All it took was a canvas (which I found on super sale!) painted black:

…plus some feet dipped in white paint. I used sharpie for the eyes, and a paint pen for the lettering. So simple! Check this out:

I must admit, our feet didn’t make as good of ghosts as my inspiration picture. I think I’ll actually go back and fill in a bit of our arches to make more ghastly ghouls.  But, I’m super inspired to continue fun family canvas projects for other holidays as well. They’ll make great decorations and keepsakes as our kids (and family) grows.

With it being fall, I thought…”Hmmm..can I make apple pies like this?”

The answer was, YES!

I used my favorite pie recipe..and it definitely tasted as good as it looks. YUM!

I used this as my Pinterest inspiration:

Then set to work on this icky old thing:

Several layers of paint were showing through, and while I do love the shabbiness, I do not like the thought of lead chips peeling off everywhere. I decided to go the “encapsulate” method and slap on a few more layers of my own.

After a lot of backyard spraying and a few layers of black and white, I took it inside to dry.

My husband cut up an old cork pin-board to fit the space where there is not glass. Perfect size on the first try! I wedged it in and added some hot glue to hold it tight.

And behold, the finished product!

LOVE LOVE LOVE how it turned out. My walls are such a bright green in my kitchen, that I didn’t have to back the window glass with anything – the marker stands out on it’s own.

Very fitting to have my first Pinterest project have a pin-board on it.

It was really so easy. You too can make a fun Pinterest project!

Today as I read through blogs filled with creative ministry and home ideas, I am surprised by a single thought that came with no warning: “How do all of these awesome women in ministry have the best portraits? What do I have to do to get one of those?”

How could I be worthy of a picture like that?

I was shocked at myself, and a bit confused. Huh? Where did that come from? I followed the rabbit trail a bit, but was ill-prepared for the floodgates that opened up. A torrent of thought and emotion that I didn’t know had been building came pouring out of my heart. And my eyes. If I’m being honest (and I will be for you), I’d felt the uneasiness of late, yet couldn’t put a finger on what was amiss. Something. And here it came, pouring out:

I’m a wife, Lord. And a mom. And I’m trying to keep my home inviting and my son fed and clean and engaged. I’m a bookkeeper who balances figures. I am meeting new moms and striving to encourage future ones. I sing to you when nobody listens and I’m happy backstage or on the sidelines or holding down the fort in the evenings. I love your Word, and I want to be like you. But I don’t have a beautiful picture to display. Is it enough, Lord?

Is it enough. A question which had silently become a statement in my mind – a faulty plumb line I was using to find the center of things… I had been asking the question without realizing. Am I worthy? Is it enough?

Just as quickly I was answered by the voice I cannot describe except to say that it is His.

No, it is not enough. But I am enough.

I only wish I had asked sooner.

What I do, what I have, will never be enough. And He will always be. I knew that, silly me.

He is enough for you too, friend.

So, to replace habit with habit, I returned to an old love, Book.

Ahhhh…breath of cool air. Mind engaged, room quiet (at least when twoyearold is napping), relaxing moments.

Silence with my thoughts.

Funny thing was, the more pages turned, the more I felt the need to write, to open the Word, and then write some more. Amazing. God was reading over my shoulder, and it was quiet enough to hear Him breathing.

New habits take about a month to stick…right? So I declare August my month of reading. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Anyone want to join in? Have a title I should check out?

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Mark 4:24-25

Immediately preceding this statement, Jesus tells his disciples that the light from a lamp is not meant to be hidden, and things that are hidden or secret are meant to be made known. So I’ve always thought vs. 24-25 were talking only of your outward FAITH. You know..this little light of mine (hold up your little light now!)..immediately comes to mind. Like the more faith/light I show in telling others about Jesus, the more faith/light I will have kinda thing.  Now..that’s true..but there’s more to be found in these verses than I’d ever thought.

Here’s some background: My energy level has been suffering this year. Too many Dr.’s appointments haven’t been able to pinpoint a real cause, and as a result I have only been giving 90% effort in some areas – trying to conserve my “energy resources” somehow. “That’s not bad!” you might say. (Heck, I said it.)  But, in light of what the Word says..that means I’m not gaining in any area. I’m even losing, so that 90% comes out of a smaller and smaller whole.

WHAT?!..so when I try and conserve that little bit of energy, I’m actually losing it?

Yep.

God gives each of us the energy, or strength, (or whatever) that we need for each day. It’s different for everyone, because everyone is different. But it’s meant to be used. If I only use 90% of what I’ve been given, it’s like I’m asking God to use the 90% size measuring cup when he gives me my daily dose of energy.  (Then I’ll only use 90% of that, thereby decreasing my total energy use to 81%…so my energy continues to decrease even though I’m trying to “conserve” it. Yes, God speaks to me with numbers sometimes.)

But if I use all 100% of what I’ve been given effectively, I’ll get the 100% sized cup, plus a little extra. Bonus! (I imagine a baker’s dozen of energy cupcakes are coming my way.) And if I use all of  THAT, then I’ll be given more still.

Tell me more, Jesus! How do I get started!?

FAITH.

Oh. Not so far from where I started, really. If I don’t believe that God will give me the energy I need, even increasing it, having all of this knowledge really does me no good. I’m really tying his hands.  Stop keeping a cupcake for yourself – give it away! Call one more person! Do some extra dishes! Spend extra time in the Word! You’ll end up with a baker’s dozen every time.

I’m so thankful that the Holy Spirit is the one who changes us from the inside out.

What’s only been getting 90% from you lately? Is it time to do something about it?

Proverbs 1:7 ESV
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

I like April Fool’s day, but not for the usual reason. It reminds me that I’m not all that wise, not all that together. Today I will be spending extra reading time seeking wisdom from the Word.

For the record, I don’t recall pulling off any really good April Fool jokes…ever. It’s not that they’ve never happened – they might have been amazing! I just don’t remember. As I near age 30 it’s happening a lot more frequently. This not remembering thing.

Then there’s this blog. I have it..and forget that I have it.

But now that I’ve remembered, faithful reader (I know you’re out there!), don’t fret. You haven’t been abandoned. No foolin’.

Any tricks you like to pull?

Coffee after eight and I’m up too late.  (wow…I’m even unintentionally rhyming) Here’s whats on my caffeine racing midnight mind:

Linking arms with anyone who will share the Good News
It’s Wednesday already..
William said “bye” to me as I took him up to bed
Stop getting bigger, Will
God drops surprises on our doorsteps when we’re not looking
What am I willing to give up to be a blessing?
I like Detroit 187
Pride
I’m so grateful for modern dental care
One of my best friends is having a baby soon

God is indescribably awesome to his children

Have some random thoughts to share? What’s rolling around your mind right now?

this isn't Will...but he's cute!

How young is too young to start disciplining your kids?  First time parent over here, with a very willful little boy. (Why on earth did we name him WILL-iam?…I ask myself this question at least ten times a day.) He’s 15 months old, has a very well developed sense of humor, and loves testing boundaries.  All of you more experienced parents are nodding knowingly…or laughing. Either or. At least I’ve got your attention.

I’m know I’m not the first to go through this phase of parenting, and I do take comfort in that – the first attempts at time out. The quivering lip. The “you’ve abandoned me!!” wail. Trying to keep a straight face in the midst of a hilarious display of fake-crying.

“No, Will, you can’t have ANOTHER cracker.” *smile*

But what I have learned is this: discipline is not about punishment. It’s about a right understanding of cause and effect. Choosing to do what is right brings favorable consequences. Choosing not to do what is right brings not-so-good consequences.  (Notice: it’s not just doing something “wrong” that brings trouble, but choosing inaction when we should be doing something!) I desperately want my little boy to understand this, and so I will remain resolute in my warnings and feeble beginnings of “that’s not nice”.

But even more than that, I know that God desperately wants ME to get this as well.  Living an undisciplined lifestyle will leave me feeling empty and unfulfilled, like I’m missing something. And I will be! I’ll be missing out on all that God would want to do in me, but that I’m too lazy to work on because “I don’t feel like it..” or “I’d rather be doing XYZ..”. Sounds like my son right now.  (I’m comparing myself to a 1 year old. Ouch.) Yes, I would love to be a couch potato napping all day watching mindless television while someone else cleans my house and changes diapers. That’s why I need DISCIPLINE!

So, here’s to getting up early, exercising, sticking to a weekly schedule, and making my relationship with God, husband, and friends priority.

I think I’m going to go take a time-out now.

Got any funny (or serious) discipline stories for me?

My focus shifts out. The ground beneath is a different kind of beautiful at night. Everywhere there is light, there is life happening. Homes, cars, theaters, parking lots, ball fields. What looks ordinary in the sunlight has become extraordinary against the black.

Suddenly, we reach the shore line. And darkness. Coldness. I shiver beneath my makeshift blanket/jacket and watch. Wait. Darkness. Why should I feel so unsettled? I can feel my heart begin to race.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light, and there was light. And God saw that the light was good.  Genesis 1:1-4a

The shore! I can see it! I exhale as if I haven’t taken a breath in 20 minutes. Street lamps and headlights weave intricate patterns – more detailed than lace on a wedding gown. A little longer and then…my city. Full of life. And hope.

God speaks. And there is light in the city.

http://hope4detroit.com