Hello May
Each year since I hit my 40s, I talk about how fast time flies. Here it is, May of 2025. We’re nearly halfway through the year! It doesn’t help that today, my baby boy turns 30 this month. What a ride it’s been to get to this point in life where my babies are 38, 34 and 30. But instead of looking back and missing the years when they were kids, I’m so incredibly thankful to be able to spend their adulthood with them. They’re babies for a short period but, by the grace of God, they have many more years as adults. It’s a joy to see the men they’ve each become in life. Especially this guy. Like his brothers he has a wicked sense of humor. He’s kind and generous to his family and friends. He makes me laugh. He’s a mix of me and his step-dad. For the record I’m not a fan of that title for my husband. The guys don’t refer to him as that either. They always refer to us as their parents. J has been part of this kid’s life for 22 of his 30 years. They’re like 2 peas in a pod. This kiddo is also my mini-me. It’s scary how much we look alike as kids. You can see it in the first two images.
Even though time is flying by, as usual, we’re thriving. There is a peace over our home that I’m thankful for each day. God is opening doors and bringing me back to things with a new heart, new mindset and a lot of hope in things to come. Each day, I embrace the joy in my life because each day there are trials I face. A dear friend is still hospitalized. Loved ones are struggling in various areas of their own lives and well, the world is a poo show right now…
BUT GOD…
God sustains, provides, guides, corrects and remains faithful through it all and through it all joy comes from the Lord.
EMBRACE JOY!
I know it’s hard if you’re walking through one of life’s many storms. It was hard for me too, at first. Each day I wake up and tell myself, “Joy comes from the Lord. There’s joy in the fact that He’s given me a new day. Joy in the fact that no matter WHAT happens, the Lord has it all under control.” I know this because I walk into each day with faith.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
Living in the joy is also easier when you’ve developed a solid Bible reading habit and prayer life. Developing these two habits two years ago dramatically changed my walk with Jesus. Reminder: I’m semi retired, so I have many hours to put into not only reading my Bible, but also studying the Word in depth. But I believe that if your heart is willing to do these things, the Lord will make a way for you to do it. God rejoices when we seek Him and seek to know Him better.
Mold I purchased on Amazon for my concrete mandalas, paper-weights, “painted rocks.”
I’ve been “Jonesing” to do some crafting and with the weather being warmer, I’m ready to start pouring concrete into my molds and make some cool items. Today, was supposed to be that day but other things took priority. So I’ll move the SUV out of the garage and get things set-up to pour tomorrow. They need to dry for several days and the weather forecast is calling for rain in a few days.
There are a couple molds I purchased to make clay ornaments. That didn’t go the way I wanted it because the molds are pretty intricate in areas. Since they’re collecting dust, I’m going to pour concrete in them as well and pray for a good outcome. My concerns with this are the weight of each ornament as well as the intricate details. Will the weight be too much to hang on a tree? Will the details survive better than with clay? The only way to find out is to pour away and see how things develop. It would be so awesome if the Christmas ornaments worked out well because I can pour all summer and then paint in the fall to sell or gift in November and December this year.
Lots to do. Lots in the works. Lots to be joyful about each and every day.
Happy May!
Nim
