Restored Power!

It was a long three months, but the light has triumphed over the darkness and we are enjoying full power and lighting in our home once again! Here are some valuable lessons we learned from this experience.....

• We are still better off than the pioneers! G was learning about pioneer life on the westward trail. What we learned at home was that a single or even several candles produce more shadows than light. We were thankful for our lamps, flashlights and other temporary lights that afforded us much more lighting than the pioneers enjoyed.
• It does save energy to turn off the lights! We saw a significant drop in electricity usage over the past few months.
• God is gracious! We had no idea just how dangerous our home was until all the wiring was replaced. We were protected from fire and loss. Ignorance is bliss and God is good!
• We want to be in the light! "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.....I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." (John 8:12;12:46 NIV)

Lighting (or lack thereof)

Some of you have asked if our ceiling lights are working yet. The answer is yes... and no. Upon returning home Friday, we were happy to find two working lights in the kitchen and one each in the dining room and living room. Well, that is the extent of the good news. Outside of those shared living spaces, the house is pretty dimly lit. However, my resourceful hubby resolved those issues. I took a few pictures and posted one here as words cannot accurately express his ingeniousness. I think interior decorators refer to it as the "Urban-Industrial" look!

Random thoughts on laughing and singing

More and more, I find pleasure in the small things. More and more, I am discovering my love to laugh. More and more, I freely and unashamedly practice this gift of expression. Here are some of the things that recently have made me laugh.....

One of the teachers that I work with hung signs in her classroom bearing the names of various continents. One afternoon, I commented to one of the kids that I was freezing cold. She simply pointed to the sign above my head and said, "You're in Antarctica!" Well, that explains it!

The thought of my 80-something year old grandfather sending me countless forwarded e-mails each week is enough to make me chuckle. But a few weeks ago, he sent one that was actually funny. Here are a few excerpt that made me laugh....

"When I got home last night, my wife demanded that I take her someplace expensive....so, I took her to a gas station. And then the fight started.... "

"I asked my wife, "Where do you want to go for our anniversary?" It warmed my heart to see her face melt in sweet appreciation. "Somewhere I haven't been in a long time!" she said. So I suggested, "How about the kitchen?"
And that's when the fight started...."

And my most favorite....

"A woman was standing, looking in the bedroom mirror. She was not happy with what she saw and said to her husband, 'I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly. I really need you to pay me a compliment.' The husband replies, 'Your eyesight's near perfect.'
And that's when the fight started...."

Sometimes, I laugh at things I shouldn't, like a timely retort from a smart-mouthed kid. It's funny, maybe not appropriate, but funny. I can appreciate his gift of wit.

Sometimes, I laugh at things I shouldn't, like a certain child singing her heart out: off-key, off-tempo, off melody, just off. It's funny, very funny. I can appreciate her exuberance and lack of self-consciousness.

I, too, love to sing and I love to listen to others sing. I had forgotten what a gift singing is until I lost it. Acid-reflux took it's toll on my vocal chords. There was significant damage and I struggled to control my pitch. I remember sitting in church one day thinking about how God had given me this wonderful gift, my voice, but I was too self-conscious to share it with others. So I had wasted it . I sat humbled and praying that God would give me another chance at using the gift He gave me for His purpose. I believe God healed my vocal chords. My voice has been restored and He makes me laugh, and sing, with joy.

Laughing is a gift. Singing is a gift. And Christ is the greatest gift of all.

A Whirl of Activity

For my many, faithful blog followers (he-he), here are some highlights since my last entry: A turned 6; G and I were out shopping at 4 am on Black Friday and snagged some great deals; our home wiring went bad beyond repair; we celebrated the birth of our Lord and Savior with many friends and family members; Jon returned to work; we said "See you again in three years" to some very dear friends; Lisa got a (paying) job; N played basketball; the kids started music lessons; N registered for middle school; we said a tearful good-bye to our wonderful golden retriever and we are anxiously awaiting rewiring to be completed on our home! Whew! The past few months have been a whirl of activity and events. And, through it all, we can testify to God's goodness!

With Thanksgiving

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."

Philippians 4:6 NLT

I just love this verse. It is such a great, yet simple, reminder for me. Often, I take it very literally. I write out my list of worries and needs and thank God for His provisions, both seen and unseen. I am a pro at worrying. When I was small, my mom used to call me "grandma" because I had so many worries for such a young girl. It comes very natural for me to worry.

Often, I need a reminder to share my concerns with my Lord. Somehow, I have it in my head that I can handle everything on my own and should only bother Him when I am at my breaking point. I don't know why I don't just go to Him with the first seed of doubt. It is so much better to simply allow Him to carry my burdens.

Lately, my list of worries seem to revolve around loss and finances. My dear grandmother recently passed away leaving a huge, gaping hole in my heart. My amazing, long-time friend and confident is packing up her family to head to Africa. My husband is unemployed. The list goes on if I allow it....

God knows my needs. He has been extremely faithful in fulfilling my needs even in the midst of my unfaithfulness. He is so good. I miss my grandma and I will miss my friend incredibly. And there is never enough money to go around for a young family. But God has been so good. He has offered new friends, opportunities and peace and asks only that I trust Him.

I am so thankful. My husband and I have not fallen into more debt, and just this week, I was offered a new job. I am meeting new friends and connecting with old friends in new ways. Our family is healthy and happy. We are surrounded by wonderful, godly people who lift us up in prayer and share their lives with us. We live in a time when Africa is just an email away. Don't you just love the Internet? We have a song in our heart and some of us are even on key! We have an abundance of food and more clothes and toys than we know what to do with. We enjoy a warm home on a very, very cold day. We lack nothing except perfection. And I am content.

Thank you, Lord, for your goodness to me and my family. Thank you for your abundant provision, your steadfast love, and your unlimited forgiveness. You are so good! You alone are worthy of my praise.

Friends

One of the things I am most thankful for is friends. God has surrounded my life with several special, amazing ladies. These friends, some newer, some long-time, some near, some far, have: sustained me in my sorrow, encouraged me with hope, listened with empathy, shared from their hearts, filled me with laughter, moved me to tears, tipped me off on great bargains, corrected my faults in love, crafted the night away, and lifted me up in prayer. Truly, what more could a girl want?

Today was one of the most fun days I have had in a while. One of my dear, near friends and I decided to so some stamping and card making. Well, I sorted through my craft supplies, loaded way too much of it into the mini-van, and headed out. I was late, as usual, but being the forgiving person that she is, all was well. We chatted, ate, drank our diet Pepsi's and laughed. Well, we never did get around to any paper crafting, but we did accomplish something! We played beauty shop! By the time I left, she had a gorgeous streak of fuchsia in her dark hair, and I had radiant blond highlights in mine! And, of course, we took plenty of pictures to commemorate the occasion! Hmm, I wonder what we will end up doing when we get together to scrap-book all of those pictures?!

To all my friends, old and new and yet to be, I love you!

Love

So, last night I was thinking about love, real love, sincere love, God's love. There was a time when I thought I knew what real love was. Then, I met my husband. For me, love was forever redefined. I can't give you an actual definition. My simple words cannot encompass all that I discovered to be true about love. Nor do I claim to completely understand the complexity of love. But, I am certain of this....after 14 years of marriage to an amazing man, after being known and understood and treasured still, and knowing the truth that God loves me even more than my wonderful man, I stand humbled and stunned in His love. And for a brief moment, I "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." (Ephesians 3:18 NIV) How about you? Who or what in your life has been used to reveal more about God's love to you?

Beginning

SAVVY HAPPY is home to encouraging and inspiring thoughts on everyday things like reading, crafting, conserving and believing, particularly as they relate to women and nurturing.

I will share my heart, my passions, with no apology. Thanks for keeping your comments C&K (clean and kind).

Have a blessed day!