There's no title. Just look what I made!

So this is a milestone, for many reasons. This is the first project that I successfully completed, from beginning to end, in one week. Never mind the fact I've had this piece for years with full intentions of redoing it. When the hyper-focus and motivation kicked in we got it done. We bought all the paint and supplies last week and this week its done. Spring Break '14 was a success! This is also the first project that my husband and I have done TOGETHER that we didn't argue over something. We agreed on color schemes and design and worked so well together. See, we have a very Lucy/Ricky relationship. Except T doesn't have a Cuban accent so it's not near as cute when he gets on to me. But in every way I'm like Lucille Ball. There have even been actual life events where I've stuffed chocolate in my mouth and down my bra. I digress. 

This was a laminate particle board computer desk. I bought it from a friend for $30 to use as my craft desk. This is where the magic happens, folks. This old piece has seen many a hair bow and heard several hot glue-gun induced cuss words. With the help and motivation of two talented, (and selfless) gals from my LifePack, we got inspired to do this piece and an entertainment center revamp (coming in a few days). I can now sit and piddle at my craft desk and be inspired. Inspired that if I really concentrate and focus on something, I really can do it. And T and I have found that we really enjoy refinishing furniture together. Who knew? 

Peace, Love and DIY 

Too much to handle alone...

So many times people unknowingly use the phrase "God won't give you more than you can handle" in a way they think would be encouraging. In fact, this isn't true at all. There are many challenges in life that are, in fact, too much for us to handle. That is, too much for us to handle ALONE. We face so many obstacles in this human life on earth. The financial stresses of losing a bread-winning job, the betrayal of a friendship, the loss of a child, mental struggles of anxiety and depression, the pain of seeing a loved one fight cancer, a marriage ruined by infidelity, and I could go on and on for days. All of these things would be insurmountable without the help of God's grace. This has been on my heart for a few weeks and I was given a wonderful illustration today. 

My husband was unloading our car with groceries and I was inside starting to put them away. I heard some noise on the back porch along with the sound of grocery bags dragging the ground. I came outside to find AK with FOUR grocery bags on each arm. Now, AK is a mere 49 pounds. She had almost that much weight in those eight bags. "I told him I could do it!" she said to me as she stumbled through the back door spilling our hard earned groceries. The bags had been scraped on the sidewalk, she had hurt her tiny fingers as the plastic wrapped around them, and I'm sure I lost an apple along the way. My hubs, T called from the driveway, "I told her I would get them! She can't carry that many!" And then BAM. Jesus.

How many times do we take on all of our troubles and worries and say, "God, I've got it! I can handle this!" 

He is our Daddy, and He's telling us, "No. This is why I'm here. Cast all your worries upon me. I'm the one that can handle it."

We put ourselves through the worry, the pain, the guilt of sin that He never meant for us to carry alone. He's standing there, with arms wide open, waiting for us to give it all to Him. And all we do is fight, saying "I've got it!"

We were never meant to go at it alone. He is always there. Waiting for us.

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7 NKJV