Lovely Little Logs

I never meant to post every day one month and then only twice the following month! I've even sat down to post a few times and the words just wouldn't quite form themselves into sentences.  This month has been so full! I'm in a new apartment and my new work schedule is in full swing. I've also been working through some deep and some old emotional stuff.  So I'm sure you can all understand if the excess of ideas jumbled up in my brain has been even less organized here lately!  However, life seems to be settling down to a dull roar, and my aunt gave me some wonderful encouragement about my writing recently, so here I am rambling away on this ol' blog again. :-) 

And now I'm sure you are dying with curiosity to know why I have little trees all over my new home. Partially because my sister is an amazingly good sport with my decorating whimsy (I let her claim full ownership of the kitchen so it's a win-win).  Mostly because a friend from church posted a picture on Facebook of her fantastic collection of little stumps (stumps seems to be the more commonly used term. For reasons unknown, I continue to call them little logs....).   Her father had made them for her and she asked if anyone would like to order any.  At the speed of the Internet, ladies flocked to the post saying "Yes! Me please!" And the rest is history. :-) when I collected my logs from my friend before I ever moved, she asked me to post pictures of how I use them. :-) Well I intend to keep them around most of the year and just change out who keeps them company, but it's Fall for now, so the berries and pinecones and leaves and moss will probably hang around until we put up Christmas decorations next week! Ahh. Can't believe December is almost upon us! 

Soon I'll be posting pics and instructions on my "new" bookshelves! But I've want to be able to include a final "after" shot and I haven't finished putting all the books back on yet. (You'll understand why when you see them in their full glory.)

Until then, a few more pics, including the view from my balcony. :-) 

This is my new happy place. :-)

Have a fantabulous Thanksgiving people! Drive safe, eat more pie than you should, and enjoy your families. 

Hugs and kisses all around. 

Chelsea

Today I'm thankful for....

Today I am so thankful for my local church body. 

It started looking up at the worship team. Of the 9 people singing and playing instruments at the front of the church, one is a former Sunday school teacher and now his son is in my preschool nursery class.  One is my current Sunday school teacher, I graduated with his daughter and his granddaughter was in my pre k class last year. 10 years ago his family and my family took financial peace university together. One guy is the dad of one of the little boys in my class and his wife helps lead the special needs ministry where I get to volunteer.  One of the ladies is the youth pastor's wife and she is also a homeschool mom in my family's co-op!  Three others are all in my new Sunday school class or home group.  That's a lot of connection with 7 of the 9 people on the stage in a church of 700+ people.  The man sitting next to me is part of a family that is truly an extension of my own family. One row up and to the left is the man who was my youth leader when I was in 6th grade at a different church!  Behind me and to the right is a lady who stood up and spoke and blessed me at my high school graduation.  This is truly my family. They've known me and loved on me and supported for the last decade across 4 different countries and back.  I am so blessed. 

(And then the icing on the cake when the intro video starts for the series and it tells us to spend less on presents so that we can give more of our presence and then we have extra money to give to those who are actually hurting and in need! I love this church!)

THIS is the day....

So I woke up earlier than I wanted on my day off.  Early, and in pain.  Early and with allergies having spring break in my sinuses.  And I thought, "looks like it's going to be one of those days."  But then mercies of mercies, I had a second thought, "and what kind of day is that?"

"This is still the day that the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it." 

(Shout out to my parents who thought singing that to us with lots of enthusiasm first thing in the morning was a great way to wake us up when we were little. Their other favorite was "Rise, and Shine, and Give God the glory glory.... yah. we were definitely one of those families. ;-D) 

So what if I woke up early? I got to hug my parents goodbye before they left for vacation.

So what if my throat hurts? I have a little cupboard full of yummy teas to help me feel better.

So what if my nose is pretending it's a see-saw going back and forth between stuffy and runny every few seconds? My mom buys us "Puff's+lotion" in bulk for days exactly like this.

So what if my shoulder is stiff? I slept on a mattress with not one but two pillows in a climate controlled room under a fluffy comforter. (me and my bed. not the whole room. ;-D)  I'm still living in luxury most of the world can't even imagine.

And the sun is still rising through the trees. and the microwave dings that the water for my tea is hot, and yes. This IS the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!