Giving Love Away

The little guy above found a new home today and the little gal below was given away a few months ago.  In my sewing room I have a shelf full of lilugas awaiting their assignments to go and give some love away. Where they will go, nobody knows. Not even me.

As they wait for their assignments to go to their new homes, the lilugas are getting are getting a little antsy. They're tired of sitting on a shelf and want to be giving some love away. They stare at me with pleading eyes everyday. Oh my.

I know I have lots of love to give to others, yet I tend to put that love on a shelf as go about my busy days. Shelving my love means that I am missing opportunities to love and encourage others. Of course, I do eventually get around to giving the lilugas away. It's just not as often as I would like to. Thankfully the little guys constantly remind me.

Leaving the Nest

Kate and Bob on the roof, awaiting takeoff to new adventures.

Last Sunday, my oldest child, Max, flew out of the nest. He flew all the way to Oregon.

This mother's heart of mine wasn't quite prepared for how emotional it would be to have him leave home. Especially so far away (why couldn't he just move to Chicago?).  It has been hard this week but I am sure it will get easier as time goes on. Despite my crying and missing him, I am excited for Max and his new adventures (and even a little bit jealous).

As for me, all my new adventures are taking place in my sewing room. I have designed a new liluga. Simple, little and sweet. Quick and easy to make so I can give more away. Aren't they cute?

I also made some more birds, like Kate and Bob. Not sure where they'll land, but they are ready to go. Reminds me of life. I'm always on the go, but not always so sure of where I'll land. 

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.

    I will advise you and watch over you.

Psalm 32:8 NLT

A Word of the Year Do-Over

It is now January 4th and I still have not chosen my word for 2015. Is there a time limit on choosing? Who sets the rules? No and me.

The week before Christmas, I prayed for the Lord to reveal a word to me. The next morning, I received a Christmas gift from a friend. It was a plate that had the word "SHINE" written on it. I had just used that word in a sentence the day before, so I thought, "There's my answer! Shine it is."

To "shine" means "to glow forth or glow with light; shed or cast light, and to be bright with reflected light; to glisten; to sparkle" (from dictionary.com). A year to shine for Jesus. Sounds fun and sparkly. But I'm not sure.

Shortly after Christmas I was writing in my prayer journal and writing what I felt God was speaking to me. As I was listening I saw a giraffe and some sheep. I felt God told me I was like a sheep, and I shouldn't try and be like a giraffe. Sheep follow their shepherd. They don't try and figure it out all on their own; they are incapable of doing so. They are simple.  

I thought "simple" would be a great word. A reminder to only look towards my shepherd and not to listen to any other voices. I looked up the meaning of the word; "easy to understand; not elaborate or artificial; plain; not ornate or luxurious; unadorned; unaffected; unassuming; modest; and not complicated"(dictionary.com). All good things. But I'm not sure.

Last fall I had made a small flock of birds to sell for a fundraiser to help support a friend who was in need. They all sold, but nobody picked this guy and he was left on my shelf, all alone, for a couple of months. There was just something about him that didn't look right.

before

Then, the other day, a friend asked if I had any of my birds left for sale. I only had this same guy, but I didn't think he looked good enough to sell.  I took a long look at him and decided he needed a do-over. So I gave him a beak-job. Much better, don't you think?

after

Sometimes we have to go back and correct things before we can move forward. I feel like my word from last year, "overcome", still needs to be tweaked and worked with.  I still have much to overcome, and by the grace of God, I will. I believe "overcome" will be my word again in 2015. 

However, since I am making the rules, I am asking "shine" and "simple" to join me as I "overcome" this year. I bet we'll make a great team.


"And those who are wise—the people of God—shall shine as brightly as the sun’s brilliance, and those who turn many to righteousness will glitter like stars forever".  Daniel 12:3 (The Living Bible)


Linking up @

http://arabahjoy.com/loft