Words to Live By: "I CHOOSE"

No picture this time, just some very inspirational words shared by my friend Donna.
Last Sunday I wasn't feeling very well, but decided that I really should go to choir practice which is scheduled 1 hour before church starts. I got there late at 9:10, the same time the choir director arrived. We practiced two hymns for 10 minutes then at 9:20 he called on a choir member to offer a closing prayer. Many of us were stunned but no one really said anything---our faces however, spoke volumes. What were we supposed to do for 40 minutes until church started? My attitude was obviously dripping with frustration and criticizm when I commented to my friend Donna that I wasn't going to make the effort to come early to choir any more. She had arrived 5 minutes after I did! That's when she gently taught me this lesson. She said, "I'll tell you the way I prefer to look at it Diane. I decided a long time ago that I get to choose to be happy in spite of circumstances around me. For instance, at first I was disappointed that I only got to sing with the choir for 5 minutes but then I realized I could be happy that the early release had just afforded me the opportunity to visit with my friend Diane, whom I rarely get to talk to. " She shared this insight with me in a loving, teaching way, not a judgemental one. I used her words many times this past week. I reminded myself almost every day on my way to the high school that I had the opportunity to choose how I would respond to any unpleasant circumstances that might arise. It Made a Huge Difference in my week! Thanks Donna. You are my inspiration!

I Can't Believe It's Been 9 Years Since the Turn of the Century!

Where has the time gone? It seems like only a couple of years ago we were worrying and wondering about what would happen with computers all over the world when the calendar clicked over to 2000! When I look at how our family has grown, and is growing (Aubrey is expecting #4 in June!) it seems like the year 2000 was a lifetime ago! Here's hoping we all have a healthy and even prosperous New Year! (Definition of prosperous: enough to meet our needs) Aubrey this picture is for you. I told you about this funky fabric....enlarge the picture so you can get a better idea and then let me know if you want one for Emmie or if this one for Rachel is too over the top. You will need to put a long sleeved top of another funky color underneith it. It really does look better in real life but you get the idea.