it's been awhile

I haven't posted because I haven't had anything nice to say.
Today was actually a good day. Felt strange to have one of those, but it was truly a gift from Jesus to me.

I still struggled... D still struggled...
but I got a nap... and drumroll please.... a job working part time hours with full time benefits baking and cake decorating at Safeway, 10 minutes from home.
I am sitting here listening to D, trying to go to sleep.
I have a coctail next to the keyboard, and am going to bed shortly.

Life is far from perfect. However, I am finally starting to feel like we are going to make it, not just surviving, but that we might actually thrive.

I am praying that this brief moment of optimism extends to tomorrow.
until then,



by the way,

The Betty Crocker, Betty Page, Betty Boop, Betty Craziness is a bunch of Crap.
I would much rather learn to be myself. Haven't been her in a while. It would be nice to spend some time with her.

not ready to blog about stuff yet...
However, God's gift to me in all of this is my family.

it is super late and I am watching instructional videos on youtube....
instructional videos on using a knitting loom... the dude is super flaming and is talking about how fast it goes that he has time to drink wine and cook broccoli without salt...

I must say, it is a bit of an addiction.

today

I've decided the concept of learning to be betty is a load of crap.
I have a hard enough time learning to be me.

I am on the verge of big changes... scary but long in the making.
I still don't know what I am going to be when I grow up, but I know what I am doing now is not cutting it.

I am grateful for my family these last couple of months.
They are what propels me through.
I wish I could be more present in my niece's lives, but there just isn't enough of me to go around.

On a lighter note, today is my little man's 3rd birthday.
He is a bit on the grumpy side, but hopefully after his nap he will clear up :D

I made him mickey mouse pancakes and we stayed in jammies until noon. I bundled him up and we ran around in the park for an hour or so and then toured Toys R Us for a new piece to his "twain twack" I love his little face.

I would post a pic, but I am too tired... nap time for baby (not such a baby anymore) means nap time for Momma too .

Its a latte kind of a day today I think :D

I have a doctors appt in 40 minutes and I am still in my pj's drinking a delicious cup of coffee....

I should be getting ready, but instead I am blogging about getting ready :D
Drake is having a hard morning this morning, but I suppose that is just part of being his age.
We are getting very close to making the pacifiers go away (even at bedtime).
I am not looking forward to the all-out war that will ensue.


Wish me luck kids.


-J

This morning I woke encouraged.
Drake crawled into my arms and we just lay there... stretching the sleep from our limbs and talking about our day.

I love my little guy.

The MRI went alright...
My body is wrecked from having to lay in that position for an hour.
I think I would be more hopeful if I didn't have to go back Monday for the other hand.

Today I am dark and twisty... and that is alright. I am not censoring my emotions today. That in itself marks growth for me.

I was at Kat's until super late last night and it felt so good.
We drank chick beer and laid on the couch and just hung out.
Moments where I am just myself, not somebody's wife, or somebody's mom, or somebody's daughter... just me. We laughed about stupid crap and ate chocolate cake out of a box.
I need more evenings like that. They remind me that I am not the sum of my circumstances.

I really love that she knows not to ask "How are you?" but asks me how the day is going. She knows... and she gets me.. and I get her... God loves me after all, to have provided such a friend.

on another note - - the tech who started my IV today noted that I have super thick skin... seems ironic... doesn't it?

I am off to the big scary MRI machine today for my hands.
They are not sure if my kidneys can handle the dyes but I suppose we are going to roll the dice on that one.


Mostly this morning I feel pissed. I talked with Kathleen yesterday about anger and she had a really profound take on the subject. God can handle my anger. He loves me when I am adoring and when I am royally pissed off.... and to be honest about my feelings.

Dear God,

I am not discounting your creation
and your love that even sent your son to die for me,
I am however very angry at you because my body died and forgot to tell me.

your whiny kid,

-Juicey

more pics

beach daze :D

Drake came in from the beach on Sunday... sad.
I asked Richard what the switch was and Drake interupted him and said, "I am sad that I don't have wings... I want to fly like the birds on the beach."

I replied, "God gave wings to birds to do incredible things, and he gives us hands to do incredible things. We just have to listen to him to find out what those incredible things are."

I love my kid.

white trash wonderland and leftovers

I spent some much needed time with my friend Kathleen tonight.
She is getting ready for a weekend trip down to San Jose for her brother's graduation.
It is more fun to shop the Dollar Store and G.O. with friends.

I got into a fun conversation with a long-haired guy covered in skull tattoos about long haired doxies vs short haired ones. He had a dog that looked a lot like Eli and was parked next to me.
Kathleen is not a dog fan and was patient enough with me while I "talked shop" with the mangy looking fellow. I still like our Dollar Store and G.O. better.

The evening was good for my heart.
The highlight being my explanation to Kat that I have been using the word "douche bag" a lot lately and that it was cleansing to the soul...

Thursday

I have nothing nice to say about my morning, so I am not going to say anything at all about it.


This afternoon however,
the sun is shining, and my son is napping.

God Loves Me.

today was strange.
Richard is effectively laid off. He has worked 1 day this week and there is no work in sight.
That in itself is not what is stressful... having no time to myself is what makes me want to freak out,

Also, making all the financials work is stressful too.... oh well... just need to breathe and keep my blood pressure down... it will be alright (this is me pep talkin' myself).

Dad

Dad is so funny,

he called this morning to tell me that if I ever feel bad about my own circumstances, I should watch an episode of Dog the Bounty Hunter. Apparently, this will reaffirm to me that my life isn't so terrible.

I love my Dad. He makes me laugh. What a goofball.

I went to see a private performance of This Providence last Saturday and I must say that I am a fan.... definitely not in my usual rotation... but there is a rawness there I respect.

and, how ridiculously good looking is the drummer (lower left)? He is even more beautiful in person... I always did have a thing for dudes in eyeliner.

Somehow God Knew I Needed My Dad

Dad came over yesterday unexpectedly... spent the night... and spent the whole day with me here at the house.

We hit up a garage sale in Mukilteo that was actually pretty good. They had a jewel-toned amethyst colored lazy boy with a matching ottoman that was just beautiful. They only wanted 20 bucks... alas, it wasn't going to fit into the stratus.... dang it.

Drake melted in the car when we left... screaming at the top of his lungs. I kept my cool.... just trying to keep the old bp down.

I was really looking for some cute patio furniture. I feel inspired by Merissa's and I want some of my own. Perhaps I should hit up the antique stores in SnoHo... I feel a shopping trip coming on.

This burst of optimism is stemming from the very large bowl of chicken pho that I just consumed. I think it the first real food that I have consumed in a couple of days. I've been protein shaking, and nibbling, but I am seriously full.

I think that I will just have to make this a habit. Chicken Pho for the soul.

and now onward to a nap.

Can't send all my crazy drama into cyberspace...
but what I can say is that yesterday goes down in history as one of my worst days ever... and if you know me, you know that says something. I am a bit of a collector of worst days.

if you read Ri's blog you know, that I am the elusive "person"
to steal the theme from Gray's Anatomy (a show I no longer watch because I have my own drama :D), she is my person and I am hers.

What would I do without my family? I am so glad that I never have to know.
We are sinful and broken, imperfect and bitchy, but we stand up for one another.

We are the church. This is what God talks about in the bible. People who are loved by God and called by God to love others. We don't have a fancy lobby or gourmet coffee... we have a perfect love (supplied by our Creator) that binds us.

Throughout the Hiroshima that is my life these days, is the birth of something beautiful, God's hope for me... his perfect love.... and his perfect peace.


Merissa - - I too, am a rescue in process.

I went back to delete yesterday's post... too honest... too raw...
and I saw the comments and decided to leave it. I am not apologizing for how I feel.
Those are the things I own... these thoughts in my head. They are mine, and I am not afraid of them today.

"Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul" - Psalm 86:4

"but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.
Praise be to God who has not rejected my prayer or held his love from me." - Psalm 66:19-20

"Praise be to the Lord, Our God and Savior,
Who daily bears our burdens." - Psalm 68:19

and my very favorite for today:

"For you have been my hope." - Psalm 71:5

I was praying today while making coffee... asking for a dose of what I often pray over others,
"Lord, please, give me a dose of the peace that surpasses understanding. Holy Spirit, please pray on my behalf because I don't even know what I need right now."

and you know what, I feel better... boggles my mind. Life is still broken, but I am breathing and my son is healthy and beautiful (and currently dancing to the Mickey Mouse Club House theme song) There is hot coffee with creamer in my cup and a dog snoring into my leg. God gave me what I needed in the moment I needed it. I am not alone...

"My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." -Psalm 73:26

not sure what to say today

There is so much and yet so little that I am willing to put out into cyberspace... let alone speak aloud.

Life as we know it is changing and I am scared...

Rereading Psalms today and I opened up to Psalm 27, the page in my bible is worn:

"The Lord is my light and my salvation
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life -
of whom shall I be afraid." - Psalm 27:1

"For in the day of trouble
He will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock." - Psalm 27:5


I feel strange... kind of disconnected and I don't like that feeling.
I am looking forward to couples counseling with Richard. We need a third voice to crack through the noise.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for:

Richard - - what words could express my feelings and thoughts in his direction... none...
Drake - - He keeps me going when all I want to do is what ANTM, PR, drink diet coke and sleep.
He reminds me that there is more to life that swollen limbs, fatigue and pain.
My family - - although we are hopelessly flawed, we stick together. 'nuff said
My Apartment - - to live in a place that I can rest instead of feeling like it is going down like the Titanic and sucking me down with it.
My dog - - he pees on the floor still, but I love him anyway

This cup of coffee in my hand - - although not as deep as the others, it is delicious and caffeinated
My Pandora station - - I freakin' love music at my fingertips


I could go on and on... but I won't

I live to live another day.

-J

my hands smell like acetone

I wish I had something deeper to say, but I don't.

I decided to ditch my acrylic nails... too much time, too much cashola... what is a girl to do?
cut the bitches off and soak my hands in acetone... that is what I did.

Now my hands hurt and my nails are bumpy and mishapen, but I am back to me.
I should celebrate by painting, or tie dying something, or a diet coke and a nap... my answer for everything.

The boys did really great today. There were moments of mayhem (i.e. my son ran full boar into the screen door and was surprised when he knocked it down and ended up on his keister on the patio) but overall, they just loved being together. Drake and Jeffrey cried when he left. D thought he was going to be able to go home with him.

I assured him that he had another play-date on Friday... this time at Jeffrey's house so that he could play with his toys. That seemed to calm him down a bit. He misses him when he is not around. I feel guilty about not watching Jeffrey regularly... not guilty enough to do it again. Where does that leave me? apparently more play dates.

Kat and I went to the Y for some hot tubbing and had some very interesting convos regarding plus sized swimsuits and old guys wearing banana hammocks. It was just what the doctor ordered. I love Kathleen. We have such a comfortable relationship.

Its late and I need to hit the sack... praying that my brain will shut off long enough for the Gabapentin to kick in. Yay for nerve-deadening drugs that allow me to sustain sleep :D

on tv overload

I have watched WAY too much television the last few days.
I've been under the weather and it helps pass the time.
I can't watch any more commercials.... even D is starting to sing along. That is when you know when to cut it off.

on another note - - Drake has a friend over today. It feels good to watch him play so hard with someone else. It certainly is a different dynamic then when he plays with other little boys his age. They have history, and there is a comfortableness there. There is no need to have a DTR... because they are already there. I will try and take some pictures and post later.


They do fight like siblings.... which makes me crazy, but at least he has fun in the interim right?

just because I can't help myself :D

I should be sleeping.. but I can't turn my brain off

I had such a good time with Drake and the girls today. We played really hard, and snuggled and watched a movie.

What more can a girl ask for?


I went grocery shopping at the G.O. on Friday and scored some seriously amazing deals... Apple - Grape juice for a buck anyone?? I got what we needed for 35 bucks. Now if we can just put some of that money into savings we will be doing just fine.

Zana texted on Friday to say that it felt wrong to not be at our house for Growth Group. That makes me feel like maybe we did something right. I really enjoy her. I am looking forward to spending time with her outside of church.... lookey, Jerusha found a friend :D

Okay, I am giving up on today and going to sleep.

Lord, I pray that my sister takes my advice and takes care of herself. amen.

It's noon and Drake and I just got dressed. It's been that kind of morning...
He slept with us last night. This means that I didn't sleep very much at all. I often verbalize that it would be easier if we had a king sized bed, but in all honesty, I still wouldn't sleep. He is all over the place.

We played trains today for over an hour. It was pretty much awesome. Later he was crying about something, I don't even really know what, so I made him a drum out of a coffee can. We proceeded to have a cooperative concert in the living room. I am sure the upstairs neighbors adored our renditions of "row row row your boat, Old Mcdonald (did you know he has dinosaurs and elephants on his farm? well in our version he does), and the itsy bitsy spider.

I am not perfect, but today I feel like I did a few things right.

simple things

Tonight I had dinner with an old friend....
I haven't seen him in almost a year, and it felt as if no time had passed.
It was easy, comfortable, like my favorite jeans.

Like jumping into the middle of a conversation without needing all the details.
I may not see him again for another year, but it is alright.

I am grateful for what we have.... a dinner among friends.

No Work For The Wanting

No work for Richard today... and none tomorrow... but looks like he will have work on Thursday and Friday.

We forgot to open a claim for last week. Oh well, we do what we can.


I need coffee, I am feeling cranky.

today is infinitely better than yesterday... I felt like I had died and my soul forgot to notify my body.

But today is good. I am grateful... I am standing up and sitting down with pain... but it is a fly in the air, buzzing around my brain, not a lion's roar that deafens me. I had D on my shoulders in the grocery store today with only moderate discomfort. I feel guilty on the bad days when I can't carry him about. It makes me feel like a bad mom when I have to tell him no... "Mommy loves you, but I can't hold you right now." Now every time he doesn't want to do something I ask, he tells me that he can't. How proud can I be that I was the one who taught him the word? But today I held him high. He squealed with bouts of uncontrollable laughter when I danced to the muzak playing overhead. He started to sing his favorite songs that didn't go along with the tune, but he didn't care... so we danced along with his songs. At least I can hold onto that. I am teaching him that sometimes you have to sing your own song even if it doesn't fit what is going on around you. He clapped his hands and danced with me amongst the bags of discount coffee beans, goat cheese and soy yogurt.

If nothing else, I can show him that you can use pain to clarify instead of letting it destroy you. It burns away the excess, leaving only what is important... and that whenever you can... dance. Life is too precious to waste the good days.

Drake is sleeping and my house is quiet.
Eli is camped out next to me, snoring into my favorite pair of jeans.
Richard is working today.
I have food in my fridge and gas in my car,
I am able to type :D

Today is good.

I am intensely grateful for today.

took some pics of Kirena a while back and found them when I pulled my camera out


Its 8:17am on a Saturday morning and I am awake, blogging, and drinking Diet Coke. Well actually, it is a 16 oz Diet Shasta Cola, but that apparently is how I roll.

D and I were supposed to ride down and see Riah today but Richard decided last minute that he wanted us to ride separately and let D sleep. I see the wisdom in that, but it means spending twice the gas, which was why we were riding together in the first place. As much as I want to see Riah, which is a lot, there is a part of me that just wants to stay home and relax.


Last night was our last Firefly Growth Group Meeting. Zana and David were not able to come... so it left, Galand, Bev, Richard and myself. We watched the movie and had a good time. I was sad to see them go. I truly feel like I am going to see these people again... just not in a growth group setting. They are friends now.

I suppose I should get moving and lay out crap to take... but for now, I am going to mindlessly surf the interwebs and drink my tasty beverage.

I am so grateful

I am so grateful for my Dad.
He played with Drake this morning so I could get my nails done and go grocery shopping.... get this.... grocery shopping without a two year old... it was bliss *I am swooning just thinking about it*

I trimmed his beard so that he doesn't look like a crazy mountain man. He seemed glad that I didn't trim it too much and it was still very full.... full but not crazy, that is what we were shooting for :D

On another note, Drakers totally used the bathroom on his own volition. It was awesome... and to commemorate, I took this picture :D

french fries, play toys, and epic meltdowns (and it wasn't the ice cream)

We went Old McD's for lunch with Kathleen. Drake did great until it was time to go and he threw an epic fit... so bad that I that I carried him out of the restaurant kicking and screaming and had to put him in the car and let him scream. I locked him in and sat on my trunk. 10 minutes later he was still going strong. I tried to hold him and get him to calm down.... and that eventually worked, but it took forever. I kept praying to keep calm... praying that God would supernaturally assist his own calming down. I must say, that I kept a level head... cool and collected. For that I am grateful...

I was afraid that D was going to pop a blood vessel in his eyes. It was that bad.

I am not equipped for days like these.

its a quiet day and it is raining outside

Today my body is not cooperating... I am frustrated and tired and sick... what is a girl supposed to do?

Reading another book: Life Is Friends: A Complete Guide to the Lost Art of Connecting In Person by Jeanne Martinet.

"Being Hospitable is ultimately an act of love. Good things come to those who host." page 84

Manic Monday

I guess I am channeling the Bangles today.

This weekend was crazy, car repairs and pretty much the entire weekend away from home.

The good news is that the house is pretty much clean.

No need to deep clean :D

I am reading a really cool book on interpersonal communication that I got from the library. I will most definitely share once I get a little further into the book.

Have a great day.

-Jerusha

Art for the walls

Drake and I were busy today.

helping hands

Monday mornings are my busiest around the house.

Dishes and laundry are calling my name. The beds aren't made yet. Drake has inevitably spilled cereal on the livingroom floor. I am a woman on a mission; coffee in hand.

This morning, Drake was feeling especially helpful. "I help you Momma, I help." Any parent can tell you that supervising a two-year old doing housework is not exactly expeditious. I found myself trying to distract him with crayons and fresh paper.

What am I teaching him in this moment??? nothing.

I feel bad. Drake's desire to help clean is good. I want him to know how to do laundry and be tidy. I want him to embrace hard work, and feel pride in his accomplishments.

Why am I in such a hurry?

Drake is exceptional at putting things in bins. Truly, you should see it *grin*

I pulled the hampers out of the bedroom and had him unload the dryer by sticking the clothes on my bed. He hung them on the bedposts because "thatsa where they go Mom."

I pulled the wet clothes out of the washer and he loaded them in the dryer, piece-by-piece. I pulled his clothes out of the dirty hamper and he threw in his own clothes into the washer. He kept telling me that I was "doing great" as I assisted him. It makes me feel good that he hears enough encouragement to know when to bestow it upon others.

Sure it took 10 times longer than if I had done it myself... but it was worth it. Drake looked proud of himself when he shut the door on the dryer and I turned it on. I even got a high-five... the ultimate of all toddler accolades.

I am proud of my little guy

This weeks menu

I am a fiend for menu planning. It allows me to keep my shopping lists focused and under budget. Searching around on the web I found a really cool site with some fun resources:

http://organizedhome.com/

They have a very cool menu planning organizer that is fancier than the one I use:
http://organizedhome.com/sites/default/files/printable/notebook_food_menu_planner_weekly.pdf

It's a printable template that you can fill out and set up on the fridge.
There are a whole bunch of other resources there too.... definitely worth checking out.


Here is my menu for this week:

1. sloppy joes
2. chicken enchiladas
3. breaded chicken and mashed potatoes
4. biscuit dogs and tator tots (I found a new way to do these, I will take pics and add later :D)
5. Spaghetti and meatballs
6. Left-over night


Check out the site and enjoy!

Will you be my Valentine?

Its Wednesday and I am starting to get really excited about Valentine's Day.
I made some really cute V-Day cards yesterday and it got the creative juices going.

Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday

Tuesday has always been one of the hardest days of the week for me. The week isn't fresh, it's not the middle of the week yet... and the day seems to drag on.

The bright side of today is that the sun is shining, my dishes are done, I baked some banana bread so my house smells good, and my two-year old is napping.

We are having an easy dinner tonight: Biscuit Dogs and Tator Tots. Both the husband and the son should be happy...

All hail sodium filled hotdogs and canned biscuits!

tunes I am grooving to:

for all you music lovers out there,

here is my Pandora radio station:
http://www.pandora.com/people/jerushanaomi#

enjoy!

Aparently today is book review day

I am on a mission for information.
It seems like since I committed whole-heartedly to this homemaking thing, I can't put the book down.

I am currently reading, "Feather Your Nest" by Cerentha Harris. She was formerly on staff at Martha Stewart Living Magazine, and is now a stay-at-home mom. I really dig her sense of style and organization. I am not anal-retentive enough to do a great deal of her ideas. Although, I total respect and enjoy her bio-friendly ideas, tips and tricks.

Here is one I snagged from her chapter on laundry:

"Bleach Alternatives
Hydrogen Peroxide - use a solution of 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 6 parts water. It's a milder bleach and can be used were normal bleach can't (wool, silks, and other delicate fabrics). Always check the care label and test a patch of clothing before using.
Lemon Juice - a mild natural bleach and well worth trying before you use stronger chemicals.
Sunlight - a natural bleach. You can try hanging sheets and towels out on a hot sunny day to see if the stains break down." - pulled from page 284.

Banana Bread Muffins

Upon special request, today I am making Banana Bread Muffins:

I got the recipe from my friend's grandma at a wake no less:

.5c shortening

1c sugar

2 eggs (when I double the recipe, I sub out 1 egg for a small scoop of miracle whip)

3 very ripe bananas

3 tbsp buttermilk

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2c flour

.5c walnuts

bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes and then check for done-ness and add 5 minute increments accordingly.

Books on my bedside table

Yesterday was lovely. Dad was in town and offered to hang out at the house while Drake was napping so Richard and I could go on a date.

We went down to Half Priced Books and spent an hour, sans the two-year old perusing the stacks of books. It was an amazing feeling to walk through the aisles at a leisurely pace... reading backs of books and enjoying the smell of musty books.

I added a few to my ever-burgeoning stack of books by my side of the bed. The first one I read through was: "More Things You Need To Be Told" by the Ettiquette Grrrls.

It is trying to be a modern look at ettiquette. However, although amusing at times, it just tries way too hard to be both proper and hip. I am particulary annoyed with the fact that they refer to themselves in third person and with initials (EG). It's cute at first but gets very old.

There were a few parts that find worthy of noting:

"Ettiquette Grrls' Rules to Live By:

1. Never purchase anything (in particular, household items of any sort - e.g. silverware, china, crystal, furniture, rugs, fabric etc.) with any of the following words in its name: Grand, Renaissance, Baroque, Victorian, Glamour, Hollywood, Atomic, Floral, Euro Style, Rustic, Post-Modern, or the name of any specific sort of flower.

2. Buy Low, Sell High

3. If it ain't broke don't fix it, and don't try to break it either.

4. Trust your gut instincts. Most of the time.

5. By the time you graduate from college, learn to do the following things:
launder your clothes (with nothing shrinking, bleeding etc), remove common stains; iron everything in your closet; fold t-shirts and sweaters properly; thread a needle; fix a hem; replace a button; cook at least one meal appropriate to serve to guests; operate a vacuum; mop; and assorted scrub brushes; have a basic familarity with major brands of cleaning product; know what does what and how to use them without hurting anyone

6. Know how to prepare one recipe that is good for potlucks.

7. Murphy's Oil soup cleans almost anything.

8. Know how to figure a tip at a restaurant (or anywhere), even if you are not good at Math.

9. Learn how to drink Real Liquor, and while you are at it, to Hold Your Liquor.

10. Nothing is Anachronistic about Kindness, Common Sense, Respect, or Courtesy."

I pulled the above quote from pages 181 and 182.


The rest of the book is trying to be both pretentious and hip. It makes my head hurt.

Jerusha's Basic Rules of Ettiquette:

1. Be Humble and Kind
2. If you get a gift, send a thank you note
3. Don't assume... anything
4. If you are invited to a party, bring a gift
5. After attending a social function or night at someone's house: send a thank you note (are you seeing a trend?)
6. Dress properly for the occasion
7. Engage people in conversation, and then let your words breathe. There is no need to talk a million miles a minute.
8. When in doubt, less is more, and then: send a thank you note :D


A big thanks to Dad for the break.

I feel a personal revolution coming on

I feel a personal revolution coming on.
My attitudes and personal disciplines are changing and becoming more refined. I am not Betty Crocker for sure, but I am me I have a personal blog, but felt that somehow this was it’s own entity… I need to chronicle my own adventures in homemaking.
It feels almost anti-feminist to say that I love what I do. It started out of necessity, but has blossomed into so much more. It’s more than cleaning, menu planning, or thriftyness, cooking a great meal, or learning to bake. It’s about embracing being the queen of your castle. It’s about making your home the port in the storm; the place where we can celebrate successes, teach new skills, and nurse old wounds. I am learning to practice the art of hospitality… in all that entails, to myself, to my family, and to those I meet.
I don’t have all the answers, but I know the one who does. ” The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love O Lord, endures forever.” – Psalms 138:8 ” Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice Hospitality.” – Romans 12:12-13.
-J