Distracted by Boredom?

Day 11 since my surgery and I am going stir crazy. Recovery was going well until I decided to over-do it a little by walking up and down steps to get outside and next door. Soooo...I have been re-confined to my bed for the last three days and the rest of this weekend. I have a new appreciation for people who have to stay home or inside for any reason and any length of time.

I am not someone who struggles with depression but I can see how easy it would be for someone to find themselves in a dark place while recovering. Luckily, it comes natural for me to encourage myself when I feel myself slipping. Plus, I have had lots of amazing people from our church to bring dinner (and dessert) every night and my mom lives next door so she is always just a few seconds away.

I had plans to write and be productive while laying in the bed but can I just be honest? Those plans have not been fulfilled. Is it possible to be distracted by boredom? I've had all this "free" time placed in my lap and I can't even focus enough to read much less put organized thoughts down on paper.

Since my words are few, I will share my week with you again with pictures.

I took this pic on my last day outside this past week. I miss my garden but it will be exciting to see how much everything has grown in my absence!

My hubby built this little shed for feed and garden tools. I love old doors so when he made this new door out of old wood, it made me happy :)

My daughter's horse loves to peek in on the new rabbits. I think they've become friends.

Can you tell I would much rather be outdoors?

I joined a photo challenge on instagram and today's theme was "empty". I found this pile of empty containers that were once filled with dinners brought by special friends this week. 

My mom and I are giving my sister a baby "sprinkle" (instead of a shower since big sister is sharing her stuff) in a few weeks. My mom brought over some things that could be completed from my recliner and without exerting too much energy. :)  These are note cards for advice or encouragement from those who attend. They will be hung on a tabletop "tree" once completed.

And here they are again put together much nicer for a better pic. I love the colors of ribbon we are using to match the nursery. We also completed the super cute invitations (pic later).

Image credit: sergeyp / 123RF Stock Photo

I did get one thing written this week - one of my monthly articles for Blissfully Domestic. Stay tuned for some great summer pedicure ideas!

Last but certainly not least, I will be joining an online Bible study tomorrow with Melissa Taylor and others using Glynnis Whitwer's new book "I Used to Be So Organized." I have never been organized (at least the way I want to be) so I am hoping I can still pick up a some helpful tips and encouragement. Interested in joining this nine week study? Read more about it here.

I hope you've had a fabulous week! School is out for us and we are ready to get on with our summer activities! A few more weeks of rest and recovery and we will be on our way to Sea World San Antonio (hopefully)! :) Until then, lots of movies and books and pizza! And luckily for the kids we live in the country so there's plenty to do outside - four wheelers, fishing, swimming, basketball, etc.

Do you have any special plans for summer?

When I Don't Want to Pray Anymore

Setting this post up like our church service: Announcements first. :)

• I normally write for the Beauty & Fashion column for Blissfully Domestic, but this month I had the privilege of also writing for the Faith column. Would looooove for you to visit me there. :)
• There are only 2 DAYS LEFT to sign up for the Ornament Exchange! I'm so excited...it's going to be fun, fun, fun! Have you signed up yet? Click here for all the itty bitty teeny weeny details.
• I am giddy about Christmas, as usual. It is my very favorite holiday. In the spirit thereof, I have been doodling on everything in my sight with green & red acrylic paints - old ornaments, Styrofoam cups, empty paper towel rolls (yes, really), and even my paint palette (aka...Styrofoam plate).

(These are cell phone pics so not great quality, but you can see now that I was telling the truth. I am a writer & a doodler.)

Now on to more serious things (not that I don't take my doodling serious).

What do you do when God is silent on a matter? When prayers go unanswered and mountains don't budge? When you say all the right things and pray all the right prayers and it doesn't seem to make a difference?

How do you keep praying and believing and standing and Keep. On. Keeping. On?

How do I?

With thundering voices shouting in opposition and hard circumstances contradicting your prayers and challenging your faith and demanding that you just give up, how then?

When strength is gone and you're tired and you don't want to pray anymore?

And what happens if I never receive the answer I want? Do I trust Him enough to allow Him to determine the outcome?

Do you think God has previous knowledge of the probability of our getting tired some on this journey of ours?

Of course He does.

He knows that our strength in itself isn't enough.

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" Galatians 6:9.

So in times when I feel like I'm beating my head against a wall without breakthrough and tempted to throw in the towel, I remind myself that even when I am depleted He is more than enough.

"He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me..." Psalm 50:23.

And I give thanks. Because gratitude and thanksgiving take the focus off me and recognizes that God is here.

"Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not grow weary, They shall walk and not faint" Isaiah 40:30-31.

And I trust that in my waiting, He is renewing my strength.

Keep on keeping on, sister. Remain in a place of gratitude and allow Your Father to renew your strength today. In your waiting, find assurance in His promises by meditating on scriptures that build your faith and remind you of His goodness. Soak in His presence and fill up once again so that you can continue pouring out into the lives of those around you.

He is more than enough.

Linking up today for the first time with three new communities: Good Morning Girls for Women in the Word Wednesdays, Tracy for Winsome Wednesday,  and Internet Cafe Devotions for Word Filled Wednesday (I realize my post is publishing on Thursday so I'm technically a day behind...story of my life Lol).

YOU:create - Week 2

It's week 2 for YOU:create with Gitz!  I'm so excited....this actually encourages me (gives me an excuse) to break away from the monotony of the day (and the laundry) and create something.  I love all types of art: painting, crafting, sewing, photography, card making, etc.  I've even taken a beginner ceramics class and would also love to learn wood working! :) 

But for this week, I chose to make a picture frame.  My husband has a construction company and sometimes I get to rummage through his leftover pieces of wood.....one man's junk is another man's treasure, right? Well...sometimes. :)

My friend, Audrey, actually told me about this project.  Thanks, girl!

To start, I found a scrap piece of wood, wide enough to stand up on its own.  I then sanded all sides and corners to make it as smooth as possible.  I used modge podge to adhere my chosen scrapbook paper, letters, etc.  I used a cross stamp to add  a little something extra and embellished with a little bling bling! :)

I used hot glue to attach my decorative ribbon on the edges as well as the bow, and also my hand painted polka dotted clothes pin to hold my picture.

Drumroll please!

Oh yeah, one other thing I "created" this week.......

My son had "nerd day" in his youth group at church Wednesday night so we headed down to a nearby  Goodwill store to find the perfect clothes!  How'd we do?  :)

And don't 'cha just L*O*V*E the hair?!  It takes talent, my friends.

Happy Creating!! 

XO

Shelly

Happy Fall!

I haven't had time for crafting lately, so I thought I would just repost this card from last year! I made it for a friend as a Happy Fall greeting :-) So once again, Happy Fall my friends!

And hopefully I'll be able to find some time to make something new, especially with the holidays right here upon us! Anyone have any extra time out there to spare? Maybe you could put it in an envelope and send me just a little...... :-)