A Diamond In The Rough

When you really stop and think about what that means, it's amazing. A beautiful, unique, one of a kind gem- jewel-DIAMOND-in the rough of a mine. Catching the sparkle, the shine, the clarity in the middle of darkness-in the middle of ugliness. Something so fragile, and worth so much. Something so precious. Something that definitely brings a smile to our faces.

This is how God sees us when He finds us. Each and everyone of us, just like diamonds, are unique in their own way. There may be millions of diamonds ( I recently heard they aren't as rare as people say), and there may be millions of people, but each one of us is set a part for our individual qualities, appearance, and purpose. Just as some diamonds are made into necklaces, some earrings, while others serve as engagement rings.
Both equally as important and special. Both were diamonds in the rough.

We are this way to God-so cherished and sought after. Like miners in a diamond mine, God seeks, and longs to be with us!

Don't get caught up in comparing your life or yourself to anyone else. God made you, you. And He made me, me. For a specific reason and for my own unique beauty. We aren't all the same, and God doesn't want it that way. Take time to look at the neat qualities God gave you, and see how you can use them for Him. N0ones life is any better than the next. Even something as beautiful as a diamond has flaws.

Don't doubt for one day that you are less than you are. If the mighty King created you, you HAVE to be special! Beauty is created by God- not society, so don't get hung up on how you should dress or how you are suppose to look.

The bible says we are more precious than rubies! I say, we are more precious than diamonds.
God is holding onto us like diamonds in the rough. That's how loved we are. Each one of us.

Interesting Hummingbird Facts

-Unlike other birds, a hummingbird can rotate it's wings in a circle.
Because of this special hummingbird fact, they are the only bird that can fly both forwards and backwards. They can also fly up, down, sideways, hover in one spot, or fly upside down for short distances.

-Normal flight speed is about 25 miles per hour, but they have been clocked at speeds in excess of fifty miles per hour during their courtship dives.

-During normal flight their wings beat about 60-80 times per second. In their courtship dives they might beat up to 200 times per second.

-Most hummingbirds unfortunately die during their fist year but, those that do survive that first year have an average life span of 3 to 4 years.Hummingbirds will feed 5 to eight times every hour for 30 to 60 seconds at a time.

-The large portion of a hummingbirds diet is sugar which they get from flower nectar and tree sap. They also eat insects and pollen to get protein to build muscle.



How sad that they don't live very long-I wonder if all birds die so soon!?

Paper or Plastic?

We went to check out the Coborn's grocery store last week in Hastings. It's a small town grocer, but a big deal! When we were on our way in, walking in the parking lot, we noticed these fancy white (brown) handle bags with color on them. We both noticed how nice they were and were excited to get one when we checked out.

When we got to the check out, the girl who was bagging our groceries said, "Is plastic ok mam"?, I was like "No", and I had to say it a couple of times for her to listen to me.

Well when we walked out carrying our groceries, and our one very stuffed white paper colored fancy bag, we noticed just about everyone else had plastic bags! Even families with lots of groceries. I saw one family load about 12 of those little plastic bags into their mini van! It was like being in the twilight zone. I said to Kevin, "Did you notice how she asked, "Is plastic ok mama"?, and he totally noticed that too. Our conclusion is that the fancy bags cost them and arm and a leg, and they didn't want to give them away if they didn't have to, so they found a way to do that-asking us if plastic was ok. How sly!
I mean when the girl was bagging our groceries, it was obvious our bag was bursting, we definitely needed a second bag. It was pretty funny.

But anyway, all that to say this: did you know it takes 80 million gallons of oil each year to make those plastic bags? I have become so determined to NOT take them whatsoever any longer. And I mean, they use them for everything. I'll buy chicken, ice cream, banana's, and they will put those items separately in a smaller plastic bag! I mean enough already!

I suggest you purchase the canvas bags that most grocery stores sell now. They are very cheap and very handy. Just put them in your back seat after using them, and bring them in with you to the grocery store, or Target. Some stores even offer a discount if you bring your reused bags to bag your groceries. We bring all used paper, plastic or canvas bags for all our grocery shopping.

Sometimes it's ok to take those plastic bags if you plan on reusing them for things like:
-small garbage bag liners
-dog poop bags
-school lunches (I was always embarrassed though when I had to use those for my lunch)
-carrying things to and fro

You can find ways to reuse them, but when you bring your own it is such a sense of independence, to not have to take something that comes from a source that is a trillion dollar business, and not so good for the environment.

So the next time someone asks you, "Paper or plastic"?, say, "Neither".

Our new best friend, Hazel

DSC00560.JPG, originally uploaded by ginanorma.

Where You're At

With all I've been going through with my health, one of the toughest things for me has been guilt. And trouble accepting where I'm at in this time in my life.

We all are at different places, and go through a variety of things. I know when I'm where I really would rather not be, whether it's my health, or trouble in a relationship-I get thrown off. I would prefer to not be there. I would rather not be going through it. When we go through difficult times we go through a lot of emotions and mood swings. But if you are seeking God during that time and are praying and asking Him to be with you, He will be.

He will accept you where you are at. Like for me, I have felt like I'm of no use during my recovery, like I'm a "loser". That is not God's Truth at all. But for me, it's hard to not be out in the field for Christ! I feel like I'm not making a difference. But if I stay in His presence, it changes things. I remember- and then I know He's there. He knows what I'm going through. He is with me where I'm at. He understands where I'm at. He'll work through where I'm at. God accepts me where I'm at, but I have trouble accepting that!

For my husband, he struggles with doubt. So he may not be living out the Word like he ought to. But God is with him where he's at. As long as my Husband keeps God near, and seeks Him, God will be there. As long as He moves toward God, God is there. He understands. But see where my husbands at, is OK. But God expects and wants us to mooooooove. Don't lose sight of Him even though you are in a funk! But at the same time, be OK with where you're at, because God is. And trust that one way or another, He'll bring you through. It might not be our way, or the way we want, but He will.

So if you are going through doubts, health issues, relationship burdens, or a depression, the loss of a job-He understands and is there, right where you're at. Don't be hard on yourself if things don't feel "perfect", or right with what you're going through. They don't have to be for you to have a purpose, or for God to use you.
I may be laying here recovering, but I can still praise God! And that alone is full of purpose!

Preparation H!

I'm so not kidding. Here is a fabulous tip. Do you ever have those mornings when you wake up and you didn't quite sleep well enough that nite? Or you had a late nite? Or you just don't feel good and your eyes show it? Of course you have!

Dab a little Preparation H, yes, Hemorrhoid cream--under both eyes, and you will be as good as new! There is an ingredient in it that helps with puffiness (ok, I'll give you a minute to think about that).

Anyway, it's perfectly safe, and very economical! It sounds gross, but it works, I promise you!

Happy eyes!!!

Running on Empty

When we are missing something in our lives, don’t you think we then try to find someone/something to replace it with? We try to get filled in other ways?
Don’t you think then it’s our job to not let our loved ones get to a point of empty that they are filling up on more emptiness? Isn’t it our responsibility? I would think it is. They could be running low on laughter. It could be self worth. It could be physical energy. It could be emotional exhaustion, or mental. It could be a tragedy or a heartbreak that has us running low. It could be the loss of a job, a loved one, anything. There is usually a good reason for it.

Most of the time it is something or someone that is causing us pain, or some need not being met or a disappointment we can’t get over or are experiencing. Yes, to some extent people in our lives, even our spouses are not responsible for us, but they are responsible to us, as we are to them.

Just think if everyone loved and behaved the way that God asked us to. The world would be perfect and we’d all be a lot happier, and a lot less heartbroken.

But may I suggest a middle ground? A happy medium? Even though Jesus does say-“Be perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect”. I don’t think we’ll accomplish that till the very end.
But, if we could provide and invest in our loved ones, especially our spouses and children, don’t you think they would be more content? Like I mean really care, invest, and take time for them.

Take time as to say we look out for their welfare. We consciously look out for them, make sure we are meeting their needs and seeing how we can help them and serve them. To make that a top priority, so that it will become a discipline in our lives. A new habit.

If we could accomplish that, or at least try for that, I think our loved ones would be less apt to indulge in things outside of God’s will. Everything from their behaviors, choices, attitudes, and even splurging on material things. They wouldn’t run as fast to bad behaviors of spending, or acting out. Most of us do those kinds of things as a cover up to something else. Something deeper that is going on that isn’t right-rooted hurt or pain.

It’s like it would be up to us for the people in our lives to be whole and happy. Content and satisfied at best. They would be satisfied in the relationship they have with us and what we are providing for them, and with that, inevitably, healthier in life.

If the people in our lives and vise versa, spent more time in investing in us and loving and serving us the way God asks, things would run a lot smoother, and we would be more fulfilled.

Of course, our One and Only being Jesus is enough for any of us, but He does use people in our life too. We are all commanded of this nurturing and loving and servant hood. We are to be a vessel of God’s, a tool and a light for others. We are to be taking initiative in developing these relationships. To be lifting others up, taking time out and spending time with them. Caring more about them, than ourselves. That is a tall order, but it is asked of us.

But we cannot be this light without God at the center. Looking for Him to use us, and accessing His Holy Power; that is what will transform our mundane, average, human hearts.
HE will give us what we need to give others what they need!
We have to pray and continue to kill off our depraved fallen selves in order to be of any good or use.

We meet in the middle, is what I like to call it. We get up in the morning, we acknowledge God and our weakness and we ask, and invite Him in, then ask Him to meet us there, and He comes. And humbly we receive His grace, mercy and guidance. He shows up. We work together. We don’t wait for God to do it all. We have to first get to the place with Him. To the throne (as I call it). Once we are there, He sees our hearts, minds, and spirit, and knows we need Him, then, once we are humbled, He is ready to work with us. He will get us to that place of serving our loved ones. He will get us to the place to where our loved ones won’t need other people or things to fulfill them, because we will be able to do it! And we can't without God! He gives us the strength, and the wisdom. We let and allow Him to change our hearts.

What is pleasing to God is when we obey Him. When we act on His word and not just read it.
If we are running on empty, of course we can turn to God to be filled and we do. But we should also, hands down, without a doubt be able to be filled by the people that say they love us.

Post Modern? Or Beautiful Metaphor?

"You are the Sun, shining down on everything.
Light of the World, giving light to everything I see.
Beauty so brilliant, I can hardly take it in,
and everywhere you are is warmth and light.
And I am a Moon with no light of my own; still you have made me to shine, and as I grow in this cold dark night, you know I can't be a light unless I turn my face to you.
Shine on me, I have no light of my own.
Shine on me, without you I'm a cold dark stone.
You know I'll never be a light
unless I turn my face to you,
I'll never be a light
until I turn my face to you,
no I can't be a light until I turn myself...to you".