June 3, 2016.
A long awaited Graduation Day.
WE worked hard toward the goal, pressing on, even when it felt so impossible to face.

Amazed at the numbers of supportive family and friends
Bewildered at the chaos of preparation and presentation
Confused over the details
Delighted with the results
Enjoyed the company
Friends and family alike
God granted great weather
However,  the rain.....
In a hurry to help, everyone took action
Just in time to clean up
Keeping the pictures and food dry
Leaving the cleanup completed
Me...relieved to see there is
Nothing left to do to make it home
Over the event of my year
Pretending, I am glad
Quiet frankly, I already miss the
Required number of hours it takes to
Study the
Text books
Unrelenting are the daily tears, recognizing the
Value of time already spent
Wondering where my
Xanadu world will take me now
Zany days and all, I could enjoy it again..

Congratulations Sammy Paul Stiffler
May you always remember from where you have come and keep your eyes upon Jesus in all the places you will go.

First Christmas Decorations

You will always be my baby boy.
Love Momma

Little German Farmer

Hocking Hills 1999

Milking 

Sammy Paul 

 Time passes us quickly by. Even when the days feels long, the years flow swiftly by.

I miss my baby boy, but so love the man he is becoming.
Thank you Precious Lord for a fine young man. Please continue to guide him in this process of life. May your hand always guide him. His heart follow your.

Preserve him for work for your kingdom

Praising you for your faithfulness

TIMING

Ecclesiastes 3New International Version (NIV)

A Time for Everything

3 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.

After 25 years of being involved in a local Hospice, my season of service appears to be over with this organization.  It has been a difficult transition in my life.  However, I welcome the new season God has brought me to. 

So how is it with you? Does change trouble your heart? Remember the Lord will not bring you to  a new task, without growing you through accomplishing the task.  

God has been good to me, my entire life. I have not always recognized His hand in my life at the time, but looking back I can see clearly.

November, a time Americans celebrate a day of thankfulness, followed by a day of mayhem!! Enjoyed them both.  My older son drove 800 miles, with his children in tow, to visit for a few days.  (DIL stayed home and worked many hours in her new job, as an RN. I am so proud of her for that newly acquired title....but that is an other story.)
What fun it was to be awakened in the predawn hours by a sweet 'Grammy," followed by a big hug!! How I miss being around the kids. We spent a good part of the day laughing, cuddling and a little cooking. Poppy deep fried a turkey on Thursday, and we enjoyed food, catching up and more cuddling the rest of the day.  Some off to catch the best Christmas deals, as defined by the ads.  Me, I just did a little clean up and a lot more cuddling! And:

..giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:20

The four days sped by much to fast, building treasured memories, catching up on everyday things, video games, brother bonding time,  Auntie, Poppy and Grammy....enjoying the building blocks, shopping and laughter. 

So the long weekend passed. I miss them again, already! Now to tackle the house hold chores.  I will do this with a much happier heart, if I pull away for the computer and get r done!!

May you find a richness in your day to treasure for all times. I leave you with a verse from

2 Peter 1 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Remember to keep your eyes on Jesus, THE reason we celebrate this time of year.. Celebrate HIS gift to you all year as you share with all that cross your path. After all, he is the one that placed them there so purposefully. 

Some time back a fellow blogger sent me a list of questions to answer and share on my blog. I believe it was a way of introducing new blogs and new bloggers, if you will, to some new ideas! I declined the invitation, but answered the questions just the same. Today, I read and modified my answers.  They are largely unchanged, however some dates and occupation info added. 
Of late, I have struggled with life with a near 18. I am trying to remember my desire of independence at that age......I am certain I caused my parents stress, tears and sleepless nights. I don't remember more than I few decisions I made causing parental heartbreak.  Do not have the privilege to ask them to recall them now, to help me in this struggle to be the 'good mom'.  Again, I say, my answers here have not changed much.  My heart of hearts still believes in serving Christ with the talents you are gifted with.  God has remained more faithful than I am capable of. Praise His Holy name. 

1. What motto do you live by?
Do all things as if unto the Lord, not man!! But Man oh man, do I fall short!! Daily, I remind myself how necessary it is to keep Christ first above all things of this world!

2. What's your day job?
School teacher to my home schooled 17 year old son. Evenings and night time I am on call for our local HOsPicE. Where, hope is never missing! Then there is my other day job as a jail nurse.

3. What's your favourite movie?
My favorite movie is Always. Love the music, the eternalness of love and Richard Dreyfuss!

4. If you could have dinner with any living person, who would it be?
My precious family, every day of the week!

5. Savoury or sweet?
Depends on the day and the options. I do have a sweet tooth, but love the savory taste of home grown and freshly prepared food.

6. What's your favourite book and/or who's your favourite author?
The Bible has always been my favorite book. Enjoy learning from Paul's writing. . . and David...and Solomon

7. Any regrets?
 As I come to a time in my life that review happens on a regular basis, I find the most often 'regrets' if you will, are the time spent away from the ones I treasure here on earth.

8. How long have you known your best friend?
I met Gail more than ten years ago. I have always said, I know lots of people, but not many I call friend. (that deserves a dedicated post)

9. If you could wave a magic wand and solve one world issue, which problem would you choose to address? 
Not a believer in 'magic wands' there isn't a single one thing that I would 'fix' I believe all thing work together for those that love the Lord.

10. Have you ever had surgery? 
Does assisting in surgery count?

11. What's your favourite charity? 
Once again, Hospice, hands down!

Thank you Shaz for the encouraging words and works on your blog. I enjoy it often. I have not offered much here on Refreshed and Restored lately. But such is the season of life.  I was reminded as I read scripture this morning that God does indeed Refresh us. 
May your day be enriched by the love of Christ demonstrated by someone who crosses your path.  Keep your eyes and hearts open to it!!

Trust, Representative, and Truth

I have long admired the artwork of this Patter Cross. She presents the glory of Christ in her delightful work, in paper or fiber, or design. Following thru others, I have witnessed the challenges she sets forth as scripture, hymns and for 2015, Glory Art.  My sweet husband allowed me to design a large crafty space when we built our custom home ten plus years ago. It is shameful how much time and space I have wasted by not utilizing it. Working on that fifteen minutes at a time. (sometimes that moves backward to sessions!!)

Nancy, has been a faithful friend in blogland, visiting and encouraging me through many days in the past couple years. She is largely responsible for my efforts to participate  with her and others in Patter's challenge. So here are my first efforts. I have not yet decided to keep the framework the same from challenge to challenge, but for these three, I opted to pull them together in a grouping of sorts. Tags, without borders!.........opps, I forgot to snap a picture to link here.

Cheryl, thank you for your ongoing encouragement and emails to lift my spirits this past year. Although your paper crafting art is inspirational, your tender and obedient heart lifts my spirit and reminds me the Lord never forsakes us.  Thank you, dear one. (hope this find you warm, I think it may never spring up here in Ohio).  PS with the length of delay to post this draft, we are not headed into fall! Oh my!!

Shaz, your blog lifts me each visit. Driving me to desire a visit to your beautiful county. (it is a place I have always felt a niggling to see first hand) your pictures give me a glance into God's artful perfection in your homeland. Thank you. Your fine hand and card design causes me to reflect on so many of my. as yet, incomplete projects.

Ginna You are one talented lady. It is good always to read your emails and visit your blog, where I can only drool at your beautiful artwork. You are an inspiration in your love for Christ and the way you make paper turn into beauty!!Thanks

I have done some projects, crafting with paper, restoring, power tools...... But alas, I am not so good and finding/making time to blog about them. I may even have forgotten how to post pictures. Forgive me.  I am busy loving on my youngest, now 17, too quickly he will be out and on his own. Perhaps, if the Lord lingers, I will be back more frequently.

Thank you, ladies, for your ministries, for reaching out to touch the lives of others. May your blessings return tenfold!

Be Still and KNOW....

It is journey I am familiar with. Tending loved ones in times they are not able to fully tend to their own needs. For a few weeks now, I have had the privilege to cook and clean for my "Uncle/Cousin" and sit quietly and listen. Knowing full well the Lord has orchestrated the scene. Before time began, he created me for 'such a time as this'. I am blessed to recognize that from time to time in my life. As Ed sleeps quietly in the other room, I am scanning century old photos to send off to be printed for pick up tomorrow. There are other photos as well, many from my own childhood. Those are the ones that stir me with a sweet, melancholy for days gone by.

Ed, at 91 is a little unsteady on his feet and tires too quickly to prepare his meals. Oh it has been great fun to play in the kitchen, feasting him with so "never before tasted" meals. (okay, maybe he just forgot, cuz I have fixed lasagna for him before!)   ......................

Time passes, Ed's wife, my Aunt Barb spent a few months in an extended care facility, recovering from the physical response to tending to her beloved husband and soul mate. Although they were married later in life after world exploration, life's experiences and general searching, they are indeed perfect for one another.  This couple compliments one another in the ways some only dream of. Not so much the 'say something nice, or don't say anything' compliment. But the strengths and weakness, meld together to make a great match. As one may falter, the other rises up. Aging has been an adjustment for Uncle Ed. A man of exploration and great courage, he has walked the plains of Africa, explored the great United States. Ed is a master at studies. Well read in a plethora of subjects, he has forgotten more than many will know in a lifetime. The Word of God is the most important to Ed. That is not new. Groomed from childhood to become a leader in the church, he followed family imposed desires for perhaps a decade or more. He questioned, explored, witnessed, loved and experienced life in a variety of ways. His tales come alive as he reminisces of life experiences and great adventure. As he comes before the throne of God, he speaks eloquently to our Heavenly Father. Ed is a gentleman of great depth. With a ready laugh and always a thankful heart, one never parts company without receiving a kind word from the master of words.

Aunt Barb, a physical beauty since the beginning of her life, has aged gracefully. Appearance of royalty, neat and well groomed, even when she was hospitalized. Generous of heart, she gives of herself and her resources.  Organized and prepared, even the grocery list is ordered by placement in the grocery store!! (I am fond of this, because now I am the main shopper: -) Eveyrthing has a place, there is no question where it is located, so you can find it quickly. Food storage, organized. Emergency water supply, organized. Extra paper supplies, abundant and organized...(only in my dreams can I come close;-( .

What a privilege to be loved by this precious couple.  The time spent in their home this past spring and summer, were trying, delightful, time consuming and exhausting.  I wouldn't trade it. Life experiences teach us, but we have to be a willing learner.

Don't give up during times of trial. Look to the Father of all creation, His promise to never forsake you is found in Hebrews 13:5  I close this long overdue post with a prayer for all who stumble here. May you feel the love and mercy of Christ. Given freely, unearned by human beings. It is the desire of my heart, that even one may come to feel the love of our Savior, and lift your eyes to the throne of God because He led you to this place.

Be Still and know for the Lord will be exhalted, may you be counted among us.
Blessings

The Road to Damascus

Life, is like a road. We walk along toward our own reaching toward our goals,and accomplish our purposes. Saul traveled toward Damascus, with a specific purpose, to destruction. But the plans of the Lord are not known to us. God interceded along that road and Saul was blinded. For three days he could not see, he did not eat or drink anything.  In the city of Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord sent him to Saul.  (Read the story in Acts chapters 8 and 9.) As the scales fell from Saul's eyes, he could see and was baptized. Regaining his strength, he began to preach that Jesus is the Son of God.
God will intercede for us, to return us to a path according to His plan. We need only to believe and trust in Him. We live in our world, blindly moving forward. Our path leading to destruction, of ourselves, or perhaps others. The Lord sends someone to walk beside us, to guide us and reveal the truth. If you are walking blindly through life, allow those that come along beside you, to guide you to Christ. If Saul, as he called himself, the worst among sinners, can become filled with the Holy Spirit, proving to the world that Jesus is the Christ. we too can turn our back on mistakes of our past to serve the Lord. Speak, boldly in the name of the Lord.