Decorate Your Soul

I love to throw parties. I love to host people, I love to make yummy desserts and feed them to people I like. I am really good at making excuses to have girlfriends over. And that’s the truth (The ugly dark secret is I really have to have people over so that I can keep on top of the mess my house becomes in  between days of having friends visit). So, this past Friday, I invited some gals over for a five card workshop. Not a new idea in the land of stampers, but I stole this idea from my Stampin’ Up demonstrator and made it fit my own get-together-needs. That is, I created five cards and some of my (non-paper crafting) friends came over to copy them all and take home five of their own. It was so much fun, we decided that we’re doing it again this summer. Let me know if you want an invite

Here’s the cards we made:

And the hardworking ladies that were able to make it over — Becky and Veronica (l-r):

And Larissa, Katherine, Brittany and Jill.

I was there, too, but I always forget to hand over the camera. So, just trust me on this one.

-She does not like her car seat- not one little bit– unless, she is asleep of course. But that is a rare treat for us.

-She just started sleeping all night long, but does not care much for long naps during the day. Catnapping is okay with her. Not okay for mom.

-Her eyes are so blue, they almost look like they might have a purple hue. Beautiful.

-She still has my toes. Long and lean.

-She is stubbornly opposed to meals from the bottle. I just bought a new type of bottle, so I have renewed hope.

-She is showing signs of wanting to roll over. Which is pretty normal for 3-month-olds. As well as packing up the box of 0-3 month clothes. Sigh. For the last time.

A family member once left a comment here about me that included reference to shoes, Starbucks and scrapbooking. Admittedly, I am overly sensitive and felt that the reference arbitrarily summed up my interests (and me for that matter) in one sentence. I thought to myself, "How awfully shallow I am." Just so you know, I may talk about those three things more than I do others, but I assure you, I am trying to spend a larger amount of time discussing God.

I have had the opportunity to write for our MOMs newsletter recently, and it has been a growing experience. It’s funny how when you least expect it, God is ready to stretch and grow you out of your comfort zone. Here is a short article that appeared last month.

The Bigger Picture

By Susie Sincock

"Now I know only in part; then I will know fully." (1 Corinthians 13:12)

As my daughters and I were recently putting a small puzzle together, it occurred to me how much life is like a jigsaw puzzle – each event, each celebration, each question and trial represents just a small portion of the bigger picture- the one which God has planned out for our lives.

There is a time commitment involved when putting a jigsaw puzzle together- it is not likely you will complete a puzzle at a half-hour sitting- nor will you see the whole image instantly after finding places for just a few pieces to fit. Finding the right pieces to complete the puzzle involves patience, perseverance and many times, missteps.

Isn’t life the same way? God sees the big picture and while we work through the details of each piece- some pieces fit together signifying a larger portion of His plan in place. Meanwhile, other pieces need to be set aside until His direction takes us back to that area of our life to work out. It is those pieces on the side that we must have a willingness to allow God’s hand in so we can move forward in the right direction.

With a ready heart to let Him guide us in life, we will know the joy and fulfillment of trusting God to work out the details. Proverbs 16:9 says: “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” By allowing Him to place the details of our life together, the bigger picture of His plan will surface. It is only then that there will be less “me” forcing the odd appendages of the puzzle pieces to together and more Him working in our life.

………………

A bonus if you read all the way down her- last week, a writer for Newsweek magazine contacted me regarding a topic I previously posted. Apparently, he is writing a book about the real estate boom in America and was interested in the rise of HGTV and its effect on the interest in real estate. He happened upon my blog after a google search landed him here. So, on Wednesday afternoon, Little Ms. Susie Homemaker was interviewed by a nationally known magazine dude. I don’t know if he will include anything I said in his upcoming book, but I thought it was something kind of cool to share

The Good: My flip flops that were previously misplaced last summer have been found (Just two days ago!). Woohoo!

The Bad: They were exactly where I thought they might be for awhile- at the top of the ten foot closet where Andy places his shoes. Stinker. I could have worn them for the last seven months

The Good: We bought a new camera body yesterday.

The Bad: The Rebel died and wouldn’t even turn on for my first scheduled photo shoot on Saturday. Bummer.

The Good: I finally committed to hosting a card workshop and set a date

The Bad: I overlooked the fact that our church would be hosting a Veggie Tales movie and Family Fun Night on the same scheduled night. Oh bother.

The Good: Ashleigh, just over a month shy of her second birthday, is showing signs of wanting to use the toilet.

The Bad: Ashleigh, just over a month shy of her second birthday, is showing signs of wanting to use the toilet.

The Good: New Shoes arriving on your doorstep and being a perfect fit.

The Bad: There is no bad, silly

Happy Monday!

All Target needs is a produce department and I am going to pack up and move in and live there…

Andy thinks I already have.