Joshua's spirit

This child of my child brings me so much joy and inexplicable happiness!! Thank you dear Lord for not forgetting me in my old age.....

Joy comes in the morning....

from: a holy experience blog
Joy, it comes in the morning…

Joy, it comes not in the gaining but in the giving, not in being someone but in being a sacrifice, not in laying up treasures, but in laying down self.

Joy, it comes in the mother who doesn’t think twice to do the unthinkable, to do the unlikely, the unlovely, the unheard of — who lives the Gospel.

It comes in the woman who loves the kid who has no one, the man who isn’t thinking about winning on earth but in heaven, the kids who cheer for the hurting.

True sacrifice isn’t the losing of anything — but the finding of joy.

The Creative Spirit

Just read this wonderful piece on repurposing our time and it is inspiring:
(and, I love her artwork)
Over the years I have spent thousands of hours drawing. God has been gracious in allowing me to use that time drawing, and I can’t call myself a genius. But the time invested is certainly a reason why drawing comes extra easy.

Ann Voscamp wrote a beautiful post, “How to Nurture Geniuses”, and I highly recommend that everyone read it!

“What would happen if every Christian used the 4 hours daily spent in front of the television a day (more than 126 hours a month!) or the near hour a day the average American surfs the internet and spent two of those hours developing their skill in a particular domain . . . and one hour more on the spiritual disciplines that lead into a deeper relationship with God, (prayer, memorization, Bible meditation, fasting) – only repurposing three hours a day from the five we spend on passive entertainment — and in one decade, our entire culture – and the world at large – would be entirely revolutionized. How are we being faithful stewards of our 10,000 hours?”

What would happen? Can you imagine? Head on over there and read it and be inspired!
http://www.abowlofmossandpebbles.com/

Book Lovers Bookshelves

My cousin, JT, built this bookshelf in his new home in Tennessee - I really want one of these! He has a little nesting spot for the cats at the top.

Cute gardener apron

I LOVE this apron! Unfortunately, I lost the link for where I found it -- but, it is so cute! I'm going to make it.