Surprise in the Mailbox!

The mailman brought me a very nice surprise yesterday!! I received my "Pay It Forward" from Jennifer at Through the Storms of Life!! I was going to post a picture yesterday, but I again ran out of time. Where does time go?

So, today I'm sharing a picture with you of Jennifer's "Pay It Forward" to me.

What do you think? Beautiful, isn't it? And to think she made it with her own hands. Thank you so much, Jennifer!! I love the cross you made for me, and I'll cherish it always!!

I'm still working on my "Pay It Forwards"!! Please don't think I've forgotten you because I haven't. They are all works in progress and will be sent out soon, but I'm not going to tell you when or show you pictures right now. It's just too much fun to receive a surprise in your mailbox!! I'll post pictures after everyone has received their "Pay It Forward".

I've been knitting some, and I finally finished the Mid-March KAL from Monthly Dishcloths.


This is the very first circular cloth that I've made, and it's done in Peaches 'n Creme Spring Meadows. I like this a lot, and I think I can see some more being done in the future.

I'm also working on a table runner that is also a KAL from Rachel's Knitting Room.



I haven't been able to do much outside work. The weather hasn't been cooperating very well!! It's either too cold or rainy.

Today was a very nice day, so I planted some pansies in the barrel by my mailbox when I came home from work. Hopefully, Spring will arrive and stay here soon so that I can get outside and do most of the gardening that I'm planning.

I have one area that is triangular shaped that is completely covered in wet leaves right now. I'm hoping to get that all cleaned up, plant a couple of tomato plants and the rest will be a flower garden.


Still working on knitting, but I've come across some very special counted cross stitch projects that I'm also working on. They're not far enough along to post pictures yet, but I'm sure that you'll love them when I do.

ABC's of the Word

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC's of the Word every Thursday. This is a fun way to explore the Bible, find new verses using the alphabet. Be sure and visit Pam to see all the participants and which verse they have chosen for the letter:

I'm just glad I have internet access today and can post this!! My internet has been off and on all week long. Just when I think--"Oh, it's back" and sit down to do something--BAM--gone again!!

So, I'm going to be quick to make sure I get this posted before it goes down again!!

My "G" word for this week is:

GREAT

I know the word "great" is used many times in the Bible--I don't know exactly how many, but I've come across it quite a lot. But, I've chosen a verse that is not saying that God is great (though He certainly is) or His glory is great (cannot dispute that fact), or His mercy is great (again, another truth of God).

My verse is speaking of myself--my life the past two weeks:

When I said, "My foot is slipping," your unfailing love supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy......Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)

I've been riding an emotional high for weeks now--my home, moving, getting settled in--all exciting and promises from God to an answered prayer.

Then, I became very ill, troubles with the bank, two daughters both with different types of problems that I was concerned about--and my anxiety grew and grew. As I stated in my last post, I waited and waited until I could stand no more before reaching out to God.

And when I did reach out to Him, He was there for me, as always--waiting patiently for me to turn to Him.

My anxiety was great. I sat down and poured it all to God. He enabled me to talk with my daughters sensibly to help see them through their problems. The bank resolved their issue and I am finally feeling almost 100%.

During this pouring out to God of all that had been going on in my life, I felt a great peace--a peace that can only come because I had given all of these things to God instead of trying to carry them by myself. Control issue that needs to be addressed?

Make sure to visit The Power of Your Love for Thankful Thursday!!

Beth

Waiting

Have you ever had a week--maybe two weeks--maybe a month or more--where things just seem to be running together--no time, no energy, everything you touch seems to not work out or fall apart?

Now, let's be honest because I know we all have had these times. I was ill for over a week, difficulties with a banking error (by the bank!) that is still not straightened out, and then my youngest contacted me from Texas with some issues that are plaguing her.

And so, I fretted and fumed. I withdrew into myself. I became frustrated. I did everything except turn immediately to God. I waited and waited and waited--and then finally--in the early morning hours--I cried out to Him--Help me here, I'm drowning!

And the help came--in the person of my son. God sent him as my rescuer in all of this mess.

Now, I wonder--why did I wait? Why did I not turn immediately to God? Why did I think that I had some control over any of this?

As I think of this, I realize that this is something that has been going on in my family for generations--grandmother to my mother, my mother to me, and me to my daughter who also waited until things were at a boiling point before she contacted me. For all I know, this could have been going on long before.

WHY?

All I can say is that this taught me a great lesson--stop waiting!! Turn immediately to God always!! The why doesn't really matter because I will probably never know the reason my family was built this way. But the what and the how does.

What is the trouble? How do I deal with it? Is this something that I can even possibly do something about? Is this is my control?

Silly me--thinking that any of this is in my control. It is not. Everything is in God's control, and I'd do best to remember this always and stop my waiting and turn to God immediately.

That is my lesson for this week--taught directly to me by my Creator.

Please be sure to stop by The Power of Your Love. I've posted there today about Proverbs 29:25:

To fear anyone will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

Have a blessed Sunday in HIM,

Beth

Been Doin' A Little Knitting!

Easter is coming, and I'm trying to get some things prepared for my girls for a small Easter package.

Dishcloths being one of their favorite things to receive, it's an easy guess as to what I've made them.

This is the ribbed diamond pattern designed by Noreen Hunter-Talbot
in apple green.

And here, again, is the Circle Cloth from Monthly Dishcloths. I'm giving these two to Cara since green is her favorite color.

This is also from Monthly Dishcloths, the March KAL called Pot of Gold. It actually is yellow, but my camera and colors sometimes don't get along!


And here are these circles again!! This one is made of self striping yarn also, and both of these are for Lindsay.

If I get ambitious enough, I may just make them each a satin pillowcase, too!! No candy for Easter!!

Things have been pretty quiet around here!! I've gotten over my illness, but unfortunately passed it on to Andrew and Cara. They are both starting to feel better, but Cara definitely had the worst of it.

Got to go for now!!

Have a wonderful Sunday!



Beth

ABC's of The Word

Before I begin my "ABC's", I'd like to thank everyone who has been praying for and thinking of me during my recent illness. I'm glad to report today that my temperature is finally down to 99 from a high of almost 104, and I'm beginning to feel semi-human! So, a big thank you to all of you!!


Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC's of the Word on Thursday's. It's a fun way to explore and learn new Bible verses each week, working our way through the alphabet. Be sure and visit Pam and all those who join in. Maybe you'd like to join in this week!!

This week we are using the letter:




And the word that I have chosen is:

EYES

Psalm 121

I lift my eyes to the hills--
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of Heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip--
He who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, He who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you--
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm--
He will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forever.

Just a little background--when this Psalm was written, and the psalmist lifted his eyes to the hills, what did he see?

He saw idol worshipers, temples to Baal. People would come to these hills and the Baal worshipers seeking help and guidance.

So, when he was saying, "I lift my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from?", he was asking himself:

"Does my help come from these idol worshipers nestled in the mountains?"

"No, my help comes only from The LORD--the Creator of Heaven and earth--and the LORD watches over me every minute of every day of my life--He never sleeps. He is with me now and forever."

Please be sure to stop by The Power of Your Love for my "Thankful Thursday" post.

Beth

Feeling a Little Better and a Kitty Question For Those in the Know!

Quickly, and then I'm back to bed where I belong!!

I thought today would be the day--the day when I felt 100%, able to return to work. After all, my temperature was done to 99.1 last night--the lowest it has been since Sunday night.

But, alas, my temperature has again risen this morning to 101.4!! So, I'm home again, resting, drinking fluids, taking Advil like it is my very favorite candy (hhmm.......I don't know what this is right now).

Anyway, someone was not very happy with me. Guess who? Well, the way I look at it, if I still have a fever then I am contagious. Do we want everyone else in the entire office getting this? NO!!

I ran out of cough syrup, so I sent Andrew and Cara to the store last night to get me some more. I thought they had purchased the same thing as I had been taking, so I didn't even look at the label (that's how alert I am!). This morning, I discovered that I actually took over double the recommended dosage!! Well, it stopped the coughing for the night, that's for sure!!

Now, my kitty question: My Miles was in heat where she was spayed last week. She is healing nicely, doing everything that kitties normal do--able to jump easily, in no pain. But here is my dilemma--she is still acting like she is in heat!! Rolling around the floor, meowing (not quite as loudly as before) and acting like she is going to mark things but doesn't really!!

Do you think that since she was in heat when the surgery was done that it is going to take a little while to get her hormones back in balance? I sure hope this isn't going to continue!!

And then to top of my wonderful day yesterday, I found that when I made a withdrawal from my ATM that it was processed twice. I only received money once, so why was it processed twice. I called the bank about this as soon as I discovered it yesterday. For some reason, this problem won't be able to be resolved until Thursday because that department was already closed on Tuesday. What happened to Wednesday? Why can't it be fixed on Wednesday?

Well, I'm back to bed and healing for a while. Stay healthy, and whatever you do, try your hardest not to get this virus!! It is no fun!!

Beth

Oh, So Sick!

I've never had chills so badly that my teeth are chattering together, but that is what they are doing. Even buried under two comforters and a blanket, I just couldn't get warm. So, I went to the doctor yesterday.

Temperature of 102 (no wonder I had chills!), a right sinus infection, a right ear infection, possible strep throat (still awaiting the culture results on this). I was given a super duper antibiotic to battle all of these infections and was told that "it could also be viral" (flu), and then the antibiotics would take care of everything, but not the viral part of this.

No wonder I've been feeling so lousy!! I'm off work again today--just going to lay around and take it easy. Hopefully, my fever and chills will go away.

Now, I'm back to bed to rest some more--still covered with all these blankets and comforters.

Beth

All Is Well!

And here is Miles, sleeping peacefully this morning after her surgery. She did well. Scout (my other kitty) seems to have forgotten who Miles was during her brief time away.

There is a lot of growling and grumbling from Scout--just like when Miles first came to live with us--when we thought she was a he!!

I'm expecting that in a few days Miles will be up to her usual antics--which means I'm thankful that all my yarn is now in a closed door craft room!! Funny though--these cats know this yarn is in that room. They are continually trying to sneak in there!!

Have a wonderful Sunday, filled with God's love!!

Beth

Miles Update!

Today is Miles' big day!! She is going to be spayed today, and hopefully will sleep through the rest of the day after her surgery. Poor kitty--but this will save both her and me a lot of distress.

Please join me at The Power of Your Love for Then Sings My Soul Saturday and a continuation of "The Power of Praying Through the Bible".

I also have a prayer posted on The Lighthouse of Prayer here. My prayer is the last one listed on this post--in the comment section that is entitled "Prayers Lifted to the Throne of God". Please join me in uplifting my son to Our Father.

Thanks so much!!

Beth

ABC's of the Word

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts the ABC's of the Word each week. I missed last week due to no internet access, so I'm moving on this week to the letter:

I chose the word:

DELIVER

and the verse I chose is:

Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love....Psalm 6:4

I chose this verse because this is exactly what God has done for me. I was far from Him--so, so far away. And yet, He still loved me--always loving me, watching me, protecting me, providing for me.

And then the greatest gift of all........He turned to me and delivered me--as if I were a newborn baby--a fresh start, a new life, a new creation in Him.

By delivering me in this way, He has saved me--not only from others who were harming me, but also from myself--

DEAD TO MYSELF, ALIVE IN CHRIST

Be sure and visit Pam to see what everyone has chosen for the letter "D" this week!!



Beth

Ah--There is Finally a Fire!!

Here I am, with this beautiful fireplace, and my son, Andrew has absolutely refused to make me a fire!! Night after night, I have asked him to build me a fire, and the answer has been "no". He wanted nothing to do with this!!

This evening, though, this changed a little bit. My neighbor, Barry, came to visit!! He brought some firewood and helped Andrew make a fire!! Needless to say, I am very warm and very happy!! And Andrew--he is sitting in front of the fireplace with a big smile on his face, staring into the fire--I think he is mesmerized!! He wouldn't let me take his picture though. I'll have to get him sometime when he dozes off in front of the fire!!


Beth

What's New in the World of Beth

I've been trying to keep up with everything that needs to be done, and I'm finding it a little difficult! So, my blog has been neglected for a day or so--AGAIN!!

I thought I would share some pictures with you today;

Here is a housewarming gift I received from my friend Donna from my work yesterday:

This is really cool!! Kind of retro--a planter that is actually a huge cup and saucer filled with an herb garden!! There's parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme (are you singing yet?--no, we're not going to Scarborough Fair!), basil, and lavender in the middle.

I'm keeping this on top of my refrigerator for the moment. Miles seems to think that this is all a treat for him (sorry, her!). I'll have to find a moment where I can exclusively keep an eye on her and train her to stay away from this. Otherwise, she will munch her way through! (I'm have a really hard time switching from "him" to "her"!)

This Saturday, Miles is having "the operation"! You know which one I mean!! Yes, Miles is getting spayed!! This certainly will save both her and me a lot of misery!!

While I was packing to move, I unearthed this treasure. This belonged to my sister who passed away 4 years ago in January. She had a dog that was a Springer Spaniel, and now I'm starting to see these mallard ducks swimming in the creek. I'm so glad I found this and have good remembrances of her.


And here are two of my lighthouses. I have quite a few items with lighthouses, but my daughters each gave me one of these. They actually light up and have a music box inside.


The one on your left (black and white) is a replica of the Cape Hatteras Light in Buxton, South Carolina. This lighthouse plays "It's a Small, Small World."

The red and white lighthouse is Montauk Point Lighthouse in Long Island, New York. This music box plays "God Bless America".

Two treasures from my girls!!

There are recessed shelves built into my bedroom wall, and that is where these items are!! I'll try to post a picture of the whole shelf tomorrow!!

Have to go and get ready for work soon!! Sure do miss staying home and puttering around here!! But, somebody has to pay the bills!!

And right now, I'm just glad to be able to say that I have a job to go to!!

Have a wonderful day!!

Beth

Weekly Memory Verse

Please join me at The Power of Your Love for our Weekly Memory Verse. We're memorizing one verse of Scripture per week from my "Embracing the Word" playing cards.

It's fun, it's easy, and a good way to hold each other and myself accountable. This has been something that God has been calling me to do for quite some time now--easily be able to recall His Word to my mind without having to search through the Bible.

I am memorizing the verse as well as delving into my own feelings of what God is telling me about this particular verse at this specific time. You can be free as to what you wish to do--just post your memorized verse, add a picture that this verse reminds you of, a video--just be free with this and let God talk to you about what we're committing to memory.

Won't you join in and help me in my journey?

Beth