WE'RE MOBILE, FOLKS!

METAL DOODADS ELEMENT

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Ayep! Our chariot is repaired. To celebrate we will take a few hours out this afternoon to go for a drive/photography cruise - even though it will entirely bite into Miles jam-packed schedule. The conditions outside are ideal for picture taking, as the weather has been unusually rainy and the hills are velvety green. We've heard a rumour the cactus are in bloom...

I am working on a winter scrapbook layout as both Miles and I would like to submit a layout each for consideration in a new scrapbooking magazine, for publication. I'm enjoying playing with some new brushes, and the metal doodads were created to use on my page as well.

With Father's Day coming on Sunday my mind and heart turn to my own father. He passed away several years ago. My Dad and I did not always have an ideal relationship - sometimes it was very distant. See I inherited an undisirable trait, severe stubborness. I spent a lot of time being angry at Dad for what I considered an unbending attitude. I misread his firmness as anger AT me. It was not until it was all over, till it was too late, till my Daddy was gone, that I realized what his 'anger' really was. Now that I am a parent, now that I can remove 'myself' from those long past situations, as a parent I can see what was really going on.

My Daddy was trying to protect me from making stupid mistakes and bad decisions. He saw me making some of the same mistakes he himself had made, but the thing is, he felt unable to stop me because he had not 'set the example' himself. How could he tell me not to do the things that were (some of them) still happening in his own life. I can see now, that my Dad lived with a lot of guilt for our broken family. And most heartbreaking of all, I now see that he wanted so much more for me. When he saw me faltering he felt anger, all right, but I now believe it was as much anger at himself for being unable to influence me to do better. I was a very headstrong person and I sometimes just barrelled on ahead without considering what my Dad was really doing.

And isn't it the same now with God? I know what He expects of me, and I know why He wants me to obey - because He has me in His heart, and only through willing submission can I gain the blessing that is mine in Him.

I know my Dad forgave me for every stupid mistake I made, took the blame on himself - just as God still loves me and never gives up on me. Well, my Dad is gone, but my heavenly Father is always with me. I can't change the past, but I am a new creation in Him, and I desire to do what pleases Him.

The following article came to me via my email, from a newsletter I recieve from ALLWORSHIP.COM (I highly recommend signing up!) It gives us a clear overview, through scripture, what God's love means to us:

FATHER'S LOVE LETTER

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is.Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad.

Father's Love Letter used by permission

Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999-2006

BARB'S TIP # 38

Portion Control

I can't take personal credit for this tip as I recently read it in a magazine, but I simply have to share it with you. If you have children this is especially handy. When the children clamour for a snack, put the portions onto coffee filters. The filters ensure a portion size, they save on bowls, and you can toss them out after. They will also eventually be recycled into nature!