Shilah Writes

  When we moved into this old house, we found all kinds of quirky things, like this closet.  It's little, has no light, and has three old stair steps in it.  Kristy, my sweet friend, whom was privileged to wash it out for me suggested I hang a mirror on this door...                       I thought that was a swell idea until I tried it...                                              Oops... Do you see my boo boo?  Bruce was NOT impressed!   So.... I kept my eyes peeled at the thrift store the last couple months and thought about the kind of wallpaper I could live with in my bedroom.  I'm not a wallpaper gal but can live with t...

Happy Easter... New beginnings... A start on the rock wall... My kind of adoring what God has created... I love beautiful things... Nothing like roses to see the beauty of this earth... Healthy, happy children are beautiful too... He's getting too big for his britches... Snoopy loves Shaunti... Can you tell? Clifty... The River... Life is Beautiful...

    How does God view the conflicts we are in?  Conflicts with people are so complex, especially with other believers.   I heard on Christian radio this morning, that the way to end conflict is with humility. The broadcaster was saying that the way to diffuse a bomb is not with another bomb... In the same way conflicts with others don't go away with more talking or explosions of anger. Hence, conflict is diffused by humility.   In Sunday school, we've been studying 2Cor. Last Sunday was about not comparing ourselves among ourselves.  We are having communion on Good Friday so all kinds of self examining is going on in my heart.  Scripture states that instead of comparing yourselves among yourselves, be concerned with what God sees in you. This is something we've as a couple been searching seriously the last while because of some conflicts we've been dealing with in our own lives.    It's hard for me to hear and understand con...

Spring break started on Thursday and we are having a lovely time.  On Thursday the kids and I went to April's house for the day and in the evening, April and I left our kiddies at home with there daddies while we went to Sandpoint. Friday, the kids and I did a bunch of cleaning and then took a bike ride out of town.  The sun was shining gloriously but was still cold. Late afternoon, we walked to the library, and then over to the ambulance barn, where Bruce was finishing up working. From there, we drove in his pretty Jeep half a block to the Panhandle Restaurant for supper out.   Today, Shaunti is having a tea party with Anika, a friend from school.  They decorated these wonderful little cupcakes that turned out so cute.  Their tea looked disgusting, which they said was delicious from adding a secret ingredient.  We found out later it was smarties. The taste buds of the young... gross...  This is where Shaunti says...

     The other morning while I was working at the Post Office, Sherry Beck, a sweet lady whom we have the privilege of working beside, when asked how she was today, answered with a chirpy "good!" she continued with "might as well be!"  It reminded me of my Grandpa Skrivseth.  He would often say, "Praise the Lord, anyway" on hearing something negative. I remembered being embarrassed beyond words when he would answer the phone with "Good Morning, Praise the Lord!"  How foolish to be embarrassed by something so full of God's way.  I was pretty young.  I'll use that for my excuse.      I'm learning that this is the attitude to have.  Psalm 90:14-17 caught my attention this week.  Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.  It's pretty much saying praise the Lord anyway.  Some mornings I don't feel joy about my present circumstances but t...

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...