So Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!  Count your blessings {& remember to say thanks to the One who gave it all}!

"Let us come before Him with thanksgiving & extol Him with music & song."

-Psalm 95:2 NIV

Love & Thankfulness,

-Bess-

A New Gig

Last Friday I had a major surprise at work & I've got a brand new gig in about 2 weeks - &, yes, it's actually what I went to college for!!!  It's going to be a challenge {which is probably an understatement}, which had made me very hesitant to try it - I had actually withdrew interest from the position.  But, I kept praying that if it was God's will that He'd make it clear & make a way.  I stopped by the cemetery {which happens to be on my way home from work} where my dad's buried 2 days in a row to seek out a bit of quiet {sometimes teary} prayer.  Then on Friday He made it clear through an unexpected plea from one of my boss' - {my current job is at the same place as my future position} I didn't even have to interview.  God definitely opened up the door for me & I took it!  Thank You, Lord!  Now, I'm fully relying on His strength to help me succeed... all the glory goes to Him!  Please pray for me, I go from crazy excited to scared out of my wits quite frequently!

Love,
-Bess-

P.S.: No, my position has nothing to do with sewing, but a whole lot to do with making do & mending - clear as mud, right.  Sorry I'm such a mysterious blogger... maybe one day I'll drop the mystique.

"Give Thanks" Bunting DIY

What are you thankful for this year?  I have something unexpected & new to be thankful for as of yesterday - I could hardly sleep last night!  {No, it's not a guy!} =)  I'll fill you in soon!  I'm actually excited, thankful, nervous, & a whole lot of scared!  Nothing like making stuff to calm your nerves, right?  Actually it may have keyed me up more...  Prayer is the best remedy I've found. 

I created this bunting using chipboard books {with a woven front} from Michael's {they were in the dollar section & I had to buy 2 to spell out all the letters in "THANKS"}, plus some acrylic paint {Apple Barrel brand via Walmart in Nutmeg Brown #20521}, a paintbrush, & some twine.

I free handed the word/letters, threaded twine through the holes, & used some skinny strips of duct tape to attach it to my pretty much non-existent {though I'm good at pretending} mantle.  I love it!

Happy Thanksgiving,

-Bess-

"Pieces" by Meredith Andrews

Loving this song!  It's just what I needed to hear tonight - I hope it makes your evening/morning/whatever a little brighter, too. 

Love,

-Bess-

Precious Time {On My Birthday}

It’s that day when I turn one year older… 

 You know, life is unpredictable & we don’t know when our last day on earth will be. I attended a funeral visitation tonight, & even though it was for an older gentleman, his passing was very sudden with little to no warning. He had attended church on Sunday morning & given me a hug – nothing appeared wrong or out of the ordinary – the next day he was gone. We do not have an unlimited time bank on this planet. We need to say, “I love you” & “I forgive you” now while we have the chance. We need to spend time with what matters: people & people’s relationship with their Creator.

I have to say it was hard going to the funeral home because of my own father’s passing & because I had loved this man. I shed some tears. I truly didn’t want to be teary-eyed & sniffling in front of all the people there, but you know what? It’s all right to let it out. I was leaking out tears for something that mattered – a loved one that will not be with us again this side of heaven & for a tear stained faced wife left behind who is hurting. After I got home this verse came to mind {thank You, Jesus} “…Weep with those who weep.” –Romans 12:15. Lessons learned: time is precious & it’s okay {& biblical} to show honest emotions. Not exactly what I would have planned for my birthday, but it’s definitely put things into perspective.

Love,
-Bess-

Song Love {November}

"Holding On" by Jamie Grace - Sometimes all you can do is hold on to what you know... Jesus is with you.


"Let Me Rediscover You" by Downhere - Stirring words that make me want to dive into the deep.


"What Are You Afraid Of?" by Kerrie Roberts - Yep, I struggle with fear - so I love what these lyrics have to say.

Musical Love,

-Bess-

Nov. 1st Rambles {Posted on the 2nd} {Sheesh!}

November has snuck upon me once again.  On the 5th I'm gonna be older than the hills - at least that's how it feels {no offense to any that are currently that age or older}... it's just how it feels to me, & I'm rambling now, aren't I?  Sorry, friends, it must be that old age thing coming on.  But in all sincerity {I think I just unintentionally quoted a bit of a Jamie Grace song - no copyright infringement intended} - Where was I?  Oh yes, in all sincerity, my age isn't all that old at all - & I can't help but wonder if it would feel quite as old if I was married & burping babies right now.  When society {i.e.: people/TV/church folk/the world/random strangers/family/music/etc.} deem it the "thing" to do... & I start to believe it & thus feel abnormal/left behind {minus Kirk Cameron}/etc... that the normal progression of events is to be married soon after college {if not during} & starting a family soon after...  Where was I, again?  

Anyhow, I think my light bulb moment paralleled the instance where I asked myself {cause I talk to myself quite a lot, in general}, "Who cares what this world thinks?  Isn't God in charge & taking care of all that?"  The answers can be freeing... especially to the latter pondering.  But, yet, people will try to yank my chain & obliterate {don't think I've ever used that word on here before} my light.  I just gotta remember to guard that switch & when it's compromised {cause, hey, it's pretty much a certainty that it will (multiple times, I might add (sadly))}to reach up in the darkness, feel for the cord, & turn it back on.  I know I've rambled & fallen through some rabbit holes like Alice, but whatever you're going through that's just plain ugly tough, remember to ask yourself (like I did), "Isn't God in charge & taking care of that?"  The answer is yes, even in the dark, sister.

Rambly Yours - The Almost One-Year Older,
-Bess-    

P.S.: Here's that Jamie Grace song...