48 pounds of blessings

I'm not a theologian. I'm not a big talker of religion really, but sometimes I think something is cool, so I put it here on my blog to share. Enjoy it for what it's worth.

To begin, I don't get worked up over the idea of testing vs blessings. I look at life as pretty much a blessing and that we have an opportunity for far more blessings if only we would stop and accept the blessing for what it is.

I had one such experience this weekend.

It's about the blessing of pecans.

You see, we have a number of pecan trees in our yard. Some years we have lots of pecans and some years not many. Most of the time someone else comes along and asks if he/she can pick up the pecans. We say yes as picking up the pecans is tedious work. This year we offered the pecans to 3 or 4 different people. I don't know if they picked any up, but I got tired of stepping on them so finally the day after Thanksgiving we got out and picked up a few.

Then a few days later I picked up a few more. I mentioned it to a friend and she was very interested in some pecans...soooooo I got to thinking about a couple of other people that might like some pecans, so yesterday, I picked up the pecans.

And as I picked the pecans up and thought about these individuals and the blessing the pecans would be to them, it was as if the floodgates of heaven opened and God said, as many as you pick up, that's how many more you can have to give others.  And as I looked and picked up the pecans, they were just everywhere!

Here is what I ended up with. And I didn't even make it to the side or back yard yet!

I filled a box and a bag and took them to the local nursery to be cracked.

This afternoon I went back and picked them up. 48 pounds of cracked pecans!!! WOW!!

Look at that!

And so, I dug out some of the strong grocery bags to fill with pecans.  And I filled and filled. I have 3 bags ready to give and my big bag of pecans ready to fill more of the smaller bags. 

I noticed a truck load of pecans on the ground this afternoon. I didn't have time to pick them up today, but I've got a mission now. Let's see how many families can be blessed with cracked pecans for from my yard for Christmas!!

How cool is that! And how easy to miss such a blessing.  It truly makes me wonder how many times I walk past the blessing that God wants to give because it might take a little work on my part. Or it might not be what I want to do at that moment. I am thankful for the blessing of the pecans and thankful that I get to piece of the blessing of others.

A Curveball, the desires of our heart and Christmas presents

A Curveball... do you ever feel that just when you have things figured out life throws you a curveball?  I feel this way often.  Maybe I should become a MLB catcher cause I feel like I'm becoming a decent curveball catcher.

The desires of our hearts.. God says that he will give them to us.  Of course, there is the rest of the verse that talks about if we are in harmony with God we will want the things He wants for us... but anyway.  My heart's desire is to have a four bedroom house.  I know how selfish is that.  But it is.  So our house has been for sale for what has seemed like forever.  We have looked at houses and it seems like I find one I love and our house still hasn't sold.  Over and over.  So our house is for sale and I have found a house that is perfect for us.  The size, the price and the location.  But guess what.  Our house still hasn't sold.  So if you know of anyone that needs a great 3 bedroom home, send them my way!

Christmas presents.

Ugg.  I am so not motivated to do anything Christmasy this year.  I don't consider myself to be in a humbug mood, I just can't get moving.  And I've got to!  Teacher gifts have to be done today!! EEK.

So I will be crafting something today.  I've got an idea.  I'll show you tomorrow!

Birthdays, Deadlines and Sick Kids

Life here seems to be running faster each day.  This last week has been more crazy than our normal nuts.

I thought about giving you a recap, but really, you didn't click to this site to see the daily drama of my life!

However, Lexi's 6th birthday was Monday and Doug's more than 6th birthday was Wednesday.  We had a house full of girls Saturday afternoon for a Princess and the Frog party.  It was a lot of fun, but a lot of work.

Maddie was out of school sick all week.  Sinus infection and crud. 

I took Lexi to the urgent care clinic today.  She's got something too. 

Antibiotics for Doug's crud too make it 3/5 so far for meds this week.

In the meantime, I am crafting at school like a crazy woman.  December 1st-18th my kids have a Starving Artist showcase at our local fine arts council and I am killing myself trying to get all of our projects, holiday crafts and stuff ready.

The deadline for the kids stuff is Tuesday when we get out for Thanksgiving, so the end is in site.  Oh how I need a few days rest. Oh, yeah.... my kids will be home too... no rest for me :)

I do have to say, I'm a little concerned about myself though.  By 8pm I am so tired I'm ready to drop.  I keep saying that it's just the craziness of getting the show ready, but really, I'm always running from one project to the next.  I think my iron must be low.  I'm always anemic. Sometimes I make it up to borderline anemic, but most of the time I sit quite nicely in the low but okay category.  I'm thinking that it must be lower right now.  I thinking I should also maybe take a vitamin.  Maybe my thinking will translate into action soon. 

Thanks for letting me ramble.  I can't wait to show off my student's cool creations and pictures from Lexi's party!