Elizabeth Dianne: October 2014

Friday, October 31, 2014

Clap Your Hands

I love the scripture below. At this time of year with the trees all scarlet, burnished copper, cinnamon and orange, rustling in the late year winds, I can hear the applause. I sense that all nature is bowing down before our awesome, bountiful God.

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

The Last Smiles of a Late Dying Summer

It's kinda weird since we had such a mild summer this year, but it is hanging on for dear life.

We have had very few days with a fall crispness in the air--today was 87 degrees and it is 80 right at the moment--almost 7 in the evening.

We still have hydrangeas trying to bloom with the emphasis on "trying." But up until a couple of weeks ago, I was cutting bouquets like the one above.

I found the pitcher at an antique store/flea market this summer for $10. I don't know much about pottery but thought it was a good buy and I love the looks of it.

The scarf is a gift from an artsy friend of mine--she had a one-woman batik showing some years ago in Ohio--she is an artist in every sense of the word and was the first person to make me think that I might be able to learn watercolor one day.

She used real fall leaves as the pattern for this scarf--love it and love her.

Hope your week is off to a great start. Don't forget to count your blessings--I had a Bible teacher many, many years ago who encouraged us to keep a blessing board. I encourage you to do the same.

Count your blessings--go ahead, name them one by one!

Pictures edited in Lightroom

Used Kim Klassen's Print Module Triptech

Thursday, October 23, 2014

What I Wish I Had Known..............

A repost from past pages--

Recently, I received an email from my daughter-in-law in anticipation of their first daughter's sixteenth birthday on September 14th. It read:

"I had an idea to create a book for Katelyn with the topic being: “What I wish I had known at 16.” I only have so much to say, but thought it would be great to get wisdom from other ladies who have been a part of her life."

What follows is written to my granddaughter, Katelyn, on the event of her sixteenth birthday.

I wish I had known:

*That grandmothers aren't really old-fogeys--I wish I had known that their hearts feel like they are sixteen forever.

*The difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge and the wisdom to use it in a timely manner.

*How important it is to keep a log of my life.

Corrie Ten Boom says, "Memories are not the key to the past but to the future." I would have journaled so much more.

*That gossip is anything (whether true or untrue) about a person that could bring them unhappiness, a pain in the heart, a feeling of rejection.

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to a man's inmost parts. Proverbs 18:8

*It is important and wise to say good things at the proper time

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 25:11

*That an unjust word spoken about me or those close to me is like a darting swallow, seldom finding a place to rest.

Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. Proverbs 26:2

If you have never watched a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, make it a point to and this proverb will come alive for you.

*That everything that happens to me will work out for my good and God's glory, if I am following God's precepts.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

It is our responsibility to know what it means to love God and to act upon that knowledge with wisdom from above. The Bible says if we love God, we will follow His commandments.

*And that even when I am not following His precepts, He can change ashes to beauty in the twinkling of an eye when I exhibit true repentance.

Yes, there are consequences to pay for my actions, but true restoration awaits those with a repentant heart.

*How important it is to follow His precepts in every thought, every word, every action of my life.

*How important it is to allow only wholesome reading, listening and viewing material into my heart, my mind, my spirit.

*The joy of spending quality daily time alone with this great God of our Universe.

*That it is okay to be me; to walk, to dance to the beat of a different drummer.

*That just because I am the only one standing up for a cause doesn't mean that cause is wrong.

And if you think one can't make a difference, take a look at this incredible photograph by Anita Robertson.

*That a gentle answer turns away wrath

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

*That mercy triumphs over judgment

.........and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! James 2:12

My dear precious Katelyn,

We are so proud of you on so many levels; for your dedication to your education, your passion for God and missions, the way you stand up for what you think is right--your courage.

All of these are gifts that God has given you and you are choosing to use them in the right way.

But keep humility uppermost in mind, knowing that except for the grace and mercy of God any of us can make a wrong choice at any given moment.

That is why it is imperative to stay in God's Word, to seek Him daily and to acknowledge our total helplessness apart from Him.

This is but the tip of the iceberg of the things I wish I had known.

Always remember that God's mercies begin afresh every morning and ours should also.

When we can do this, we will have become a little more like our Savior and that should be our goal.

Happy 16th birthday. I can hardly believe these years have passed this fast.

All my love,
Mimi
September 14, 2010

P.S. We need to have another photography session and SOON!

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

When the Page is Bare...........

'I have nothing to say. I want to write but the words will not come. I will just put my pencil to this paper or my fingertip to the keyboard, my mind is blank as is the page. I am beginning to fully understand writer's block."

Some years ago when I was teaching creative writing and my students would complain that they had absolutely nothing to write about, no ideas would come, they felt totally helpless as far as writing was concerned.........

I would tell them just to START writing--just put your pencil to the paper and write anything even if they felt like it was the dumbest thing in the world--

In the first sentence in this post, I tried to follow my own advice and do exactly what I told them to do--and yes I am beginning to see "how weird they thought I was at the time."

The name of my blog is Elizabeth Dianne-The Pages of My Life--

The pages of my life are full right now--it is not empty--but getting anything down on paper for the past few months has been a struggle. And I LOVE to write.

So until the writing comes easier I will just fill you in on a few details--

Our daughter-in-law, Traci, had surgery on Monday of this week and is doing beautifully--will get to go home today. Her faith during this entire process of months of chemo and now surgery has continued to bloom, to bring glory to Christ, and to help sustain all the rest of us. It has been glorious to watch.

Back in the early spring, I was having some real health challenges with my back--God has strengthened me and I am almost back to my "old normal." I give Him all the praise and glory for that.

I am painting a lot more these days than I did for a while and that is a real blessing and source of joy for me.

One of the biggest thrills of my life lately came last week when we were in Tulsa visiting one of our sons and his family--my youngest grandson, 22 months, called me by name for the first time. What a sweet, sweet sound and he said it over and over and over. Even my husband (as jealous as he was--smile) said so. If he said my name once, he said it a hundred times. Thrilled my soul--

Hope your Wednesday is full of the knowledge of God and His blessings to us each day. What a wonderful Father He is to us.

All my love,
Dianne

Psalm 28:7