A list of secrets for you.

Well, we made it! 200 posts! Strike up the band and put on your red high heels! There is nothing more exciting than taking a time out and thinking about the path you have walked over the past 200 times we have met here in blog land.  I'm thinking, this might even be the highlight of your day!! REALLY!


ok, so not really, but it might be better than reruns of soap operas? or maybe not, who knows. However, I wanted you to know that I know your reading, and I consider it a privilege to share some moments of your already filled to the brim days. As a gift to you my dear tag-a-longs, I have composed a list. Tis the season right?  So, without further yacking on my part.. 

A List of Secrets 

• I still giggle when I think of this post written back in 2009.

• Most of you find Another Happy Day with the direct link button from networked blogs from Facebook. A feature that I started this past year. It's automatic when I push publish, so if you comment on a post in Facebook World, I seldom comment back there, because....

• this is my theory. A post that only took 4 minutes to compose. I think thats the fastest I ever composed and judging by the page views in my stats bar... it's the most popular post!  

• the Path is the only post that I spent days and days praying about, planning, and taking pictures for. It comes in a very very close second in page views. 

•  The most embarrassing post I ever wrote.. well, at least for the Lead Singer. It even tops this post... which I have discussed in public more than any other post.

• The Lead Singer isn't his real name.. ok, so maybe not a total secret, but no I don't call him that anywhere but here. I think he likes that. 

•  One of the best parts about telling you what I'm dealing with on a frequent basis is that when certain prayers are answered I get to tell you. Someday, I'm going to tell you the story behind this post. just not today. God is faithful.

• It's not always easy coming up with the words to put in a post. You can tell I'm having a hard time when I rely on just phrases and pictures, like this post, which is my most favorite of all time "post fillers."

• I'd REALLY like to meet who keeps popping in to read from Russia, Canada, and Germany. Perhaps the biggest secret of all to me.

• Have you noticed that I now try to punctuate and capitalize correctly? Gosh I hope so, it's the most irritating thing about posting! details.. I am learning to at least appreciate them.

• Comments make my day. Really. Truly. It helps me to know I'm not talking to myself, which maybe I still do....when your not around. 

There ya have it folks! A short list of the secrets behind the magic that happens here at Another Happy Day. Its been a fun ride and I really look forward to spending the next season of life with you. Kick off those red high heels and go dance a jig on the coffee table, or better yet... go kick a cat.. that will make you just as HaPpY!! 

A hush falls over the room...

A first, all the world changers trying to figure out their little corner of the world. Discerning the next step they would take in the creation of something beautiful. Reading. Studying. Contemplating their next move. 

They wanted no help from me at first, then the questions came.. " mom, can you open this? mom, can you find that piece? mom, I will be needing some glue" 

And of course, I helped them.  

When God created the world. One breath at a time.

God said it was good, He didn't say it would be easy.

When God knitted us together in our mother's womb'.

 He had to know that some of us would chose to not read

 the instructions He left for us...yet, He still knitted.

and I wonder how that much that grieves Him,

to watch something He created with such care and intention.

struggle alone, and without any hope.

I bet it breaks His heart.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; 

I will counsel you with my eye upon you."

Psalm 32:8

if you give me a phone call, i'll start thinking about...

I was allowed pretty early to use the phone whenever I wanted, but it was  in 6th grade and I must have spent 5 hours every night on the phone to anyone who would talk. Three way calling was a brand new feature, and my friends and I would spend our evenings seeing just how many people we could dial in on our conversations. I also had a friend, Cortnie, that I would study hours on end with in school, yes REALLY study.. we'd make up sayings and memory joggers just to pass tests. She and I were phone talkers at all hours, about anything and everything.

In college,  it was far easier just to knock on the door of the person you wanted to talk to. In fact, our dorm rooms didn't even have phone capabilities in them. Each floor had a public phone. At any given moment you could hear it ring ring ringing.. and you never wanted to answer it cuz that meant you had to track down the intended recipient of the call. I can still hear " Karmen with a "K",  Maaaaannndy., or any know where Michelle is??"

A few years after the Lead Singer and I got married we lived in Kansas, and it was there that we first had caller ID. Being in the ministry, knowing which student was calling was a huge benefit, especially at meal times or days off.

Fast forward a bunch of years, and it's today. My middle world changer loves loves loves to talk on the phone now. She's the one who will call just to hear my voice, or process something out loud. The phone to her is still a blessing.

I guess thats all I think about when I talked to you for one hour and 4 minutes today... what a blessing a phone is when I can't be face to face.

and that makes me think about facebook.......

two brief moments...

 Is there ANYTHING cuter than a little posing for the camera 

wearing a newly made fleece hat by her auntie? 

seriously, I could just eat her up.

Apparently the middle world changer wanted to make sure I 

knew which of my lovers gave me the bread machine.

Happy Monday after Christmas!!!  

it's a holly day!!

I think it's VERY ok to look festive

 when you have pink eye,

AND

you get to spend the day in mandatory reporter training.

 you can be jealous.. it's ok, I won't tell anyone.

OH and just because i'm a gal.. i'm going to tell you that the above

 outfit cost me only

$2. 65 cents!!! 

can you even believe it!??!!

hope you have a holly kinda day in your own way!!!  

for His glory.

5:30 a.m.-  I called in to offer to give a closer substitute a chance to work at that school that day. The wind was hollering already, and the forecast said we were to get 2-6 more inches of snow.

7:30 a.m.-  I head on my way to the school.  I do call when I'm almost there thinking that maybe they just forgot to call me? but nope, I'm on.. and it's snowing already.

8:32 a.m.- I'm late, but after I think about it days later I think I know why. What I witness in the parking lot is a mom, with three littles, and she's screaming. One is crying. One is on her hip, and the other won't get out of the car. She's quite a ways a way so I quickly walk into the school because I personally have had those "mommy moments" where you hope no one was watching, and she was having one of those moments.  I sign in at the office and head to the room I'm assigned to.

Then I bump into them in the hall. The screaming mom and her three littles. The one is still crying. Seems he wants her to walk him to his room. He's late, so she doesn't. Instead she counts.. and he stomps off. Crying.

I pass her, again.

In my room, the kiddos are headed to breakfast, so I stay but for a second, and head off with them. You have already guessed I'm sure where that mom and her now two littles are headed. Toward the room I'm subbing in.

Being a sub, your kinda like a grandma, you get to come in and save the day, and you really don't get to involved in the day to day nuances that each little has, you simply get to come in the door, play a bit, and leave. I love that. This job suits me, and I thank Him every time I get to save the day.

In the breakfast room, I hear her. This time the once quiet little is bawling, and she's still screaming. He won't put his shoes on, and the armor in my heart melts. I have no choice now but to act. I'd love to tell you that I heard a direct voice from God, but i didn't. I didn't even know what I was going to say to diffuse this screaming mom, but I knew I needed to say something.

I left the breakfast room, and entered the hall. Walked up to the little man and told him my name. Then, I looked mom in the face and touched her shoulder, and said, "somedays are just hard, huh?"  

Time stood still as I stood on Holy ground.

I felt a deep sense of hurt in her eyes, a hurt that can't be healed in a few seconds in a school hall. a hurt that had manifested in anger towards her littles, a hurt that she didn't want to carry I'm sure, but none the less a hurt that has become normal, so she carries it anyways. That hurt, affects others. When I touched her, I prayed for her. In those moments, in my heart. I prayed that those littles would grow up to call her blessed.

When I picked up the three year old that wasn't going to get breakfast if I didn't hurry up, he leaned his head on my shoulder, and whispered, "bye mom, I love you."

She was to far down the hallway to hear it.

9:30 a.m.- I'm headed home in a snowstorm, driving 20mph, trying to find the road. God knew I needed to be there at that school despite the weather....  For my own good. For my own heart. For His glory.

11 Raise Jesus!!

first the dryer broke, 

then the LP ran out,

finally the washer started to leak all over my entry.

7 months later.....
we finally get to wash, dry and fold clothes in our own house.

O HaPPY DaY!!!

another lesson in peace.

With your eyes closed and nobody looking around.... 

please raise your hand if you live paycheck to paycheck.  

Yah, us too. 

That's why it's SO important that a check that I have been waiting for comes in the mail ASAP. It's a week late. Probably due to my wonderful non existent math skillz I'm sure.  It's a mileage check, and we need it for gifts. 

In 5 days a really big holiday is going to be here. My youngest world changer is starting to get worried, He thinks that we can't possibly have Christmas without gifts. I admit it would be weird, and a little unAmerican, but if that check doesn't come.. it will be our reality. 

But I believe God is never early and He's also never late, and He will deliver that check right on time. He will. I just know it. 

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." Isaiah 26:3-4

goodness.

This pillow was tucked away deep in the closet of my Auntie.

My cousin said I needed it. 

They let me keep it.

I love them.

 and I love latch hook owl pillows made by my grandma.

it's just all around goodness to my soul. 

my mourning morning.

This post actually started last summer. When my older sister took me to a wonderful fabric store in her area. There, I suggested that both my sisters pick out some fabric for a purse or tote that I would sew for them.    

 I took out that fabric this morning armed with ideas and skills to make her gift. 

Then, I cut it wrong.  

I was Mortified, with a capital "M" 


 My thoughts went directly to yesterday's post when I asked God if He'd spare me some seam ripping today as I sewed, knowing Christmas is but days away. I would be lying to you if I said I didn't cry. Tears streamed down my face, as I looked at what once was whole and full of potential, ruined by my own hands.

Isaiah 26:3 "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,"  has been my verse of the month that I'm memorizing.. and my mind went immediately to that.  How am I supposed to keep my mind on Him AND sew? It would seem I can't do both today, or ever. 

My auntie called just then (she's an amaxing sewing artist, my go to gal when I have issues)  I lamented to her my morning miss-cut, and told her I was in mourning. 

She simply said, "I have been there." 

That's all it took to snap me back to reality. The fact that I'm not dumb for being sad that I messed up. The fact that someone has been where I am. I felt comfort, a validation for my feelings.

Then I regrouped, asked myself.. who I really needed to make a present for, and Ruth's name came rushing into my head. She's a single lady who I adore that I work with. Our Christmas party is tomorrow evening, and I have her name.  I think of what I do have that I could make her. 

I have scraps, and tons of them. Seemingly useless pieces that when joined by the Master, can make something beautiful. 

So, I start sewing, and God gives me these cards. No seam ripping, No thought process, just plain sewing and enjoying God while I do. It's like He whispered to my heart.. "It's ok, I got this. trust me. Let's make something beautiful, together. You be my hands, and I'll guide you." 

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, 

because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

His idea, not mine.

I'm supposed to be sewing gifts today.

10 more days till they all need to be wrapped up and given.

 I'm praying that God will allow me some grace in the form 

of little to no seam ripping when I do start sewing those gifts.

After all, spending the day 

with a priest named Haggai was His idea.

for the love of book club.

Some come early.

Some leave early.

Some are witty.

Some are just down right entertaining.

Some are just thankful to be out for a night without kids.

Some are talkative.

Some are reflective.

Everyone laughs.

Some love wine.

Some love beer.

Some do water only.

Most actually read the book.

The one thing we all do have in common

 is that we don't pee our pants anymore... I think.

zipped up and dusty.

 "I have to apologize...I haven't seen you very much.  I've been busy and life is hectic.  It seems I can't find time for myself, much less, YOU!  But I THINK about finding some time for just the 2 of us and I know that it will be worth it when I do!  Maybe I should schedule a date in my book and
 then find a place without people so we can visit?"

(I received the above comments in my email, along with these great images of a dusty, zipped up Bible.
After I sorda got permission to share it with you, 
I decided that I of course needed to respond with a few words too..)

I have been there. 

Buried in life up to my eyeballs. 

When life seems to be going at mock 10

 and you can't just scream 

"STOP! I WANT OFF!!" 

I have been there, feeling like God is so far away.

How could He possibly want to spend time with me? 

my thoughts consumed me with desire.

a desire to be close.

yet, there was always something in the way.

oh that it could be as simple as dust.

however, frequently it's the zipper too.

Hiding what i need.

buried. locked away.

this image, and your words. 

touched my soul.

cried out to me to pray for you.

but what could I offer you worth any value

other than the Words of the Father?

"The Lord God is in your midst,

 a mighty one who will save."

Zephaniah 3:17a

Hold on.. 

He is in your midst...

when you are buried 

wherever you are, 

whatever your doing, 

whatever your not doing. 

He is there. 

Waiting for you to dust off your heart, 

unzip your soul,

and let Him fill it. 

breathed on.

"Out of the south comes the storm,

 And out of the north the cold.

"From the breath of God ice is made,

And the expanse of the waters is frozen. 

Job 37:9-10 (NASB)

waiting well.

She was old, and wrinkly. A widow at a very early age, married just seven years to her husband. Her heart then captured by the One who would come and save her. She spent hours, fasting and praying. Watching. Waiting for Him. Her Savior. The One. They say she must have been 103 years old. Her name was Anna.

Anna was a devout woman of prayer. She spent all her time in worship. Constantly obedient. Constantly waiting.


So when God wanted to bless someone for obedience, he looked and saw her. It makes me smile when I think of God watching His sweet aged Anna kissing His only son on his cheek.  I just bet there wasn't a dry eye in the place.


Anna knew and believed that God would come to save her. She believed that, and she acted on that belief. Many years she waited. Many years she prayed, and God delighted in her heart, and blessed her.


If Anna was here today, she'd no doubt tell you that it was worth it, The waiting. The watching, and then finally the  blessing. God allowed Anna to be a part of something much bigger than her, all because she was obedient daily in prayer for so many years. 


Anna is evidence that if you wait well, God's blessings will over flow your life, and you too will say..."That was worth it." to anyone who will listen.  

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-37

When I look a little deeper at this wonderful woman of God. I find that she is from the tribe of Asher. This particular tribe was one of several that returned from their idolatry when our good friend Hezekiah started observing the Passover in Jerusalem. I'm again amazed at the wonder of God's provision to my soul.  This guy is everywhere!! 

asking the impossible.

HEY!! Smile! noooo not like that..

now faces together!

come on! mom's getting impatient

oh man, now I'm not ready.

20 minutes and 400 images later... finally. 

theory of words.

Maybe I haven't given it much time, and maybe I'm just being silly, but logging onto Facebook after 12 weeks has really taken a ton of effort. I appreciate all the sweet birthday wishes that were there when I logged on last Wednesday. I love the fact that I am winning in the Scrabble game I am playing. And wow, dear sweet friends of mine that I just love to pieces are there, so WHY can't i get my Facebook MOJO back?


here's my theory.


For the last 12 weeks, every spare minute I have had...
at every stoplight.
every 10 minutes waiting in the car for my world changers.
every night before I lay down to sleep.
every morning before my  feet hit the floor.
I soaked in Words from His book.


I replaced the times on Facebook I was used to spending, with time with God. 


So, I really think the question for me comes down to...


 What do I want to eat?

God's Words 

or 

Facebook words.

One is a Life Giving FEAST.
the other, well. it's McDonalds.


for me the choice is simple.
and if you don't think so... maybe you need to look at what words your reading more of.  

HUGE changes happening!

 Yup, that's the Lead Singer ripping off the plastic cover of my new keyboard.

 I'm so proud of him.

Birthday Countdown.

Found 10 new grey hairs.

Discovered  9 ways to talk myself out of new fabric at Hobby Lobby.

Spent 8 dollars for a Christmas gift.

Drank 7 bottles of water.

Took 6 wrong turns trying to find a preschool. 

Visited the bathroom 5 times cuz of  7. 

Received 4 bills in the mail.

Picked up 3 world changers from school.

Rewrote my letters for tonight 2 times.. at least.

and last but not least... ONE class left.. and that makes me about as excited at nibbling on baby cheeks. 

 Today is my birthday, and I want a cupcake like this. nothing else will do.  It's yummizilla.   

excuses wont' work.

I'm human, yes. we all know that. Or maybe your new here and you really don't know how human i am. So, let me enlighten you a tad.

I could make excuses for what i did so easily.
I haven't been there for almost 12 weeks.
I am working.
I was in a hurry. 

But the fact remains, that when you invite people to see SANTA at the library where you work... you really need to spell it right.

because who wants to wait in line to see SATAN.

yes, I'll admit it.. I am a chronic bad speller. no other excuse will do. 

just briefly.

box seats.

diet food.

George read  the right way... maybe.

 training to hunt pumpkins in frigid climate. 

You Alone.

 You are totally worthy to be praised. You alone are God. 

Your hand covers all- ALL! Oh what a glorious thought!! 

You guide me gently, always forgiving and never condemning. 

Always the Gentle shepherd. 

I praise your righteous and holy name. 

Thank you for rescuing me from the pit of despair. 

Knowing that you have my future in Your hands helps me not fear stepping those steps I must take. 

Nothing is too small for you. Nothing is too big for you. You are God of all.

You are ruler of me and my Great Defender. 

You are my God and nothing or no one else is.

 Today, I stop and praise You for everything You are to me, a simple sinner, who needs you desperately every hour of the day.  

I love you Father, so stinking much. 

Happy Thanksgiving, O giver of all! 

Take Two

Ode to the Resident Felines.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

details, details

 That garbage was strewn about by the cats that got in when the door blew open when the Lead Singer and I were away this weekend. A feast for felines. I'm just kinda irritated.  OK, a lot of irritated.  This is how I feel about the next step God wants to have me take,  but once the garbage is picked up piece by piece.. it will be as if it was never an issue.


have another happyday folks! 

knee jerk reaction

the question was simple. what are you not willing to trust God with? seriously, should be easy right? but my brain and heart quite frankly just doesn't go there yet.. i'm sure i'll get around answering that all important simple question some time, but for now, i have to stop and really think about the word trust.

i won't bore you with the 24 definitions that i just looked up.  i want you instead to pretend you can't read, and you can't talk, you can't bathe yourself, you can't feed yourself, you can't even use the bathroom yourself. you have to trust someone else to help you. to read to you. to feed you. to clean you. to figure out what your needs are. you have nothing.  kind of like a newborn baby.

as a newborn baby, trust isn't even a word that you know. you cry because your hungry, and then someone feeds you. you stink, so someone changes you. it's not a matter of thinking that you need to trust. it's a reaction. something that you just do, because you have no other choice.

ok, open your eyes and stop pretending. You are actually an adult. you smell so you have to shower,  you need food so you run to the store, you have to have a job cuz you have bills and other responsibilities that you just didn't ask for that you need to perform, there is no room for trusting anyone but yourself. it's easier, you have gifts and abilities that you can rely on, and you do just fine. or do you?

have you even stopped to think about what the creator of the universe longs to give you? i can tell you simply, it's really good stuff,  but there is one catch. He wants you to trust Him with everything. to become like a newborn and not even know you have a choice.

moving from trusting God as a choice to a knee jerk reaction is a constant heart battle, but it's a battle totally worth fighting.

 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.

 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children,

 you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 18:2

God loves you SO stinking much that He CAN be trusted with 100% of your needs, really!! i'm looking forward to telling you about my weekend on monday.. fun stuff planned!! whoop! happyday to you!

no matter what.

a bit of original word language for you to ponder today... 

servant 

early 13c., from O.Fr., noun use of servant  "serving, waiting,"prp. of servir  "to attend, wait upon" (see serve). Meaning"professed lover, one devoted to the service of a lady" is frommid-14c. In N.American colonies and U.S., the usual designation for "slave" 17c.-18c. (in 14c.-15c. and later in Biblical translationsthe word often was used to render L. servus , Gk. doulos  "slave").Public servant  is attested from 1670s.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper 

Cite This Source

being a servant sometimes comes as a punishment to some, to others it's just a way of life, a way to survive.  a feeling you don't have the choice to be one. stuck.  as an American i tend to think of a servant as someone who just begrudgingly goes about the chores of the day.  

"you asked me to do what?"
"nope, i'm not going to give that to you."
"i will look dumb, if i do that."
"do i have to?"
"i have rights, i can do that if i want!"
"i'm busy"
"everyone else survives this way.. i'm going to too!"


it hurts my heart as to how many times i have screamed those words at the One who loves me so dearly.  the One that i'm supposed to be serving. 


a servant.


to wait.
to attend, wait upon.
professed lover.
slave.

Then the LORD said, “As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years 

as a sign and a portent against Egypt and Cush,

be blessed today my quiet readers, i know your there!!  God loves you so much and nothing you do or don't do can EVER change that love!