so very valuable that if Al Haphid had a handful he could purchase the whole country, and with a mine of diamonds, he could place his children upon thrones, through the influence of their great wealth. Al Haphid heard all about diamonds, and determined to seek for them.

He sold his farm the next day and with the money departed, traveling up and down the whole of Europe. He sought in every place where he had heard of any indication of such gems but finding none, he spent all his money and became very poor, in rags, in poverty, and in hunger. And at last, in despair, he flung himself into the sea—on the shore of the Thames—and sank from sight, never to rise in this life again.

When the old guide had told me this half of his story, he left me to go back and fix the baggage. I had an opportunity to meditate upon that story, and wonder what the wise point of it could be, for the old guide never told a story but to illustrate some great principle or to fasten upon the mind some especial tradition. Therefore, when he was gone, I said to myself, “That story must mean that it is foolish for a man to move away from his own home.”

And very soon afterwards, the guide returned and took up the halter of my camel again and went into the second chapter of his story. When the old guide returned to my camel and took up the halter again he went right on with the same story as though there had been no break. He entered into the second chapter by saying that Al Haphid’s successor—the man who bought his farm in India—one day led his camel out into the garden to drink. And as that animal put his nose down into the shallow water of that garden brook, Al Haphid’s successor noticed a curious flash of light from the white sands of the stream, and reaching in, he pulled out a black stone having an eye of light which reflected all the hues of the rainbow.

And he took that pebble into the house, and put it on the mantle—which covers the central fires in an Eastern house—and then went his way, and forgot all about it. A few days after that, this same old priest came in to visit Al Haphid’s successor and the moment he entered the drawing room door he saw that flash of light from the mantle and he rushed up to it and shouted, “Here’s a diamond! Here’s a diamond! Has Al Haphid returned?” The old farmer said that Al Haphid had not returned and also said, “That is not a diamond. It is nothing but a stone. We found it right out here in our garden.” Said the old priest, “I know a diamond when I see it. That is a diamond.”
Then together they rushed out into that garden and they stirred up the white sands with their fingers, and 'lo there came up other more beautiful, more valuable gems than the first. “And, thus,” said the guide to me, “was discovered the great diamond mines of Galconda, the most magnificent diamond mine in all the history of the world. The Koohinor of England, and the Orlov of Russia, the greatest crown jewels on earth came from Galconda’s diamond mines.”
When the old guide had finished his second chapter, he then took his precious cap off his head and swung it around in the air to get my attention to his moral. And as he swung his hat over his head, he shouted to me: "Had Al Haphid remained at home and dug in his own cellar, or underneath his own wheat fields, or in his own garden, instead of wretchedness, starvation, poverty, and suicide in a strange land, he would have had acres of diamonds!"

This story is one of my favorites because it teaches us to quit looking in other places for our happiness or purpose. Our purpose is where we are. We already have what we need to accomplish what we have been called to do. Recently I was talking to a dear friend of mine that I knew in high school. We reconnected after many years and she shared with me that God has used her in many people's lives and that most of it has been through Facebook. Wow! God really can use us wherever we are, whatever we do, and who we are. Perhaps what we are doing isn't what we think we should be doing, but is God using us? I think yes! Can our attitude keep us from being effective for Him? Maybe where you are isn't where you think you should be. But while you wait, allow God to work His purpose through you - after all He has already equipped you to do His work - the diamonds are already there. Perhaps you just need to harvest them.

Here is the link to credit back to: http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5768/

Inchies

A friend of mine made me the most beautiful decorated bottle for my birthday. She learned it from an online class at Roses on My Table. I thought this was a place that I needed to check out and I am so glad I did. I joined the "inchie" group and here is my contribution to the October swap. The theme was "faces".

A Vintage PINK Girl

Happy PINK Saturday! I love this day as it is another opportunity to celebrate all things PINK! Please stop by and say hello to Beverly. I went searching for ads with PINK and ran across some that read "vintage" and they were from the 1970's. Well, I don't know about you, but I was alive and well in the 1970's and a PINK girl then too. I guess that makes me vintage, but that's okay. I'm loving this PINK life. Happy PINK Saturday to all of you wonderful ladies that have stopped by to say hello.

I found these great pictures online today of some old movies...I think that I must live vicariously through them. I love the elegance of the clothing, background design and their mannerisms. I would love to bring those back. Sigh....

Did you ever wonder why there wasn't more pink things made since there are so many of us who love pink? Take glasses for instance. I have been looking for some great drinking glasses in pink. I would buy a pink refrigerator and washer/dryer in a heartbeat if there were any available - in modern day convenience of course. I did find a great vintage ad of a pink washer and dryer set. PINKabulous!

I love old movies...such elegance in dress and background design. I love vicariously through them. I found these fabulous pictures from an old movie.

Pink in Alaska

I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Alaska when I worked at a residential treatment facility. I soon had my "favorites" - favorite restaurants, favorite shops, etc to go to during each trip. The first picture is a wall doll that I have hanging in our half bath....isn't she wonderful?

The next picture is a wreath that at the time I couldn't justify paying for. But, you know what they say - you should buy it when you see it because....when you get home you end up calling the place to see if they will ship it to you and then it costs THAT MUCH MORE! But, I'm so glad I did....the roses are a velvety light pink. This beautiful wreath hangs in another bathroom in our home. I bet you are thinking that our whole house is pink. ;0)

The last picture is the cutest pair of rhinestone opera glasses that I bought at a delightful tea shop in Anchorage. They were calling my name. (That tends to happen to me a lot).

Happy Pink Saturday to all who stop by. The lovely pink lady who thought all of this up is Beverly at howsweetthesound.typepad.com. Please stop by her place and say hello.

Creativity is seeing something that doesn't exist already. You need to find out how you can bring it into being and that way be a playmate with God.

I saw this saying earlier this week on the web and just loved it!! As with so many talents that we have, creativity is also inspired by God. It is fun to create with Him. I have often thought how much He enjoyed creating us and the incredible world we live in.

Go forth and create!

Creative blessings to you!