Happy Birthday to ME!

Today is my birthday! June 18th. I am celebrating life! The life that God gave to me.
He breathed into me, and brought me to life 56 years ago. I am so thankful.

I am learning to be happy with where I am at. To rest in the moment, instead of pushing through, trying to become "better", by doing more. Learning to rest in who God made me to be. That it is okay to "do" things that I enjoy, and bring refreshment to my soul...it isn't selfish. It is part of caring for the self that God designed and made me to be. Appreciating who I am, and how He made me.

I'm easily distracted and become distorted in my thinking. I start to believe that my life is based on my performance, instead of who I am in Christ Jesus.

I am so thankful for my Shepherd. Jesus. Who gently leads and guides me back onto the path. My kind Shepherd pokes and prods, ever so gently to steer me back on course. My Shepherd is also, El Shammah- The LORD who is there.

Today, I will celebrate by spending quiet time by the "still waters". I will "lie down in green grass" by enjoying being in the outdoors...breathing in fresh air. Filling my lungs with life giving air. I will spend time doing things that restore my soul. Creating with my hands. Spending time with family.

Why I find it difficult to take time out for me!

There are no easy 1,2,3's of why it is so difficult for me to spend time on myself. I can echo the usual responses of: I'm too busy. There is too much to do. Other's are expecting me to perform, to produce. These can all be true. Maybe it is unique to women, but I think not. I believe we all have difficulty taking time for ourselves because we feel it might be considered selfish.

From our young days we were instructed to "not be selfish". (thinking only of self). Children don't seem to have a problem with thinking of themselves first and foremost, this comes naturally. Until the instruction from adults come and interrupt their worlds. Teaching how to put others first. I think maybe we are cautioned so much to think of others, that thinking of ourselves becomes a "no-no".

For those who struggle with perfectionism, and doing things "right", taking time for oneself is usually considered "selfish". Of course, this is not true. But if perfectionism is a challenge that you face, then accurate thinking is already being distorted by your need for the highest standard attainable. One of the problem's with this standard is, it can never be reached. , Even if one tried to their utmost, they would still fall short, because in their mind, perfect is really never attainable. It is like a mystical place. It cannot be fully realized. It is a mirage of the mind.

So how does one settle the argument of selfish versus self-care? For me, this continues to be a life long learning experience because I am a "recovering perfectionist". I'm continually "tripped" up by the enemy who would deceive me into thinking that I must not give myself one iota of a thought, for that would be selfish. The truth however, is that I am LOVED with an abiding, unchangeable, unimaginable love. God loves me so much and is constantly thinking about me;(Psalm 139: 17-18 NLT). He desires that I walk in truth and not deceit;(3 John 1:4 NLT). He desires that I spend time with him;(Song of Solomon 7:10 NIV.) He wants me to care for my body;(1 Cor. 6:19-20 NLT). He desires for me to rest;(Heb.4:10 NLT). And the LOVE list goes on.

I'm continually learning how to practice self-care each and every day. One of the ways of taking care of myself, is taking time out for me. Actually, "scheduling", me time. Listening to the Holy Spirit whisper to my soul. That is where I always need to start, and then find things that restore my spirit, mind and body. The Spirit reminds me of who I am in Christ. The unique OOAK person I am. He brings to mind things that I enjoy, or that refresh. Joy filled things. I am on treasure hunt of JOY!

http://bit.ly/belovedbrews

What I Love To Do that Feeds My Soul

I love to be outdoors. Walking along the ocean. Breathing deeply. Smelling the salty air. Filling my lungs. Slowly inhaling and savoring the exhale. The smell, along with a few deep breaths and my soul is beginning to soar.

Slowing down is necessary for my soul to be refreshed. Listening to the rhythm of the waves, allows the gradual slowing of my own heartbeat. YHWH. The inhale and exhale. The sound of breathing. "The holiest name in the world, the Name of Creator, is the sound of your own breathing..." (Rabbi Lawrence Kushner)

It is then, after my breathing has begun to sync with the wave patterns, my mind begins to think about the "majestic power" that created all of this beauty. God spoke all of this into existence. Genesis 1:9-10. How awesome is that! My God, The Creator God, who spoke the world into existence wants to be with me. Communing with me. Sometimes I find it "easier" to listen when my soul has been quieted and refreshed by His creation.

I also love to create with my hands. The process of thinking, designing, and then creating is what can energize my soul. I feel so blessed to be able to now "create" as part of my soul needs, as well as financial needs for my family. Psalm 90:17. Thank you God for the opportunities to participate in Your creative nature, by aligning my soul with Yours, to CREATE.

http://bit.ly/belovedbrews

My One Word for 2015

Have you ever been resistant to the "One Word" that God gives you at the start of a New Year? I have.
This year, the word that kept coming forward was "RELEASE"; as in release, in order to receive. In my thinking that was a little "New Age" for me...until I really began to grasp what God was telling me. He will use what ever circumstances He chooses to grab my attention. Since I had preconceived ideas of how the word "RELEASE" sounded, I kept shunning the word. One day a person very dear to me asked me if I was so resistant to "the word", being "my word" for 2015 because I was trying to be in control of everything.
Um...y-e-s, I guess that might have something to do with it, maybe just a teeny tiny bit! You mean to tell me, that I need to practice R-E-L-E-A-S-I-N-G control?
After going to Dictionary.com and looking up the word RELEASE, I discovered that God was indeed right in choosing that word for me this year.

Release-
freedom, liberation's, relief, deliverance, permit an action, allow, ease, dis-burden. Um...hello...did you get that? Permit an action, dis-burden, ease, relief? I'm telling you, who wouldn't want more of that? Okay, God, I get it. I need to be surrendered to you this year, to see how you would like to remove my burdens, bring ease into my life, remind me that I am not in control, and that it is only an illusion that I can control my surroundings.
To top off the search and acceptance of my word, The Holy Spirit directed me to this verse. Romans 7:6 "But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code."
WOW...for a recovering "legalistic Pharisee"..being released from the burden of trying to perform and trying to produce in order to gain approval; the word RELEASE sounds like a freedom journey for sure.
So, I'm off on my journey of discovery of what it means to live "released". I hope you will join with me as we learn and share all the wonderful mysteries that lay hidden, waiting to be discovered in 2015.

Create

My word for 2014 is CREATE! I am hoping, dreaming and planning on spending more time creating, and not just doing.

Often, I get caught up in the "doing" of life. There are so many things that need to be done. Chores, responsibilities; you know, The "Should's" of life. I "should" clean house. I "should" pull weeds. I "should" do laundry. And the list can go on and on, until the creative soul inside begins to shrivel up and become dormant.

This year, I would like to release the creative spirit in me. I want to see where it soars, where it will fly! When released, where will my spirit lead me. I want to go beyond the "Should's". Is it possible that I can create something that I've never done before?

My artist soul is longing. Maybe this isn't the year for some big, great, revelation. But it is the year that I am stepping forward with intention to CREATE more. To see what my heart and my hands can form, when they work together in harmony.

Thanks for allowing me to share a peek inside of who I am.

The Creative Journey begins~

Another New Year

Time is flying by quicker, than I can keep up. 2013 was a good year with my business and personal life.

Pear Creek Cottage is flourishing, and I thank God for enabling me to have such a business, and for helping me keep sane running it! {smile}

My family has grown as we welcomed a new granddaughter this last December. Little Michaela, decided to come on the date of her choosing, and not a pre-determined date by doctors and mid-wives.

Because of her "earlier than expected arrival", things were thrown into a whirlwind of activity. I feel so blessed that I was able to catch the next plane out of town, and be with Michaela and her mom and dad within the first hours of her birth.

What a beautiful, and sacred time. Nothing compares to the transformation that happens between labor, then delivery. Thank you God for the blessed, and safe arrival of Michaela into our world.

I had to include a picture of Gramma Jan with Michaela to document my first visit with her.

Welcome Baby Michaela! We are so thrilled to have you in our lives!

Camping Vacation

This September, I was able to get away for a fun camping vacation with family. The weather couldn't have been nicer, except for a couple of rather warm days.

For the first time, I stayed in a yurt! It was really cool! I can see this as a great option in the future. Sort of camping, without roughing it too much!

Some of the things that I enjoyed the most, were singing old Sunday School songs around the campfire. Gazing into the night sky and watching for shooting stars. Also, just being together, visiting, recalling memories, laughing, and enjoying the uniqueness that God has placed in each individual family member.

Thank you God for my family, and for the opportunity to enjoy them.

Inside of Yurt

Learning, Growing, Changing

There is something about Fall that makes me get in the mood for "learning". After years of formal education, and Fall representing school starting after Summer break; my mind still wanders down the familiar path of being ready to learn. I seem more engaged and ready to "start a fresh", in the Fall more than the other seasons.

I am planning on not only designing new ideas for my little on line shop, but also nurturing my spirit/soul as well. Looking forward with anticipation to what God has to teach me this Fall, as I study and learn from Him.

My goal/plan is to post with more frequency and share the nuggets of truth that I'm learning and hopefully how I am growing and changing through applying these truths in my life.

Canning!

This last week has been spent in a hot kitchen, with boiling pots of water, wonderful spicy smells, all surrounded by people I love.

My daughter and I were able to spend the week canning applesauce, peach jam, and apple butter! 36 pints of applesauce, 12 half-pints of peach jam, and 36 half-pints of apple butter! Whew!

It has been such a fun and rewarding week, seeing all our efforts pay off. From picking the apples off our trees, to slicing, cooking, and processing; to the finished product.

Reminds me that my Father's love for me is the same. He never gives up in the process. From "picking" me, to washing, cutting away the bad parts, putting me to the test in "boiling water" , and sealing me with the Holy Spirit. He never tires of the process, and I am forever grateful!

Pear Inspiration

After a week of feeling a little down, I had some great inspiration today!
As I sat in my favorite chair looking out my picture window, what should catch my eye, but a single pear, hanging off the neighbors tree!

From where I sit, this looks to be a "perfect pair". Bright yellow, fully shaped, and hanging strong.

This was a shot in the arm for me to continue on the path that I'm on. Don't we all need encouragement? Today, mine came in the form of a single pear, perfectly placed by God. The message: "Keep on, keeping on". Thank you God.

Grandma's Rocking Chair

I recently inherited my grandmother's rocking chair. A gift from my parents as I am awaiting the arrival of my first grandchild. What a treasure it has been to have my morning Advent devotional time sitting in my grandmother's chair and...remembering. I am so thankful for her faith in God and the times she sat in her chair, praying for me and the rest of her grandchildren.

As a new season and chapter of my life begin, I ask; "Father in Heaven" that I can be faithful to You as my Grandma was. Help me instill in my grandchildren Your unconditional love for Your creation.

I am so thankful for special memories of my Grandmother and her sitting in her chair. I remember sitting in her lap, I remember sitting at her feet as she would read to my sister and I. I remember playing "chase" around the chair. My grandmother would shuffle her feet on the ground as if to pretend to chase my sister and I, then when we were least expecting it, she would quickly reach out and grab us and hug us.

Now, the adventures continue with a new generation, but same chair. What stories will the chair have to add to it's already existing repitoires? It will be a pleasure to live the stories out!

Projects

Do you ever start projects that you don't finish? Do you get excited about starting a new project versus finishing one that has been shelved for sometime? Do you feel guilty about not finishing?
I can answer yes to all of the above questions. Sometimes I so frustrate myself with my lack of discipline to finish something or even my procrastination in starting something new.

I guess this is something we will continue to live with while we are on this earth, because we too, are in the process of becoming completed in Jesus. God is working in our lives to make us like Jesus. We are not finished and will not be completed until we reach our eternal destination. The uneasiness and uncomfortableness that come when we are in the midst of "not being finished"; may not be a "bad" feeling. Maybe, it is a reminder to turn our eyes off of ourselves and our current "projects" and onto the source and the one who sustains all of life. Could it be that we get too focused on our "projects" that we forget that this is not all there is too life?

Thank you Father God, for showing me again, that you are not in a hurry. You are not behind schedule..you are right on time for the work that you are doing in me to transform me into becoming like Jesus.

On Purpose

We all long to have a purpose, to make a difference while we are here on this earth. We never know how long we have to live and make a difference..

Often I, in my own ways try to make my purpose happen. Do you ever do that? Being aware that you have a limited time, you try to rush, and make things happen, so you can feel satisfied that you have "done your purpose."

I am so thankful that God is very aware of this weakness of mine; and I'm so grateful when He reminds me that it is not about me "doing my part"...but Him. He is always present and active in my life. And you know what my purpose is?
To glorify Him.
Not try and get people "saved" from eternal destruction, not to help them overcome an addiction...and all the other ideas that we have of what our "purpose is".

My soul purpose is to love God.

He will decide how and when He will use me to accomplish His purposes...not my decision. That is so freeing. If only I could remember this truth. It would save me from a lot of worry and anxiety. But, I am so thankful that even though I can't always remember this on my own...my loving Father is patiently reminding me of it.

"Father God, when I forget this truth, please remind me once again that my purpose is YOU. Loving You, desiring You, serving You how You lead, living in fellowship with You."

I love this quote from Ruth Myers book: The Satisfied Heart

"Every soul is a vast reservoir from which God can receive eternal pleasure."

Ephesians 3:14-20

Needle Felting

I have been needle felting for 6 months now. It is a new craft for me and I am loving the process of how the fibers, condense and make a sculpture after time.


This got me thinking in the spiritual realm of how The Master Artist works on each of His pieces, individually, and uniquely. One thing I've learned is you can't be in a hurry. Each piece takes time and care. Continual needle poking is what makes the fibers blend together. That's just the way The Master does with each of us. He treats us individually, giving attention to detail and what makes us, us! He is never in a hurry. The process is the avenue He uses to form, mold, shape and make us more like The Great Shepherd, Jesus.

I've recently been working on a little sheep, and I find that I add a tuft of wool here and then there, getting the sheep to look just right. I use my needle to fiddle with his ears, I mold his face, I add facial features that make him smile and give him appeal. Sometimes, I am in a hurry wanting the project to be done, so I can move onto something else.

How unlike our Father that is. He is always patiently working on His pieces of art. He is not anxiously waiting to wipe His hands together signaling that He is finished with this piece and is ready to move onto the next. Unlike us, He delights in continuing to work with the piece. Instead of wiping His hands with an " I'm finished" gesture, He instead "claps His hands" with a joyful anticipation of working with each piece to completion.

Knowing this, makes me pause and shout out to God; "THANK YOU"...thank you for not giving up and discarding this piece of art. Thank you for continuing to work in me. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for your love and patience...and the "thank yous" go on.

I hope today you can have joy in knowing that Your Father is lovingly tending to His pieces of art, even though it may not feel loving as pricks and prods may penetrate our beings; God is creating His masterpiece in you!

Philippians 1:6 "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

A Story of Friendship Through Etsy

I would love to share this story with you because I have been so blessed by it, and I think others will be too.

I am new to Etsy and on-line social networking. After 12 years of being in the corporate world, God closed that door early this year. I have experienced all the emotions that come with leaving a job: fear, anger, insecurity, as well as some freedom to rediscover who God made me to be.

One of the first items I made for my Etsy shop were little needle felted sheep. I wanted to convey how comforting it is to live in the care of The Great Shepherd. As sheep we often daily wander away, and we need the Shepherd to help lead us back into His fold. With this, one of my favorite Shepherd verses is: Isaiah 40:11. "He will feed His flock like a shepherd, He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young."

It was one of these sheep that I made that was featured on an Etsy Treasury where a wonderful godly women found my shop. Her name is Jennifer. God led Jennifer to my shop and to purchase one of my sheep. I received such joy from this, and since then we've be communicating off and on.

Jennifer shared with me her passion for the country of Latvia and how she heard of a family from my home town that I know of through my children; that would be traveling for a missions trip to Latvia. Jennifer knew that the family needed to raise money for their trip, so God led her to donate everything out of her shop to the Petrick family to help raise money for their trip.

I was able to meet Nichole Petrick (the mother who will be taking her 3 small children to Latvia)), at a restaurant where she was our waitress! I shared with her our mutual connection of Jennifer, a woman we have only met on-line. She broke into tears right at our table and shared with me how blessed and overjoyed she is to be a recipient of such generosity. Everyone at the table got teary-eyed as we reveled in God's abundance. How small acts of faithfulness are being turned into tremendous acts because God is behind all of them. So now, I have a connection with Jennifer and with Nichole as we share this common story. When we feel overwhelmed, or like we are not be "useful" for the Kingdom of God, we recall this story of God's faithful leading and weaving of our lives together for His greater purposes.

The story, I'm sure will continue to unfold as the Petrick Family goes to Latvia in a few weeks; but I just had to share as their prayer letter and photo card card came home from church today to be placed on my "prayer wall" (refrigerator)...the verse that is leading them???
Isaiah 40:11

Praise be to God for His mercies that are new everyday!