Pearls, pearls and pearls

On a float trip we found this old milk can just under the water.  My superhero husband reached down and pulled it up out of the water and put it in the canoe.  Remember we live on the river.  So we paddled up to our landing and unloaded my treasure.  I knew just where I would put it.   I think it looks good.  Everytime I look at it, I think of the story it could tell of how it got there and even how it likes being proudly displayed in my little garden spot!  A grain of sand to some, a pearl to me.

Another pearl, my marriage. 

Christmas morning, I told my husband, it's never too late to start over. 

We talked about where we were, how things were going. 

We talked about what we both would like. 

We both gave a little, to make huge changes.  

We assured each other we wanted it to work. 

Talking openly, we explained what expectations and dissappointments we had. 

We prayed together for our marriage.

Then,

because all the pieces were on the table,

with the help of God,

we began to turn the puzzle into a new and beautiful picture. 

Well, maybe it was another grain of sand turned into  pearl! 

Because, we just celebrated 7 years,

I love him more today than ever,

 I can't wait to get home to see him every day.  

Christmas is about second chances,

starting over a new life in Christ, grace and mercy. 

What a special Christmas!

Miranda will never run around and play, she can't. 

But, she has inspired us to pray then do something.

Her story hangs on the wall in her sewing room at church.

Over the last year- we have done much. 

We have people who wanted to do something

but never got involved.  They just didn't know what to do

or how to get involved. 

Now, we pray for needs and ask God to help people,

then,

we do something to help them. 

We are His hands and feet after all!

What have we done?

Provided fellowship for ladies who were lonely,

using their talents to sew, crochet, cook and cross stitch.

Made blankets for missions in Mexico,

Made a quilt for a lady who lost her mother,

Served meals at a local mission,

knitted hats for Newborns in need,

organized womens fellowships and secret sisters

moved a lady from a condemned home to

a beautiful assisted living apartment

and furnished it

raised money to reduce our church debt

cooked for VBS...

While we have done little for precious Miranda,

She has done much for others and most of all,

for me, I'd like to think

the grain of sand I once was,

praying and waiting for God to do it all,

now, I pray, then I do!

Not a perfect pearl by any means,

but welcoming God

to layer mercy and grace on me

all He wants.