Free Stuff

Hey, Go over to Angela's blog "Hanging out The Wash". She's got one more giveaway for this month - an absolutely beautiful painting. This Canadian artist is amazingly talented and is definately worth checking out! (And she's a friend of mine from long ago so go say hi!) Happy Thursday to you friends!

Wednesdays ponderings just for you.

Alright, I'll just come out and say it...I think it would be super cool to be a star. You know, a musical genius, a profound speaker, an accomplished artist of some form, to inspire the masses. Travel the world sharing my talent, impacting regions of desolation by raising awareness and support, minister to crowds gathered to hear what God would have me impart from Him. To touch greatness.
But...(you had to know that was coming) I'm not. I'm not those things at all. I've studied music throughout grade school and high school (flute and baritone, thank you). I can sing, though the crowds I might gather might consist of only a few stray alley cats and that weird dog that howls all. the. time. Can't really see myself travelling world wide just yet, though we do often talk about missions trips, with or without family in tow. I love to speak, but perhaps am not ready to face crowds, at least that's what I assume cuz there's no one pounding down my door for bookings. I know how to paint...walls and stuff, water color and oil are iffy, I enjoy sketching but that's mediocre at best.
So,I'm just me and I'm ok with that. Many of us yearn to be something greater than we currently are, to reach fame or status on some level. I have really good friends and people I sort of know and it seems they're all really good at something. I'd love to be really good at something. Anything.
Though it's not wrong, I don't think, to want to do well in life and use the talents God's given us, I do see a flaw in striving to be something we're not. It doesn't work. Like a square peg in a round hole. You might be able to jam it in there, might do a bit of damage along the way, but in the end it's all just wrong. So there you have it, I'm me and you're you and perhaps the only greatness I'll ever reach is knowing that my Father is the King of Kings. That's good enough for me. Guess it'll have to be.
Cheers friends!

First Baby

So I attended my first birth the other day as an aspiring doula. And it was
FREAKING AWESOME MAN!!!
Ahem. Pardon me. As you can tell I still excited about it. I've been studying and preparing for births for some time now but like any other career in life, the schooling for it never quite fully prepares you for what you'll see and do. Now, you'd think having birthed three wee ones myself, I'd have experience to back me up. And while that is true, helping someone else birth their offspring is a whole other kettle of fish.
I can not however, give you any info. in great detail, that would be a breech of confidentiality on my part. But I will tell you that the female human body is something amazing to watch in live action. The female mind, when focused and determined is a powerful force. And those two working together to bring forth this miracle we call life is simply amazing. It's nothing like what you see on t.v., well, perhaps for a few ladies. But really, the whole thing was very surreal. Quieter and more peaceful than I'd remembered of my own three times at it, but perhaps the unsteadiness I remember was more internal. Emotions and thoughts trapped in my own head and not neccessarily heard out loud. As this babe was born into a very peaceful, beautiful energy, the room hushed in anticipation of who would emerge. With tears of joy, I feel very privileged and humbled to have witnessed one of life's most amazing happenings...the beginning of life outside the womb.

Hmm.

Life is interesting. We are taught to plan ahead, set some goals, know where you're going and be prepared. But does it ever really work out the way we plan? Sometimes. Sometimes not. I can think of friends who recently decided to take on a new business venture. That wasn't planned a year ago. Other friends who are now not sure where they'll be living and what they'll be doing next fall. And still others who are deeply questioning a drastic career change. And there are others we know who have painstakingly worked toward lofty goals and have done so with flying colors. I admire all of them, being able to roll with the punches, and also those who are dedicated to a plan. But I do sometimes wonder if all our planning and scheming is really worth all our sweat and tears and sleepless nights of worry. "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything." Phillipians 4:6 Easy to say, harder to live. I guess I'm reminded once again that I'm not in control. He is. Thank goodness!
How about you, what's got your mind occupied friends?

Sum-ting Stinkee

Something stinks in my laundry room. Not the usual dirty sock smell that sometimes graces my de-stinkify room. Nope not a sock. Something else. I noticed it this morning when I went to start up the machines. I wish my dh were here to help me find the source of the reek. Or at least to verify that it does indeed smell funkier than usual down there - I'd feel a little less crazy. Just a little.

But it's like that in life isn't it? We need the strengths of our spouses or those close to us to help us when we notice somethings not quite right. Like when you're about to make a dumb decision or after you've reacted poorly to circumstances. Again. I love that about my husband. He's got quite a radar about stuff. And is becoming quite good at tactfully pointing out the "stink" he's noticed. As iron sharpens iron, we need each other. And I love that.


Totally different topic, my artist friend Angela is having free giveaways this month to celebrate her birthday. Go to her blog to enter. You could win something really great like this beautiful decorative coaster painted by Angela herself!! I love free stuff and it's even better when it's from a friend. So drop by her blog, read her great posts and leave a note.