Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! There is something about the downed tress in the woods that catch my attention. I like seeing the moss growing on them and the critters living in them and how their decomposition is enriching the forest floor. Is a downed tree any less of a tree than one standing tall? The fallen tree has the same amount of tree DNA as the tree that is standing. In the same way, Jesus lives in every person, regardless of what we see on the outside. Friends, God is in all of us. The person preaching and reciting God's Word, sitting in the church pew every Sunday, whose children attend a private, Christian school does not have more God in her than anyone else. Yes, sometimes it seems easier to see God in others, but that doesn't mean that Jesus is any less present in each and every one of us. Let's work at and train ourselves to look for Jesus in everyone--in those we have deemed unlovable, worthless, different--he is there. Seek God's presence in ALL the people he has placed in your path.

Make a Cozy Light With Thrift Store Find and Fairy Lights

When I spied this yarn spinner at the thrift store for $3.99, I knew I had to grab it. 

I had a few different ideas for it, but as I played with opening and closing it (like an umbrella) I decided it needed to become a light.

Creating a Cozy TV Room

Decorating a new home sure can be fun, but also a challenge. I think the biggest challenge is not only deciding what to do and how to use ne spaces, but also getting ALL the projects done. I am trying to take my time and enjoy the process. I had a few different ideas for this window alcove in our front bedroom. I knew it would be a great spot for a window seat, but...

we decided to make the space a TV, lounging room. One reason we decided to put the TV in here is because our sectional was bit too big for the family room space and because I didn't want a big TV hanging above my wood stove. I also wanted the kitchen, family room space TV free for entertaining (which we may get to do again some day...).

I used many of my favorite items from our Montana house and gallery wall. I made an engineer print at Staples of a favorite photo of my kids and put it in an old window frame.

Since the sectional went in this room, a window seat wasn't going to work. Instead, I decided a shelf above the window would warm the space up and would be a great space to display a few favorites of mine.

The reclaimed wood came from a local thrift store. It is old and I think had some type of fabric insulation maybe attached to it at one time. It had lots of nails in it, some square nails. I left as many of the nails as possible, took some out for cutting the board. 

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! "What are you taking a picture of?" "The snow and the leaves, the two seasons coming together, aren't the pretty together?" Differences are dividing us in a way I have not seen before. Families, friends, acquaintances are arguing, disagreeing, shutting each other off and out, being mean and ugly with each other. Kindness and decency are in short supply. Kindness does not mean we agree with everyone, but it does mean we state our opposing views respectfully without name calling and rudeness. Being kind may look like driving your neighbor to the polls even though they support a different party than you do. Kindness means that the day after the election you do not gloat or shout fraud, but rather that you show compassion to someone whose candidate lost. Kindness does not mock, it does not name call, it does not demand, it does not practice violence. Kindness listens, respects, understands differences are okay and even beautiful. It is action and good deeds for all, even those who do not think like us. Kindness is love--take some extra steps this week to practice being kind, especially to those who think differently than you do. Peace. 

How to Create a Simple Wreath for Fall and Winter

Today, we are going to start with a little history lesson on wreaths because I was curious so I did some research. Wreaths date back to the Persian Empire where they were used a sign of power and authority when they were worn on the head. Over time, wreaths were hung on doors to represent victory in Rome. Later, believers hung wreaths as a symbol of everlasting life and as a sign that Christ was welcomed in their home. Today, wreaths are generally used as welcome to guests and as a household decoration. And while wreaths were typically made from greenery, today we use a plethora of items and objects to create unique, decorative wreaths.

I started with some wooden embroidery hoops in different sizes that I picked up at the thrift store.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! I love looking at nature reflected in still waters. When the water is tranquil enough I can often see what is being reflected better and more clearly than looking at the actual thing. There is so much anger and offense, frustration and worry these days that all create rough and violent reflections of who we truly are. When we respond in anger without calmness, people are unable to see a clear picture of Jesus and his love that we are called to mirror. Worry and anger do not cast back who Jesus is. It is okay to be upset and angry about what is happening in our world, but let's stay calm in our response putting love above all else so that people can truly see a love and a peace that can only come from God. 

Comfortable Casual Cozy Boho Bedroom

I have been waiting to share the rest of my guest bedroom with you because it is not quite finished. But, it may take awhile to find exactly what I am looking for and more importantly, I am learning to not wait until everything in my home is just right before I invite guests in. 

So, please, come on in and check out this fun comfy, casual boho style wall I am putting together in my guest bedroom.

If you have been following along (if you missed it, check out my earlier posts HERE and HERE), I am working at creating a multifunctional guest bedroom with a cozy, comfortable, casual, boho vibe. I decided I wanted to paint something fun on the wall the bed would be on. I chose an arch, rainbow type detail.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! I have been spending some much appreciated and enjoyed time in old growth forests. I am amazed at the size of the trees and love seeing the huge stumps of trees that have passed on. More often than not, new trees are growing on and out of the fallen, dead trees as the forest is constantly renewing. It is a reminder that God always intends for new life to come from old. When we choose to love and follow Jesus, he asks us to get rid of our old lives and ways in order to allow him to work and grow afresh in our lives. Sounds easy enough, but oh, how we love to cling to our old ways and God knows this. I have observed the more decayed the tree is, the more new life is springing out of it. The more we let go of our old selves, the more we let Jesus have our dead rot, the further he can grow good things in us. Let hate, anger, impatience, greed, fear decay on the forest floor of our pasts and let his love cultivate a novel good.

Simple Found Fall Decor

My goal for the past few years has been to reduce the number of holiday decor bins I have--last year I reduced my fall decor to one plastic tote (plus one for costumes), and I got rid of four Christmas bins.

 I knew this year that I wanted to keep things simple and sparse in my new home, and after putting out the fall decor I wanted to use, my bin is still two-thirds full.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! Most of us have been standing in some deep waters lately. What started as a toe-dip or wade into challenging times, has become a full drudge into murky and unsettling spaces that seem to want to drown us. Holding on to our faith life vests through it all is not as effortless as we may have believed. I know many of us have struggled to keep our heads above water and we long for Jesus to pluck us from the raging water and set us safely on dry land. God does not say he is going to protect us from all hardships, but he does promise us that he is will be with us. Jesus is standing beside you and I, holding us upright as we ford the grueling waters we must pass through. Stand firm in faith when relentless life drenches you,  knowing that God will not let you drown. And, in time, may we realize that the waters that engulf us are also life giving streams that change us as they wash over us and strengthen us.