Technical Difficulties

Yesterday was an awful day from a technical standpoint. From waking up to an email stating my information was on the dark web to my laptop dying to not being able to access my business email on anything other than my now dead laptop. I'm stuck for business email right now and hating that my life has to be so dependant on technology! I am blogging today on my husbands computer and even in the blogger program everything is different so I have no idea how this is going to look when I'm done. Speaking of how things look...because I couldn't use my laptop yesterday I thought I would try blogging from my phone...can I just say I had no idea my blog page would look so awful and unreadable on my phone! If anyone is reading this, I would appreciate help from more seasoned bloggers as to how to make my page look good in both desktop and mobile formats. I will be looking into that more as soon as I get my new laptop. I had hoped to share a little something about one of my recent projects, but I need to have access to my photos and I can't seem to get this computer to access them. If it's not one thing, it's another and I am so exhausted from it all. I hate the fact that I just started blogging again and now I will have to put it on hold for several days. Ah well. I hope your week is going better than mine. Royal Blessings, Julie

Maestoso Grazioso?

 

It's always very difficult to begin blogging again after a long hiatus. I didn't intend to be gone so long, I had some changes take place in my life and it took time to sort through them. I'm looking forward to being back and hope I can stay somewhat consistent. I've thought long and hard about how to begin again. Rather than a long boring timeline post starting from where we left off, I'll just start with today and as we go on I'm sure I'll be weaving in stories and lessons learned from the past year and four months. I'm sure if there was anyone following me from before they are long gone, but I hope to connect with some old friends and find some new ones along the way. I used to struggle to find things to blog about, now I have much to blog about but I'm so busy I may find it difficult to find the time. Anyway, this is the first attempt...if you're here, please let me know, I'd like to visit your blog as well. 

My husband stepped into the pulpit yesterday for our pastor who is
enjoying a much deserved vacation in Florida this week. He preached from the book of Haggai from which he shared four messages that Haggai gave. Message one - Build the temple. Background for this can be found in the book of Ezra. Message two- It's not the size of the temple, it's the size of the God of the temple. Message three - Holiness cannot be transferred, unholiness can and message four - God will keep His promise. I encourage you to read this short book and look for application for us today.

Every morning through text message our Pastor sends out a devotional passage for us to read. This mornings passage was from Joshua 3:1-4. I love how the Old Testament is still so applicable for us. The people were being instructed to watch and follow the ark of the covenant as it led them; verse 3 "...when you see the ark of the covenant...then you shall set out from your place and go after it" and from verse 4, ..."that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before". In this last year I've heard the term "unprecedented" used a tremendous amount and it's true...we "have not passed this way before"! In addition to maneuvering through COVID protocols, I also went through a process in my personal life that was unlike anything I had been through before. If I have been made keenly aware of anything this last year it is that God leads us through everything life can throw at us if we are actively obeying Him and following His lead. As I look back over this last year I can see His hand in every decision my husband and I made regarding the life changes we went through and how He continues to bless us as a direct result of our obedience to His leading. Often we are called to the difficult things in life in an effort to draw us closer to Him. The grief I have suffered was not pretty, it wasn't fun, but the blessings on the other side have made it all worth it. 

Monday. Mondays this year have become extremely busy days. Here is a good place to interject information that the challenging process I spoke of in the previous paragraph was leaving our church family of 30 years and making ourselves at home with a new church family. This year most of the weekly activities were scheduled for Monday and since I am involved in most of them, Monday became BUSY! A typical Monday starts around 7 a.m. (I'm sleeping in these days, more on that later). After having breakfast with my Dear Husband (after he walks his dog and blows the snow) I usually have my devotional time with my Lord followed by a little housekeeping and food preparation. After lunch I head to church where I practice on the organ (there will be more on this topic later...it's a love story) until 3:30 when I head to the basement to participate in a Bible study on the book of Revelation led by my pastor's wife and new best friend (please refer to this post because she is one special lady that I love telling people about...I can't believe this post is so close to being 2 years old now). As soon as that lets out around 5 ish I run home (one block away), quickly reheat and eat the supper I prepared that morning then return to church for 6:00 when I practice the songs and hymns with the worship team. We usually practice for 45 minutes or so and then Contenders starts at 7:00 and runs until around 8:30 unless we talk a lot afterward, we are currently studying New Testament Survey. WHEW! Today however since our pastor is enjoying vacation, all the events I participate in have been cancelled so I have a day "off"...which I get to spend with a sink full of dishes, a hamper full of laundry, a dirty bathroom and dust, dust, dust! I'm trying to take it slow...I plan to get a lot accomplished but at a pace I can manage. I'm understanding a bit more how my fibromyalgia affects me personally as it can be different for each individual. After a busy Saturday and usual Sunday responsibilities I am grateful for an unusually quiet and less busy Monday. I am finding I can no longer have busy day after busy day without a quiet day to recover in between, I get so incredibly exhausted I can barely move. 

Well I believe I have sufficiently dipped my toe in. Please do say hello if you've stopped by and I'll be searching through my list to see if I still know anyone here. 

Royal blessings, 

Trust In The Lord Part One

This evening I found myself with my nose pressed up against the screen door as I listened to the sounds of the neighborhood, inhaled the scents of summer/fall and watched the color of the trees change and deepen with the setting of the sun. Today was one of the last beautiful days of fall. Our fall season up here can be awfully short; it's been so wet and cold this fall and the last few days have been so lovely, almost like summer. I'm not a fan of winter and fall is my favorite, I just wish it would last longer. Not only was the weather beautiful today, but I was privileged to have lunch with my dear friend and mentor. If you have read my blog for a while, you'll know that the man that taught me everything I know about playing the organ is now one of my dearest friends. We only live a 10 minute drive from each other but we only see each other about once a year and that's if I do everything I can to make it happen. Today was the day. We have one of those friendships where we just start talking like no time has passed. We had so much to catch up on today. I've also been quite wistfully melancholy of late. October is my month. I was born in October and so was my mother; she and I were very close. Her birthday was near the beginning of the month and mine more toward the end so we'd start celebrating with hers and we'd celebrate all month until mine. I miss her terribly, but mostly in October. We used to buy each other gifts and do nice things for each other all month long, always using the excuse, "it's for your birthday" when we knew darn good and well we had already spent and done above and beyond. It was special though and I can't quite let go of the tradition so I tend to try to find ways to treat myself during the month. Silly I suppose.

July was the last time I posted, which has been far too long. I did go back and delete a few posts, they were quite negative and too descriptive if the wrong readers should happen to find this blog. They were all about the struggles we've had at church and I really shouldn't have shared the specifics in such detail. My apologies.

Here are the teasers for the continuing saga of Trust In The Lord.

During the month of August I continued to struggle with all that was going on at church and watch it go from bad to worse. I played for the last hymn sing and our last Sunday was August 11. Stay tuned to learn how I've had to place my trust in the Lord as we both left one church family and became part of a new one.

Also in August was The Deer Chase a mountain bike race my husband heads up and manages. Deer Chase weekend is always stress filled at our house but this year it started off with a bombshell that would rock our foundation for several weeks!

Just prior to all of this going on we also decided it was time to purchase a new to us car as my husband was becoming more and more concerned for my safety.

At the end of September my second granddaughter gave us quite the scare and it remains to be seen if any permanent damage has been done and just what is ahead for her future.

Now I find I'm facing a health issue I had so hoped I could avoid.

To say the months of August and September have been emotional and stressful is an understatement but through it all God has been good to us and we praise Him for upholding us. Hopefully I will be back in a few days to expound on each of these events.

If you stopped by, please leave a note so I know you were here and can visit you as well.

In the meantime if fall is beautiful in your area, do enjoy it.

Royal blessings,

A Woman's Work Is Never Done

I have finally begun my detailed cleaning for this year. I can't call it spring cleaning since we are well into summer. Perhaps I could call it fall cleaning as at the rate I'm going I might be finished by Thanksgiving. I hate my kitchen flooring! It was here when we moved in, it's very light in color and has a texture that is intended to resemble stone. All the texture seems to do is trap dirt and the only way to get it clean is hands and knees type of scrubbing. I used to be able to do the entire thing in one day...it was a long day, but one day just the same. Now that I'm older and in pain more days than not I can only do a small section at a time. Wouldn't you know that as soon as I finished, my daughter took out the trash and it leaked all over my clean floor. Fortunately I saw it right away and was able to get it cleaned up before it settled into those awful grooves! I am a little concerned that by the time I finally finish the entire floor, the first sections are going to need another scrubbing.

That's where my cleaning started today. I managed to wipe down the walls in the kitchen as well as the upper cupboard doors, one section of floor and the steps that lead to the basement. My knees are red and tender and I'm sure tomorrow my arms will ache, but at least I've started. Up until now I haven't had the motivation to start and I really don't think I could have made it down to the floor and back up again. What made the difference? I finally have a new chiropractor and have been adjusted twice in the last week. It is amazing what I'm able to do when I am in good alignment. I'll rest from scrubbing for a day or two and focus on some less physically demanding chores, but it feels good to feel good again.

Well that's all for today, not very exciting or profound. How often do you do a detailed cleaning of your home? If you've stopped by please let me know you've been here. I enjoy comments, touching base with friends and meeting new ones.

Royal blessings, 

Wednesday Medley

Although I'm happy to see Terri is hosting this (thanks Terri), I'm not always very good at coming up with answers for these things, but I'll give it try. 

1.  Who is your favorite "Joe/Jo" and what can you tell us about him or her? 

I'm sorting through my mind looking for a Joe...can't find a favorite. I haven't known very many Joe's in my lifetime. I had a date with a Joe once...no, not a favorite, never again, YUCK!  My daughter has a Joseph in her life....no engagement ring yet, but I do believe one day it will show up. I guess my favorite would have to be a piano student I used to have who was named Joe. He learned so quickly I had a difficult time keeping up with him. He was also a hockey player and often came to his lesson in his hockey gear! One year his mother didn't sign him up, never gave a reason why and when I tried to contact her she never replied. I have no idea what happened. Sad. 

2.  Who were you named for and do you or did you know that person?  

I am named for my great-grandmother on my mother's Dad's side of the family. I have one picture of her, but no, I never met her or my grandfather for that matter. 

3.  Do you have a middle name and do you like it/use it? 

Yes, I do and I like it, it goes well with my name. I use the initial when I sign legal documents, but as a general rule I don't use it.  

4.  Have you ever named your car?  

No, but my husband has. I did name the organ I play though. Meet Sebastian, named after my favorite composer, Johann Sebastian Bach. 

5.  Tell us the name of a fictional character you have never forgotten and why you remember it so well. 

I honestly am coming up blank on this one.

6.  Share something random with us about your week.  

It's spring break here and all but one of my students have chosen not to attend piano lessons this week. It's ok, but I'm broke. I am trying to make good use of my "time off" but I have wasted two days so far but hoping to do better the rest of the week. Today is a good start. 

Prayer Warrior

Once again it has been awhile...a long while. I know I'm not a very consistent blogger and for that I'm sorry because I would love to be here regularly. Maybe if I were I would have more followers that I could interact with which would lead to more friendships but I simply cannot devote the time to it that some of you do. In trying to catch up on some of the blogs I like to frequent, one blogger said she'd be away for a while because she couldn't think of much to write about. I've known those days and have had many but lately it seems I am so busy and could write about so much but I just don't find the time to sit down and write or I can’t seem to find the mental energy to form the words.  Feast or famine and both it seems lead to inconsistent blogging.

Now to resume...

Have you ever had a prayer warrior come alongside and pray earnestly for you at any time in your life or have you been a prayer warrior for someone else? I hope you have been blessed by both in your life. Today I’d like to introduce you to my prayer warrior...it’s quite an interesting story.

There is a small Village Missions church in the next block and several years ago they purchased the house next door to us to be used as a pastors house.  Over the past few years I have enjoyed getting to know the pastor and his wife...she and I chat over coffee on her deck from time to time. Two years ago when things started really falling apart at church I needed to talk to someone outside of my church who could offer me Godly counsel, so I went to her and was welcomed with open arms. When the new pastor at my own church almost had me doubting my own beliefs I found confirmation with her.  When we first met we added each other on Facebook and she discovered that we had many friends in common yet we had never met. While comparing notes we found out that many of my friends from the Christian college I attended had spent time serving at a Bible camp where she used to cook. We thought that was pretty remarkable until we talked more and found out that we used to live in the same town. When she asked my address, we soon realized we used to be neighbors...living back to back with each other in a suburb of Denver. Neighbors now neighbors again! What are the odds? This is my neighbor's house...her backyard is connected to my side yard. It will be a while before we're enjoying coffee on her deck again!

Last summer we visited my neighbor’s church. It was nice to get away from the drama, but we weren’t sure it would ever be a church home for us. After that she has made herself available to me anytime I need to talk and has put me on her daily prayer list. She invites me to fellowships and ladies events and Dear Husband and I  joined a Bible Study at their church this fall and have enjoyed the in depth study that we have been missing at our church and the rich fellowship also now missing from our church. Anytime any new development arises she is right there by my side praying me through and suffering with me. We bumped into each other in the grocery store one day and had an impromptu chat and prayer right there in the store. She is amazing and I am so very grateful for her diligent display of Christian love.

We are still at our church...drama and all. Some would ask why in the world, but there are a few that still appreciate my ever shrinking ministry and though it becomes more and more inconsequential, for now we don’t feel the call of the Lord to leave. We know that I am no longer wanted by the leadership and if I left my position I would free the leadership to complete the transformation of the ministry there. For that reason we will most likely leave soon but there is so much to think about, so much to leave behind and starting over is not something I relish either. In the meantime I try to be there for those friends that need me...I am often a sounding board of frustration and sadness. If/when we leave we will plan to start over at my neighbor’s church...at least I know I’ll have support. She says “just come, let us love on you while you heal”.  

God bless her!

In other news the blizzard of 2019 left us with quite a large load in our yard. Yes that is what is left of my clothesline pole...note the 6 foot high "privacy" fence between our property and the yard behind us! 

But it's going to take a while before it looks like spring around here! 

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and
on earth derives its name,
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened
with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your
hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be
able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and
height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,
that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Walk with a fellow believer today or let someone walk with you...

Royal blessings, 

Summer Update Part Two

Happy Fall! Seeing fall arrive is always bittersweet. It’s my favorite season by far, but I also know
what’s coming next and fall in this area can be much too short. Before we get too deep into the new
season, I need to finish updating you all on my summer. My first look back on summer can be found
HERE in case you missed it.

My summer certainly didn’t turn out as I had planned. I had a long list of projects I wanted to accomplish
as well as some time to really get my health and well being back under control. For the first time in many
years we were able to obtain health insurance which is all well and good except I was sent for all kinds
of tests because I had never had them. Labs were done as well as a colonoscopy. Without going into
too much personal detail my labs weren’t completely clean so I was sent for more tests and specialists.
All this as well as catching up on my dental and eye appointments. Instead of working on what I had
planned I was running the highway to and from the hospital. The good news is after all that, nothing
serious was found but I have to return in six months for some re-checks just to make sure.

In other news our garden was a bust. Very little came up, we think the Father’s Day storm that flooded
our area washed away most of our seed. We did get a few green beans, carrots (enough to fill two
freezer bags full), some lettuce and about eight or so beets that we lost when something or someone
broke into the garden and took every single one, leaving the greens behind. We certainly are not going
into winter at all prepared.

Today I did finish the projects I had to get done before the bad weather set in. I feel accomplished with
that. In the coming weeks in between my teaching and practice schedule I will be focusing on my fall
house cleaning one small project at a time. We've had a lot of gray, rainy days already that just make
me want to curl up next to this guy and forget everything else.

I still have a lot to catch up on, be watching for part 3.

Heart Ache - Summer Update Part One

A big hello to anyone out there who's still out there. I have so much to catch up on as the summer certainly didn't turn out as I had planned. I'll get to all that in the next post but for today I'll share the first of summer's disappointments.

I think I mentioned my friends plans to move. I'm going to miss them so much...here is a little bit of their story. About 15 years ago I was driving through downtown when I noticed a new sign on a storefront and the paper lined windows said something about a scrapbook store. I had picked up a magazine on scrapbooking a year or so earlier and was in the process of teaching myself the art. I was so excited to actually see a store move to town that would have supplies for my new found hobby. I remember walking by everyday and trying to see through the cracks between the big sheets of paper in the windows. I couldn't wait for them to open and it seemed to be taking them forever! Somehow I think I missed opening day, but I was still one of the first customers in the door and I won a door prize at the grand opening that I still have and use.

I met Mary first. I remember her greeting me and asking me if I did scrapbooking. I told her I did but was still learning and she assured me they could help me with that. I had no idea at the time the extent of what that meant.

Mary and Jeanne were a wealth of information and encouragement. They new so much about paper and stocked many different kinds that I didn't even know existed! They taught me new techniques and gave me tips and tricks to make my scrapbooks look their best, they inspired me with projects they were working on and encouraged me to try new things always supporting me in whatever I was working on.  They would offer table space in the shop for us to take our projects and work on them there. I used to love to take in what I was working on and spend the afternoon crafting and talking with Jeanne. Mary was usually working at the bank next door but she would pop in on her breaks and lunch. If one of them couldn't help me with something the other one could. I spent so much time in there we began to become friends and share more that just scrapbooks.

Due to the financial depression of our small town, they were forced to close their store. Gone was not only a great source of information, help and supplies but also the connection to other friends I had made through the crops and workshops I attended. As a result I formed a Facebook group to stay in touch with everyone and from that we formed our bi-monthly craft days where we gather together as we used to at the crops to work on our projects. It's been wonderful until now that our founders have decided to move to be near family.

Their house sold quickly and they found a new house right away. Before I knew what happened I was attending their final yard sale. We had a farewell party with as many of the crafters as we could pull together on short notice...what a bittersweet time. I miss them terribly, but those of us left behind have banded together to make an effort to keep crafting together. So far it's working well.

We're hoping for many opportunities to visit them and they promised they would be up for vacation at least once a year. One of those changes that life brings...takes a little getting used to. 

Stay tuned...I have a lot to catch up on. If you stopped by, please let me know so I can visit your blog as well. 

Nostalgic Hodgepodge

I can't believe I answered the questions to this weeks Hodgepodge and then forgot to return and post it. Well, I'll post anyway and see if anyone shows up. 

1. What's something in your house you'd like to get rid of but can't?
My husband's bow-flex because he never uses it and it takes up a lot of space.

2. When is the last time you experienced a sense of nostalgia? Elaborate.
I'm often nostalgic...last time, well...today. I had to say good-bye to two very dear friends last night and I'm remembering so much of the good times we spent together. Today is a very difficult day.

3. You're only allowed three apps on your smart phone or tablet...which three do you keep?
1. Gmail 2. Facebook 3. Messenger

4. July 11th is National Blueberry Muffin Day. Who knew? Do you like blueberry muffins? If you were going to have a muffin would blueberry be your choice? What's the last thing you baked?
I love blueberries and most things made with them so blueberry muffins are near the top of that list. Yes if I could have a muffin right now, it's highly likely I would choose blueberry. I honestly cannot remember the last thing I baked. I rarely bake anymore because I can't have the temptation in the house. Does bread in the bread maker count? I bake that for my husband every week.

5. What's the biggest way you've changed since you were a child? In what way are you still the same?
I'm more willing to try something new on my own. I'm still an introvert, still very emotional and sensitive.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

God bless

                                 Happy Independence Day!

How are you spending the 4th of July holiday? I spent it trying to stay cool. It's been unusually warm for us up north...84* is too much for me. Fortunately Husband put in a small air conditioner so as long as I stay in the same room with it I can function. I did manage to wash and hang out 3 loads of laundry, do my usual cleaning and do several "puttsy" type jobs around the house....working on some of my smaller goals. It does feel good to get even little things accomplished. I'm trying to celebrate even small victories.

 One fun little project was this. I needed a basket to carry my bath items to and from the bathroom. We have a small bathroom with limited storage plus it seems when I leave my things in there, certain other family members use them. Since body wash and shampoo can be expensive, I'm being a little selfish. I looked high and low for a basket that would serve the purpose without being too big or too small and couldn't find anything. Finally at a friends garage sale I found this:

Not very attractive for a queens royal chambers so I found some antique gold spray paint and got busy! Since embracing my "royalty" I'm having fun with bling wherever I can and still be tasteful.
This is how my new basket or bucket turned out. From baseballs to...just cute! I'm very pleased with how it turned out. What do you think?

Of greater importance than my bath basket was yesterdays lunch date! 

If you have read my blog in the past you would know that what of the most important people in my life was my organ teacher/mentor. Approximately 2 years ago he retired from his position of organist at a local Catholic church and as my organ teacher. I have felt lost in many ways since he retired. I miss his encouragement, I miss the way he had of making me tap into my best self...he was the one who brought the royal out in me in the first place.  We have stayed in touch via text message and emails. He has been there for me through all the drama at church and has helped keep me from feeling defeated and kept me from losing my crown completely. 

Yesterday we were both finally able to make and keep a lunch date. I cannot tell you how wonderful that was! We started right in where we left off as far as our connection goes...we are close and that close connection remains. We talked mostly about his family history that he's been researching and about my church issues, but for a few moments we connected on something deeper and it is so good to know that it still exists when we need it. It's not something we talk about anymore...rarely did, but we know down deep that we are there for each other. 

He continues to help me hold my head up and my shoulders back so my crown doesn't slip...at least not too far.  God bless him.