Morning...

"You can only come to the morning through the shadows." -J.R. Tolkien

I subscribe to "Click" which is a photography magazine put out by Clickin' Moms, http://www.clickinmoms.com.

I like trying to recreate some of the great photos in the magazine.  There was one photo taken with only the lighting from under the cabinets that I thought was beautiful.  This morning as I was fixing my breakfast, I thought of that picture.  The sun was just peaking at the horizon, so it was still a little dark.  I got out my camera, and took some pictures.  And I had Warren take some too.  They were not as nice as the one in the magazine, but I enjoyed the experiment anyway.  The magazine's photographer had a much nicer lens than I did.

Warren--Morning ritual...reading as he eats.

Rob- morning tea.

Here comes the Sun!

Surprises, and signs of spring...

"Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world." -Virgil A. Kraft

When I travel out of town, I always stop by the library to get me several books on CD to listen to on the drive to my destination.  It was no different when I went to Las Cruces.  My CD book had six discs.  I got the first three listened to, and was going to change the discs, but nothing would load, or play.  I thought maybe if I turned off the engine, and restarted my car, it would reboot my CD player.  It did nothing.  At this point, I was so distressed about the whole matter.  I had a three hour drive with only the radio to listen to.  Pretty dismal for sure since radio stations are hard to get in the mountains.  It was a long drive home is all I have to say about it.

I took my car in to get my CD fixed.  It was even more dismal than the drive home.  They can't fix it.  It has to be replaced.  The bad news is my car has a "Theft deterrent system."  In this situation, this system is not a good thing. It is one huge unit: the navigational system, the tape player, radio, and CD.  It is going to cost $1300.  My old system has to be sent to the manufacture to have them get out my library CDs.  There are three in there.  No one knows how long that is going to take.  I will be rechecking this book on CD for awhile.  I thought maybe I would pay for the library CD, but then decided I could not travel without a CD player, so I am biting the bullet and paying the money...correction...Warren is paying for it.  I just break it.

Surprise #2:  When Warren goes into work, he has to put on his Doctor smock before he sees patients.  The clothes rack where all the employees keep their smocks is right next to the employee's bathroom.  Warren just happened to notice there was a squirrel floating in the toilet.  Dead, of course.  It is a mystery how it got there.  I don't know what it is about us and squirrels.  They seem to like us.

On a different note, spring is just around the corner.   I like all the spring colors, and new dawning of life.  It makes me so appreciative of God, and how he thrills us with new beauty.  Thank you, Lord, for our seasons.

And Lord, thank you for my man who fishes squirrels out of toilets, pays for things I break, and still smiles through it all, and loves me even more.  I am blessed.

Week 3 Art Journal...

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting."  -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Because I had to go to Las Cruces for jury duty, I did not have access to all my art supplies.  I did take a few, and did what I could with those.  Most of my art journaling involved a lot of drawing of faces.  It was easy to take a pad, pencil, pens, and watercolor crayons.  I found a wonderful video on YouTube on how to draw a face using circles.  See it here: http://youtu.be/1ErvNVnBJE0.  Also, since I was away from home, I could not exactly follow the lessons by Erin Leigh regarding the art journal prompts.  http://artbyerinleigh.blogspot.com/2012/09/31-days-of-scripture-art-journaling-day.html.  Here is this week's art journal pages:

I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Psalm 139:14

For to me to Live is Christ, to die is Gain.  Philippians 1:21

You shall be Holy for I the Lord your God, am Holy. Leviticus 19: 2

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, ' This is the way, walk in it'  whenever you turn to the right or to the left.  Isaiah 30:21

Paraphrased:  Whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, let your mind dwell on these things.  Philippians 4:8

Jury Duty...

"I vote, and I do jury duty."  -Christopher Hitchens

In December, I got a letter in the mail letting me know I had been selected for jury duty for the months of February and March.  I answered their questions, and asked to be excused from serving since I take care of Jane.  They did not think it was a good enough reason.  February passed...no summons.  Then came March.  I got a phone call, then a letter letting me know I had to report for Federal jury duty in Las Cruces, NM.  I reported.  I got selected.

Driving to Las Cruces...

The Organ Mountains just outside of Las Cruces.

It was a criminal case.  A felon, who had served prison time for previous crimes, was charged with possession of firearms and ammunition.  He naturally pleaded "not guilty", hence the trial.   Long story, short, we had a hung jury: 11 guilty, 1 not guilty, even though he had an assault rifle in his bed under the covers. (His bed was the only place to sit in his house which was an 8x10 well-house).  He had a double-barrel shotgun under the bed.  Ammo was on the shelf by his bed between his cigarettes, and booze, and in the guns.  The one juror who said he was not guilty thought he could not have known the guns and ammo were there.  She thought they must have been planted, and that he was falsely accused.  I know it is hard to believe.  Hopefully, when retried, the next jury will find him guilty. 100%.

I was hoping I was going to get to do some shopping before I had to head back, but because we were not all in agreement on the defendant's guilt, the judge kept asking us to go back to deliberate some more.  Finally, at the end of the second day, he declared a hung jury.  We did get out an hour early on the first day though.  I was told to go to Mesilla Valley for some interesting pictures, and fantastic food.  I did go.  I took pictures.  It reminded me of the Santa Fe Plaza.

 This was an old Catholic church on the plaza.  It did not look to impressive on the outside...

But the sun's rays sure gave it some wonderful appeal.

The inside was beautiful.  There was a lady sitting in the front right pew.  If you look close you can see her.

I loved the colors of the vases.

My favorite store was this place.  I was attracted by the unusual art work.  Inside was so wonderful.

This is what you see when you first walk in.

Cool colors.

A picture of me taking pictures.

This the door to a place called Josefine's Inn supposedly from the 1800's.  It is an eatery that is only open until 3:30.  I am sorry I did not make it in time to eat there.  I was told it is very good.  

Books, books and more books.  I love bookstores. This one is a very old bookstore.

It seems like every place has a Billy the Kid shop.  I liked these doors...made to look like someone is walking out of a Saloon.  I just took the picture.  I did not go in.

 I just have a few more weeks on being "on call" for further jury duty.  I have to admit, the case was an interesting, and in the end, I did not mind doing my civic duty.

6 things to do in a crisis...

"O, Lord I call upon Thee..." Psalm 141: 1

Years ago when I was attending Community Bible Study, one of the ladies in leadership gave a short study on Psalm 142, which she said she gleaned from Beth Moore.  Today, Psalm 142 was part of my daily reading, and I thought it would be appropriate to share her mini study since everyone at sometime has a crisis of some sort.  First it is important to read the entire Psalm, then I will take it apart.

Psalm 142

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Prayer for Help in Trouble.

Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer.

142 

I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord;

I make supplication with my voice to the Lord.

2 

I pour out my complaint before Him;

I declare my trouble before Him.

3 

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,

You knew my path.

In the way where I walk

They have hidden a trap for me.

4 

Look to the right and see;

For there is no one who regards me;

There is no escape for me;

No one cares for my soul.

5 

I cried out to You, O Lord;

I said, “You are my refuge,

My portion in the land of the living.

6 

“Give heed to my cry,

For I am brought very low;

Deliver me from my persecutors,

For they are too strong for me.

7 

“Bring my soul out of prison,

So that I may give thanks to Your name;

The righteous will surround me,

For You will deal bountifully with me.”

Six steps David took in his time of trouble or crisis.

1.  He prayed.  The title to the Psalm gives insight that David was in trouble. Running from King Saul,    David was hiding in a cave, and wrote this song or ballad (called a Maskil). Notice it is called a PRAYER.  We can sing, or say our prayers.  But we must pray.  

2.  He cried aloud.  Verse one lets us know he "cried aloud to the Lord, making supplication."  

3.  He poured out his complaint.  Verse 2, "I pour out my complaint before Him, and declare my trouble."  Complaint is best taken to God first.  God is able to do more than we can think or imagine.

4.  He rehearsed his trust in God.  In verses 3-4, David recounts his trust in desperate times. It is important to recall how God has been faithful in the past circumstances.  This is what helps us to know He will be faithful in the present as well.  Rehearsing our trust is equivalent to us taking up our shield of faith.  We will extinguish those fiery darts of the evil one by recounting and stating our trust in God.

5.  He longs for God's presence.  In verse 5, he cries out to God. 

6.  He confesses his desperate need for God. In the last half of verse 5, and all of verse 6, he declares his need for God's help.  There is no one better to turn to in time of need.  He loves us, and cares for us.  Most of all He alone is able.  

2 Results deliverance brings

The results are found in verse 7 when his soul is brought out of prison (prison=circumstances)

1.  Praise or thanks to God. "that I may give thanks to Your name."

2.  People of God will be around him. "The righteous will surround me."

Art Journal- 31 days of scripture...

"The word of God is living and active..." -Hebrews 4:12

So far, I have been able to follow along with the "31 days of scripture art journaling" as described in Erin Leigh's blog, http://artbyerinleigh.blogspot.com/2012/09/31-days-of-scripture-art-journaling-day.html.  It has been rather challenging finding that special verse everyday--especially when my daily reading is in Leviticus.  I did not find too many "grab your heart" or inspirational scriptures in the blood sacrifices, leprosy, or clean vs. unclean. Thank goodness for my devotional readings, and Psalms.

Here's my journal pages for this week.  I took the pictures with my iPhone, so they are not in real sharp focus.

Inspiration for this one came from Lindsay Ostrom, http://lindsayostrom.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2013-02-18T06:13:00-08:00&max-results=7.  I think the map looks like the veins and arteries of the heart.  Of course, I chose a Roswell map... 

Next, I wanted to work on painting ladies for "She Art" journals.  I sure need a ton of practice on these.  I decided to paint them on old dictionary pages to add the "old" element to my journals. Later, I can cut them out, or use them whole on an art journal page.  Dictionary pages are my favorite go to background in my journals.

Now for my regular art journal pages.

Confessions...

"Life is the sum of all your choices." -Albert Camus

Confession #1
I bought some black out curtains for our bedroom.  I did this because I experienced several sleepless nights.  I hear sleeplessness rears its ugly head as one ages.  This means I must be aging.  I do not like aging.  It is too hard on my body.  On one of those sleepless nights, I got out my iPad to read remedies for the problem.  It seems the body cannot produce enough melatonin when there is too much light.  This one website said even if you wear one of those blackout masks over your eyes, if there is the slightest light in the room, light reaches your skin, and you do not produce enough melatonin. I have every little light covered, and now I have blackout curtains.  Stay tuned to find out if the curtains will work.

Confession #2
I signed up for Hillsdale College's free online course called "American Heritage."  The college offered Constitutional 101 and 201, which I thought about taking, but did not.  I think I will go back and do that later.  I have done lesson one, and find the class very good, not watered down, or revisionist history.  This is the real deal.  Maybe I can become more like Courtney Rogers in my third confession.

Confession #3
I decided to sign up for the course after I reading "Mrs. Rogers Goes to Nashville" in Citizen magazine (the March issue). Courtney Rogers had become alarmed at the increased attacks on freedom of religion, of speech, individual success, and even the right to defend one's own life.  She was invited to pray at her City Hall during the 2009 National Day of prayer.  This was her awesome prayer:

"We pray for those that are serving in harm's way even now, all over the world.  We pray You give them courage, when they can go not further; clarity of vision and thought; when they are enveloped by the fog of war; and comfort during those darkest times, the quite pauses between the storms.  We pray that their sacrifices are not in vain, lost to a godless and apathetic nation, for it has been declared to the world, by our own leadership, that we are no longer a Christian nation.  We pray that we all find the courage, commitment, and resolve to offer our time, our resources, our leadership, and our lives, in answer to Your call: 'restore Me.'  Restore Me in your hearts.  Restore Me in your homes.  Restore me in your schools and at work.  Restore Me in your city halls and state capitols.  Restore me in your Supreme Court. Restore Me in the Halls of Congress: The House and the Senate.  Restore Me in the White House itself."

Confession #4
We are recording the 10 hour television miniseries, The Bible, that had its debut yesterday, March 3.  The series runs on the History channel and culminates on Easter.  It is produced by Roma Downey who starred in the television series "Touched by an Angel", and her husband Mark Burnett who has produced shows like "Survivor", "The Voice", and "Celebrity Apprentice."



Confession #5
I really do not care for the month of March.  There is too much wind.  For those who watch "The Pioneer Woman" on the food channel,  have you notice how it is always blowing where they live?  How can they stand it?

Confession #6
I hate Day Light Savings Time, which is just around the corner.  Actually, I just hate changing time in the spring and fall.  Why can't they leave it alone?  I already get too little sleep.

Confession #7
I am hooked on the TV series "Downton Abbey", and "Call the Midwives."  They are right up there will my all time favorite "Major Crimes."

That is all I can think to confess right now, but I am sure there is more.  I just cannot think of them right now.

Art Journaling...

"Study to show yourself approved." 2 Timothy 2:15

In my blog post of February 18, "A Reminder to me", I spoke about getting into God's word everyday, so that the consuming fire God put in me would not go out.  It was not long after that when I came upon a website by Erin Leigh, http://artbyerinleigh.blogspot.com/2012/09/31-days-of-scripture-art-journaling-day.html, with an exercise called 31 days of scripture.  Talk about an answer to prayer right away!  In a nutshell, Erin takes you through Art Journaling scripture so it will stay in your heart longer than a few minutes. I love her description of what happens when your art journal scripture.

"Because I believe that there is something inherently spiritual about creating.

not just art, but creating anything.

I am connected to my creator when I create.

When I use the gifts that I've been entrusted with."

I picked scriptures from my daily Bible reading rather than choosing my old standard favorites.  Each day I ask the Lord to speak to me through His word.  When a particular passage jumps out at me, I know that is my word for today.  Here are my first four days of "31 days of scriptures."

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Once I start a page, it is hard to stop the doodling, but I know I must, or I will never get anything done.
I am, also, starting a new project for my yearly family albums.  Each month, I will do a "summary" calendar with that month's events highlighted for each day.  I must say, this project was much more involved than I anticipated.  It mostly had to do with the setting up of my background, and putting all those tiny squares in where the pictures or words would go.  It was well worth the time and effort.  This is how I will introduce each new month in my Family Yearbook Album.  I just love it!

February 2013