Operation Christmas Child

How many Jills does it take to make a Sunday School class extra fantabulous??? Just one.....but they're stuck with me, too!! 😉😂. We're name twinsies!!! 😁😁 And this beauty in purple has the SWEETEST disposition, always a smile and a hug to give....& crazy awesome drawing skills!!! She has at least one gift of her drawing talents that she gives to someone every week....and takes special requests!! 😍 And, the fact that this is our last week to turn in our Operation Christmas Child boxes has me thinking I should probably let go of my denial of what time of year it is! 😂😂. These boxes will go to 6 sweet girls in a place where things like pencils, soap, toothpaste & toothbrushes are the kind of treasures that will make a child's day. ❤ Another challenge for you today:: consider giving to a charity this holiday season that will bless those who have so much less than we do. Things that cost us little could bless someone beyond measure!! 🎄🎁🎄

Some Princesses Wear Running Shoes....

So. I try to plan my runs in the middle-ish parts of my days most days. I'm kinda like a kid whose mind is more alert and sharp in the morning, so that's when I like to get my think-hard work done....but then I hit a point where I need a recess or PE break to shake some of it off, and then refocus for the rest of my day after. It works for me. Don't criticize. wink emoticon

Sometimes, depending on the time I'm able to schedule my PE time & the route I choose, I'm often at the end of my run at just when a nearby elementary school gets out. Today was one of those days. Just as I got to the school and pick-up car line, I switched my runkeeper to walk for the rest of the route home. As I was walking away from the school, I got behind a mom pushing a stroller and a couple of kids walking beside her. She was going pretty s-l-o-w pushing that stroller, so I increased my walk to run past her. As I did, her little girl appeared on the other side. Crazy, wild brown curls going all kinds of which-ways on her cute little head. Disney princess dress with play clothes underneath. Sneakers, or "running shoes". Normally, kids just move away or back up, closer to their moms when I pass them while running. This cutie, however, was in her own little world, bouncing along....and when she saw me, instead of getting that shy little look I'm used to seeing and backing closer to her mama....she grinned and those twinkly eyes lit up. She turned that bounce into a run and started running with me!! As we "ran" together, her smile got bigger and she kept looking at me. We were "racing"!!! We got to the crossroad and of course, she got there first. wink emoticon She was so excited that she won..."I won!!" she said and then looked at me...."We were racing!! Did I win???" I told her "of course you did" and gushed over what a good...and fast... runner she was. As she ran back to her mom, I heard her say, "I won!! I knew I would win!! Because I'm a princess"!!

I love kids and the way they see things. <3heart emoticon

May she always have sparkly eyes with a zest for living each moment to its fullest potential. And let her brown curls get crazy messy, because fun things happen when you let your hair get messy. And may she never doubt herself....not for a second, that she can do things....and and do them well....and even win.

Because princesses like pretty things. Like sparkles & flowers ....& princess dresses....they like to look and be pretty. That's how they're created. And they should be sweet & kind....& loving & gentle. But they should also be strong & smart & capable. And courageous & adventurous. If life doesn't make them forget or convince them otherwise....and if it does that to her....may she find her running shoes again. To help her remember.

Trust His Heart

....that moment (or those moments) when clarity is shed on something that didn't work out despite your best efforts and you've been kind of wondering WHY NOT ever since....

And you say, "WOAH, nellie. Thank you, Lord"....

He knows best. Yes, He does.

Do you ever wonder just how many bullets we dodge, thanks to Him not working out the things we thought we wanted??? 

Even If The Healing Doesn't Come : Gifts 388 - 397

Giving thanks in all things, even in the hardest of times, even when it hurts....in defiance of the enemy ~ because the one who seeks to render me useless, the one who wants to destroy my peace and steal my joy ~ doesn't want me to.  It's in the giving of thanks for each gift the Lord gives me & of praising Him in the storm that He keeps me going when I'm so weary of the things that weigh me down & keep me up at night, that keep me from giving in completely in many areas when I really, really want to.

388.  for Pumpkin Pie Spice coffee creamer ~ I like it; it's yummy ;)

389.  the smell of Cinnamon Cookies baking

390.  for cooler days & the sound of my children playing outside, wanting to squeeze each moment they can out the daylight.....and even the moonlight.  "But Mom, it feels soooooooo good out here!  Can't we play hide and seek in the dark???"  (yes, I let them)

391.  for the warmth of the sun.....life's been so busy, I haven't taken the time to enjoy it.  I sat outside for just a bit the other day and let warmth of the soothing rays wash over me.  I wish I could have stayed there for a very long time, but even just a few moments was enough to make me breathe a prayer of thanks.

392.  for my children and they way they love me, the way they think I'm awesome and wonderful and amazing in spite of the fact that I feel I'm letting them down, not living up to who I want to be for them.

393.  for the FRIENDS who distract me with their everyday, normal conversations about life, our children,  homeschooling, curriculum, cooking & what's for dinner, choir, making me feel ~ even just for a little bit ~ that all is well with me ......while having no idea of the depths of emotions I am feeling & the inner struggles I am facing.

394.  for the FRIENDS who do know I'm struggling and never cease to bring out a giggle, a laugh, a smile with their silliness and goofiness........it comes naturally to them, and ~ just for a little bit ~ it feels natural to me again, too.  I think they do it on purpose sometimes.

395.  for the FRIEND who also makes me smile & laugh.....but can see past the smile, past the laugh or giggle, past the many ways I try to distract myself and those around me, past the "I'm fine's" and "I'm good's" even when I'm putting on a good performance......to the heart of who I am.  It unnerves me sometimes, but oh, how thankful I am for her.

396.  a much appreciated, much needed and much unexpected hug from another friend.  She said that she didn't know what it was, but she knew something was going on with me and she wanted to give me a hug and let me know she was praying for me.  "You said those exact words to me once and gave me a hug, so now I'm doing it for you".  I had completely forgotten about that, but she didn't.  I'll never forget her hug, either.

397.  a FAITH IN MY GOD that holds strong in spite of whatever comes my way, perhaps the one thing in life I will never doubt, who is my one constant, who is forever faithful, who is good in all things, whom I trust when I can trust no one else.  I may not understand, I may cry out in hurt, in confusion, in desperation, even in anger.  I may stumble, I may fall, I may question so MANY things, but my faith in Him and who He is will never waiver.  Even if my questions are never answered......even the healing doesn't ever come.......until the day that my faith shall be sight, the day I am made complete & the day He wipes the tears from my eyes with His own healing hands and I will never hurt again.

How Can I Help You to Say Goodbye

She's gone.

At 7:00 this morning, my mama called and I knew as soon as I heard her ringtone.

She died at 10:00 last night in her sleep and I didn't know when I saw her three weeks ago that I'd never see her again.  I sat on the phone and tried to reign in the emotions that hit me,  tried to tell my mama that I was ok and not to worry.  She's worried about me driving up there and wishes I was already there.  She's waiting on me to get there to go buy a new outfit for my Granny to wear at her funeral.

I can't do this.


But I can and I will.  I'm the strong one.

The quiet one......the one that you can count on.  The one that always does the right thing and always knows what to do.  Good, strong, dependable Jill.  My hands are shaking and I'm begging the Lord to give me control, to help me keep my self together so that I can do what I have to do to.

I can't lose it now.....I have to get the rental car, wake up the kids, finish packing in a hurry.  So that I can get there, get to my mama who needs me.

I'm afraid these blog posts will annoy my friends.....but I don't know what to do with these emotions and I don't know what to say and I don't know how else to cope.  I've always journaled, always written my feelings down when I had no other way to express myself.  I hope that if they're annoyed, they just won't read and they'll be patient with me while I work my way through this.....because I don't know what else to do.

I just lost my Granny, the one who comes to mind when I hear the word family, because our family is more dysfunctional than any soap opera that they've ever played on TV.....and she's the one who gave me so much....so much that I needed and I don't even know if she knew how much she gave me.  I don't know what I would have done without her in my life.

So very thankful of the gift of her......

416.  My ♥♥ Granny ♥♥


417.  Her ♥LOVE♥


........and for


418.  My mama


I have to stop crying.  Lord, please help me stop.  Please help me breathe.  Please make my hands stop shaking.  Please help me get myself together.


I have a lot to do.  I have to go help my mama.  I have to be strong.  For her.  Because I just lost my Granny........but she just lost her mama.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name;

You are Mine.

² 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you."

~ Isaiah 43:1-2 ~

Multitudes on Mondays....Gifts 388 - 415

“One of life's gifts is that each of us, no matter how tired and downtrodden, finds reasons for thankfulness: for the crops carried in from the fields and the grapes from the vineyard.”

~ J. Robert Moskin

Getting back to my list......not that I ever stopped making one.....just haven't been posting it. :)

388.  Summertime.....sweet Summertime, and all the gifts that come with it

389.  Sweet Georgia peaches.....are manna from Heaven ;)

390.  Watermelon.....I like it more than a little ;)

391.  Vitamin D Beach Therapy....of which I cannot seem to get enough of this year ~ I'm craving it the way I used to crave chocolate

392.  Living in the Sunshine State.....which makes feeding that craving a reality on a regular basis

393.  Grab a hair band, tie that hair up & throw on your bathing suit kind of days

394.  Those stretch marks that get more noticeable the more time I spend in the sun, not because they look so lovely, but because of...

395. The three precious gifts that are the reason they're there ♥

396.  Friends who go with me, and who make me.....

397.  Laugh, and who....

398.  Talk with me,

399.  Act silly with me, 

400.  Encourage me, and

401.  Put a smile not only on my face,

402.  But in my heart as well ♥

403.  Little mementos that remind me of their friendship, like.... 

404.  Shark's teeth, given to me after I whined that I never find them although I search intently when other people randomly look down and pick them up....followed by my friend randomly looking down and finding not one, but two { "Here", she said.  "Just pretend you found them!  I won't tell anyone you didn't!"  ;) }

405.  Time for things like those beach dates, and....

406.  Lunch dates,

407.  Shopping dates (even if no actual shopping gets done!),

408.  Play dates, and

409.  Dinner dates

410.  Time for things  like afternoon movies curled up on the couch,

411.  Sleeping in a little later,

412.  Moving a little slower,

413.  Breathing a little easier, and

414.  Savoring every memory, every moment.....because our days from Aug. - May go by  too rushed, too hurried, too busily, too frantically,  and....

415.  Days like these truly are something to be treasured ♥.....I'm quite sure of it! ;)

Multitude Monday: Gifts 363 - 387

"If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily." 

~ Gerald Good 

I'm slowly but surely getting started on my New Year's Resolutions, one of them being getting back to my blog. =)  What better day to make a come-back than Multitude Monday & adding to my ever-growing list of thankfulness, which is actually much bigger than any number could ever reach.

Picking up where I left off......

363.  the holidays are OVER!! maybe sad, but true.....they exhaust me & stress me out!

364.  sore muscles {another NY's Resolution ; ) }......perhaps it's weird, but I've always liked the feeling of sore muscles when I haven't worked out in a while or push myself to a new level.  Makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something! ; )

365.  a new sewing machine =)

366.  chilly nights

367.  mild days

368.  healthy meals 

369.  that moment of realization that a long-ago prayer was answered, one that was prayed for / pleaded for repeatedly, over & over again until I finally gave up, stopped asking and moved on......

370.  ......and being struck with the knowledge that He didn't forget even though part of me did, that He heard my cries, and gave me double of what I asked for ♥

371. knowing that forgiveness was granted in response to the remorse I felt at not recognizing it sooner

372.  friendships that come into your life at the perfect time, bringing with them

373.  that feeling of kindred spirits,

374.  laughter,

375.  silliness,

376.  prayer partners,

377.  accountability,

378.  and someone who understands so completely that you know without a doubt that it was all His doing

379.  exasperating, frustrating, heart-breaking, hurtful, judgemental, maddening people...... because in the end, they are blessings, too.....

380.  for they send me running straight to Him, who

381.  calms my fears,

382.  dries my tears,

383.  renews a right spirit within me,

384.  and brings to a closer, more intimate walk in order to keep my 

385.  Joy,

386.  Peace, 

387.  and Faith.....regardless of what 2012 throws my way ; )

Did you make any New Year's Resolutions?  Have you started them?  If not, I'm a firm believer in the philosophy that it's never to late!! ; )

Multitude Monday: Gifts 350 - 362

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." 

~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

350.  cooler weather (90 degrees is better than 100 + !!)


351.  2 Etsy orders.....just in time


352.  oversleeping (not good for my planned schedule, but desperately needed!!)


353.  wondering why the house was so quiet, and then finding out (three kids, separated.....each in a quiet spot & in deep concentration ~ Bible and devotional books open ♥)


354.  My husband in his Awanas shirt (because few things are as attractive as a man serving the Lord)


355.  The beach at dusk


356.  Dinner picnics at #355


357.  The way the moon shimmers on the water as the waves tumble into the shore


358.  A grateful heart for those who sacrifice everything....


359.  ....for the freedoms we have in our country


360.  Days of remembrance,


361.  the courage to move ahead after crippling tragedies,

362.  and the Hope we have in Christ of the days to come, for all who have been redeemed by His Grace.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

Rev. 21:4

Multitude Monday......on Wednesday: Gifts 335 - 349

"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. " 

~W.T. Purkiser

335.  VBS

336.  Really good, perfectly sweet, perfectly crisp apples {my breakfast today ;) }

337.  Really cute fabric on sale

338.  Text messages that inform me of things/events that my children forget to tell me about ; )

339.  Email reminders from those who know me so well....and that I'm likely to forget certain obligations w/out them!!

340.  Those that aren't easily offended by my busy-ness and don't judge me as unfriendly or uncaring by my lack of time to do some things I'd like to do

341.  Friends who make me laugh.....because they are awesome ♥

342.  My children who think that I am so much more & so much better than I am

343.  Random "I Love You's" when I least expect them ♥

344.  Things to look forward to... (a trip this weekend!)

345.  Chance meetings that are anything but chance

346.  My Sweet Savior, who makes those things happen =)

347.  A song to sing..... every day ~ to praise, to worship, to cling to, to rejoice in.

348.  He always gives me one that expresses my heart's cry...no matter the circumstance

349.  How deep His love is for us...every day, every moment, every season.

♫How deep the Father's love for us,

How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom ♫

Multitude Monday......on Wednesday: Gifts 321 - 334

If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get.  ~Frank A. Clark

321.  Another room completed....almost =)

322.  A very clean house....if I tie my children to the dining room chairs and my husband to his "throne" in front of the TV, do you think I can make it last more than a day ????

323.  A very organized utility/laundry room....I thought of painting it, too, in the hopes that making it prettier would inspire my family to stop treating it as the-room-we-can-throw-everything-into-any-which-way-it-lands-because-no-one-but-us-ever-sees-it, but decided all other rooms have priority.  If these people who live with me don't respect my hard work and effort this time , I may consider selling them on ebay. { <--------- totally kidding, please do not call the authorities}

324.  My little house on the cul-de-sac packed with loud, hyper kids and ♥sweet friends♥....

325. ......to help us celebrate the 4th of July.....

326. the fireworks show on the Riverwalk.....although, I have to admit I often enjoy watching the kids' reactions more than the fireworks =)

327.  Wisdom to make more potato salad, baked beans, corn-on-the-cob, and banana pudding than we needed.....so that last night all I had to do was marinate & prepare.....

328.  Some amazing chicken on the grill!!

329.  Planned leftovers = easy night for the chef  ; )

330.  Our land of liberty, which allows us to....

331.  Live freely,

332.  Love freely,

333. and WORSHIP freely

334. under the provision of the God that I trust....regardless of circumstances, regardless of the unknown to come, regardless of anything... ♥

Praying for my country today, it's leaders, and it's future.....

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 

~ 2 Chronicles 7:14



Multitude Monday......on Wednesday: Gifts 307 - 320

Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.  

~Aldous Huxley

307.  Extra-strength pain reliever

308.  When what should be a really simple project that turns into a nightmare is finally finished and I don't have to look at it again!!!

Embroidering a monogram for a little girl onto  this little bag should be a quick & easy task.....unless, however, your machine/threads jam up while stitching ~ and, while struggling to separate the bag from the precious machine, it rips a small hole in it!!! =(  The only way to salvage it was to make an applique instead.  My children all ♥sweetly♥ said they like it better this way anyway....I now forgive them for almost making me lose my mind while trying to shop with them yesterday.
Terrible picture....I was aggravated, frustrated and completely disgusted at the time!!

309.  Tweezers ~ a quite useful little tool for many things

310.  Seam rippers

311.  Chocolate-flavored coffee creamer

312.  Text msgs. that make me laugh at just the right time

313.  Stubbornness ~ there are times when it serves me well ; )

314.  Nintendo DS ~ I sometimes regret saying yes to these devices, and other times they offer me a much needed moment's peace!

this pic is from this past winter, but the scene has been replayed recently  ;)

315.  Homemade cinnamon rolls!

316.  The willpower not to eat them all ;)

317.  My children's friends that I actually enjoy being around ;)

318.  "Mom, our house is looking so classy.....you know how to make everything look good!"

319.  Walking into the kitchen after leaving dinner dishes everywhere on my way to Taekwondo, and discovering that HE took care of them ♥

320. One more day with those that I love......even if I do need #307 to help me get through it ;)

My Mustard Seed Planting verse today:

"And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: For my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." 

~2 Corinthians 12:9 



Multitude Monday.....On Wednesday: Gifts 269-287

Keeping up with my  Multitude Monday list of Gratitude, on Wednesdays for now, because that's what's workin' for me! ; )

"Thou hast given so much to me,

Give one thing more, - a grateful heart;

Not thankful when it pleaseth me,

As if Thy blessings had spare days,

But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise."

~ George Herbert

269.  Projects that turn out just as I expected =)


270.  Clean floors, courtesy of a 9 year old


271.  Folded laundry, courtesy of an 11 year old


272.  Clean litter box, courtesy of anyone but me ; )

273.  Having everything I needed for a spur-of-the-moment dinner idea


274.  Schooling in the summer.....what a blessing this is for us, living on OUR schedule (for the most part) so that we can maintain a less-stressed-out pace and take breaks when we need/feel like throughout the year


275.  Seeing progress in my mad organizational spree I have been on


276.  Friends made through blogging, that I never would have otherwise "met"

277.  Fun notifications that appeal to the "Diva" in me ; ) ......such as another "Stylish Blogger Award"....

thank you, Connie from Green Family-Life....you made me =) today!

278.  When my husband gets the coffee all set the night before, eliminating one more thing I have to do at the end of the day =)


279.  Deodorant, something you should never take for granted in the kind of heat we have ; )


280.  Boys who keep life so interesting in so many ways, such as....


281.  ...putting a sweet arm around my shoulders, and when I glance to my right.....there's a bright green lizard staring me in the face!!!! And......


282.  ...discovering a renegade pirate in my house when I turn around a corner:

....and....

283. .....finding Mr. Tough Guy taking a Sunday nap with all the things every  well-prepared 11 year old might need:  a shotgun, a pistol and his Sword (Bible)! =)

284.  A nine year old, all set to head to the grocery store with me ~ "I'm ready to handle the smoke!", he said (due to nearby fires).

285.  A rainy afternoon (while we need a lot more, I'm thankful for the little we got)

286.  An *awesome* Middle School youth pastor, who faithfully loads pictures and videos onto facebook and sends frequent text updates of our kids who are singing, serving and telling others about Christ's love for them on their mission trip/choir tour!

287.  My not-such-a-baby girl, who comes home tonight! =)

In honor of what our Middle School group has been doing this week, and this past Sunday's sermon on reaching others for the cause of Christ, my Mustard Seed Planting verse this week is:

“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you

and ordained you that you should

Go & bring forth fruit."

~ John 15:16