Some days

Honestly... I. Just. Can’t. 

“I know today is ___ {fill in the blank} day, Lord.  But I just can’t. I simply cannot add one more thing to my day... I’m sure You understand, right?”

Yeah. Some days are just hard.

I’m exhausted. I’ve been feeling exhausted, tired, and worn down these past few days. And this past week has been especially difficult….

I am tired today.

I hurt.

When I am in an active cycle of my illness doing the most simplest, mundane of tasks is insurmountable.  On these days, more than any others I am feeling pain and not “up to par”. I live in a body that betrays me. Frequently I get down about things, because I am hung up on how I want things to be, rather than accepting things as they are.

Honestly? I just want a break. From the demands. From the worries. From the illness. From the laundry, the dishes, the next door neighbours dog barking and the planning and the grocery lists and ALL THE THINGS.

And when I struggle with my limits, my thoughts turn to self-pity...

WHY. ME.

Why me? Of course it’s an extra-sneaky two-word lie, so it’s not always quite so blunt.
Sometimes it says:
** I’m the only one who struggles with this. 
** Why is this so hard? 
** Everyone else...their lives are much simpler.

And yet, God doesn’t command us to pull it together. In the moments when I'm extremely troubled, God doesn’t yell “get it together, girl.”  Instead HE whispers “come to me dear one, come to me.” He invites us to crumple into the comforting arms of Christ … to pray … to scream … to beg with abandon … to heal.

I can’t control everything anything.  God always has the best in mind for me and I don’t need to wake up in the morning and just hope everything goes well, I can have joy and meaning and hope regardless of what the day brings.

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 {New Living Translation {NLT}}

Take Care

i ♥ blogging

i’ve been blogging for some time now.  when a friend of mine first suggested i start something like this ~ i simply had no idea what i was doing, and no idea the difference that that one little choice would make.

and yet, it’s probably one of the decisions that has made the largest impact on my life.  i wasn’t an early adopter because, well, i’m just not. but i’ve been loyal. i am loyal. i don’t see myself giving up blogging anytime soon.

at the beginning of the year, a lot of bloggers that i follow, were writing about wanting to take their blog to the next level. i read them with interest and, you know, i’m never really going to be a serious blog-strategizer. not in any serious sense of the word.

when it comes to writing and blogging, ♪♫ i’ll do it my way ♪♫♫. because you see, i started this as something to give me joy, and that’s how i want to keep it.   sure i like it when i see comments on my blog, but that’s not what it’s really all about.

writing continues to be a outlet for me in many ways. i’ve always found it easier to express my feelings more so through writing than speaking to others in person.

i think that writing on my blog is one of the most joyful things i do!

what brings you joy?

take care

Thankful Thursdays

…and so we continue counting the things we are thankful for…

185. hammocks
186. citronella candles
187. campfire suppers
188. shade trees
189. comments on my blog 
190. ipods
191. lawn chairs

Will you join me as we begin to be truly thankful for each day, and for each opportunity given to us, and who knows? we might just see how truly blessed we really are.

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart! 

Take Care

tasty tuesday

Cake for breakfast?

Thanks to Pinterest, the word is that you can make waffles with a cake mix.  And since I love trying new recipes, I simply had to try it for myself, and yes, it really works! But and probably more importantly they’re completely delicious! Breakfast couldn’t get any easier, or dessert for that matter.

Chocolate Cake Mix Waffles

{photo credit & recipe website}

Ingredients:
1 (16.5 oz) pkg Devil's Food Chocolate Cake Mix (I used Duncan Hines) 
1 cup water 
1/3 cup vegetable oil 
3 large eggs

Directions:
Preheat a waffle iron.
Prepare batter according to directions on package. 
Spray waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray and pour amount listed from waffle iron manufactures instructions into waffle iron and cook according to time listed on instructions. 
Serve warm with desired toppings. 
For optional Nutella Sauce: 
Whisk together 3/4 cup Nutella with 4 Tbsp milk (or more to thin as desired) until smooth. Warm in microwave if desired. Drizzle over waffles. These waffles are also good with sweetened whipped cream and fresh strawberries.
Enjoy!

You could probably use other cake mix flavours, but chocolate always comes first, am I right? Or am I right?

Take Care

Lemonade

Sometimes life goes wrong, and all seems to be falling apart.

Sometimes we just need to take our eyes off of the situation and look to something that will encourage our hearts.

Sometimes that encouragement may be found in a friend, in a smile, or in words on a piece of paper or on a screen.

“If life hands you lemons...”

May these be the words be that for you today.

Take Care

Thankful Thursdays

…and so we continue counting the things we are thankful for…

178. raspberry lemonade
179. after supper walks
180. canada day celebrations
181. “would you rather” conversations
182. central vacuum cleaners
183. summer holidays
184. air conditioning

Will you join me as we begin to be truly thankful for each day, and for each opportunity given to us, and who knows? we might just see how truly blessed we really are.

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart! 

Take Care

Happy Canada Day, eh!

We're off for the day, joining in with the town's celebrations..... 

Happy Birthday Canada!

Take Care