Soul Carving

[Note: This post was published previously but due to technical difficulties, it was deleted from the archives. I've updated it and I republish it now. Enjoy!]       Several years ago on a trip to the dollar store I came across these elegant gift bags. I found them inspiring so I gathered up three and took them home with a crafty idea in mind. It's not rocket science - just cut and place. But I love the results!         I used some frames I'd already purchased from the thrift store, but any 8x10 would work. In fact, you could trim it down further to fit a smaller frame as well. But I love these versatile frames that can be hung vertically, horizontally, or even stood on the shelf (the piece of plastic shaped like a dorsal fin you see on the back can be detached to use as a stand). I usually take a peek at the frames section each time I visit the thrift store, hoping to find more of this particular kind. Amazingly eno...

      Ever since my first child was born, I've harbored a secret wish. I wished to have a "Mama Chair". Over the years we've owned several second-hand rocking chairs. There was the antique wood and wicker rocker that had belonged to a friends grandma. Such a dainty thing, and though not very comfortable, I loved the idea of rocking on stories! We have an old padded, reclining rocker which, judging from its burnt-orange upholstery and shredded sides, must have once graced a 60's home where several cats made use of it. Its unseemly appearance is redeemed by its coziness and usefulness in late-night feedings and soothings. And there's also the traditional wooden glider with the blue cushions that Richard surprised me with to replace one that had broken right before baby # 3 was due to arrive.        Each of these chairs hold special meaning for me. But as the children have grown and moved into their ow...

       Ever read the novel "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens? Neither have I. But I know part of the story. A poor boy, known as Pip, with no connections to speak of, is granted sponsorship from an anonymous benefactor which allows him, among other things, to study at the University and make something better of his life than he would have otherwise been able to.        In a very real sense, I know my Heavenly Father has great expectations for me -- 6 to be exact. Richard and I found out about 4 months ago that we will soon be blessed with a new addition to our family!  I feel much how I imagine the hero of Dickens' novel must have felt. I saw the two lines on my pregnancy test and initially felt absolute shock. (It's absurd, really. I mean, I wouldn't be taking a test unless I had some suspicion that I might be pregnant, so why am I always so surprised when I see the positive result? I think in part it's because I've known the c...

12 months in a year. 12 roses in a bouquet. 12 donuts in a box. 12 eggs in a carton. 12 inches in a foot. 12 Tribes of Israel. 12 is the Atomic Number of the element Magnesium on the Periodic Table. (Just had to put that one in there since I'm studying it in my Physical Science class)      And this week, my sweetheart and I have been married for 12 years.      "Do you think I've changed much since we've been married?" Richard asked me. We were sitting at the restaurant, waiting for our food. The light was dimmed but warm, and the savory smell of Indian spices perfumed the air. I felt so contented, sharing this special evening with him. But I sensed a hint of concern in his voice. I wanted my response to soothe whatever fears he may have. I wanted him to feel assured that not once have I ever regretted my decision to marry him, and that while we each at times may fall short of the grand expectations we hold for our marriage, I love him more...

       I had my second midterm exam for Physical Science this week. I was overjoyed to receive an A on the first. But I must admit, I was also very concerned. You see, for a portion of the test we were allowed to go over our answers with a pair of fellow students. I found this collaboration extremely beneficial, and changed many of my answers after discussing them with my partners. But, was my unexpectedly high score merely a reflection of their knowledge? How would I fare the next time around?        Meticulous note-taking, reading and rereading the textbook chapters helped me feel I'd prepared the best I could. So I headed out the door with a light heart, amid the cheerful encouragement of 5 childish voices, heeding Daddy's direction, "Everybody wish Mama good luck on her test!" "Goodluck, Mama!!"              The glorious, crisp October weather kept my spirits bright. And the stroll up the hill on the south...

       Children are pleading for my attention, dinner preparations are stalled, I'm staring at the computer screen with my head in my hands as I realize there's another page of 7 more questions to complete for my homework that's due in 20 minutes. But my class starts in 15 minutes and at this time in the evening, it usually takes me that long to drive there. Then add another 7 minutes to walk from the parking lot to my classroom. It's the second week of classes and already I'm toast. This is how I spell "S-T-R-E-S-S-E-D  O-U-T".        Plus, it's raining out.        So I fumble through the homework questions as best as I can, stuff the textbook into my backpack, throw on a sweatshirt and head out the door, grumbling all the way. In my mind I could hear a calmer, more optimistic me trying to reason with myself.         "Okay, so you're late to class. At least you got the homework done. Feeli...

       I'll be the first to say, my life has been pretty easy. I am tremendously blessed and when I look at some of the challenges that others must face, I feel great admiration for them. I pray that they will be strengthened in their trial and I will admit that I thank God I was spared that particular challenge. But I also ask for similar strength, should I ever encounter such struggles.       Every once in a while though, something presents itself in my life that has a much more powerful affect upon me than I anticipated. It may start out as seemingly benign and I think like any carefree, go-getter girl, that I can simply brush it off and continue with my life. But sometimes it's not that easy. Recently, I learned that some things will interrupt your life and demand more time and energy than you may be willing to give them in order to be processed and moved passed.        My experience taught me at least two important lessons....