Better Days

Have you ever had one of those really crappy days? You know the kind where you just should have stayed in bed under the covers all day? Monday was one of those days for me. Now I can't exactly put my finger on any one thing that made the day especially bad, but trust me from my perspective it was a stinker!

Part of it may be just where I am in life and my desire to continue to move and grow spiritually. I've been working with a spiritual life coach. And. . . well, the work is just plain hard. To my own credit, though I've stuck with it, when my usual MO would be to "cut and run." But as Dr. Phil would say, "how's that been working for you?" The "cut and run" strategy hasn't gotten me anywhere or perhaps better stated it hasn't gotten me where I wanted to be or even more so where God wanted me to be! So with a little help from my spiritual life coach (and mega help from the Holy Spirit), I've been moving forward bit by bit. Even when the moving is difficult, the ultimate result is good.

All this to say that today has been a better day. The lesson learned? Just remember to take things moment by moment. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide. If you don't like where you're at, well. . . tomorrow's always another day. . just a few moments away!

I'd like to end this with a wonderful "surprise" I received from Sammie, my daughter. She came charging through the door tonight after work with presents in hand. First a card to "cheer me up," followed by chocolates (always a good choice), and then a big box which contained a picture/saying for my office. Take note of what it said, cause this is good stuff Siestas!

"Faith is the place between the way things are and the good things that are sure to come." Ah, such wisdom, and although it wasn't in a Hallmark card, it was a Hallmark gift (tee hee)!!Yup, Sammie works at Hallmark. Don't you just love it??

So I'm waiting on those good things and knowing they'll be here soon enough in His time!!

As always, crazy for Christ,
~Cheryl

The Shack

Oh my!! This book is really something special. I bought it on Saturday and finished in ONE READING. The story behind this book is amazing. It was originally self-published and is now on the best seller list. Do you know how often that happens? Um. . like NEVER. This should indicate just how good this book is. . . No major marketing campaigns, no major publishing company, no corporate marketing strategy. Just simply mouth-to-mouth promotion.

Anyway, here's the synopsis of the book:

"Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant "The Shack" wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You'll want everyone you know to read this book!"

Check out the website for The Shack.

This book has touched people across the globe. One family is even dedicated to getting the book into as many hands as possible. They've developed a website where you can have the book sent to anyone (including yourself) for FREE!! Yes, you got that right, FREE!! Here's the link. I've already had copies sent to all those people who are most important to me. Yes, it's that kind of book--very life changing. Have I peaked your interest yet? I really hope so.

So, do me a huge favor and READ IT. Okay? And come back here and let me know what you think. I believe it will capture your heart and bless you as it did me.

Still glowing from reading "The Shack,"
~Cheryl

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

Saturday was my birthday and oh what a great day I had!! To put this in perspective, I am usually not happy on my birthday. I don't really know why, but it's been a recurring theme in my life. This year, however, I had the time of my life.

My hubby and I traveled to Peoria, IL on Friday to see our new pastor ordained as an elder in at the Annual Conference. It was a very moving service! When we returned home on Saturday, my birthday and were greeted by Sammie, Andrew and our pup Payton. Sammie had created a whole Wizard of Oz themed birthday for me, which stared before I ever even entered the house.

First of all I found this on the door outside.

underneath it was this:

Foot prints like this:

Led me to the birthday table

Decorated like this

Check out the place settings

Here's the cake

And here are the presents. Can you tell Sammie works at Hallmark?

Payton waiting for cake:

The best present was a framed picture of Sammie and Andrew. Aren't they gorgeous??


So all in all it was a fantastic birthday. And yes there's no place like home!!

Chop, Chop, Chop!!! Chop and Never Stop!

MY NEW HAIRCUT

Okay, I bit the bullet and had my hair "cut" short. I think this is the shortest I've had it since I was in high school. The color's lighter (blonder) than it shows. I'm still trying to get used to it. So what do you think?


My hubby, Bill and Me.


Me and my pup, Payton.