Friday Reflections

As I consider the verses that I have covered this week in my study of Philippians I can't help but be struck again by the responses to Paul's imprisonment.  (see Without Fear, Motivation, and To Live is Christ)  The longing of my heart is to live in such a way that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness Christ will be exalted. (Phil. 1:20, NASB)  What I am acutely aware of right now is that I am not anywhere close to being in that place.  I lack so much, I am by nature shy, reserved, and not prone to make my voice heard.  I know all too well my many failings.  Courage and boldness do not come naturally, only as the Spirit of Jesus Christ works in me will I be transformed.  And that is the goal after all is it not?  To be made more and more in the image of Christ.  That is the life I want, but I am almost afraid to voice it to God, what if He takes me up on my desire to change?!

Things that made me smile this week...

...that my microwave displays "beverge" while heating a cup of water for tea.
...that Pandora played "There Is Nothin' Like a Dame" on my playlist-it is so nice to have a group of men remind you that you are indeed unique.


It snowed most of the day at our house on Monday.  I am a bit of an anomaly here- I love the snow and miss it terribly.  None of it stuck.  Still it gave my heart a thrill that we had snow.  This time of year can be pretty strange; flip-flop weather one day and woollies the next.

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This little guy came knocking on my window.  I was too slow with my camera, so this is not the actual bird that was at my window.  As I sat writing my Bible study Wednesday morning a tufted titmouse landed on the windowsill right next to my desk and hopped back and forth looking in as if trying to tell me he was out of food.  Which was true, so I went out and filled the bird feeders for him.

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 This week the cardinals have been foraging for food and singing their lovely songs again.  Things are still pretty drab outside and these beautiful birds are such a pop of color.  I think love might be in the air for a certain couple that have been hanging around together in my crepe myrtles.

I have learned so much from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, you can listen to the cardinal's song on their you tube site. listen here.

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Ken and I were able to spend some time with the kids in Aledo on Sunday.  We ended our day at one of our favorite stores -Central Market.  Oh how I wish there was one in our town, but alas it is not to be.  On this trip we simply went to enjoy some cheese, sausage and fresh bread.  This photo is just a glimpse of all that is contained within the cheese section and if you time it right they will have samples to hand out   Making our way through the bread section was tough, all of the samples tasted so good. We finally settled on Pain de Campagne to go with the Volpi Rose Salami,  the Dubliner and an herb and cheddar cheese.  There is a pleasant little eating area where we feasted on our finds until we had to say our goodbyes.  There is something very luxurious about such a meal.

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I started this crochet project after my laundry room re-do, which you can read about by clicking on the link.  I am getting excited about how this is coming out- in the end it will be a valance for the laundry room.  60 rows down and only 103 to go- woohoo!

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Picking out fabrics for a new quilt always makes me happy.
You can get a sneak peak of my current quilt project here.

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A couple of weeks ago I was at lunch with a group of girlfriends.  Somehow the conversation turned to Duck Dynasty.  Only two of us knew anything about it, and I was not one of them.  So we decided a Duck Dynasty evening get-together was just what we needed.  I grew up a city girl, but left it long ago when I married my beloved country boy.  I have to say, I don't know when I have laughed so hard watching a television show.  It helps that it was shared with wonderful friends and some really yummy desserts. (and most attendees came in appropriate garb, I hardly recognized my fellow Sunday school class members!) If you would have told me 29 years ago that I would know how to handle a gun, be able to out-shoot my husband, and even enjoy hanging with rednecks I would have never believed you.   It is important to have friends who encourage you to expand your horizons.  
Happy, happy, happy.

Blessings!
Deb

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