Bless Me Indeed

What a whirlwind. It's been a blessed week for sure, but gosh, I'm glad it's the 19th and not the 12th. I'll have to split the week into several blogs, but wanted to check in now and provide a brief overview.

Friday to Sunday, Sept 12-14, 2008: led my first women's retreat. The setting was Camp Timber Lee in East Troy, Wisconsin, a fabulous 700 acre celebration of the beauty of God's creation. Unless it rains. Which it did. Continually. It was still beautiful, but the wet did indeed damper our enjoyment of the outdoors. Still, the retreat was well received, and from the emails I've received, women were blessed. I'll entitle that blog RETREAT.

But even before that I was crazy happy because...drumroll please...the basement AND our bedroom are clean and organized. Yes, 15 swift months after moving here, the last box is unpacked and everything (I meant that - everything) is on a shelf in a sembalnce of order. I have not, ever, in three homes, had this feeling. And I don't think I ever realized how the disorder weighed on me, because this euphoric feeling of peace is quite amazing.

Our bedroom is truly in incredible order. As previously reported the sewing is outta there, but the entertainment center and small bookcase have been taken over by an eclectic stash of favorite books, papers and pens. It is a little piece of heaven. I'm finally settled on what is staying there, what is going to be stored in the small oak desk in the foyer, and what will remain in storage downstairs. This might be a yawner of a paragraph for you, but this is ecstatic to me. (I know...I'm weird) (did you ever notice how wired and wierd are so close in spelling? I'm wired weird...)

The basement still has detail work and sorting to do, but the main plan is in place, and I know where everything is. And it all makes sense. Everything. You gotta love that word.

Somehow, over the month of September, I was just overtaken with energy and the desire for HOME. I went to my job a bit less than usual, and I attacked our home with a vigor. And loved EVERY minute of it. The flower beds look great -- all is pruned with mums and pumpkins in place -- the basement is sorted with NOTHING on the floor (just in case) and our bedroom is a peaceful retreat. I even watched part of BBC's version of Sense and Sensibility recently, able to relax in our room with my feet up and a feeling of accomplished happiness. I have planned a number of scarves, and am well on my way to crocheting one whose pattern is entitled "Bohemian Scarf." It's funky. But I digress...the point is...creativity can be released when our home is in order. It's how I'm made. Order is required. [I'll try not to preach, but I believe since God is a God of order we all thrive in it...]

And, before the retreat, creativity errupted in a new way. I've been writing songs for my guitar and voice based on favorite Scripture passages. It's simply amazing. I wrote another one this morning. We sang a few on retreat, and they caught on...and were enjoyed...and it is SO invigorating for me...I'm amazed... That blog will be SONGWRITING.

By the time I returned my soggy self back home, my oldest brother and his wife were moved into our lower level to stay for three nights to celebrate my father's 83rd birthday. We had a great time, and that blog will detail a highlight: GIB'S REQUEST.

On Wednesday I went out of town for work for two LONG days of schmoozing (golf and dinner...I know, stop whining,...but it really is exhausting work...) and the highlight of the week occured on Thursday morning. I'll entitle that blog THE GIFT.

And here I am on a sunny Friday, bare feet up on a chair, sipping coffee, blogging and reading the Word on our screen porch. Sigh. Bliss.

Right now, this very second, I am blessed to overflowing. All is not perfect, there are some mighty waves and storms in my life still, but for the moment I am choosing to rejoice in the blessings, savor the moments and focus on the best.

Life abundant. Thank you Lord. You have blessed me indeed. (1 Chronicles 4:10)