Opportunities or Obstacles

If you believe it will work out,
You'll see opportunities.

If you believe it won't,

You'll see obstacles.

~ Jon Alma

In Hebrews 12:1, 2, 3 The word tells us that we have been surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run. Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus...so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

The chapter speaks of how we are honored to be called sons. We will be put through hardships, have to endure, to consider this as discipline to make us stronger. If I raise my son and let him have everything he wanted at every moment, he would not learn the value in a dollar. If I let him do what ever he wanted, he would not know self control or the value of another person. He would not learn what we call "Life's lessons that make you stronger." If we do not walk through challenges in our lives, receive discipline, we are not taught or guided to become stronger. The Lord teaches us with life's challenges and discipline.

Hebrews 12:12,13 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and week knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Have you ever wondered if vs. 12 and 13 mean get up and stop being a stumbling block for those who are traveling the path too. I hear so much complaining and excuses used every day. Some times I wonder if we are what is in the way of ourselves?

Consider how many times this week you are choosing words that

1. Lead you forward

2. Help you stand still

3. Send you backwards

on your path to Jesus.

Do you see opportunities or obstacles?

Art Museum

A week ago tomorrow I took my son to the doctor for his physical. We were very lucky because outside the doctor’s office the Book Mobile arrived. We were the 1st ones aboard. I asked for a museum pass to the Art Museum. We were pleasantly surprised to find they had one. We had been trying at the main library for around 6 months to obtain one pass, but they were always all out. We were blessed to get the pass. It admits 4 people so our whole family could go.

We spent 5 hours walking, talking, and admiring art. The museum was recently redone and it was quite memorable. Unfortunately we did not know we could take out cameras with us, so the pictures you’ll see are borrowed.

My son was all about the knights in shining armor. He was sure he wanted to see Picasso’s work and when he saw it, he said, “I guess I’d like to see something I couldn’t paint myself.” My husband enjoyed the fine detail in paintings, especially if it dealt with architecture. I was all about the old masters and admired the work of Adolphe – William Bouguereau. He was a painter in 1825 – 1905. You probably know him from two pieces of his work “The Kiss” and The Nut Gatherers.” They are often reproduced for wall art or note cards. The best way to describe his work is he pays attention to the slightest details. Each and every detail is lovingly rendered. I am also fascinated by Egyptian artifacts.

When we were at the museum there was a man painting a portrait of a woman. We would go by and look every once and a while to see the progress. A lovely day in all!

Lumber Jack

My son's class and all the other students in his grade read and studied about lumberjacks. Everyone dressed up like lumberjacks on Friday, built eatable shanties, and ate lumberjack foods (pancakes, biscuits, etc...). How fun!

The symphony

My son had a wonderful opportunity to go with his class to hear the symphony perform. I won the parent lotto and was chosen to go with them. I loved it too! They had a program set up to teach the students in a fun way what each part of the orchestra was all about. They even had a guest conductor who led an 8 year old volunteer in conducting the orchestra. It was wonderful sharing this with my son!!!

Boys will be boys

The other day I was taking my son to our neighbors so I could go to work. As I was walking up the stairs I felt this thing hit the top of my head. I looked up and asked my son, who was leaning over the balcony, what hit my head. I felt my hair and realised it was wet. "Oh yuck! It's spit." He says, "Oh mom, I've always wanted to do that!" We cracked up laughing!

Today we were at the art museum and I reminded him there was no spitting off the balconies under any circumstances. It took all he had to not toss his gum wrapper off the balcony.

Inquisitive minds want to know...

What would you do with a million dollars?

Recently I got to thinking more and more about Oprah's show where she gives away a million dollars. I thought about what I would do if I had a million to give away.

The 1st thing that came to mind was to pay off the debts of each family member, including brothers, sisters, parents, spouse...and so on. Wouldn't that be amazing? Can you imagine how you would feel being 100% debt free, but to also give that gift to your family?

I think I'd set up some kind of fund with the church where we could feed the homeless. Our church currently has a wonderful program where we do feed the homeless once a month, but I'd like to do this daily and provide Bible study, counselors, basic need items, and so on. I'd call it "Feeding the Spirit".

I would like clean water systems to be available and given to villages in such places as Africa. A mission to feed their souls in Bible study while giving them clean water and call it "The Spring of Life."

I'd like to know my son's college was taken care of and that the future needs of his Aspergers health care were covered.

I'd like to write and illustrate a children's book about autism and donate to Aspergers/Autism foundations.

We'd like a house with a yard for a dog to run in and a place for flowers. There would be a big ole tree house for my son to play in with an adopted brother or sister. I'd like an art studio to paint and work on my photography. There would be a library/den just for my husband.

There are so many areas a person could give and give to. I guess these were just a few that ran across my mind.

What would you do with a million dollars?

Easter

I haven't placed any photos on the blog yet from Easter. Time escaped me too easily.

The Easter Bunny visited us at the Grandparent's home up north. The Easter Bunny brought a Webkinz dog that looked just like Buddy the dog, a dog that we used to walk. He also brought a magnet of Elvis, toy cars from the movie "Cars", candy, a giant chocolate bunny, bubble gum, a puzzle, and some other little toys. I can still remember my mom giving fun baskets and egg hunts with clues to the prizes. She always bought me the loveliest Easter dresses.

This was the 1st year our son had figured out who the Easter Bunny was. He was a great sport and still loved his Easter basket.

Today is April Fools Day. We all played jokes on each other and had a few good laughs. My son told my husband, "Oh No! Dad, I forgot to do my homework!" My husband fell for it. Hope you had a few laughs today!