Shilah Writes

Might as well write while the sun shines… Glorious fact, my computer light is on. Now that I have the time and internet to boot; I’ve been fighting with the technology to actually work. I prayed for the time to write and now that I have it, my inspiration has floated away. It’s Feb and cold and gray. What started out as a good year has taken a turn for even better, I’m sure. Just can’t feel it right now. It seems bad, but I’m sure its doing something good for our character. And then I wonder what is so bad about my character that its constantly getting a kick to be brighter, be bolder, be happier. Wasn’t I already thankful, grateful, and obedient? When can I have a break from the constant work and grime of life? Never? Oh, this is true… Not till I am in heaven; safe in the arms of my Maker. I KNOW all this momentarily and then I do my everyday mundane chores and forget. I forget so fast. That’s why the constant work and grime. To help me remember that God has a wa...

Earlier this week, I was quite discouraged with the progress of this move/project.  I spent Monday, defeated and blue. Until I read a book about an incredible deception that took place after 911. And then, beautiful anniversary flowers and a husband who puts up with my moments of defeat by doing exactly the right thing really helps discouraging days too.   The book... The reason it helped was because it got my mind off myself and it was truly mind boggling to read.  I realized that my piddly moments of discouragement are nothing compared to how so many people live their lives surrounded by lies and how much freedom there is in the truth. So today, in an attempt to further the cause of doing for others, I invited those especially nice ladies, who helped me paint, clean, or move; to my house for coffee/brunch. And I gave them a house tour of what we DO have started here.  Nevertheless, my discouragement over the progress of things, vaporize...

Today is the day of love and romance.  Toria wished this morning that every day could be Valentines Day.  I think it may have had something to do with the pretty cupcakes we made and the strawberry, flavored ,heart-shaped marshmallows she was passing out to her class.  I was thankful for Jesus' words this morning.  Jesus simplifies life if you do what He said to do. We read if anyone ask you to go a mile, to go with him two.  If anyone slaps you on the cheek, turn the other one also. That really does take away what I think I deserve when 'my rights' are violated.  It takes care of the battle of wanting my way and the threat of every day meanness that happens if you live and are a human being.  People ARE gonna be mean some days.  We won't always be treated lovely.  We should expect this.  Real love is doing my part in spite of the common meanness. It means, everyday me doing my part of acting how Jesus said to ...

The last two Sundays, the message was about wading out a little deeper into the level God would like to take you spiritually. Both messages were based on Luke 5.  We have been blessed beyond measure both times.  Last Sunday we were blessed because we had just moved to an old house in town the day before, heading into the unknown of what our life will be like now.  This Sunday, we were blessed again because we found out during our first week in town that our beautiful house in the country indeed did not sell.     Now we feel we are plunged into even deeper water.  The question I battled last week was, "Why do we feel God's goodness so much more when things are going how we think they should?"  God is still good even when things don't work out according to plan I know this, but it is a lot harder to believe.  This is what grows our faith in God; Faith that God provides exactly what is needed at the right time; Faith enough to say thank...

I was asked to arrange flowers at Jevon & Priscilla's wedding.  This was her bouquet.  She had Christmas colors which were very pretty. This is what is taking up all our time.  We bought this house in town.  It was foreclosed on and now that she is ours we know why. First, we had this big tree in our back yard that needed to come down so we can put in a storage shed and have room for a garden. Bruce hired a North Bench Fire Department buddy to climb and cut as he went.  He limbed his way to the top and then started lopping off the big stuff from the top down three foot pieces at a time. Scared the stuffing right out of us watching...  That is not a moon on this photo.  I think its a water spot on the camera lens. Wish I could claim the moon theory. A nice surprise.  Hardwood floors. We might uncover the kitchen eventually, but for now we just have to paint and get moved in. Laife turned 14 in the midst... ...

  A few things that bring me joy... Cozy evenings in the living room snuggled close to the fire...   These colors of green... And a few thoughts on what joy really is... The dictionary says it something a person delights in... Scripture says it something we find through searching and suffering... I always thought it was a bubbly happy way of being... until I was tested... It's been a very interesting study and I would love to tell you all I learned in the bible verses and other outside sources but I think the most fun for you would be to study it yourself.  JOY is attainable to all.  It seems to be much easier to achieve when you have less physical things. It seems that each person has different things that bring them joy depending on Whom or What they put their hope in.  The JOY of the Lord is my strength... The wise men were filled with exceeding great joy when they found the star which led them to Jesus where they fell down and worshippe...

I know its not very wordy but sometimes pictures say more than words. Not in this case probably. Just trying to make it OK not to write anything much. Our autumn went zooming by without a moment to catch our breath. I realized this morning that we got through when I saw snow on the ground.  Fall is over and Winter has started. I can't remember the details of it all, aren't you glad? Now I don't have to bore you with it.  Highlights are as follows: School starting.  Jeep transmission problems which took a month to figure out.  Buying a car. Taking a road trip to a wedding and relatives in OR. Putting the house for sale.  Selling the Honda. Training in a new sub for the mail job. Laife's baptismal. A 4x4 deer shot by Laife. School sale projects in full swing. And so much more I can't remember. Life. I haven't honestly liked everything in the last couple months but am thankful at the end of it I can say thank you to God w...