The Storm

I wrote a poem a few years ago. I thought I would post it tonight as I think of a friend who is going through a wicked storm of her own.

The Storm

I see the storm clouds gathering,

I hide and cringe in fear.

I’ve seen clouds like these before,

Oh, Lord, be ever near.

I’ve felt how hard the winds can blow.

I was almost lost at sea.

My sails so torn and powerless.

Oh, Lord stay close to me.

I am afraid of this new storm

And the damage it can do.

What will be left of my heart in the end?

Oh, Lord, I draw close to You.

You are my rock, my strong tower.

In You I have no fear.

You are my strength from day to day.

You will be ever near.

“Fear thou not,” I hear You say

Out on the stormy sea.

You will uphold me by Your Right Hand.

You will stay close to me.

You are the Rock where I can hide

Until the storm is through

I will find shelter under Your wings

I will draw close to You.

Karen Woodward © 2005

Ellie Marie Designs

I sold my paper bag scrapbook! So exciting. Here is a new project I'm working on. I will get them listed as soon as I get some more ribbon and glue. Meanwhile, check out the other things that I have for sale at Ellie Marie Designs!

Paper Bag Scrapbook

Here is my newest creation - A paper bag scrapbook! For sale! Profits go toward buying textbooks for Gabriel and Hannah. See details here at Ellie Marie Designs

Christmas Caroling

John, Holly and I went Christmas caroling with our church tonight. We all had a great time, especially because the weather was so nice! It's probably the first time I've gone Christmas caroling in 60 degree weather. We always go to the shut ins and senior citizens of our church. Most of them sing right along with us. Our last stop was at a sweet lady's house. She is neither a senior citizen nor a shut in but someone who is going through some physical trials. Normally, she would have gone with us. She was so blessed that we came to her house that she cried. I am blessed to be part of such a wonderful church.

Gabriel and Hannah will be home in less than 48 hours! I am ecstatic!! We've been able to see them a few times over the last 11 months but they haven't been HOME since January. And they haven't seen our "new" house at all. I'm not sure if I can contain my excitement over the next few hours. Pray for them as they travel home on Saturday. It is a 14 hour drive.

I reached one of my smaller goals with my Crafty Homeschoolers shop - 25 items listed! Next goal is 50. Wonder how long that will take?

Pink and Brown Gift Tags
(my 25th item!)

FIRE!?!

Tonight I was sitting in the living room when I heard sirens. It was a fire truck. Well, we lived in an apartment for four years about 1/2 mile away from the fire station so hearing sirens were normal everyday occurrences. I hardly noticed it until John jumped up and ran outside to see what was going on. Then I remembered that we were no longer in our apartment but in a nice quiet neighborhood. So I opened the front door and looked around. Was a neighbor's house on fire? Could I see any smoke? No, but there was the fire truck right in front of our house. It was going slowly with lights and sirens. And then, I saw a person on top that was not wearing a fireman's outfit. It was Santa Clause. What??? Did the Christmas parade get lost? Were the firemen bored? Is this some sort of tradition in this county? I just don't know. I guess I'll have to ask the neighbors. Thankfully none of them needed the firemen!


I mentioned on my last entry that I started an Etsy shop. Holly came up with the name. We both thought of several other ideas but they were all taken. So Crafty Homeschoolers it is! I hope you'll take a look. Perhaps you need some Christmas tags or other scrapbooking items. I've had fun making them. Stop by and take a look! Here are a couple of things I've made. Hoping to add some more this week.

Paper Posies

Upcycled Gift Tags

Me and My Busy Life

Hello, dear deprived blog! So sorry that I've neglected you. Life stays busy. Like this weekend for example. We had cantata practice on Saturday. John, Holly and I sang in the choir. None of us had speaking parts this year for a change. Then on Wednesday, the lady playing Anna the prophetess became seriously ill and was hospitalized. So on Friday I volunteered to do her part. Thankfully, I just had to read it and not memorize it! It went great! Afterwards we had a huge dinner - I brought sweet potato casserole. Yum! Now it's time to relax. I'd like to promise to write more often but with Gabriel and Hannah coming home THIS SATURDAY and my new etsy shop - Crafty Homeschoolers - I'm sure I'll be busier than ever! But I'll try. Because I miss you!!

Birthdays

We have always celebrated the kids' birthdays by giving them a day off of school. Traditional schools take off for Washington's, Lincoln's and Martin Luther King's birthdays, so why not celebrate our own instead? That has been our custom since our first kindergarten years in the mid 1990's. Each and every year the kids tried to convince me to take my own birthday off as well. Anything for a free day, right? No. I was adamant. I LIKED teaching! And what better way to spend my birthday than doing something I liked!

I don't remember if it was last year or this year, but Holly figured out that with Gabriel and Hannah being gone she didn't get the same number of "school holidays". So she convinced me to take off for my birthday and John's too. She's always been my little negotiator. Gabriel and Hannah now have to attend classes on their birthdays. Hannah hardly gets to even celebrate hers because it comes right in the middle of mid-terms!

This morning I enjoyed sleeping in late (until 7:30), uninterrupted devotions, and some quiet time to myself. Holly does have a co-op class today, birthday holiday or not. She is taking high school art this year. Later John, Holly and I will go see the new Sherwood Films movie Courageous. It opens today! I don't go to the theater often but this is one film I want to support. After the movie we'll have one of my favorite foods - Pizza!