"MY CHILD"

It was about ten years ago...at a retreat, far away from my California home. It was in Eastern Canada. There was this workshop...the subject was "hearing the voice of God in prayer". We were instructed to do an excercise...just sit quietly and listen for 15 minutes. There was beautiful instrumental worship music playing in the background and we were told to just focus on the Lord and ask Him to speak to us individually and personally.

That sounded easy enough.......It was so hard! My mind was wondering here and there and everywhere! Then I started stressing out because the fifteen minutes was almost up and I hadn't heard from the Lord at all!

To my surprise...in the very last moments, in my mind's eye, (not a vision) I saw the Lord standing just to the left of me. I was seated in my chair and He reached his right hand around my head and pulled it close to His side. He had a chuckle in His voice and said, "My child". That was all...."My child". As if to say, "you silly, don't you know I am here? I am always with you? I will never leave you? Even now, it makes me tear up. I remember it as if it were yesterday. In all my fretting and trying so hard to hear from Him, it wasn't until I stopped "trying so hard", I realized He was there all the time, embracing me and calling me His own.

He is with you... will never leave you... He calls you His own....

Click on this link below to hear a beautiful song called "Child of God"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r3JAV2r208

A KITTY STORY

I was in the forums on etsy and posted the dog story (previous post) and got this response from an artist. I just loved the story and got her permission to post it here. Enjoy!
creativesparkle says:
One summer while I was in junior high my family took our trailer to a campsite just outside of Yosemite. Upon returning from a long day in the park, my parents and I went to the general store, while my brother took the keys and headed to the trailer. When we finished our business we returned to the trailer, to the door wide open and my brother standing outside, looking confused. When asked why he was still outside, he said "Theres a cat in there." Sure enough, when I leaned into the doorway, a large orange tabby cat was sitting in the middle of our "kitchen" licking a paw and looking at me like I should have his reservation. Apparently he'd run inside the second my brother had opened the door. After determining that the cat was indeed friendly, we went inside and Mom made beef stew for dinner. We of course gave teh cat some stew meat, and he took it gladly, and then as we began to prepare for bed, settled himself in on my bed on the far corner of my sleeping bag. After I lied down for the night, he curled up under my chin, and- sicne I was used to sleeping next to a cat- I fell asleep with my arms around him. Come morning, the cat pawed gently at my face and looked at me. I promptly got up and opened the door and he hopped casually to the ground and sauntered away. Later we talked to the camp ground owner, and he said that the cat was part of the campground. At some point he'd taken up residence, and picked a different trailer to spend each night in.
Please visit her shop on Etsy at http://www.creativesparkle.etsy.com/

DOG TIRED?

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of. He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head; he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep. An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out. The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks. Curious I pinned a note to his collar: "I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.." The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: "He lives in a home with 6 children -- 2 under the age of 3 -- he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?"

Thank you to Karen at my Dr's. office for sending me this cute story. I loved it and and just had to pass it along to my friends.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT~ A REMARKABLE STORY!

Every once in a while a great news story pops up to restore our faith in humanity.
This one was just too good not to pass along. I came across it on my news page today. It's an increadible story. As I was reading it, all I could say was, "wow, that's a miracle." Enjoy!
http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/02/18/couples-25th-wedding-anniversary-photos-survive-15-months-in-se/

CHARLIE BOY

Well, it seems our rescue kitty will be called Charlie. I took a couple of photos of him today. He seems to like the camera. Buddy still isn't too sure about him. But, he and Tink are having a blast. You should see the way they run around the house chasing each other. Funny thing is...usually Charlie is the instigator! Tink is a very unusual Jack Russell. She's very gentle, sweet, and non agressive. Charlie had to have been raised with dogs. He has never shown any fear. He's not afraid of anything! I'm sure he was someone's beloved pet. Who knows why he was found in that shopping center. Did he get out of the house and get lost? Was someone unable to keep him because of economic difficulties? I don't know. But, I'm sure the rescue agency did all they could to find out. He has been a hoot and we are enjoying him here in our home. I hope he doesn't miss his prior family too much. Every once in a while I get a feeling that he is thinking about them and feeling sad. I just give him extra cuddles and hope that someday he will forget any sad memories.

BE STILL AND KNOW....

In the middle of life's ups and downs, joys and disappointments, tragedies and triumphs, losses and gains, sickness or health.... there is one constant unchanging truth. Always the same...always faithful...
God. And there is nothing that can separate us from His love,but sometimes I lose my awareness it. I busy myself with this and that and the other thing over there and put off the gentle coaxing of Holy Spirit to draw near. But, I hear very softly...."be still...and know...come away with Me."
How patient He is... This morning, I quiet my soul...and I'm drawing near.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18p8OyYgUhU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bemHb0VV3f8&feature=video_response

FATHER'S LOVE

Just today I was reminded of a beautiful video I purchased back in 2001 and viewed it once again after not seeing it for many years. When I watched it today, it had the same impact on my heart as it did way back then. I was so excited when I found it on youtube. It is just too precious not to share. I hope you will take a few moments and just be still and soak in the beautiful truth that it woven throughout this video. It is truely a blessing. The blessing of Abba's love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3ZWmgPFbso&feature=related
Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999-2010

THIS KITTY IS REALLY A DOG!

This new kitty is really a dog!

I am so proud of my Tink for being so tolerant of our new kitty.

I'm so glad they are becoming playmates. Hopefully, Buddy will join in on the fun!

THE THREE MUSK-CAT-TEERS!

I found all three of them lined up in front of the sliding glass door and just had to take these pictures. (New kitty is on the right...kinda hard to see because of his black coat. Things are getting better. I can't wait until Buddy and new kitty are buds and start to romp and play together. When the two kitties start to growl, Tink gets right in the middle of them to break it up. She's the "house police".

MAKE YOUR OWN BUSINESS / THANK YOU CARDS

You can design your own two sided business cards!

I did and I'm not techno! You can do it, too!

I contacted http://www.overnightprints.com/ .

They have a very helpful technical staff you can call on the phone! They offer matt or glossy finish and for a small additional cost, rounded corners. Their prices are reasonable and the quality is very close to Moo cards at a fraction of the cost.

AND THE WINNER IS........

Thank you for all the wonderful name suggestions for our new kitty. Richard and I just couldn't pick one, so, I had to draw for the winner. Drum roll please......the winner of $20.00 in merchandise from my studio is......Katsallthat! You can visit her lovely studio at: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=92