A Tapestry of Color

I often think of the tapestry of life and how the Lord uses many fibers, colors, and instruments to weave us together...some instruments can cause pain, some can just be sweet, some can just be real, and some can just cause us to pause and ponder....FB has been a blessing to me because I have been able to re-connect and see many people that touched my life and contributed to it. And then there are those who are in my life today continuing to add to the tapestry that is on the Master weaver's loom. My tapestry will be finished one day and for those of you that added a strand or two, thank you!  

till next time....

Teresa 

(go ahead and say you like this becasue if you are reading this,  rest assured you are probably one of those beautiful gold threads that runs through me!)

Colors

(me and my iPhone camera and apps having fun)

Me time.....

Thoughts from my heart….


Sisters,

The truth of the matter is we are all busy, perhaps a little too busy. Some of us work with passion beyond survival; some just exist to get through the pile of laundry etc and fall into bed at night! Above the hum of computers, conveyor belts, telephones, vacuums, the white noise of offices, classrooms, and hospital hallways, or where ever you may find yourself these days I personally want to invite you to just stop for an hour or two and reconnect and recharge your batteries! The drama of our daily lives can be draining. Girlfriend time is important but often overlooked. I have discovered if I do not intentionally carve out a little me time it is not going to happen! You may feel like you have nothing to bring to the table but we just might have what you need!


I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do, I forget what is behind. I strain towad what is ahead I press on to the goal. There's a prize, and I've been called to win it and so have you! Philippians 3:13 with my paraphrase!

Till next time!
Teresa

Prayer

Last night while praying for my eldest daughter I fell asleep! Yes, o mighty grasshopper I am, probably complete with snoring too! I slept for what seemed to be a nice nap but I am reasonably sure it was more like a few minutes because I was awaken with her saying, "Mom, I cannot believe you fell asleep, I really needed you to pray for me!" I was trying to come up out of my stupor and as I did I chuckled at myself and at her and continued my prayer as though nothing had happened. At the end I thanked our loving Abba Father for not being upset with me and thanked Him for never ever sleeping on the job! The peace that came over me was incredible.....Leslie was asleep and I went and slipped into my bed and slept like a baby! The miracle of HIS peace is still hard to comprehend but I cannot go very long without my daily dose! Prayer works when we believe! This evening as I survey the reasons why she had asked me to pray and I look at Psalms 56 I am encouraged that the leisure I slept in last night knowing in the natural all that I know and don't know I can only stand amazed in His presence! As we pray for our children, please remember to say a prayer for Shonda who still remains missing. What may seem like tiny insignificant tidbits, or dreams and visions or all of the above can be used in unraveling this mystery.....

till next time,

teresa

Take my side, God—I'm getting kicked around,

stomped on every day.

Not a day goes by

but somebody beats me up;

They make it their duty

to beat me up.

When I get really afraid

I come to you in trust.

I'm proud to praise God;

fearless now, I trust in God.

What can mere mortals do? They don't let up—

they smear my reputation

and huddle to plot my collapse.

They gang up,

sneak together through the alleys

To take me by surprise,

wait their chance to get me. Pay them back in evil!

Get angry, God!

Down with these people! You've kept track of my every toss and turn

through the sleepless nights,

Each tear entered in your ledger,

each ache written in your book. If my enemies run away,

turn tail when I yell at them,

Then I'll know

that God is on my side. I'm proud to praise God,

proud to praise God.

Fearless now, I trust in God;

what can mere mortals do to me? God, you did everything you promised,

and I'm thanking you with all my heart.

You pulled me from the brink of death,

my feet from the cliff-edge of doom.

Now I stroll at leisure with God

in the sunlit fields of life.
         Psalm 56 msg

Me~We! Rhonda brought this yummy soup tonight!

Rhonda's Olive Garden Soup

2 lbs of Italian Sausage
potatos
1-3 pounds of frozen green beans - (or kale)
Italian seasoning
garlic or garlic powder
3 cubes chicken bouillon
water to cover

opt. red pepper flakes

after it cooks:
add two cups of milk
1 cup cream (opt.)
8 oz cream cheese (opt.)

Serve with grated parmesan cheese and garlic bread

Light

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." -Maryanne Williamson

Winter

My Lord has been gracious in reminding me and showing me light and dark places in my soul (my mind, my will & my emotions)! Last Friday morning on our trip to Weatherford to see the doctor I was really aware of the doom and gloom I was feeling in my heart! In my head I know the truth but sometimes my heart and my head do not line up! I was increasingly aware that the grey skies were having an affect on me. Lack of sunlight and lack of SON LIGHT leaves one feeling drained! About half way to Weatherford I suddenly noticed a tiny hole in the heavy dismal gray clouds! Yes a pocket of blue skies, then suddenly I could feel the warmth of the sun rays reflecting through my windshield! I could feel the Holy Spirit talking to me, encouraging me! I was excited and the thing I wanted to do was pull over and get out and bask in those cozy warm rays! As I looked on down the highway all I could see was more gloom and darkness..... I knew my daughter would be frustrated, so I did not even attempt to pull over. I did however ask her to take my phone and take a picture of the one little blue patch! She said, "you are kidding, right?!" I said, "No, I am not, just do it!" Now being raised by a mom who knows how to be spontaneous, she did it! Almost instantly as we continued down the highway and I am driving into the darkness I glance back into my rearview mirror and I see the patch of light we had just driven through and even more shadows of darkness beyond it. My first reaction was to turn around and go back! But to go backwards is not an option, we really only have today! 

That very afternoon I enjoyed a rare moment in my own vehicle.....I was in the passenger seat and Leslie was driving! I think she was afraid I was going to try and play with my new phone and she volunteered to drive home so I could savor a few moments! Of course we were driving the back roads and there wasn't any WiFi or 3G, but nevertheless I was able to post a few things about light! As we were zipping down the highway in the gloom I was trying to tell myself it was all good! Suddenly just like it had happened that morning I could feel the warmth of the sun rays coming through the windshield! Wow God! You are good to your children, I get to visit this tiny spot in time again......Suddenly, I notice Leslie is braking and pulling over and I said, "What are you doing?" She wanted to take a picture of a church that we had both admired! Words escaped me for the present moment because I was like a bird out of a cage! In the literal sense, unembellished, the clouds were rolling away as we stood on the grounds where the little country rock church stood gallantly and there was not a soul stirring anywhere! The quiet, hushed air about me was engulfing! Across the street fenced in laid many markers of days gone by! The cemetary was a stark reminder to me that I have today! All I had for a camera was my cell phone so thats what I used! The tree photos were taken at the back of the church! And there I could feel the Holy Spirit chasing the yuck out of me! Today when I look at these pictures I am reminded that life just like those trees can seem so imposing, formidable, dark and so lifeless! NOT TRUE! In order to really understand the growth process we must understand winter seasons! They are imperative to the growth and flourishing of spring! This tree branch is such a picture of who who we are in Christ, if we know Him as our personal Lord and Saviour! That tree branch just chopped and laying in a burn pile would have no life! It is attached to the root source of life and the beautiful backdrop of the brilliant blue skies adds beauty to it! No matter what I am going through, no matter how endless it may seem, just like those clouds rolled back suddenly, so can our God speak to his children! And when He speaks, He speaks with such comfort and authority! Such love and such power! We would be foolish to think any less! To anyone who may read this I pray you have found a reason to be encouraged! That you will keep pushing towards that mark and be all that you have been created to be! I love life, I love my friends and my family, but most of all I cherish my God moments that only He alone can provide in order to fill the chasms in my soul! The light of Jesus really does chase away the cold darkness of the canyons of our hearts! Let your light shine before others and don't be surprised when someone ask you, "what makes you so happy?" 

moments from my heart
February 8, 2010
Teresa