Hide the Children and Bar the Door

What you are going to see, may make you fall back in disgust. Protect the children's young eyes and you, be prepared.

This picture is of me, no makeup, not even mascara-yikes! The naked face, age, blemishes and all.

But, can you tell which side I put the Artistry Creme Lux on? (I sure hope so.) :) Please see post below.

And I promise, this was only after 15 minutes! You can ask hubbie, if you think I'm lying. And he sure was anxious for me to do the other side, so my face wouldn't stick like this. teehee....

The next morning everything was fine. The creme felt like the tingle you get when you eat mint. After two days, my blotchy skin has evened out some and a couple of my sun spots-hey, I live in Florida-have faded a bit. Wow. So, the verdict is-it works. Thank you dear daughter. (Check out her site in the post below.)

"We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this; We want you to enjoy this tool Your joy will double our joy." 1 John 1:3-4

I found something neat in skin care, but this is even better. John saw and heard the proof of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of our heavenly Father. He gives us joy, so we want to share it too.

Oh, and to wash the bad taste out from the first picture, I'll leave you with a more pleasant one.

Do You Want Proof?

My daughter, Shelly, and husband talked me into trying a new product by their Artistry line of cosmetics and skin care. Artistry Creme LuXury just came out this year. (I already use the regular skin care and makeup.)

They've worn me down. HA, you believe that? Then....

Watch this video by Sandra Bullock.

I'm not impressed by movie stars...but.....

Here's my question: I ordered it, special discount from daughter...smile...do you want to see visible proof that it works? I DO not like to put my picture out in blog land, but will do it for them, and ya'll. Like the before and after thing.

So what'd ya say? (I'm told you can see a difference in just 15 minutes!!)

For further info check out this advertisement site for the creme.

"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord." Psalm 27:4

The Lord is the author of all beauty. I wonder if I will even be able to stand near the glory of His beauty, much less gaze?

 May I do what I can to take care of this body He gave me, to honor Him and not me.

The Monsta Chair

Hubbie and I went shopping last weekend for a new chair for him. His favorite, a grey leather recliner, is umpteen years old. The fabric is worn off on the arms and cracking elsewhere. In fact, the duct tape to cover the bare spots keeps coming off! Ha, duct tape looks like leather, right? And it cures all things. :)

Anyway, at the store, hubbie feel in love with this most comfortable recliner. It's microfiber and it cushions your arms and touche like a marshmallow. Sold.

But then when it was delivered, I couldn't help but laugh. I called hubbie and said our "monsta chair" is here. It literally swallowed me and the room at the same time. It took up the spot where I had my love seat! I kid you not!

Okay, it's going back. I went to a sister store and found the same chair in a normal person size.

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control." 2 Peter 1:5-6

Ah, self-control. These words were written by impulsive Peter, so I can relate well. Why didn't we measure the approximate space for the chair?

Do I give wisdom a chance to speak or lose my self-control? Ummmm, sometimes. How about you?

May the good Lord help me be wise.

Photo:karenevans

"Sticking Around"

Here's a bunch of palms growing wild in my yard. But look closely. "One of these things is not like the other." Can you see it?

Ha, here's a close up. I spotted this fallen stick in the palm. Being lazy I just left it there, knowing nature's wind would blow it out. But.....

A week later and and it's still there. A rather interesting thing is happening.

The plant appears to be accepting the stick as part of itself. Should I leave it and see what happens? If you look at the first picture, the stick is already changing the "personality" of the plant. It's bending to accommodate the stick.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

It's a natural thing for sticks of anger, bitterness, nagging, or even apathy...and so on to fall on me. But it's against God's creation for me to leave those sticks there. I've found that if they hang around too long, my personality changes.

Lord let the winds of Your Spirit blow out all the useless sticks from my life.

Photo:karenevans

Fingers Don't Fail Me Now

Toes curled gripping that plastic or rubber thingie and white knuckled fingers gripping the rope, she tried her best not to fall. She had to prove to family and herself (and anyone who cared to watch) that she could make it across.

She's almost there, pushing her little body and muscles to the limit.

Yay, she did it! (Of course as her Grammy, I knew she would.)
Question is, was all that effort worth it?

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Often I become tired in both body and mind. Is what I do worth the effort? Yes, because the Lord knows what we can handle, and what we can't, He can.

May I remember Lord, You give grace for the moment. I can get through the moment.

Photos:Melissa Evans

Pride, Where do You Show It? 9/11

Look, here's my grandfather's flag and my patriotic wall. It's inside the hallway by my front door.

All who enter my house walk by this and know exactly how I feel.

But to those outside, not close friends or family, don't ever see my wall. But today and every National Holiday, but especially today, 9/11, I add something outside.

This!

Doesn't she look more beautiful in the outside waving proudly?

"Here's another way to put it; You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand--shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 (Message-words of Jesus)

Do I keep my God-colors hidden inside, so only those who are close to me know how I feel about God? Or wait until special holidays?

Long may my colors openly wave for God and country!

Photos:karenevans

Look Ma!

" Look Ma, no hands!"

This little turtle is precariously teetering on the edge with an alligator swimming by. (See and enlarge picture in the below post.) It seems he's saying, "no body parts touching the water, I'm in no danger," all the while his Momma turtle yells at him to get his little hard-shell ashore.

"Ignore the Word and suffer; honor God's commands and grow rich." Proverbs 13:13

How many times do I tempt danger, thinking I can get out of anything that comes my way, when I know good and well God is telling me something different?

I want my hard-headed-shell to be ashore with God's word.

**Loved, loved the comments on my last post! They were all daaarling and funny, too!!

(I know this turtle wasn't in danger at Busch Gardens, but sure fit the story well, didn't it?)

photo:karenevans

Caption Me!

Please be sure to click and enlarge this first picture!!

Give me a caption! Then check back Thursday to see my caption. You might think of the same thing. :)

"God's love is meteroic, his loyalty astronomic, his purpose titanic, yet in his largeness nothing gets lost; not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks." Psalm 36:5-6 (Message)

Wonder if God laughs at these antics. I think He enjoys our silliness.

Have fun, be wild!

Photos: karenevans taken at Busch Gardens

Meet My Three Granddogs

This is Cinnamon. She's a Shar-pei, Boxer mix. The oldest of the dog pack and the alpha dog. She's most obedient and sweet.

On the left is Zoe. She's a cute little Lab. And next to her is Rocco. He's her son, a Lab, Rottweiler mix. Yes, her son. These are rescue dogs.


Zoe, is mellow. Rocco is a fun-loving, instigator. They are all family and love each other.

BUT

When they are all together outside, it's "fun fighting" that will sometimes get out of hand depending on their mood.

Isn't that just the way with family? You love them, but sometimes it's harder to be nice to family than friends. Is it because I want my way, or I expect them to be perfect?

"Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another." 1 Thessalonians 4:9

Boy, do I forget that sometimes. Everyone should live up to my expectations, right? But what about God's expectations of me?

May I exhibit on the outside with others, what is inside with God.

Oh, just one more bitty picture of Major as a puppy wanting to be a big dog like Rocco.

Photos:karenevans