DIY Wannabe

OK, first let me say that I am NOT a DIYer (although I certainly wish I were). Almost everything I've ever tried to do myself ended up in shambles. But every once in a while - after I've forgotten the last failure - I get the itch to try again. And every once in a blue moon, I achieve DIY success!!

I got this idea off of Emily C's pinterest page, and couldn't wait to give it a try. It had all the makings of success for me: it could be accomplished in one afternoon, it was cheap, and it didn't involve a sewing machine.

Here is what my kitchen "catch-all" drawer looked like on Friday:

After a quick trip to Lowes, $6 worth of Poplar board and $6 worth of Gorilla Glue, here's what it looks like now:

I think I am most proud of the fact that this little project was one that Jack and I did together (he's great at measuring and sawing);

If you're wanting to give this a try, the super-easy directions are here.

Now, it's off to tackle my bathroom drawers!....

Mission Waco Health Clinic

I liked her purse. She was articulate and attractive. I must admit, I was a little intrigued as to why she had come to the clinic. So, I went into the patient room to talk with her. Turns out, she used to be a substance abuse counselor at the Freeman Center until she lost her job in February. Now, she is technically homeless, and she and her two kids are living with her sister. She almost cried when she told me: “I knew about this place because I’ve referred people here. I never dreamed I’d come here myself.” One unfortunate event that snowballed into homelessness…

He was a young 46. He was polite, and seemed well-educated. He told me that because of a bad decision to drink and drive, he ended up in jail. And because he didn’t have the money or means to bond out, he spent almost 4 months there. He lost his motorcycle and his job. Now, for the first time in his life, he’s homeless (staying at the Salvation Army), jobless, and with no means of transportation. One very bad decision that ended up with a man on the streets…

And there you have it: two very tangible reminders that “There but for the grace of God go I.” How fragile our situation is. How very easily our safety nets can be torn to shreds. One small snag can begin an unraveling beyond our control.

But we serve a God who has Good News… not just about our life after death, but about our situation TODAY. We serve a savior who has the power to pull us from the miry clay and deliver us to abundant life NOW. The gospel of Jesus Christ isn’t just about where we go when we die, but where we’ll sleep tonight.

Thank you, Lord, for the compassion you have to see our need, the power you have to meet our need, and your faithful promise to always be with us. Let me be part of your good news that brings healing and restoration in this life as well as the one to come.

Sweet Dreams

Last night, I dreamed that Paul had come back to life. He was the same ole' sweet Paul, and I couldn't take my eyes off of him as he sat across the couch from me. We had a great conversation (I don't remember about what, I just remember that I couldn't stop smiling).

It was so real. His voice was so real. The feel of his bald head against my cheek was so real. The gratitude I felt to have him back once more was so real. But, even in the dream, I knew that it was temporary... that soon I'd be without him again.

I am so thankful for my "moment" with Paul. It is worth every ounce of hell I feel today as I yearn for him even more...

I BELIEVE in a changed life

I've written before about my friends, Hope and Naz, who are fighting to keep Naz in the US (if you haven't read their story, you can do so at www.wesupportnaz.com)

TODAY is Naz's hearing. Please pray.

God's plans, though always right and righteous, are seldom logical or convenient.

I can reconcile death in this life. It's suffering that I can't get my mind around...

Sometimes

Sometimes I don't want to be cheered up; I just want to be comforted. There is a difference.