'We don't find answers so much in what we already know as in what we think might be.' Terry Brooks

Lol. 'Actually my family and friends like me well enough, but they think I am weird. Or at least peculiar. I can't blame them.' Terry Brooks

Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Thy commandments. Ps 119:66

Praying today for students who had the courage to stand for their beliefs and pray for their schools this morning at 'See You at the Pole.'

My chains are gone. I've been set free. My God, my Saviour, has ransomed me. And like a flood, His mercy reigns. Unending love. Amazing grace.

Are you a more advanced scrapbooker? Want to try something new? Altered canvas trio class today,6pm Michaels N. Jxn.

Want to start scrapbooking? Don't know where to start? Come take my workshop tom 10-5 at Michaels N. Jxn!

Got dessert and drinks delivered to Crys' class. She was thoroughly embarrassed. My day is complete. Lol

MY BABY IS 21 TODAY! Happy birthday, Crystal!

Wondering if panic mode is justified because they forgot my extra espresso shot in my latte. I may need therapy.

Thankful today for love, life, and freedom from the debt of my past sin.

'Down these mean streets a man must go who himself is not mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid.' Def of a hero quote from Blue Bloods.

'Down these mean streets a man must go who himself is not mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid.' Def of a hero quote from Blue Bloods.

Today I have been married to the man of my dreams, my own personal Prince Charming, for 22 short years. So blessed.

Love this quote

This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind…let it be something good. Author Unknown.
 

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing. Our helper, He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.

Numbers . . .

Numbers fill our lives. So many areas of our lives are dominated by them. This past week, like most Americans, I was consumed with the numbers of 9/11/2001. The date. The time. The flight numbers. How many died. How many were never accounted for. How many rescued. How many still deployed fighting for our freedom.

But the number I was most consumed with this past week was ONE. On that dreadful morning, I was glued to the TV with my husband and father-in-law. I saw the second plane hit, live. It was all so surreal. Then a few minutes later I was jolted out of my state of shock and filled with complete horror. It was only a few brief seconds. But there, right in front of me, on live tv, I watched as one person jumped to his death from around the 100th floor. THAT ONE person is what I remember most from the whole day. I don't know his name, race, social status, family history, or anything else about him. But I watched as he chose to end his life by jumping rather than burning to death in the inferno of the tower.

As I pondered this for most of last week, it struck me how most numbers have a greater impact on us as they get larger. Weight. Blood pressure. Bank account. Age. Miles traveled. Years married. How many grandchildren. But it struck me as odd that the incredibly large numbers related to human suffering seem to be so overwhelming that they just float off into the oblivion of memory.  How many people die every year of starvation, disease, abuse, murder, war? Yet for most of us, it doesn't really affect our daily activity unless it involves that ONE that we know, love, care for. For me, 9/11 is all about that ONE man. Every one who died that day was that ONE for someone. A spouse, child, brother or sister, co-worker. I believe this is much like how our Father sees things. We see a huge tragedy, thousands killed, our nation rocked to it's core. God sees that ONE, every single ONE, individually, as his child. Not just on 9/11, but every day.

There is no real comforting thought here that makes everything ok. Horrible things happen, even to the best of people. Yet I know that above all things, God is sovereign. I am so overwhelmed and in awe of how He loves. And I am confident that I can believe in things hoped for and things unseen because He has proven His faithfulness to me. My heart breaks for those who lost loved ones on 9/11 and since then. But I hope that the lesson in all of this for me is that, like that ONE who has kept those memories so real from that day, that I will view other tragic events in the same light. I don't want to get lost in the large numbers. Every life lost has meaning. Every soul saved is reason for rejoicing. We live in a world that is dying to find hope and I know where it's found. I pray that I find courage to share with those I come in contact with. Make me a light in the darkness, Father!  

May God continue to bless America, but mostly, may He have mercy on us.

Renea

Praise be to the Father who is able to do exceedingly more than we could ever think or imagine! And imagine pretty well. L3, Eph 3

Great open house today at Michaels north Jackson store. Looking forward to awesome classes this month and in Oct!

'Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise. When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I wilk say, blessed be Your name!' Tree 63

Just in case you didn't see - Michaels is having open house Saturday, Sept. 10th, 1-3pm for the classroom. All class registrations will be half price, even for Oct classes! Come sign up for scrapbook classes! We have a bunch of them to choose from! I teach at the County Line store in north Jackson.

So cool to hear Tim Holtz's voice on the intercom at Michaels!

Praying for those who've suffered from the wildfires in Texas.

Come to Michaels tomorrow! 10am-noon for demos and MITI. Class open house 1-3. Class reg for Sept and Oct half price!

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, oh Lord, my rock and redeemer.

Oh, my God, He will not delay. My refuge and strength always. Always.

Howard Jones Jazz featuring my most amazing Hubby on keys playing today at Tommy Jones Blues Festival in Terry at 2:15!