Safe

A couple of evenings ago, we were watching a favorite show with the children. Nikki got up from where she was sitting and walked over to Duane's chair. Without asking, she crawled up into his lap and laid her head against his chest. Not a word was exchanged between either of them.
I watched this take place, and I was utterly captivated by it. I watched Duane wrap his arms around her and lay his head against hers, and a song started to go through my mind, "You will be safe in his arms, you will be safe in his arms, the hand that holds the world, is holding your heart..." **
(I quietly got up, retrieved my camera, and captured this moment forever.)

For all that our little girl knows, her daddy's arms are about the safest and best place to be! Why do I so often struggle to truly believe the same thing about my Heavenly Father?
His Word gently reminds me...

"The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" Ps. 27:1

I am thankful this day, for gentle reminders, that I have a refuge in my Father's arms. A safe place, when I am afraid, or a close place, when I  need to feel especially loved.


** I have added this song to a player that automatically starts when this blog opens. If you would like to hear it, just be sure your volume is on.

Threads

While reading from MaryJane's Lifebook for Farmgirls, this morning:

 "Any woman who sews or knits, or weaves, blends colors in a tapestry, or creates a patchwork quilt, knows by the feel that a single thread is weak. But the weaving, the blending, the intertwining with many others makes it strong. Any woman alone without friends to sustain her, to nurture and support, to hold with loving arms, like that single thread, is weak. But the weaving, the loving, the nurturing of others, the networks of friendship, makes her strong." (The Kinship of Woman, 1994)

This quote caused me to sit back and sweetly consider the "threads" that make up my knitted life. These women are not only invaluable to my well-being...but also because of our blending together, we can be strong in the things we are called to do.

I am a girl who finds herself blessed with many strong, lovely "threads". Some are old, some are young, and some find themselves in that wonderful middle of life. Some are funny, some are serious. Some laugh easily, while others cry at the drop of a hat...some do both. Some hold my hand when I'm hurt, others lovingly call me on the carpet when I'm acting poorly. Some will come running day or night, while others are there to pray without my asking. Some use humor to get through difficulties, while others simply offer a Bible verse. Some are creative, some are musical, some are skinny, some are not....but the common thread in my threads is, they are strong!

A growing number of my "threads" are sister Doulas and Midwives. They back me up in birth. The tell their stories and teach through their experiences. They give me space to process the joys of babies arriving, and then offer rock-solid arms of support, when a birth doesn't have a desired outcome. They celebrate the power of women to do what we are created to do!

I am blessed with "family threads". Moms, Grandmothers, Aunts, Cousins, Nieces, Daughters, Sisters...all such amazing girls, these threads are! They don't care who I am, where I am, why I am, or how I am! They love me, because they just do (or they have to). We married into the family, or we are blood. We didn't get to choose each other, but had we been given the chance, we so would have!

This morning, I feel like celebrating all of you... my threads. I thank my God as I consider what you have brought into my life. I look at you, and see that God is using you, in my life, to create a tapestry that someday has the potential to be breath-taking!

If you are reading this, and you find that your "yarn basket" is glaringly empty, may I encourage you to reach out to others. God created us to crave community and friendship. Accept the gift of others!

From one thread to another~
Sheila

What I Want To Be Said Of Me

Recently, someone said to me, "Sheila, It is a comfort to have you in the building."

Upon hearing those words pour loving from my friend's heart, I thanked her for the genuine compliment...and let it sink deep inside my own heart.

Later, when alone, I began to ponder those words again, and had this response: "Those beautiful words sum up what I want said of me, when my journey on this earth is over!"

My husband--"It was a comfort to have you right by my side, Sheila."

My children--"It was a comfort to know that you loved us and always believed in us, Mom."

My family and friends--"It was a comfort to know you cared, and showed us intentionally that we mattered to you, Sheila"

My birth clients--"It was a comfort to know that you would stay beside me, and believe that I could successfully birth my baby."

Total Strangers--"It was comforting to see your warm smile."

Dictionary.com says that "Comfort" means, "to soothe, console, or reassure; bring cheer to"
If I want to be remembered as one who soothes, consoles, cheers...what do I need to do to make sure that I am remembered as a "Comfort".
The world around me is full of chaos, stress, fatigue, anger, fear, pain...the list could go on for miles. What can I do to bring comfort to those who come into my world every day?

I am aware that not all our problems and issues can be solved with just a smile or hug, but it might be a good start! There is a quote that a smile or kind word may not change the world, but it might change the world for that one person. I've often been the recipient of a kind gesture, or a friendly smile or helpful word, and it means something!!

When I think about how easily it is to get consumed with our own coming and going; our busy, busy lives, I feel compelled to stop the madness, and just be a comfort to anyone that gets within arms reach of me. I feel convicted, because I know that I am guilty of not being very comforting to my own family often enough, and that needs to be different.

As a Wife, Mother and Doula, I know the power of touch. It may be a firm hand of support around the back of someone who feels weak. It may be grasping their hand to assure them that we are in this together. It may be a hug, to let them know that I regard them as important, and I love them.

The power of the spoken word, is just as great. Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

I have my work cut out for me, but I'm up to the challenge! As I type this, one of my own is feeling "put out" with me...so I need to practice what I preach and go do a little comforting.

Goodnight...and until we meet again, take care of each other.
Sheila

The Pink Palace of the Pacific

Our Hawaiian Home was The Royal Hawaiian Resort. It is referred to as, The Pink Palace of the Pacific. For four girls...I mean, princesses...it was perfect, and it was gorgeous! I found so much beauty every time I walked down a new hall, or went around a different corner.

One of the Verandas

This walk-way to and from the pool area, was a favorite of mine. It is also a favorite backdrop for bridal pictures, and we saw several brides doing just that!

Potted ferns perched on the rooftop.

Beach side Pool area

I fell in love with the copper accents!

The view of our room, from the beach. Our room is the second one down from the top...right in the middle.

Pink Arches

The entry

Our morning view of Diamond Head

Our beautiful suite! The pink, brown and green inspired me!

A beautiful little gift. Banana Macadamia Nut Bread.

"The highest and most beautiful things in life are not to be heard about, nor read about, nor seen but, if one will, are to be lived."

The Tale of An Ordinary Girl Who Becomes A Pampered Princess In Hawaii

A'loha, and welcome to my story. This is the beginning blog about how ordinary me, ended up on an airplane bound for the Island of O'ahu, in Hawaii.

Several months ago, our friends, Jodi and Jolene, invited my mother and I to join them on a trip to Hawaii. When they first asked us, I was in shock...never believing that I could make it happen. In the next few days, and a few visits with my hubby and my mom, we decided to go for it!

Thus began our Journey to Hawaii. We dreamed and planned...and I waited too long to shop for Summer-ish clothes...and we dreamed and planned some more. We went on a day-long shopping trip, where most of our time was spent trying on bathing suits. Yes, that was about as much fun as getting my tooth drilled for a root canal.

About 3 weeks before our departure date, I decided that I had to figure out what to do about clothes for Hawaii. Setting aside my terrible procrastinating nature, I started scouring the clearance racks at Target, Marshalls, Old Navy and TJ Maxx....and low and behold, I found some really great bargains. I think that my traveling partners were a tad jealous that I found white linen Capri's for $9.99, while they spent much more, months earlier.

The night before our trip, around 9:00 p.m., we found out that our flight had been cancelled! It was rather stressful, as Jodi's travel agent (God Bless Her!) came to our rescue and booked us another flight, this one sending us through Denver, instead of San Fransisco.

We boarded our plane early the next morning, and after making our connection in Denver, we took off across the Southwest side of North America, then it was out over the Pacific Ocean for about 5 hours. I know for you World Travelers, that is small potatoes, but for this Ordinary Idaho Girl, that was my first trip over the sea!

We landed at the Honolulu International Airport, and stepped out onto the walkway. I have two words to describe this moment:

1. HUMIDITY!!

2. AROMA!!

At first, I wondered if I would survive for six days in that humidity, but then when the aroma of Hawaii hit my senses, I was convinced that I had arrived in paradise, and I was up for whatever the humidity had to offer!

While still in the airport, Jodi snuck off and purchased gorgeous Plumeria leis for us.

We found our rental car, mapped our course, and headed for Waikiki Beach.

Upon entering the circular drive for the Royal Hawaiian Hotel & Resort, my breath left me, as that stunning pink hotel came into view!

We drove up to the entrance, stepped out of our car, and were immediately surrounded by doormen, dressed in black pants and pink jackets. They unloaded out luggage, parked the car, draped black wooden leis around our necks, and said, "A'loha Princess, and welcome to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel."

We were escorted to the front desk for check in, and then immediately served Hibiscus & Guava Lemonade in petite glasses.

That was the moment I knew, I was going to LOVE Hawaii!! And we hadn't even seen our room, or the ocean yet!

Stay tuned for more........