Do you ever feel STUCK? In 2000, I began looking for answers to some tough questions in my life. I'd searched high & low and finally conceded to search the promises found in the Bible. Those promises have sustained & guided me through the loss of a parent, the struggle with anxiety & depression, the loss of a valued relationship and so much more! I've found joy amid the pain. And, I want to share it with you!
Sunday, 20 July 2014, 2:50pm and... I just can't contain my excitement over the OPENING of the Visual Arts of Chautauqua Institution Students Exhibit that I just had to create a little pic for it. I'm on my way and will post more later. In the meantime...
Monday, 21 July 2014, 8:50am and... The show was GREAT. It opened at 3pm with a line out the door. Within 15 minutes all three of the oil paintings our daughter did were SOLD. How exciting!! The money she will make from those sales will really help with the costs of these 7 weeks for her :) The exhibit will be open to the public for a few more weeks. The individual work continues for 3 more weeks for the VACI students --as they create more art in their studios. Here are a few collages of our daughters work thus far at Chautauqua Institution...
In my opinion... she's holding her BEST piece of ART :)
I don't know about you... but, some days I really need a place of quiet rest. Today is one of those days for me. And, on such days, I'm reminded of the lyrics of an old beloved hymn. "Near To the Heart of God" was written by Cleland B. McAfee in 1903!!! I looked it up & it says that the inspiration for the lyrics came from the following promise -- one of my favorites:
Those who trust in the lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.Isaiah 40:11
I'm trusting that God will draw near to my spirit today & give me assurance that He is working on my behalf even on the rough days!! The lyrics to NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD:
There is a place of quiet rest, Near to the heart of God; A place where sin cannot molest, Near to the heart of God.
O Jesus, blest Redeemer, Sent from the heart of God; Hold us, who wait before Thee, Near to the heart of God. There is a place of comfort sweet, Near to the heart of God; A place where we our Savior meet, Near to the heart of God.
O Jesus, blest Redeemer, Sent from the heart of God; Hold us, who wait before Thee, Near to the heart of God. There is a place of full release, Near to the heart of God; A place where all is joy and peace, Near to the heart of God. O Jesus, blest Redeemer, Sent from the heart of God; Hold us, who wait before Thee, Near to the heart of God.
The first time I heard this song, it instantly grabbed my heart. It's one of those songs that just takes my soul aflight. I can't wait to DANCE for Jesus!
I've been at ALL of the stages depicted in the verses below... well, except the last. And, it is the LAST that shall make everything here on earth meaningful.
Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus) by Chris Rice
Weak and wounded sinner Lost and left to die O, raise your head, for love is passing by Come to Jesus Come to Jesus Come to Jesus and live! Now your burden's lifted And carried far away And precious blood has washed away the stain, so Sing to Jesus Sing to Jesus Sing to Jesus and live! And like a newborn baby Don't be afraid to crawl And remember when you walk Sometimes we fall...so Fall on Jesus Fall on Jesus Fall on Jesus and live! Sometimes the way is lonely And steep and filled with pain So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then Cry to Jesus Cry to Jesus Cry to Jesus and live! O, and when the love spills over And music fills the night And when you can't contain your joy inside, then Dance for Jesus Dance for Jesus Dance for Jesus and live! And with your final heartbeat Kiss the world goodbye Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and Fly to Jesus Fly to Jesus Fly to Jesus and live!
Yep, that last verse makes my spirit soar! I want to DANCE for my Lord!! Take a listen to the song (under 4 minutes long) and GIVE THANKS!!
NOTE: The pic I paired the lyrics with is from the dock by the Miller Bell Tower at Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY. The Little, her Mommy & I spend 8 weeks there - summer of 2014.
Make sure to get your name on my "dance card" quickly!
That was my Facebook status as I returned to my laptop this morning after a whirlwind trip to drop our son off to Brevard Music Center for the Summer Festival.
Looking back at the past 5-6 years, I guess I could honestly say that I've been on a LOT of countdowns...
The countdowns until the high school graduations for our children (June 2008 & June 2011)
The countdowns until the beginning of college for each of them (Fall of 2008 & fall of 2011)
The countdowns of when I could walk again (3 broken bones in my right foot - 8/2009, 11/2009 & 2/2010 - resulted in approximately 9 months off my feet!)
The countdown of when a baby would arrive
The countdown of when she would turn one
The countdowns...
The countdowns...
The countdowns...
I considered starting a countdown for this new summer Chautauqua adventure awhile back & decided that I needed to meet a few more deadlines before that could happen. So as I hopped on my laptop today for the first time in several days, I was shocked that this countdown gives me 8 days! I thought I'd have a few minutes to relax after dropping our son off for his summer adventure. But, EIGHT DAYS until being away from home for EIGHT WEEKS is madness :)
This would be another time that I am so grateful for my childlike faith in God. There's no need to fret. God will help me accomplish what I need to accomplish to meet this deadline & have a successful countdown! And here we go... EIGHT DAYS & COUNTING!!
This picture was taken at the entry to Brevard Music Center - where our son is spending his summer!! We dropped him off on Monday, June 9th!
"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."Ephesians 2:10
2485. snow on the ground... too cold for 4/15... still beautiful
2486. making it - despite my depression - to RefresHer Bible Study!
2487. confusing answers to prayer
4/16/14 Wed
2488. helping teach independence (can be hard on the teacher & the student... but, it's necessary & noble)
2489. the ideas I come up with when talking with my older sister on the phone make me SMILE!!! For example, I thought of this... "Working on a post for my StuckInIndiana blog today... "Jesus Loves the Simple Minded" Will publish when I get the perfect picture. Shouldn't be long!"
2498. Rustic beauty along my walk... never disappoints... always draws my mind to God. This is my Father's world! Spotted a crawdad today -- totally grossed out Jessica - ha ha!!
2499. a few hours alone in the house -- very rare
4/20/14 EASTER SUNDAY!!!
2500. celebration with my church family
2501. first Easter egg hunt w/baby A
2502. to die for... homemade almond, vanilla bean cheese cake w/FRESH raspberries
4/21/14 Mon
2503. waking up with the thought...
His Resurrection is as real this moment as it was that very day!!!
Our sunrise was a little bland but... my friend captured a great picture this morning. It looked to me like an angel who is reminding us that Christ's resurrection is as real this morning as it was the very morning it happened! 2504. putting pics on Facebook that I would rather not but, feel that I should 2505. Ann's post about being Resurrection People
2508. hot dogs from the grill - summer is getting closer :)
4/23/14 Wed
2509. earlier time for a walk-about temps in the low 40's - but, beautifully sunny!
2510. some serious yard work accomplished
2511. peace, love & understanding... a little one in a PEACE shirt :)
4/24/14 Thurs
2512. hitting the "TO DO LIST" hard
2513. Christian sisters who share each other's burdens
2514. the weather turning a corner - finally!!!
4/25/14 Fri
2515. God's faithfulness - especially in the CRAZY times!
2516. lots of organizing & cleaning AND a little music
2517. safe trip home for T & K
4/26/14 Sat
2518.
2519. a boy, a baby & Bach
2520. the little things which bring family together
4/27/14 Sun
2521. Sunday afternoon nap for our little one for THREE HOURS!!!
2522. in-laws who are ethical, have GREAT values & love the Lord
2523. family movie night - happy to have our 2 UC-CCM kids here :)
Sitting on the laps of Uncle T & Aunt K and watching FROZEN for the first time!
4/28/14 Mon
2524. centering my life & God's PERFECT ART
"Your love relationship with God \ prepares you to be involved in His work by developing in you a God-centered life." ~ Experiencing God. Henry Blackaby
2525. the power of words - the power of truth
2526. hard, long day - glad that tomorrow is a new day :)
4/29/14 Tues
2527. being stuck by a train for over 30 minutes & actually reading my lesson before Bible study
reminded that I AM DRESSED TO KILL by my Lord when it comes to satan!
2528. killer colors - which ONLY GOD can do!
2529. news of a 4.0 this semester for our son this has been a LONG journey - since, in my opinion, his spirit was broken by a cruel 4th grade teacher!!
4/30/14 Wed
2530. a collapsible play pen which follows me around the house as I clean :) complete with 15-month old baby girl :)
2531. news of a 4.0 this semester for our son's girlfriend
2532. NEWS OF OUR DAUGHTER BEING ACCEPTED INTO THE SUMMER PROGRAM AT VISUAL ARTS at CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTE oh... THAT journey!
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