Blast from the past...

Here is something I actually wrote nearly two years ago. I recently was cleaning my office/sewing room and found it lying in an ominous stack of random papers. I hope you enjoy it! I am so excited about the things God has been teaching me! I feel like a plant that after being watered is coming to life. My leaves and petals lifted towards God in praise, ready to take in the sunlight of God's instruction and divine pruning shears. How many times in the past year have I heard those divine pruning shears sniping away the leaves and branches that should not be there. Like an unfinished chair in the hand of the Almighty carpenter I have felt the grit of holy sandpaper as He has gently but firmly taken off many rough edges. One example that comes to my mind, is how I carefully laid out building plans for my life. I knew exactly the course I wanted to chart, and I prepared to step out and act on those plans. I laid a foundation, started to put the walls up......but I ran out of building material. I had no more nails, I kept accidentally hitting my thumb with the hammer, and more than once a 2x4 had dropped on me. I got frustrated! This was my dream house and why wasn't it turning out? Where were the supplies I had asked God for? That is when I began to despair. What had happened to my house of dreams? Where had I gone wrong in all my careful planning? God is faithful, and true to His work when He said, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you..". So as I sat on the uneven foundation of my fallen "dream house" with my head in my hands, God showed up. I lifted my head in excitement! Now I could continue! Surely He had brought me the supplies needed to get back on schedule...but alas! He didn't bring building supplies, He brought a bulldozer. He walked over to me as I stood there with my fist clenched, my face red with anger, my eyes stinging with tears. "Hope, I know this is not what you wanted, but it is what I want. It is the best thing for you. Do you see this foundation? It has been built out of how other people perceive you, what was popular with your peers, and what feminism thinks you should become. Your foundation is uneven and cracked and no house built on that will stand." I stood unmoved and He said all of this to me, and I watched as He unrolled a set of new plans...where was the big piano room I had planned for? Or the big living room for entertaining friends? What about the big mirror in the large closet I had carefully sketched out, where I could try on the latest trends. They were gone. He put His arm around me as He showed me the first page, tears were flowing freely now that I saw what I was to start on first. My foundation was to be made out of Jesus Christ and my personal relationship with Him. Developing faith, hope and true love that hopes all things, believes all things, love that never fails. He hugged me again before I heard the engine roar and the bulldozer slowly lurched forward towards everything I had in my own strength worked so hard to build. As the last pieces were demolished, He was suddenly there beside me with His work belt on. Holding out His hand, He asked, "Are you ready?"

1776 in 2009

It was absolutely wonderful to be able to visit some of the historical sites in Philly while we were in Pennsylvania! I was able to see quite a few of the places on my wish list. There is so much to see there, that I will have to visit again, just to see it all! Here is Independence Hall, a beautiful old building that has undergone major restoration over the years to preserve its wonderful heritage.

Me and George Washington!

Mark and I in the room where the Continental Congress met and where the Declaration of Independence was signed. It was awesome to be standing in that room...if only walls could talk!

Mark looking so handsome! It was very cold there, and because of all the snow, I was unable to visit the Todd House, or the Betsy Ross House. But since I have complained so much about not having any snow. I really enjoyed having snow for Christmas!

Walking around Independence Square...it was VERY cold!

Mark was fascinated by this old weathered crest on the front of Congress Hall, I have since recognized it in many old historic pictures....

Congress Hall

The room where George Washington and John Adams were sworn in as the first two presidents of the United States

Upstairs in Congress Hall, it was absolutely beautiful

This painting was uncovered when they were carefully stripping the walls during some restoration. I can't imagine what people were thinking when they painted over it...it was, in my mind, the best part of the room.

Me and Mark in front of the Liberty Bell... I was absolutely fascinated by it, how old and beautiful it was. I found it very awe inspiring.

Mark was my wonderful photographer and took many awesome pictures of the Liberty Bell, this was one of my favorite shots

The view of Independence Hall from the Liberty Bell...I loved how they had the Liberty Bell in direct view of Independence Hall...it was perfect!

After spending months reading up on the history of the birth of our nation, it was so exciting to visit some of those places, and to walk where great men and women have walked. Seeing them might just be the highlight of 2009!