Fledging and the Empty Nest

Sitting in my home office

Watching the sun shine on my 1949 pick up truck

Memories flooding back of happier times

Tear stained cheeks

Sad that this moment has arrived

But filled with gratefulness and pride because it has

Whispers early on of poor prognosis

Years of therapy and hard work

Have yielded to spreading wings

And the fledging from the nest

Yes, the youngest has fledged

And my nest is now empty

Little Madi has moved into a group home

30 miles away

I know it's not that far

However, it is a Huge move

And a major change in both of our lives

Madi has been my side kick since Mark passed 

December 24, 2010

We have shared so many laughs 

And shed tears of joy and sorrow

Today, Madi is hanging out in his new nest

My prayers are for safety, peace and joy

Timing is right, it's a new beginning

The first of 'several' major life changing events

That will take place for me

Over the next several months

Has happened

Although, I've been away from blogging for some time

I shall be sharing more 

As the next life change

Will begin to take place next weekend

I'll share as things unfold

It's hard to live with puzzle pieces

And today, that is all I have

But, I'm excited to see all the pieces be put into place

To have a clearing understanding of what the Lord is doing

And how this picture comes together

I'll be back next week with more to the story...

GOD had a Plan

Hello Sweet Blog Friends


Although I've been fairly sporadic in blogland of late
I have a little anniversary memory to share

10 years ago today, I announced and acted on
The most difficult decision I had ever made
Up until that point in my life

Although settling on that decision was a
Long and arduous process
I knew it was the right decision

After spending 11 years at our home church
Working as the Church Administrator for 7 years
Serving as the Women's Ministries Director for 4 years
And spending about 80% of my waking hours at the
Church for many years
The Lord directed me to quit my job

On this date 10 years ago
I thought that was all the decision would entail
I would quit my job and continue the rest of life
However, others also get to make decisions
Once I announced that I was quitting my job
Everything else was taken from me

I was asked to step down from Women's Ministries
Within 12 hours my family and I were no longer members
Of the church we had loved and served for 11 years

I spent a week in bed
Cried for hours and days
Didn't answer or take calls
This isn't the way it was supposed to be

BUT GOD
Had a Plan

'For I know what I have planned for you,' says the LORD.
'I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you.
I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.'
Jeremiah 29:11

YES!
His plan walked out over the past 10 years was
Definitely filled with hope.
Heartache and loss as well, but I see His hand in it all.

The future was not clear to us 10 years ago
The perfect job opportunity that would open up for me
Which allowed me time to truly enjoy life with Mark
Our sons and our oldest granddaughter

We didn't see the weeks and months that
Mark would spend in the hospital
My ability to be with him so much of that time
Never would have happened had the changes not been made

God had a Plan that we could not see
But stepping out in Faith solidified our walk with HIM
And strengthened our commitment to each other

Yes, there have been some very difficult and life altering
Moments in the past 10 years
Moments I'd love to change or forget
I've faced loss, sadness, loneliness
And washed my fair share of tear stained pillowcases

Yet, I would not change a moment of it
To go back to where I was 10 years ago

Being married to your job,
Your church, your ministry or
Anything else that pulls you away from
God's heart and His Plan
Is not healthy or beneficial

My heart and life are more balanced today
Because
God Had a Plan
Even though I couldn't see it at the time

Be Blessed My Friends
Enjoy 'Heart' Month



Staying Positive!

Good Sunday Evening

Sweet Friends

I cannot believe it has been 2 weeks since I last posted

I guess that is what having a tiny space

At an antique/gift shop will do to you

It seems as though it's been longer than 2 weeks

I work on items every single day

And drive to the shop at least 3 times a week

I'm trying to Stay Positive

So far, only 1 item has sold

I have added lots of little things for Christmas

My prayer is that this venture will bring JOY

Into my life and not disappointment

I've struggled with tears the last few days

But I'm putting positive thoughts in my head

And holding on to them

The time between my birthday and Christmas

When Mark passed, are tough ones for me

Working HARD at focusing on HIM

The JOY of this season that is now upon us

I do hope to share, in the days ahead

A few Really Great Finds

And hopefully some other good news

Many Blessings to you All

It Happened So Quickly

Happy Sunday Evening

Sweet Friends

One day I was minding my own business

Serving time at jury duty

And the next thing I knew

I had signed a lease to open a space

At a local Antique/Gift Shop

WHAT??

Well, I had been thinking about it for several years

I had my name in (waiting list) at an Antique Mall

But I really hadn't prepared or gotten too excited

Because wait lists can be months long

And, quit frankly, I didn't think it would happen

Until, at least, after the first of the year

I got called to Jury Duty last Wednesday

After all of the panels had been seated

They didn't need me, so I was released for the day

I stopped by one of my favorite little shops

Just happened to talk to the owner

And, 15 minutes later, I had signed a lease

And told I could move in immediately

I had to go into overdrive to get something put together

I didn't have a shelving unit or anything

Found this wonderful gnome display at a yard sale Saturday

Didn't want the gnomes, just the shelf

They all came home with me

I guess they will be in my space in the spring :)

I had to cut one part of the unit off as it was a bit

Too long for my tiny space

I spent last night hand painting it

And this morning taking it to the space

And setting up just a few items

As you can guess

I have LOTS of work to do to fill up the space

And create some pieces for Christmas

But, it's a start to a MANY year dream

Actually, this is really the first thing I've dared dream about

Since losing My Mark almost 6 years ago

Happy Week Ahead

Blessings