Setting A Record Straight

Meaningful Monday - a sometimes crooked walk. 

I am blessed!  For the last 12 months, my family has been surrounded by a faithful community who has called, written, texted, and emailed encouragement almost on a daily basis.  The outpouring of love has been overwhelming and undeserving.   It is one strong backbone of what has carried Michael and I thru the last many months.  The last many months, we never hope to never experience again.  

But a few conversations in the last many weeks have burdened me to set a record straight. Some wonderful friends have commented on "how strong my faith is." Now don't get me wrong, I love my God - he is awesome. But I am not happy about this.  Nope, not one bit.  Not right now at least.  Who would WANT to see their husband think he is defeated?  Who would WANT to worry in the wee hours of the morning about what is going to happen next?  Who would WANT their faith in people destroyed?  Who would WANT upheave their kids?  Really, I don't WANT any of it!  Do you know anyone I can give it to? Frankly -- I am sick of it.

But as ugly as it is, or can get, I know that God has a plan for my family and he is sticking to it.  So at this point I may be upset but I have two options.  I can either kick and scream and make it as miserable as I can. Or I can go with it, and ride it out, looking for the SONshine the whole time.  I choose the latter for now.  

                                                                 Source: brabournefarm.blogspot.com via Pamela on Pinterest

That is where the faith lands my friends.  I don't have faith in the perfect house.  I don't have faith that all people will treat my family the right way.  I don't have faith in my husband's new job.  I don't have faith in those things, because they are temporary. I have faith that I have a father who knows best -- even when I don't agree with him.  

So, the cover of my book may be very pretty to look at but the story underneath resembles a bit of a tornado at the moment. That is just part of it, a chapter that is.   There will be chapters of sunshine and roses. But in the meantime, the ground needs to be tilled, mud thrown, and hard work put in for those roses to grow.  

                                                                  

                                                                   Source: everydaypeoplecartoons.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Thankful but Forgetful

*The last year I have been sewing a lot and I am thankful.

*Money from sales has pitched in on the things for my family and I am thankful.

*My business has exploded over during a tight budget year and I am thankful. 

*There are new relationships built with the ladies at the craft store and I am thankful.

*Seeing you all use/wear your items give me a smile and I am thankful.

*Meeting new people has been a blessing and I am thankful.

*Filling a creative need has been awesome and I am thankful.

*In the last three months I have worked crazy hours and I am thankful.

*Orders you place have paid for Christmas and I am thankful. 

But then I come to Christmas and I stop.  Why did the last many weeks become such a frenzy for my little Proverbs 31 business?  It is just a season to endure or did I loose the meaning of something wonderful God has given me in the mix?  I have been a mad women trying to keep up with orders.  I continually think about ways to drum up new business.  There have been many trips to the store and just as many late nights sewing.  One could say that I have been tied too tight - literally in thread.  

I have taken something beautiful that God has given me and tried to turn it into a hectic/stressful/rushed existence.  All in the name of buying my child the latest electronic gadget, the greatest lego set, or the perfect superhero set.  Do those things replace the 25+ hours a week that I sit in front of my sewing machine?  

I have missed moments that will never return.  Found myself with no patience at the end of the day.  I even began craving oreo cookies (I dislike oreos).  They have watched more TV in the last few weeks then they have seen their mom.  Where is Proverbs 31 in that?  Do I want my kids to think that following God means you have to be in a tissy all the time?  I don't think that really shows them how to take care of their "gifts".  

So this Christmas, my kids will not go without but they will go with less.  In exchange they will get more - more of the mom they deserve. 

*I love what I do and I am thankful.

*Because what I love what I do so much, I will be slowing down a bit and for that realization I am forever thankful.

I'm a Pinterest Turkey

I can do a lot of things.  I can sew just about anything anyone asks me too.  I have been known to get nasty with a glue gun.  I'm a pretty good saleswoman when it comes to getting my way.  I can wash clothes like crazy (putting them up is a different story).  I can knit.  I can crochet.  I can do homework.  I can understand economics (love economics).  I can fix things (thanks Dad!).  I can remember the weirdest things.  I can do a lot of things.  Some of those things I can even do well.

I CAN NOT bake.  Nope - not a chance.  Well, I mean sure I can bake things but perhaps it is better to say I can not decorate.  There was a time in my life where I could.  I once made a chocolate ganache cake with a hand rolled fondant ruffle edge.  But that was before the babies.  I had 4 hours to make that cake -- and believe me I needed every minute.

                                                            Source: housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

So comes today.  I find this cute Pinterest Turkey Rice Crispy Treat tutorial.  Easy enough to make for the  leader's class -- so wrong.  I stink like the princess's diapers.  I will let the pictures say for themselves.  

This is my first attempt at the turkey.  

FAIL

Guess which one is mine and which one is the architect's?  

Yup - FAIL (on my part)

 So then I had the great idea to make "cake pops".  Except ALL the sticks are still in the bowl - 

FAIL

Then I realized that I was in Rice Crispy Hell and I started clawing my way out.  FAIL

I guess I need to face the truth and know that Martha Stewart will never be calling.  I will never make that coveted TV apperance.  Now, if someone could only tell me, if I can't bake then why do I look like I do?.......hmmmmmm.