ONCE UPON A TIME.....

I thought "Once Upon A Time," was a good title for this fairytale picture! Who is the young couple? This is a picture of Clint and I headed off to the prom in 1979, I believe! That's the year I graduated. We never went to any of my proms, so it was a Centreville High School event, I'm sure. This dress is one of my all-time favorites. It was a voile fabric with rosebud clusters in the print, very sheer and airy. I loved the sleeves and collar. Two years ago I made a reproduction dress of the same basic pattern (the dress in the picture was purchased) and posted pictures of it on this blog. I love, love, love the style! and love how the flowering bushes in this picture mirror the dress fabric. I don't like my hairstyle, though. Too tightly pulled back. We were only about 18 then. My how time changes things!

In response to a comment on the last blog, I'll explain a few details. Clint and I are doing some traveling/speaking engagements since resigning our pastorate of 18 years last month. So far, we've spoken in three different churches and are going to a church in northern Indiana next week. In addition to that, the pressed flower pictures and tatting I posted recently are a hobby of mine that is now helping to supplement a little here and there, bringing in a little extra cash!

There was a question about my job as well. I am currently working at the public library in our old hometown--12 miles from our house. I wanted this job for years!When the kids were growing up and we were in the library every other day or so, I thought, "someday I'd like to be a library clerk in this library." The same week our resignation was final I was hired! It was one of the amazing confirmations that God used to bless us as we were stepping out in faith and starting a new chapter of our lives. I work two days a week and that's just right for me! And, yes, I continue to write. I'm working on the third in my courthip fiction series, "The Call From a Distant Field." This book takes place mostly in Africa and follows the families from the first two books as the years unfold. Many of the details for writing this book were reflections of things I noticed on my 10-day trip to Africa in 2004. I hope it will be out in the next few months. It's almost complete and we're in the process of designing the cover. I will be speaking at the library on Tuesday evening this week as part of their "local authors" series. Any of you that are in the immediate area are welcome to attend and cheer me on! I'd appreciate the support! I'll be signing books as well, talking about my new book, and giving background on the other books. Thanks to all of you for the lovely comments--I've got lot more projects to post about whenever I finish them! Blessings, LORI

I'm anxious to share my latest accomplishment with you! A local store called this morning to request more of my pressed flower pictures and so I spent a few hours constructing these. Took them over this afternoon to re-supply their stock. It meant a little quick cash for me and is such a blessing--just one more way the Lord is bringing blessings our way.

Loving my new job and looking forward to every day I GET to work. Yes, "GET" to work not "HAVE" to work! It's that much fun! Couldn't be more blessed!

Clint will be preaching at a church closer to home again this weekend. Pray for us if we come to mind! Blessings, LORI

A TRIP TO THE JUNGLE

Here's a few pictures of our weekend! Did we go to Africa?

The church we spoke at was having a banquet with a "jungle" theme! The ladies of the church did a wonderful job of transforming the church into a very jungle like place! The decor was beautiful! This went right along with what we were going to speak about since I told the story of a very significant incident I experienced while in Africa. Clint followed up with preaching. Many people came to the altar for ministry and we were humbled to serve them in the name of the Lord! Thanks to those of you who prayed for us!


How do you like my African skirt? I bought the zebra outfit while in Kenya. The cloth thrown over my shoulder is a traditional apron, the name of which has slipped my mind. Ladies use them as aprons and for carrying things, including tying them over their shoulders for babies to ride in!

No, that's not Clint standing beside me!

FINISHED DOILIES

I'm pretty excited to share these pictures with you. This is what I've been doing during the cold winter evenings. The doily with the rounded edges is an original design and the one with pointed edges is the same one that I labeled as a "ruined" project a few posts ago! I fixed it!

I've gotten a part time job at a nearby library--a job I've dreamed of having for years! This was a real blessing of God at just the right time since I had actually applied over a year ago! This is like a dream come true for me! Instead of going to work, I feel like I'm going to FUN! I love being there.

Thanks for all of you that have been praying for us. We have the next four Sundays booked with preaching and teaching at various churches. God is really opening doors for us it seems and we are praising Him. Today we began gathering a prayer team of dedicated people who will pray for us as we are out ministering. This weekend we travel clear down to the Ohio/WV line to minister in a church there. EXCITING! In additiont to that, I am in the final stages before publication of my third book--I welcome the prayers for that project! Blessings, LORI

WEATHERING THE STORM

I SOMETIMES DO GET BORED STAYING HOME, BUT I ALSO CAN'T UNDERSTAND PEOPLE THAT CAN'T FIND ENOUGH TO DO! THE BIG BLIZZARD OF 2011 BEGAN TO HIT US YESTERDAY AFTERNOON ABOUT 4:30. I DON'T MIND A GOOD BLIZZARD AS LONG AS NO ONE GETS HURT. IT GIVES YOU EXTRA TIME TO ACCOMPLISH AND TO US CLASSIC "TYPE-A-ER'S" THAT'S A GIFT!

Our list of accomplishments since the storm hit:

Made pizza
Made econo-potato soup out of leftovers
Watched Jane Eyre
Read Bible
Vacuumed
Fed Birds
Cut out a new skirt
Knitted on a sweater
Plowed out driveway
Read books
Worked on proofreading third book
Prayed
Exercised on treadmill
Spun some Icelandic wool into laceweight
Emailed friends
Battled my way out behind the barn to dump peelings into the compost


What does your list look like? I feel like we're just getting started and actually haven't accomplished much yet. It will be fun to see what all we get done while "snowed in." Let me know what you are planning to do during this confinement! Blessings, LORI