How many times can I say AMAZING.... FIVE.... but it seems like MORE

Okay I know it has been awhile.  I first want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas.  It is now December 28th, 2010 and almost the NEW YEAR.  What do I wish for the New Year. 
Wow...  Health for sure --- Happiness and Contentment for my family and friends. 
My family --- Happiness, Health, Ease in Life, Dreams fullfilled....., Love in life....
I have realized in my 53 years (and it has taken this many 53 years to realize it)  I am very blessed in so many ways and so very thankful for that.  My family is AMAZING, my life --- well it is also Amazing.  I just have no complaints --- none that are worth speaking out loud of.  I just look around and see that there are so many people and organizations that I can help with and I am going to do that in 2011.  For one I am going to start working with Urban Ministries.  What an amazing organization that this is....  I am very excited about this actually.  When I figure it out more I will let you know.

Until that time I just want to thank God for my Health, My Family, My Friends.... My Life....  It is such a short time we have here on this earth and I don't want to waste a moment of it. 

My youngest got a camera for Christmas and she has been taking pictures (we got snow for Christmas --- can you believe it  --- anyway here are some of them...  Enjoy and again if I haven't said it.

Happy New Year....

Arent' they amazing....  She does have an eye for this photography...  :o)

LIFE IS AMAZING IF YOU JUST STOP TO TAKE A LOOK AROUND...

Okay so maybe I lied... I haven't left after all

Well okay....  So I said I was going to start a new blog and I did - SORTA...  It is part of my Artist Website www.megsmither.com and than check out the left hand side and you can see the Blog.  But it is mainly for Art Instruction if you will.  I like the idea of it and I think that it will be a good thing but I miss writing in this Blog.  I can just say want I want and just well be ME.  So I am not going to end this Blog site.  I may not be back all the time --- but than was I really here that often in the first place NO.  So nothing has changed.

I have found out today that I have a torn MCL --- just great.  I fell the other day (so stupid) and gave myself a huge goose egg on my head and cut my face (Slightly) and twisted my knee.  But when I couldn't walk on it I decided to go to the Doc and low and behold I had to have an MRI (WHICH MIND YOU I WAS TERRIFIED) and it came out that I have a torn MCL.  It might even be more but i won't know until next week when I go talk to the doc.  I am soooo bummed to say the least.

Oh well,  not going to have surgery until after the Holidays.... Just not going to deal with that right now. So there.  :o)

Okay I have rambled and told you my wows so now i will depart for now but I WILL BE BACK.  Not leaving this time.  Aren't you glad. 

Oh and just so you can keep up with some of my Art still on this site --- sorry Scott....  see some of the latest scarves and also a couple of my Collages...

So now I will call it an evening...

Hope you have a Blessed Thanksgiving each and everyone of you and take the time to tell those you love how much you appreciate them and how much they mean to you.

SO I'M STARTING A NEW ART BLOG

Okay, so I know that I have this Blog site and I'm not going to stop using it (but I probably won't be here as often). 
I am not going to post my ART on this site anymore.  I have started a new BLOG that is also attached to my website http://www.megsmither.com/  and here is the address:

http://www.megsmither.com/index/Meg_039;s_Art_Blog

I know that it is rather lengthy -- so just make sure you cut and paste.  But I do hope you will enjoy it.
 
I will be having Art Topics on it and hopefully teaching as I go. 
 
I will come back here from time to time so don't worry.  Thanks for coming and reading.  I never had any comments so maybe noone really ever did read this Blog.  If that is the case -- than I won't be missed.  :o)  God Bless All of you... 

Oh before I go I do need to recommend a book that I am reading.  It is wonderful. 

"The Story of God, the Story of Us" 
By: Sean Gladding

Enjoy my Friends.

MEG


 

My Week and my SON

So it has been a little while since I have written and it seems that I am mainly writing about my Bible Studies these days -- but again that's okay for now because it seems that is what is on my mind these days.

First before I tell you about what I read this week I just have to say that I had the wonderful pleasure of sharing some time with my son this past weekend.  He came in to visit and even though he was out and about with his friends (which I so expected him to do) it was nice when I had a little time with him.  Mainly we just sat and talked with he and his Dad -- but when he first got home he was telling me that he has been thinking about maybe NOT being Ordained.  Now he can go thru seminary and NOT be ordained and that bothered me at first.  He said that if he did become ordained in the Methodist Church that he than would have to be in the Methodist Church solely.  Now I'm sure that is not competely accurate --- he could go to another non denominational church but it would be harder. Anyway he said that he hasn't made the decision but I said that I really wanted him to be ordained and he asked me WHY.  I said well (not really an exact answer cause I didn't really have a GOOD one --- but "JUST BECAUSE" sounded good to me,,, so I said, " to Minister you need to be ordained like you need to be baptized" -- at least in my silly mind.  He told me "Mom everyone is a Minister.  If you are a Christian than you are called to be a Minister."   Well after going back and forth with him --- and me not winning this argument I let it drop (FOR NOW).  But than I started to think.   Maybe he is right - and at the end of the day --- it is not my LIFE but HIS and how he serves God is his personal Journey -- NOT MINE.  
My kids are amazing people and Lee and I must have done something right cause God showed us how to get them this far... I am just so proud of all of them and Tyler you just knock my socks off each and every day.

Now what I read this week that just floored me as well.....

A Poem  

Author:  Unknown

I counted dollars while God counted crosses.  

I counted gain while He counted losses.

I counted my worth by the things gained in store,

But he sized me up by the scars that I bore.

I coveted honors, and sought for degrees.

He wept as he counted the hours on my knees.

I never knew till one day by a grave,

How vain are the things that we spend life to save.

I did not yet know, "til a Friend from above,

Said, richest is he who is rich in God's love!

Revelations is such a powerful Book of the Bible and I have learned so much and I am not even out of Chapter 2.

...Our Lord says the true riches are those that come from within, where the heart is filled with the grace and love of God.  There is an experience of close relationships with other people; they become dear and precious to us. That was the experience of the Church of Smyrna in Chapter 2.

....I read once about a Christian who was going through a time of great misunderstanding and attack, and he could not do much to defend himself.  One day a friend of his came up and took him by the hand and told him how much he sympathized with him for what he was going through.  But, looking him in the eye, he said, "Remember, they have not spit in your face yet."  It was a reference, of course, to Jesus.  They did spit in his face. They smote him.  They plucked the hair from his beard.  They beat him on the back with rods.  They lied about him.  So Christians who endure mistreatment and misjudgment must remember that the Lord knows what it is like.

....The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans that "the sufferings of this present moment are not to be compared with the glory that shall be reveled in us."  Romans 8:18 

So anyway --- just wanted to share what I have learned this week and it is only TUESDAY.  What does this wonderful week have left to offer me.  I can hardly wait.  Thank you Lord for showing me so many wonderful people and opportunities in this life I lead.

Walk 268 Air Conditioning Blues..

So it seems that my posts these days are my Daily Walk readings.  Maybe cause I don't seem to have anything useful to say or maybe this is what I am suppose to say.  I mean my day consisted of hanging out at home and being here for the HVAC guy - who was only suppose to be doing a routine maintance call - to tell me that my Air conditioner is broken AGAIN.  Now mind you my house is only 3 years old.  Did I mention the house is only 3 years old!!  We built it and it should not be breaking so soon.  Last year around this time the SAME thing was wrong with the air conditioner.  I really think that they should be putting a new one in cause we obviously have a LEMON. 

But I digress.  Is that how you spell that.  Anywho..

My reading was from "the Daily Walk Bible (NIV)"

Zechariah 3 - 4 

It's about Zechariah's night visions.

Overview:  In his eight part series that might be titled "visions to revitalize a Nation", Zechariah uses an assortment of symbols and signs to portray the future of his people. Certain themes emerge repeatedly; the need for cleansing, the certainty of judgment, the sovereignty of God over sinful men and women. Like a candlestick in a darkened room, Israel will bear light to a darkened world. "not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty" (4:6)


My Daily Walk: Becoming a Christian has been likened to taking a step into the unknown... and landing on a Rock.  There are many things about the Bible you may not fully understand.  You may have many questions about points of theology.  But the all important issue you must face is simply this:  is Jesus Christ who he claimed to be? Either you will accept his claim as Messiah (as amply supported by the many specific prophecies in Zechariah), or you will reject it.  But you cannot straddle the fence.  What will you do with Jesus today?


The person who insists upon seeing with perfect clarity before he or she decides - never decides.

The Book of Joel

So I am reading the Daily Walk Bible (NIV Version) and so todays reading was The Book of Joel which is only 3 Chapters. 

So the overview of the Book is:

Disaster struck the southern kingdom of Judah without warning.  An ominous black cloud - the dreaded locusts - descended upon the land.  in a matter of hours, every green living thing had been stripped barer.  Joe, God's spokesman during the reign of Joash (835 - 796 B.C.), seizes the occasion to proclaim God's message.  the locust plague has been a terrible judgment for sin.  Yet God's future judgments during the day of the Lord willm ake the plague pale by comparison.  In that day God will destroy his enemies but bring unparalleled blessing to those who faithfully obey him.

After reading Joel's short three chapter book, try to summarize its description of God in a single word.
I can't choose one word --- I will say "MY EVERYTHING".
the book of Joel reads like the screenplay from a disaster movie:  locust swarms, drought, famine, raging brush fires, invading armies, astronomical catastrophes.  But why this display of calamitous events?  One reason becomes apparent at the end of the book: "Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion: (3:17).  You cannot read Joel without coming to grips with the almighty God who sovereignly controls the course of history.
Not only is God big enough to move mountains, but he is also concerned enough to be a welcoming refuge and a strong fortress (3:16). That means he is your refuge, your stronghold, your fortress (all good words to choose for your one-word summary.)  (I CAN NEVER FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS)... opps 

Pick up a small rock and carry it with you today. Let it remind you that your fortress is big enough to rule this mighty universe, yet small enough to live within your heart.

THE JUDGMENT OF GOD SHALL TURN TOPSY-TURVY THE JUDGMENTS OF PEOPLE.

I just thought I would share what the Bible said today....  Hope that you got something out of it.

Amazing Picture of God's Work

Sorry for the Last Post

All,

I had to Delete my last post if you saw it last night.  I thought that I was going to be showing at the Chatham Hill Winery but it was a hugh miscommunication and in fact I am not.  So please forgive my post and stay tuned for futher updates as I have them.

Thank you,

Meg

NEW LOOK of my BLOG

So I love the Beach so much that I decided it was time to update the Blog appearance and when I saw that I could have the Ocean in the backdrop (as if I'm looking thru a window) I thought that would be fun and peaceful for well all my thoughts and ponderings. 
If I could live anywhere else other than where I am presently it would be at the Beach.  It is just the closest to God that I can get.  I was suppose to go the the Beach this weekend and am really bummed.  Our Beach house is NOT rented at all the month of September except for this coming weekend.  The one time I wanted to go.  Go figure.  Of course "Earl" may be coming in so it might be just as well.  Uggggg  Well for he sack of whoever is renting it I hope that they have beautiful weather.  I would never wish ugly weather on anyone at the Beach... ENJOY... whoever you are. :o)

Well I went to watch my girl's soccer team in college and they lost their first game.  She was so frustrated cause of course she can't play now cause of recovering from ACL surgery and she just so wants to get on the field and help the Team.  She was hoarse from yelling and just irritable cause she wants to play.  Poor thing....  Soon enough my girl.  PT says you can run starting next week... so go for it and GET STRONG.
Well Happy Labor Day to everyone. Stay safe and healthy and REST from you Labors. :o) 
Until next time - hopefully I will have more to say cause I am rambling at this point.

A New Beginning -- Chapter Two ---

So I realize that I have been away for awhile.  Sorry about that.  I have been working like a Trojan for the past couple of weeks making new scarves and also working on a new Collage.  I will share some of my new scarves and also the collage with you in a minute.  Just wanted to catch you up for a minute. 

So my youngest has now gone off to college and oh my has that been an adjustment for me.  You know it's like you have had this job for the past 26 years of raising children (and that was your full time job) and than all the sudden someone comes in and says "it's now time for you to Stop".  Thank you very much but clear out your desk.  Wow... 

But after you get over the shock - and the first couple of weeks you realize that you will go on.  I realize that I don't have to stop and wonder what I'm going to fix for dinner -- or what time they are going to get home .  It is kinda freeing to know that it's time to start "another part to my story".  I think I did a good job the first half of my life.  Now on to Chapter Two.  :o)  I'm really excited for the adventure actually.  Lee and I are working on "hanging out together and enjoying being together "alone" again.  We tease that it is a "work in progress".  It will be fine --- just different after so many years of being 5 now we are 2 again.  :o)


Thank you my precious children for giving me the BEST 26 years.  Cause that is how old my oldest is.... I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.  You three children are the BEST Gift that has ever been given to me and I am so Blessed. What wonderful individuals you have become...  :o)  You make me so proud.

Now onto my new scarves.  Let me know what you think.

And now finally my new Collage

Grapes

Oil/Collage

36 x 36

So with all that said -- Let the NEW ADVENTURE begin and may it be as Wonderful as the first Half was....

Tablecloth I was telling you about

So here is the TABLECLOTH I was telling you about that I made.  What do you think?  It is so much fun and I believe I'm going to make some more.  It's really only a small covering (I would say it is 36 x 36)  Okay I just wanted to show you that to get your opinion for now.  Talk soon... 

IT'S 15 MINUTES TILL TUESDAY AND SINCE I CAN'T WRITE THAN...

Okay, I am not going to be able to write on Tuesday so I thought I would get a 10 minute jump on the day.  Can't sleep yet (need to go to bed actually); but since I'm not tired yet I thought I would post Tuesday's post now.  :o)   Yea, I'm rambling. 

Anyway thought I would show you a few of my new scarves and you can tell me what you think??  So what do you think?  I love the colors and the techniques.  Some are tye dye and some are a salt treatment.  Than of course the painting on silk with designs.  I am having so much fun.  I am doing an applique one at the moment.  When I'm done I'll put it up and have you tell me what you think about that as well.  Okay also made a Table Cloth.... That was alot of fun.  On my Kitchen Table as I type.  I'll take a picture of it this week and let you see it.

I took some pictures of Peonies this week as well.  Went to Wholefoods and they were so beautiful that I thought I would bring them home for Anna's Graduation party (which was a blast if I do say so myself);  here they are....

Alrighty than -- I will say good night for now.  Going to drive to Anna's future College tomorrow to talk with the Resource Department.  Looking forward to seeing the Coach as well.  Have a Fantastic Tuesday.  Look at the Peonies....  Remember when I said I just wanted to see some flowers.  :o) 

I am a Happy Girl.... 

Long Overdue in Writing

Anna Grace

I am so proud of her.  Yesterday she Graduated from High School and I just can't believe that it is finally done.  She has worked so hard in her 12 years of school.  It never came easy for her.  But thru it all she just kept plugging along.  College is also going to come along now and I know that it will have its challenges as well --- but she is so ready to fly and experience new adventures.  I just can't wait to see what life will have to show her.  I pray that she will be safe and happy.  But during this next adventure I will watch her grow even more into the wonderful person that she is. 

She is so talented with her Sports -- but there is so much more to Anna; she has so much wit and humor; she is so very smart and I just can't wait to see the adult person that she becomes.

What an amazing adventure this is going to be.

SICK of being SICK and ready for some SUNSHINE and POSEY's (flowers)

My precious daughter has had the Flu and OMG has this been an adventure.  She has never really been this sick before so I have felt like she was a little girl again.  I have checked on her like hourly and nursed and worried and above all have told the DOCTORS what to do.  Now the last doc I took her too I knew would know what to do but the first one --- PEDIATRICIAN.... OM Goodness.  Well, I'm sorry but won't be taking her back there anymore.  Now granted she is too old to go there now and so this is a simple solution... but this should not be the case.
She is on the mend now and no fever anymore --- but I just hate when my children are sick.  It matters not how old or young they are you still worry. 
I haved cleaned and scrubbed the house and rooms to make sure that all the GERMS are gone.  Good grief this is NOT FUN.

Furthermore I am tired --- did I mention --- Tired of snow, rain and all the stuff that comes from the sky.  I am ready for sunshine and poseys (flowers to those that don't know what a posey is. :o)) and just SUNSHINE & WARMTH....

Okay I will stop complaining now and end for now.  Really couldn't think of anything to write about today so I thought I would just ramble.  Good place to ramble sometimes. 

Have a wonderful THURSDAY tomorrow and guess what ---- it's suppose to SNOW here tomorrow or tonight or something like that.  Uggggg.  Oh well ---

Spring is coming I know it is.  God promised..  :o)

Daniel compared to Revelation

Looking up into "Papa Tree" How mighty is HE/SHE

Daniel 8

How can I describe how powerful todays Bible Study was but to tell you to PLEASE go to:

www.pray.org

click: Resource Center

Click: Weekly Studies

Click: Lambs

and listen to todays (2/9/2020) lesson

Lesson 14 (Chapter 8)

There is no way I can describe how powerful this was.

Recap: *my interpretation

*One Evil King/Politician/Ruler will come to Power & he/they may look like they are in control --- BUT it is all in God's hands and I/we have to remain in FAITH; that God is going to take over in HIS time when HE is ready!

The purpose of why all of this is happening:

• to reveal the sinfulness of man, as we watch people become more and more against God; we need to look up to God more and more to see that God is in Control!
• Trusting God in all - everything that is happening in our lives - it all fits in with the sovereign purposes of God!
• There is a limit to what God will allow - we just have to continue to follow Him and His ways; because God will take over the control.
• Kinda like giving them enough rope to hang themselves and than HE COMES!

I pray that I did not misinterpret this Lesson and I ask that you all go and LISTEN for yourselves and than come back and leave me your comments on how you interpreted it. I would love to hear all that you have to say.

That's how we LEARN.

My Wish for a friend like you will never end

I wished for a wish.

I wished for you.

You came into my life

...My wish came true.

I met you as a stranger.

I took you as a friend.

Until I go to heaven...

My wish will never end!

True friends are angels

I believe in angels,

the kind that heaven sends,

I'm surrounded by angels,

But I call them friends.

Many people will walk in

and out of your life,

but only true friends will leave

footprints in your heart.

Cute Best Friend Poems

You are my best friend,

My very best friend,

You make me happy,

Everyday,

you share your great snacks,

You share your best toys,

So please don't take

My best friend away.

My Best Friend

Today I found a freind,

Whop knew everything I felt.

She knew my every weakness,

And the problems I've been dealt.

She understood my wonders,

And listended to my dreams.

She listened to how I felt about life and love,

And knew what it all means.

Not once did she interrupt me,

Or tell me Iw as wrong.

She understood what I was going through,

And promised she'd stay long.

I reached out to this friend

to show her that I care

To pull her close and let her know

How much I need her there.

I went to hold her hand

To pull her a bit nearer

And realized that this perfect friend I found

Was nothing but my mirror. :o)

Enjoy your day and remember that BEST FRIENDS are not replaceable and remember to give your best friend a call today or a hug or a slap on the back or whatever.... Guys included. :o)

The Grand "Papa" in my Backyard....

Has anyone read "The Shack"....

How God is referred to as "PaPa". Well I LOVE THAT.
We have this awesome 90 some odd year old Southern Red Oak in our Backyard. We built our house around it and well everything is built around this magnificant tree. I call it the Grand Papa in my Backyard. Actually I have been referring to it as the "Grand Lady" -- but have decided that I am changing it to the "Grand Papa".... for many reasons.. but again if you have read THE SHACK I can still refer to HER as PaPa.... Read the Book.... :o)

Mainly because ---

LIFE is like this Tree. You have your main trunk of your Tree and than you have all the branches and stems that go off the truck and they are the different SEASONS in your life I believe. Some of them are major and some of them are small -- but in the end you still have your MAIN TRUNK that keeps you stable. You always have it to come back to and you always will. If we think about this --- this is GOD. He is always there for us Good Times and Not so good times. But ALWAYS there for us.

I pray that God will hold you in his hand. Hold you up and keep you safe and secure in your FAITH. Ever mindful that there will be different SEASONS along the way but an ever constant. GOD our Father our Faithful our PaPa.

Love to All my Friends and my Family.....

Meg

Good Evening or should I say Good Morning

FAITH

Well is was SUPER BOWL SUNDAY -- now Monday Morning cause I am still up... Good Grief.

I think that the Colts won. I stopped watching after awhile. I have the attention span of a gnat -- and everytime I would start to watch the Saints (who I wanted to win) would start loosing again --- so I stopped. But I don't know the final score but I believe the Colts won. Well good for them. Someone had to. :o)



This week is going to be a crazy one --- new scarves to make and just a new week to begin.



Lots of many blessings to be thankful for and prayers to lift up to hopefully have answers for. I won't list my prayer list but just know that I have them and will be on my knees with them.



I will lift all my friends and family up as well. God Bless all of you this coming week and May God Bless each and every one of you.
Always trying to produce Art to Please the Lord,
Meg

So Behind in my Updates..... I have New Scarves to share and New Locations

Hello All,

I know I am so behind the times but wanted you to know that I am still alive and well. I have been working so hard to get my scarves out so that all can see them.

Of course you can go to my website http://www.megsmither.com/ to see them but also:

Thought you might like to see my Studio and of course there I am standing and the snow and OMG -- have I mentioned that I don't care for snow. Pretty when it's coming down and than I am done. :o)

Here I am working away on a scarf:

You know the saying "watch what you pray for"...cause God will answer your prayers and OH MY. I have wanted my work to come along and my Textiles have really taken hold. God is so Good. Look in the Textiles section of my website http://www.megsmither.com/ and you will see my Silk Scarves and also my Batiks. What an adventure I am starting.

You can also find me at http://www.megsmither.etsy.com/.

You can find my scarves in two locations in Raleigh and Cary, NC

Southern Charm, Cary, NC

(Cary Town Center) inside the mall next to Belk's and the Footlocker.

The Collectors Gallery, Raleigh, NC

The Pavillion at City Plaza

443 Fayetteville Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

919-828-6500

http://www.thecollectorsgallery.com/ (online store opens March 1, 2010)

About Me

I have painted off and on all my adult life. I did hang up my brushes for a few years after college, but I picked them back up several years ago, actually lots of years ago now, and started painting again. The Mediums I use most now are dyes with my textiles -- but I still do paint with Oils and Acrylics on occasion. I love to try new things, so I am always experimenting. When someone asks me what my STYLE is I shrug my shoulders and just say COLOR (or professionally call a FAUVIST).

It seems that I have come a long way in the past few years, but one thing I know for sure -- Art is my Passion -- and how many people get to say that they can get up in the morning and love to go to work. I can and I thank God and my family for that.