Busy As A Bee

Today was one of those days that got away from me.  I went to the knitting class in the morning, and found out I had done my stitches wrong, so had to learn the correct way.  I was glad of that, though, as I was getting too tight on the rows and it was hard to get the needle in the loops.  So, now, it seems that the loops are indeed looser, and that makes it much easier to knit faster.

The group of ladies are very nice, and no pressure.  We even got to see the cutest little baby come in.  Five weeks old.  She was adorable and so tiny.  Two other ladies just started learning to knit, too, so it was a good group to be in.

Next I went to get gas, as I knew I might be on the road later, so I ended up waiting quite a while for the person in front of me to fill their tank.  I could have gone to the other side, but as busy as this gas station is, I didn't want to end up being in a worse mess, so I just waited.  The person in front of me was wondering why I didn't just go to the other side, but I knew this place, and obviously she was from out of town heading to the ski slopes, so I wasn't offended, just thought it was funny.

Then I headed into work, and Isolino and I talked a bit about his website, which is on the side of this blog, if you happen to want to visit it.  The name is "Inspirational Bible Verses".  It is all done with the pictures he's taken, with Bible verses put on them.  Your church can even use them if they wanted to.  Anyway, he is in the process of changing things, and deciding what he is going to do next with this site.  He is trying to make it easier for people to access the photos and download them.  He has put so much work into this site, and it is a blessing to read the verses he's chosen with the photos.  Talk about busy.   I don't know how he does it all.  Plus, he helps me quite a bit on this blog site.  All the additional things on this site, he's done to enhance this blog site.  What a worker.

Then I had to make a few phone calls, and get busy finishing the quarterly books, so they get turned in on time.  I was so happy that my first month was all adding up right, and that meant I got started on the second month, and entered that in.  Those of you who have done this, know what a process this is, and it can be very tedious and time consuming.  If you get interrupted a lot, that adds to the challenge.  Today wasn't too bad, as far as interruptions, and I was blessed, with how well it went.

Isolino waited patiently for me to finish up, and then we headed home to pick up Kaylee and head to Riverbank and finish up some business we had there.  Isolino treated us to a nice dinner, since we wouldn't have time to make anything when we got home, and it was already after 6 o'clock, so we definitely needed to eat.  We went to Red Robin, and had yummy hamburgers.  Well, Isolino and I did, Kaylee had original mac and cheese.  Must have been good, cause she ate it up.

Then we headed for home, and all the things waiting for us there.  I did dishes, emptied out the garbage, and then helped Kaylee finish her homework, which she had needed some help on.  I finally sat down to upload some photo's to Flickr and do this blog.  It is almost midnight.  The end of a busy day, and the start of a new one.  I share all this, because as busy as my day was, I am sure most of you, experience even busier days than this.  I want to encourage you to take a deep breath, and let it out, and then do it again, a few times, maybe, and then, look around you, and count your blessings.

Today I was blessed by a group of ladies sharing kindness together.  A husband who shared his interests with me.  A job that was going smoothly.  People who stopped by and blessed me.  A safe trip in very murky foggy weather.  A quick finish to a job needing to be done.  A fun meal with some of my family.  A safe trip home, and those who prayed for that safe trip home with prayer for angels to be with us and surrounding us in safety (thank you Jill and Pastor Dave, for the prayers).  A daughter who helped carry the garbage out to the outside can (thank you, Jolynn).  A daughter who went and did what she was supposed to do (thank you, Kaylee).  And a husband who is patient to the max (thank you, Isolino).  I am truly blessed.  I would love to hear how blessed you are today.  What wonderful things did you find to be thankful for?  I love to hear the stories that these blogs bring to your minds.  This is your site, too.  You are a part of the blessings that go on here.  Your comments and viewings make this more of what it is meant to be, a place of encouragement.

Trying to capture beauty is sometimes hard.  We want perfection, and strive for it, and when it doesn't happen, we feel like our lives are not as good as someone else's.

Today, I was trying my hand at knitting again.  I love it, but always feel my attempts are not as good as someone else's.  We can't compare ourselves against others.  Our gifts are different than theirs.  Our perspectives are uniquely our own.  So, why do we do it?

What makes us think theirs is more perfect than ours?  When we look at someone else, why do we think they are prettier, skinnier, taller (well, they may be, but then someone is probably taller than them, right?), shorter, fatter, funnier, smarter, gifted, talented, and so forth?  Why can we not be content to be who God made us to be.

I am realizing that as I look at people out there, there really is no normal.  There is no standard for beauty.  There is no set gift or talent that is more fantastic than the other.  Soon you will find someone who's gift outshines the next person's.  Voices? Art? Writing?  Ect.  In this day and age, we see that talent is being found faster than we can keep up.

Take a good look at yourself.  I had to.  I used to hate myself.  I always thought my sisters outshone me.  They are all beautiful and talented ladies.  So, when God told me to find something I liked about myself, it was hard to do.  I finally realized that I liked my eyes.  I thought I had pretty eyes.  I began there, and soon, I learned to love myself just the way I am.  I love myself more today than I did when I was young and skinny.  I know who I am much better today, and I realize that I am somebody worth loving.  I am someone who has something of worth to give out to others.  I am not limited by others perceptions of me.  I know I am a beloved child of God.  I love being a child of God.

Find your "eyes" my dear friends.  Find your beauty.  Find those things that make you uniquely "You".  God bless you tonight, and may your life be changed by realizing what a wonderful, unique, and beautiful person you are.