Here's a prayer for those times when you have no idea how to pray.     This past week held some events that troubled my heart greatly.  This one brought me to tears. The neighbor children which God placed right smack in front of us to love and care for... moved.  What a change!  No longer are we interrupted by their taps on our door multiple times a day.  Sure, I'll get more work done now, but the thing is, I don't want to get more work done, I want to make a difference in two kids' lives.  To make things worse... we have no idea where they have moved.  Their mentally ill parent … [Read more...]

  The concept of REST and TRUST and WAITING are counter-cultural to our nonstop lives where HUSTLE is king. How would your life look different if you defied common convention?     Nearly a month ago I had an appointment with my homeopath where my current state of health was the topic of conversation.  I'm grateful that she is a spirit-filled believer and so when she speaks, I listen.  She said something that set me back in my seat. "Diane, you need to rest or you will miss something big God has planned for you." Those words slapped me in the face.  Hard.  I don't want to miss out on God's … [Read more...]

  We wield incredible power with our words. Do we speak life or death into the lives we touch?     Have you ever been in someone's home and watched as a parent or sibling spoke a few choice words and you observed a physical change in the individual to whom those words were spoken? I intentionally used the term, "a few choice words." When you read that statement you most likely thought I was referring to unkind, demeaning, or hurtful words.  But, actually, "choice words" simply means words of one's own choosing.  And really don't we all choose our words when we speak? Some of my … [Read more...]

  Do you live in fear? You can stand and face your fear square on with these tips.   When there's a catastrophic event or a tragedy like the horrific school shooting in Florida many of us find fear paralyzes us. Events like this cause parents to hold on tightly to their kids. Students and adults alike are worried about the future and about potential violence entering their smaller worlds, like schools. And this event is just one of many gone awry in our world.   Jesus said in the midst of very tumultuous and troubling times... not entirely unlike … [Read more...]

    “We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private: and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship.” --C.S. Lewis,  The Weight of Glory Recently I have been struggling with getting a decent night's sleep. Usually, I get up early, make breakfast, make the bed,  and see Tim off to work. After getting just a few hours of sleep, he encouraged me to stay in bed and attempt to get a little more shut-eye.  Fortunately, I don't usually have a firm early work schedule or appointments. Somedays I managed to sleep... other days I just lay there in the quiet.  … [Read more...]

  It is just as the Scriptures say, “What God has planned     for people who love him is more than eyes have seen     or ears have heard. It has never even     entered our minds!” 1 Corinthians 2:9     If you're thinking... JoyDay! on Saturday? ...I totally get it!! First... I need to come clean with you. Since Christmas, I've been struggling physically.  I won't say what because I refuse to own it... but I've had too many sleepless nights and have just plain struggled to have enough energy to get through the day.  Essentially, things have gotten way behind.  Photo shoots … [Read more...]

  God generously pours blessing after blessing into your life.     Have you ever thought about those blessings in a spatial kind of way? Maybe that seems a bit weird to you, but what if those blessings were actual objects you could hold in your hand?  For visualization purposes, let's imagine that these blessings were in the form of a very soft putty, kind of like the slime you make with your kids.  Imagine some of them so small that dozens would fill the palm of your hand and other blessings so large you need help moving them. You are grateful for every blessing... large and … [Read more...]

  Do some days feel as if you're barely surviving? Discover how to do one thing to thrive in life...     Can you believe we're already into the second month of the New Year?  Me either. I had great plans for January.  Actually, I had great plans for ME in January. However, my great plans didn't exactly start off the way I intended. Did you begin the new year with great expectations and new resolutions that you just KNEW you were going to achieve THIS year and now just a month in, you find yourself struggling? It's okay. Seriously.  It's okay. Let go of the guilt. If you … [Read more...]

  Remember that last time you were feeling overwhelmed? Here is a way to help you out of that spot.  PLUS... a free scripture art print to download.     There's no doubt you can identify with me... Earlier this week I had a task looming before me that I absolutely was not looking forward to doing. My stress level was creeping up and up by the hour. Feeling overwhelmed, I decided to ask a few of my friends to pray. They did. And the next day that seemingly gargantuan task was accomplished fairly easily. How many times do you live in dread, for whatever reason, keeping … [Read more...]

  In order to navigate through life, this thing called faith is a necessity. Why is it that something so necessary seems so complicated?     Faith.   It's a complicated word. For some...it has great spiritual meaning. For others...it's a bit nebulous.   A long time ago, when one of the girls from my youth group got married, I created some counted cross stitch art for her as a wedding gift.  I stitched these words from Hebrews 11:1... Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  Why in the world was I so enamored with this verse … [Read more...]

  We might describe a sunset as magical, but there is something much greater, more life-changing, taking place at that moment for us to embrace with every fiber of our being.      From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,     the name of the Lord is to be praised. Psalm 113:3 During the winter months, I can see the sun rise and set from my south-facing bedroom window.  Through the barren trees silhouetted by glorious shades of gold, orange, and deep pink, I am transported for a few moments to another time and space.  My heart enthralled in the majesty of the moment … [Read more...]

  Choosing a Word of the Year can set the stage for an incredible New Year.  Although my word might surprise you, I'm excited about its potential to make my year amazing.   Several years ago, a young friend, whom Tim had been mentoring for several years, won four tickets to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert.  As a huge fan of TSO and all things audiovisual, it was the ultimate win for him.  It ended up being a win for us as well, as he invited us to be his guests that night.     If you've ever had the privilege of attending a TSO concert, you know that they put on quite … [Read more...]

  When it comes to Christmas gifts... this one is the best gift ever.     Several weeks ago, before I became swamped with the "to do's" on my to-do list, I mentioned to my neighbor kids that we could have an ornament making party.  The calendar filled up and the days quickly passed.  My little friends asked about it and I told them we would have our little party on the Saturday before Christmas.  That way they would have fun ornaments on their tree and gifts for their parents.  But then, their dad decided that he wanted to leave on their trip before Christmas not after, so they would … [Read more...]

  The other day as I was driving home from the workshop my phone dinged.  It was a notification from one of my partners in crime, er work.  Since I don't text and drive, I pulled off the road to read her message and reply.  There wasn't anything unusual or special about that text, but as I got back into the lane again I thought, "I love my life!" Yup.  You read that right.  "I love my life!"     If you've been a long time reader or friend, you know that my world was rocked hard and I've spent the last eight years walking through the rubble while trying to find a new … [Read more...]

  Has all the craziness of life sent you looking for peace? It's here.  Contentment and peace are waiting for you.     The sunsets have been stupendous lately not that I've actually seen them. What I have seen of that early setting sun is its blinding reflection bouncing off windows of the downtown condos with screaming shades of deep rich orange and the most brilliant pinks I have ever seen.   Swimming in orders to be filled, I only get a glimpse while standing at my worktable in our busy upstairs workshop. Night after night I missed the sunset... until this day. This day we were … [Read more...]

  "There is always Hope." One of my friends posted a beautiful graphic she created with those words on Instagram. Immediately my mind went to these words from scripture... And Hope does not disappoint. Romans 5:5 People disappoint... but God never does.     I'm not saying that God gives me everything I ask for.  No, far from it. We had moved to a new state and my husband was working for a new church that was quite large.  After several months, I wanted to restart my home decor business, so I sent invitations to my new friends at church and those that were on my … [Read more...]

  Need a coffee table but don't have one? This DIY modern farmhouse tray is a cheap and easy solution with style.   In my home, I'm the beneficiary of a nightly ritual that will make most wives jealous...     My husband prepares a cup of cocoa or chai for me every evening before bedtime. He's been doing this for most of our married life and I love it.  It's a very special way to end the evening. Since we've been living in this postage stamp of an apartment my choice is to sit at the table or on my little loveseat.  Usually, I choose the loveseat.  But, it's risky for … [Read more...]