I'm here!

I haven't been here in awhile and I know my plan was to use this while I was away, but things haven't gone exactly according to plan. I am doing very well and hope you all are too!


Random thoughts today:

I just love people. Did you ever just take time and listen to people's stories? Everyone has one. I met a man yesterday in the waiting room of the health clinic who had a 5-year-old and 1 month-old at home and was off work from disability because he was hit by a drunk driver--who was on her 5th DUI (mind you she was on her way home from dropping her son off at school). At the same clinic I met an adorable little 7-year-old named Zachary who had just gotten vaccinated for Chicken Pox and told me he "screamed his head off in there." This morning at Starbucks the man in front of me turned and said, "Is her voice piercing to you? Maybe I just need caffeine" (talking about the cashier). Later after talking awhile, I learned that his father used to golf in my hometown and he has two teenage sons at home with severe autism. It is amazing to listen to people's struggles and stories. On a flight 2 summers ago, I sat by a young guy named Kyle (who may have been attractive) and we started talking and ended up watching laguna beach on my ipod :) I learned through chatting with him that he was from Phoenix and was flying to see his dad in Pittsburgh who he hadn't seen for years. He was very nervous and actually when we got to baggage claim I saw him reunite with his dad and while he was hugging him we met eyes and he smiled at me (it was pretty cool to be part of that). Try just listening sometime. Next time your on a flight, sit by a stranger. When your checking out at Walmart, spark conversation with the cashier (unless of course your in the self checkout or there is a line forming behind you). Just listen to people. It isn't hard and makes you both feel good. Oh, and smile too :) You only go around one time, why not make it good for you and everyone who encounters you.

Hello All!

I know I know, I've been gone for a long time! A lot has happened! I am happily settled into my new spot for the summer and just got a sweet nephew on June 5th (his grandma, my mom's b-day) 

Billy Eugene Butler IV came almost exactly one month early. His father is in Korea with the Air Force and had plans to be here a few weeks before the due date, but baby Billy apparently had plans of his own :) My amazing sister did so well (considering the circumstances). Dad, Mom and I had to meet up halfway and drove the longest 6 hours ever to get to Hannah! We arrived at 1:15 am and the baby was born at 12:54, so we had just missed him!!! HE IS THE CUTEST!

I think he came early to keep his mama company while they wait for daddy to get home :)

Am I right or am I right? Look at those lips!

So, if you can't tell I'm smitten. I didn't know I could love another baby as much as my niece Ingrid,  but it turns out the love continues and grows! Now once the two of them meet my heart is liable to explode!!!!

Anyway, I wanted to share my sweet blessing with all of you. Hope this post finds you all well! I'm off camping tomorrow until Sunday (let's hope they have showers).

Love to all! Happy Summer!

BACK TO THE BLOG!

Ok so I completely went MIA againa and never posted that sweet picture of baby Ella, but there will be more to come on the photos and I'll be sure to include one of her!

I leave Friday for my journey to Quakertown where I'll stay for the summer and I'm feeling both nervous and excited. I am anxious to see how this summer will go!

Stay with me and hear of my journeys throughout the summer and my additions to my Etsy shop!

up up and AWAY!

Sorry I've been MIA  for a few days!

I am currently away from home, babysitting for some friends. Relaxing in the sunshine with a sweet little baby is quite a tough job! I'll post some pics as soon as she wakes up from her nap :)

Turning 97

Easter weekend I had the privilege of being among so many good friends and a lot of our wonderful male and female ministers. We had a wonderful time together and gained a lot of spiritual and physical nourishment.

Murhl just so happened to be celebrating his 97th birthday and we sang and had cake after Easter lunch.
He is almost completely blind and was probably only able to make out the flickering light of the candles and the shape of the cake, but the joy on his face when we began singing was so worth it!

Murhl stood up and spoke to us on Sunday and watching him stand there with no sight and no Bible in hand was a very encouraging and emotional moment for me. You could just see God's work pouring out of him with every word. In fact, I was so taken back by him that I forgot to write his messages down in my notebook.

I desire to have that same kind of faith and drive to serve our God when I'm coming to the evening stages of my life.

I pray that when my life is coming to an end, I will know what matters in this life--to be a servant of God and to live only for Him. Nothing else matters really.

We sang Hymn #117 from our Hymn books and the words spoke to me so much and made me an emotional wreck really (I couldn't even get the words out).

1st verse:

In the distant land of famine, craving with the swine to feed
Oh! how bitter that awak 'ning to my sin and shame and need
Dark and dreary all around me--Now no more by sin beguiled
I will go and seek my Father, Be a bondsman, not a child

Chorus:

But within His home he led me, Brought me where the feast was spread,
Made me eat with Him, my Father--Me, who begged for bondsman's bread.

2nd verse:

Yet a great off way He saw me, ran to kiss me as I came
As I was, my Father loved me, Loved me in my sin and shame
Then in bitter grieft I told Him of the evil I had done
Sinned in scorn of Him, my Father, Was not meet to be His Son.

Chorus

Last Verse:

But I knew not if He listened, For He spake not of my sin
He within His house would have me, Made me meet to enter in
From the riches of His glory Brought His costliest raiment forth
Brought the ring that sealed His purpose, Shoes to walk within His courts.

It is hard for me to comprehend the deep love that God and His son have for their people. Being human, I can't understand how we can be forgiven for some of the things we do in this world, but we can. God's people are promised forgiveness if we want it. I can't sing this hymn without getting emotional.

My picture for this hymn: A man comes to Jesus weak and weary, at the end of his life. He is sobbing and telling Jesus of all the sins he committed in his time in this world. Jesus wipes his tears, and welcomes him into his Kingdom where a feast is laid out and a place is set at the table for the man. The man says, "I don't think you heard me--I have so much sin." Jesus says nothing but shows the man to his seat with a smile.

New listings on Etsy--I'm having so much fun with this!

These sweet little onesies are my newest additions to my Etsy shop (that sounds good to say...MY etsy shop) Anyhoo, how cute are they? I love how they turned out. They look a little old and worn eventhough they are brand new--very cool. Check em' out at my shop!

Selling on Etsy :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/73072556/cute-flirty-fabric-bangles?ref=sr_gallery_7&ga_search_query=bangle&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

I officially have a shop on Etsy--YAY!

I only have my bracelets on there for now, but as soon as school ends and I get my crafty juices flowing I hope to crank out a lot more fun goods!

CHECK IT OUT :)