I've been busy redoing our Dining Room. Here's the before picture. I know, it's dark and dramatic, but that was the style in 1995.

Here's what the Dining Room looks like today. It's still a work in progress, but we're on our way to a brighter and much updated look.

Divine Delays

A warm and sweet welcome if you're stopping by after reading today's Proverbs 31 devotion.

I've always been a stickler for punctuality, seriously! In the past there was nothing that has frustrated me more than being late or waiting on those that were. Okay, I admit it, I've spent most of my 50 plus years always striving to be on time or even early. Did you know I was even born a month early?

Maybe it's my Southern upbringing or maybe it's because my sweet daddy modeled this behavior for me. Whatever the reason, I'll admit in the past I must have driven my family more than crazy with my proclivity for punctuality. I think punctuality says I respect myself and especially others and their time.

While punctuality is important, my perspective softened after I had this wonderful and divine encounter as described in today's devotion. I should never allow myself to be so focused on "my timetable" that I miss out on an opportunity to minister to others and the blessings that follow. God's divine delays taught me that being used by the Lord for His glory in the life of others far outweighs arriving on time.

What about you friend, will you share your story about divine delays?

Pushing past the pain until prayers are answered

We are celebrating today!!!!

Our youngest son Joe has just passed a six hour oral exam and a two hour flight test to gain his Certified Flight Instructor's License. He will begin instructing those who are interested in learning how to fly in just two days.

This has been Joe's dream since he was two years of age. He has worked hard to complete his BS in professional aeronautics, earning multiple pilot's licenses and has persevered in his studying in order to pass these difficult and arduous tests. He applied for multiple pilot's jobs in the last eighteen months as well as moved twice just to have all doors close. Talk about painful!! I'm not embarrassed to admit that this mom's pain was unbearable some days as I cried, prayed and begged God to reveal His perfect plan for our son.

Well friends, I'm thrilled to share our celebration with you. Today is the day that perfect plan was revealed. I am humble and more than grateful to the Lord for enabling our son to take this next step in reaching his dream of becoming an airline pilot.

My friend posted the following about her friend Sarah and Pushing through the pain:

Why do we push through the pain? In life, in a workout, at work, at home, with the kids, out with friends. We push through the physical and emotional pain that is inevitable in our lives because it’s a basic instinct for human survival. We slap on our smiles when we are sad, pick up the barbell again even when our arms have lost their ability to function, face adversity because we want to stand up for what we believe in, and we love even when we are not loved in return. These human qualities are why we progress and these qualities make us warriors.

So I ask you, when do we need to stop pushing through the pain? When do we need to sit quietly with our thoughts and actually feel our pain and accept it, process it, and be ok with it? I ask you this question because this question is one that I am learning to ask of myself. I am a fighter, I refuse to give up, I tend to be one of those folks who freakishly enjoys pushing through the pain BUT if I refuse to face my pain, I start to crumble.

Last night, I let myself cry and I hate to cry – I’m a stubborn woman and often hide my heart to “be strong” and “push through” but last night I was like an overflowing well. I told my husband why I was sad, just saying out loud what I have to push through gives life’s hardships validity and gives a voice to why we keep going and why it’s hard; I miss my mom, I feel like I’m doing too much, I can’t figure out how to make it all work, and I am afraid that time is going so quickly that I’m missing out on some of those precious little moments. Does this mean that I want to give up, that I’ve lost my strength, that I am weak? No, it was a moment of being real in the safety of my own room, in the arms of someone who loves me, and it was what needed to happen because today, I’m ready again to push through the pain – and I can do so happily, with confidence, and even with joy!!

The moral of the story? It’s ok to admit that life is not always a bed of roses, in fact, we are all better off for it. Maintaining a constant strong persona is not a bad thing but really feeling your pain and honoring that pain every now and then is a healthy way to continue to live your best life with your head held high, knowing that you are human with real emotions and real challenges.

I like what Sarah shares and I would only add that while we all struggle through painful things, My confidence is secure in the One who knows me best and loves me most.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV) Jeremiah 29:11

Get a Grip

I'm priming our Dining Room today in preparation for new paint. I'm embarrassed to say it's been at least 12 years since the last time I painted that room and the dark burgundy and faux finished walls are LONG overdue for a new and much lighter color.

So what is your favorite primer to use when covering dark walls? I usually use KILZ but today I'm trying a newer product called GRIPPER.

Have you used it before and what was your result?

I'll be posting some before and after pictures soon.

Okay, so while I'm off to turn on the music and get down to business let me ask you to ponder the following:

What are the "rooms" of your heart that need a little redoing and are you willing to "get a grip" on doing the work that is necessary?

Huggable Hangers

If you've read my blog at all, you'll remember that I made a commitment two years ago to donate a few bags to charity every few months.

So this week, I'm at it again. I'm cleaning and organizing bedroom closets.

If you've never tried these HUGGABLE HANGERS

you are missing something great!!

You can find them on-line or at Target stores.

Try them out and let me know what you think.

What are your cleaning and organizing tips?

Happy Organizing

Defining Mom

Happy Belated Mother's Day Ya'll

I hope each of you was treated royally this weekend.

It was great to have all three kids in the house last night, I cooked and Tom grilled and we all ate on the screened in porch. Lots of laughter and sweet fellowship - My favorite way to celebrate any day.

I ran across these quotes the other day and wanted to share them with you and to remind each of us that we're still girls and we've still got it going on!!

And on oldie but goodie from Martina McBride

Remember... You're beautiful just the way you are

A mother understands what a child does not say."

“The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.”

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”

“The mother loves her child most divinely, not when she surrounds him with comfort and anticipates his wants, but when she resolutely holds him to the highest standards and is content with nothing less than his best.”

“For the hand that rocks the cradle - Is the hand that rules the world”

His Revolutionary Love

Hi friends, now that the bees are long gone from my chimney and my house I have some exciting news to share with you about my friend, P31 teammate, speaker and now author, Lynn Cowell. Lynn has written a wonderful book for teenage girls and their mom's, called

His Revolutionary Love.

It is filled to the brim with truth to help young girls find lasting confidence and security, Lynn shares how they can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are loved - empowering them to make wise choices and live life without regrets.

Please don't miss the opportunity to read this for yourself!