The Case of the Hiccups

This past week has been a whirl of teaching art classes. hearing the word "hiccup" from the Lord, and having three meals with three friends that brought light, love, and laughter to my weary spirit. Here's how all filled my spirit and let me flow with grace, light, and purpose.

to church it

A hiccup is defined two ways in Websters; as a noun or verb.  The noun definition says a hiccup is an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm and respiratory organs, with a sudden closure of the glottis and a characteristic sound like that of a cough".  Listen to what the verb definition of hiccup is "suffer from or make the sound of a hiccup or series of hiccups".  A hiccup is nothing more than a reoccurring sound . It does not a trickle, ripple, or flow which are words I had earlier this year and dealt with me allowing myself to walk in a way with the Lord that let me be open to the Holy Spirit and see with eyes wide open, hear with ears that amplfy, and have my heart broken by the world around me.

Let's get back to "hiccup".  I felt like a hiccup is more distracting, annoying that "incidentals" of life that could be as simple as having your ice cream melt and drip on your hand.  A hiccup bring a sense of fear, staggers your light, and serves to interrupt the peace, trust, and love of Abba.  

This week was filled with "hiccups".  Sunday I woke up with that word "hiccup" and God told me to get ready for church, praise him, and let him refill the cracks that the world had thrown my way.  It was raining heavy and I thought of just laying there, awake, in bed, and heard "hiccup" again.  Ok, got in the car and it ran rough and I heard "hiccup" but we got going and had a red light as we went to turn onto the highway.  Then the car died and each time the hubs went to restart it it would die and in my head I hear "hiccup, hiccup, hiccup".  A gal that I knew from years past pulled alongside us and tried to help us which the hubs passes on three times "hiccup, hiccup, hiccup".  I started to pray "Father stop the hiccups and bring favor, daddy, we need your favor to get the car out of the road and back home".  The hubs and I traded spots and with another guy they pushed the car around the intersection so we were headed home.  Did I mention the car is stick...yeah, for me "hiccup".  The hubs got in the car and started it and it ran all the way home in a the pouring rain. Got it home and I asked for him to get our daughters car keys to go see if my car was still parked outside our mechanics shop; "hiccup".  He got the keys and said "we can't take her car church its got transmission issues" as he got in beside me ; "hiccup".  I shared we were going to drive to the mechanic for the Sandymobile "hiccup" that had no a/c but would get us to church if it was parked outside ; hiccup, hiccup, hiccup.  Got to the shop, hopped in the Sandymobile, and got to church late but we got there safely.  

Do you get the understanding of what a "hiccup" means? It means taking three cars to just go praise the Lord on a  rainy Sunday morning that is chilly and humid all at once.  Hiccup is the way life is in the world.  It is filled with hiccups of one sort or another.  Hiccups bring fear, doubt, and I go to my fav self doubt.  The difference this week was that God called it out for what it is.  Car problems, delays, and oh mys can plague us or make us.  If we allow a "hiccup" to continue without praise, trust, and light it will continue to happen.  If we see it as the world, acknowledge who our Heavenly Daddy is , and then trust him to grant favor it is so.  Hiccups in life seek to throw me off, drive fear and misbeliefs, and be barriers to the light. I got the chance this week to see that my hiccups are Gods glory.  Its like he laughs and tells me " Your hiccups, Sherry, they're annoying and scary for you but to me they are just hiccups walk in my light, delight in my favor, and radiate me, Sherry".  

Now back to eating this week.  I've had a case of the "hiccups" this week trying to schedule things, having things cancelled, or not turn out as I wanted.  And, truth be told when I went with each of my friends this week I thought '; you don't have time for this,  had nausea, you don't have money for this, stay in or you'll be too tired to go to South Dakota.  Something inside told me that I needed to see each friend because they would recharge my light & delight in the Lord.  There is nothing finer than women that have been through rough things, that are transparent, love the Lord and know Him, and that know the world is menacing but choose light that is the Lord.

The last hiccups came in on Wednesday afternoon when my art class in KC that I teach was cancelled and rescheduled for next month.  It gave me the opportunity to leave Thursday afternoon for South Dakota rather than at 2am on Friday.  I praised the Lord for it but heard "no one wants you, no one cares, you can't teach art, you don't know" and I stopped the darkness and said "ohh, yeah, I do know, I know the truth, I know I am a beloved daughter of the Father and he shows his favor to me" and those hiccups stopped.  

Thursday morning I woke at 5 am and thought it was just the thrill of teaching art class and then getting to go to South Dakota.  I felt like I needed to pack the Sandymobile up which the darling dot and I dd.  There were a few supplies and a couple of coats that were left but there would be time after the kid artists left my studio.  I head "pack it all now or it will stay here".  I thought that was another round of "hiccups" so I ignored it.  During art class my neighborhood was shut down by the police, we were told there was an active shooter in my neighborhood and to close my garage door and get the kid artists inside. We were given the ok to leave the neighborhood when one mom advocated that her kids were at art class with Sherry Snider.  They allowed her to go to my home and tell us that we needed to leave. Sweet blessing was in that moment when the garage door was down and we were in the art studio I heard "pray " and we did before each family went out, got loaded up, and left the neighborhood.  One kid artist was left and I told her to get in my car as Emily shut the garage door.  As we waited for Emily the SWAT team for the sheriffs department, K-9 unit, and local police passed by with riffles and glanced at us.  The K-9 went across my street to my neighbors back yard and began barking.  I began to think do I do, Lord, there's this little girl in my car and my own girl is in the house, should I go without Emily....hiccup, hiccup, hiccup.  Instead I found peace through the barking, peace that we were covered as we prayed, and Emily got in the car.  To God's glory the families from art class decided to meet at the frozen custard shop and had told Emily.  We got out kid artist reunited with her mom, collected three more pairs of tennis shoes, and left town earlier than we thought.

We stopped to pick up more shoes in Lee's Summit and Emily realized she hadn't packed her church clothes for Sunday...hiccup.  Well, our shoe pick up was at Claudias Closet so we could just buy her an outfit. I had left my tip jar and all my class money in my art room; hiccup but had deposited Etsy money in the bank on Wednesday. We repacked the Sandymobile in the parking lot, said a prayer, and the gas light came on, hiccup.  Got gas nearby and then the Sandymobile started to run rough, hiccup.  We kept going to Scraps KC to get a few materials for Open Artroom in South Dakota, and it died as I went to put it in park at the shop, hiccup.  I restarted it and it dies again, and again, hiccup, hiccup.  We got the supplies and drove to get fuel injector cleaner, hiccup.  By the time we got on the freeway it was 5pm rush hour, hiccup, with a car that dies when its not accelerating, hiccup.  I prayed "Daddy I want your favor and light to shine in this very moment.  I want the fuel injector to work and I don't want to dear my drive" and the car didn't die again.  It sounded rough all the way to KC airport and then I realized that it was just the road not the car and I could praise God for light.

And, yes, there were hiccups but we got to Wagner which is part of what God calls my "my training ground". When we got to the church we realized we had no key for the bedroom, hiccup.  Dale went to crawl through a small window and realized he was scared on how to land, hiccup.  Emily was going to try but she's got epilepsy, hiccup.  I tried to pick the lock with my debit card but felt there was a barrier at the lock, hiccup.  We sent a text to our friend and he got us the key to the bedroom door and we could praise God for keys.  

I'm thankful this morning when Dale's alarm went off at 5am, hiccup.  It woke me up as the kids slept and I could praise walk through the church.  I got a chance to send a couple emails and then started to write this blog.  I giggle as I looked up the definition of hiccup and delighted at what i found.  I'm hopeful that we can do Open Artroom this afternoon and that there will be kids that come out.  Could you pray for that for me, for the kids in our crew, and the other kids in this community and my own back home?  That light would radiation from the ATF church that comes through creativity, faith, and love of God.  That the Sandymobile parked in front would be enough to let kids know we are here and that the sign we will put out this morning would help draw them out too.  

May you find the incidentals in life God's glory.  May the hiccups give you the giggles of delight that is our birthright as sons and daughters. 

Peace be with you- Sherry

Update

• I left my tip jar from my art room at my home yesterday.  If you would like to donate to help with incidentals while we are in Wagner or on the way home feel free to use Paypal; sherryboberry2@yahoo.com .  Please pray for myself, Dale, and precious Emily that we be radiant lightbearers.  

Daddy, I Want It All

 I stopped and thought about the word "glean" it means to take, extract, and gather from various sources.  It hit me that I've been a gleaner my whole life. I love to learn and am at a heart a nerd that loves to read, write, and seek knowledge.  I treasure scripture snippets, quotes, and have a plethora of trivial worldy knowledge from song lyrics, art, tv shows, and movies.

About five years ago I felt like God was telling me to "mentor" as there were so many changes going on in my world and the lives of others. I felt ill equipped and had prayed and petitioned the Lord to help and he told me to "mentor".  I laughed because the thought of "mentor" to my heart was like a spiritual guru or someone that was one of those bright, shiny people.  It didn't mean this girl that had lived an imperfect at best life.  I'm bold, sassy, and have spunk, Lord, but fluidity of words doesn't flow except on paper for me.  I cuss, Lord, you know it, hear it and many times roll those gracious eyes my direction.  I'm loud, Abba, and most the time unrestrained with my actions and words...yeah, I'm a wild card, and you want me to "mentor"?

I did "mentor" for a short season but I never had a chance to really define that. Within six months I had a cancer diagnosis, my darling dot had a seizure in college, and my life was turned upside down. Within two weeks of starting radiation I realized that I couldn't joke cancer away or pretend any longer and I needed my daddy, my Heavenly Daddy.  I'd been writing in my journal for two weeks like a crazy person and he responded with "you know me, have always known me, Sherry, you are mine".  Then a couple of weeks later as I started chemo with radiation I heard "you are mine and have no idea what I can do with you know that you know the truth.  Do what they say, rest, rest, and rest for I know what you will be used to do in the future".  And, yeah, like the indignant Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka I wanted more, more details & I had suggestions. Those details came in what I called "crazy chemo dreams" that I wrote about in my journal but didn't realize that they were the answers that I pleaded for until last year.

Fast forward to five years later and here I am alive and kicking.  Some days are better than others and easier and others complicated. And, the word "mentor" is being used again in circles that surround me.  I've learned to free fall with the Lord this fall.  To allow him to take care of incidentals, hiccups, and remain silent, diligent, and glean what He is gifting in words, people, and places.  I feel Him orchestrating my heart's aspirations; to teach, mentor, and glean so that I would be radiant light to others that is Him.

This blog post started as a chance to update and share that I wrote lesson plans for TSMKC for the kids at the fall conference.  In honesty its what I know to do, what my mama sent me to college for, and is comfortable because I know a classroom so well it is like home.  At the event I was blessed to have a friend from church help me and ask if they could use my "plans" for the kids at church and would I help to implement them.  That simple ask filled in some of my brokenness from 5 years ago.  It filled in the hurt, distraction, and loss that I felt at not knowing a realization of "mentor" was. It made me realize what I would describe as "scraps" because I used those lessons were far more.  That those "scraps" could be gleaned for God's glory.  Those "scraps" that I wrote after praying over and listening to God were something of value that would glorify God in ways I hadn't imagined.

Then last night I had a meeting with a friend that has encouraged me to define "mentor" and to think beyond a classroom or kids to teens and adults.  How would that look, what would I do, and who would I radiate light. It is the chance to see what I do beyond a classroom setting and that is challenging yet so very, very breath taking. It takes me back to when "mentor" was on my mind and I didn't know what exactly to do.  It allows me to see myself not as ; Veruca Salt, spunky, or sassy but as a beloved daughter of the Father.  That daughter that isn't cut from a worldly mold of bright and shiny. She is sassy, spunky, and bold enough to ask the Father for favor upon her children, home, and friends.  She petitions the Lord on behalf of others and is relentless...yes, I'm quite I picketer of sorts, friends. 

I am encouraged this morning & would ask for you to; encourage yourself by claiming victory as you are alive and kicking, give some praise for the moments (for example; cleaning up the hubs toothpaste in the sink leads me to praise the Lord for my hubs & restoration), and to seek solace in the Father as you petition aka demand favor, hope, mercy, and grace for yourself, your family, and your community.  As I write that my heart fills as I hear "I'm on it"...thank you Abba. 

Peace be with you- Sherry


Updates:

• Emily checked in with Dr. Seeley last week after changing her meds and having two seizures in the past couple of weeks.  He has increased her meds and said he felt encouraged that she had went a month before those seizures had happened. 
• Dale, oh, my sonshine. He and I have been kindred souls since day one.  He came home to help his mama with the kiddos at TSMKC conference a couple of weeks ago. On his was back to college he had car problems .  By grace the hubs and a friend went to rescue him. It was late and he had a deadline of midnight for an assignment.  As he turned on the highway to Maryville he realized the time and fear set in that his assignment would be late.  You can probably guess it, he got a big ticket and has to appear in court on October 30 in Maryville.  The sonshine that is the calm in the storm is now in the eye of his very own storm.  He has called the prosecuting attorneys office to ask for help so his parents can pay the tickets, that the charges be reduced so our insurance doesn't go up, and that he will take traffic school.  We would appreciate prayers of favor for the sonshine that both the prosecuting attorney and judge would show grace and mercy as it is his first ticket. 
• I'm posting October classes for The Artroom today. The home school group that meets each Thursday has been robust and a sweet blessing to my soul and I would ask for prayer over the after school program for Fridays and the other class endeavors that I will offer.
• We head back to Wagner early birdy on Friday morning so we can get there in time for a catnap and to do Open Artroom Friday afternoon. This time Tedster is going with us and I can not praise the Lord more for another driver but in reality to have him be a part of the journey,  I am still collecting new socks and gently used tennis shoes to take to Wagner & would adore your donations.   

Hard Headed

I have to write this before I forget it.  It the tenderness of a Father God that not only created me but gets me.  He knows how to catch my attention and man this afternoon I needed some time with the Father in a big way.

I was in line at QT and there was a little girl with her dad in line too.  She was talking about their dog and as a dog lover I listened in.  She was full of enthusiasm and pride as she told him about picking out the collar for their dog.  He took time to listen to her, ask questions, and she totally had his undistracted attention.  Then she took a few steps back and head butted her dad in the belly.  She did a few more times and instead of laughing he saw me and said, "ohh, she's just kooky like that" and told her to stop. I told him "I'm kooky too" and  explained the look on my face wasn't because she was doing anything wrong it was because I used to do the exact same thing to my dad as a kid.  

Then I paid for my stuff and left thinking that's so weird but thankful for the good memory of my dad.  On the way home my air conditioning went out,  I told myself that it was no big deal and praised God that I was on the highway and there was breeze blowing through the windows.  I praised God when I stopped at O'Reily to buy freon to put in the Sandymobile and for the guy at the shop who explained how to put the freon in.  I praised God for the portable air conditioners that keep my house cool as I walked through the door.  And, then, I thought of the little girl at QT and burst into tears. 

As I cried I told God what a crappy thing to do to me; the car, the a/c in both my car and house, and then little girl and the memory of my dad. I actually said "how cruel do you have to be".  That's when I saw the image of the little girl running head first into her dad and it was remarkably clear.  Father God was calling for his daughter to run to him and tell him everything.  

You see this morning Emily woke up and it was apparent that she had a seizure in her sleep last night.  She has been discombobulated today and her mouth is swollen and body is aching. I'm trying to finish up details for the childrens portion of The Single Mom KC event this weekend.  I tried to take all three of our dogs for a walk this morning without Emily and Daisy Lou Lab broke from her collar.  And, then this afternoon God reminded me of what I had lost here on Earth, my Earthly Dad, who was my confidant, my fixer, and did I mention a mechanic? To top it off my air conditioning in my car stopped running cool. Yeah, it was all crashing in and  I heard Father God say "Come on hit me with hit Sherry".  

By His grace I live, walk, and talk.  By grace gifted that is beyond this world I live, walk, and talk.  And, by His grace I usually laugh, praise, and show my spunk but today He knew that I needed His grace to call me home.  Home to confide in Him.  Home to seek solace.  Home to cry away frustrations and hurt.  Home to seek Him who gifts me grace....grace that is received and gifted away to others daily.  He choose me today to refill, encourage, and call out.  I'm thankful this afternoon for ears that hear, eyes that see, and a heart that is open. 

Ok, that's it for today, but hold on, Father God.  I just set a schedule for art classes in my art studio at our home this week.  Did I mention that?  Yeah, there's that too, Father God, I want kids and adults in my community to seek light, grace, and creativity in my creative space.  Father God I need your favor as we try to put freon in the Sandymobile and find that the condenser fan is not running.  Allow us the capability to fix it or to have a friend that can help us.

May each of you find peace, light, and joy in the moment.  May each of you seek grace when things feel less than stellar.  And, may you find precious joy in the moments that is life. 

Peace be with you- Sherry

Wanderlust

Building Blocks of Hope

Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth”.

I'm working this week both creatively & in children's ministries.  For the later I was given the theme of building blocks of hope and literally am stuck between Bob the Builder and wanderlust of the Holy Spirit.

Wanderlust is defined as "a strong desire to travel" . It seems fitting as I've came back home from Wagner last week but part of my spirit remains there.  The past couple of weeks in Wagner were magnificent in so many ways for me both personally and spiritually.  This week I have been able to pray in confidence to our Heavenly Father and thank him for provisions in my own life and my journey that made my time in Wagner one of beauty, light, and grace.

I've started a series of watercolor work this week entitled ; "wanderlust".  This city kid was inspired by the majesty of the river, lakes, prairie, and eagles that I saw while in Wagner.  I was able to take a friend out to the river where she shared her special spot that she goes to reflect, pray, and meditate.  She shared with me the meaning of water, eagles, and more according to Native Americans.  It was beautiful to learn from a Native American who knows our Heavenly Father.  We were able to laugh, share, and pray over each other, our families, the community, and friends.  I'm proud to know what an eagle sounds like because she took time to share with me.

Perhaps, "wanderlust", is really taking time to journey with others around us.  Its an investment of our time and shared experiences with them .  To listen to their journeys and found a commonplace with one another.  It's more than just making a little time in your schedule, sending a buck, or giving excuses as to why you "can't".  Wanderlust in the Holy Spirit gives you freedom to say "yes", to listen, to pray with another, and to sense when you need to speak.  It is a sweet freedom of expression, love, and care that Christ had for others.

This week I'm working in "wanderlust" for my community as I plan and pray over offering semi-permanent weekly and monthly art classes. I feel in my core that I need to plan and schedule the classes at my home base aka my creative sanctuary aka The Artroom.  While in Wagner I had several messages asking me to come teach monthly art classes and I need to pray on which to take on.  I felt a tug from our Heavenly Father while in Wagner that said "kid, you're home".  It brought me to tears in the church kitchen early one morning.  It wasn't God telling me that Wagner was my home but what I was doing in Wagner; connecting, loving, creating, listening, praying, and being attentive was what "home" is.

I'm hopeful in the coming weeks to use creativity as a kingdom builder in my own community using my resources ; my home art studio, my supplies, and "wanderlust" from the Holy Spirit to make an impact.  I would love for you to share about ; The Artroom, come to classes, bring your kids or grandkids, and pray over my ability to be light, refuge, and shelter from the world with "wanderlust" from the Holy Spirit.

**After writing this morning I felt like I was missing something.  Emily was having an off day and had taken meds to prevent a seizure. I went to check on her and wound up praying over her as she slept this afternoon.  As I was praying I was recounting all the wonderful traits that the Lord gifted Emily with.  It dawned on me that those are building blocks of hope; compassion, tenacity, kindness, faithfulness, trustworthy, servant, friend, warrior.  I'm thankful for time well spent to pray for my daughter and to open my mind to the possibility of creating a curriculum based on her gifts from the father that I would hope each child would see in themselves. 

Peace be with you- Sherry


Updates:

• My journey to Wagner left me with a wanderlust list of aspirations that I've laid in Gods capable hands to bless,  One of those aspirations is in creating a monthly and weekly schedule for my creative sanctuary aka The Artroom that would make it available to both kids and adults to seek solace from the world and find their own wanderlust within creativity.   
• We move Dale to college on August 23 at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville.   If you would pray for safe travels for our family that would be phenom.  
• Emily has another consult with Dr. Seeley , her epilepsy neurologist, on August 20.  We appreciate prayers of light, clarity, and tenacity for Emily in her journey.  She is looking at taking an online class this semester at the community college.  
• I returned to my oncologist this week and we discussed maintenance.  We talked about a monthly injection to continue on the path of healing and coping through pain, bloating, etc.  We also discussed that I don't have health insurance and options available until we can get coverage in October.  I've filled out financial assistance paperwork for the injections.  Prayers would be appreciated.  
• I took two pairs of used kids converse sneakers to Wagner to give away.  I had one pair in mind for a girl that I knew and to my delight she was indeed in need of shoes & they fit.  I gifted away the other pair to another girl that I felt needed shoes and they fit exactly.  I would like to gather and collect used kids sneakers to take on my trip in October.  If you have some used sneakers you'd like to donate or would be willing to buy a few pairs when you go to a thrift store please let me know. 

Sparkle Fingers

Impact ; before you lead with God's light ask that it be solely for his glory and none of your own

Impression; you are not only the hands and feet of Jesus but you are his face , his words, and his actions

Integrity: true grit to be who you are designed in Christ

I've been praying this year over these three words ; impact, impression, and integrity.  That daily I would have each and that God would open doors to allow me to be his light.  Why do I feel a  turbulence this morning that throws my head in a tailspin of emotion from empathy to heartbreak. I thought it was because I needed to pray but afterward I knew it was because I needed to blog and "be bold" with my words.

 I woke up throughout Saturday night through Sunday morning with vivid dreams of the kid artists that we have met and one in particular.  My teacher smarts can spot a kid in distress and knows that she can't save them all. What I can do is pray over this girl and gift her back to God like I do my own two kids daily.  I can empower God to bubble wrap this kid with his protection & boundless love.  I went back to sleep and woke up from another dream with another couple of kids and I prayed the same over them.  Then another dream and I checked the time and it was 6:30 so I got up and started to pray over each and every kid artist that has graced All Tribes Fellowship over the week & the ones that we know from the past.  I prayed over the flow of kid artists that we have seen this past week and that floodgates continue to open while we are here.

I praised God for letting it take so long for us to get up here this summer because he was preparing us to be his hands and feet.  He prepped me when my health insurance was cancelled this spring & my ongoing battle with social security.  I've been able to listen not only with intent but boldness as two sister in Christ in Wagner have shared their health battles which include no insurance....ohh, Lord, I know the heartache and resolve that I found in you let me share it. I was blessed to "be bold" and ask if we could pray after they shared and both said "yes".  Thank you, Lord, for prepping my heart, mind and spirit with "be bold" & my own personal experiences. I praise God this morning for both of these ladies and ask that they find resolve in Lord as I have.

I've been trying to call and message the Boys and Girls Club here in Wagner and didn't get called back.  God told me to "be bold" and I've went to their office daily but there is no one there.  One of the kids told me that the club is closed until school starts.  God, is so infinitely wise that he sent us here when the club was closed so that kids could choose light, creativity, and grace that our Open Artroom gifts.  God is giving us kid artists that we might not have met had the club been opened.

God prepped Emily through having weekly seizures in her sleep that she knows when to rest and does it.  She had to take a nap yesterday as the kids were arriving.  She could recognize she needed to rest...to God be the glory. One of the kids asked where she went and I told her that Emily has epilepsy and has seizures.  The kid artist told me that her sister has seizures too and then took over to help me like Emily does.  It gifted God's light and mercy to me to see the kid artist step up, ask directions , and then take over an art station as the leader.

Dale got his drivers license in June after having his permit for two years. That gifts us with another driver as we drove to Wagner.  It allowed him to say "yes" when a family asked if we could bring their kids home since they borrowed a car to get them to Open Artroom.  He said "yes" to another couple of kids that asked if they could get a ride yesterday and has wound up taking two car loads of kids home daily.

Yesterday, I felt the magnitude of emotions and felt like escaping to the local bakery here in Wagner to journal and sketch in my sketchbook.  The Sandymobile's fan for the a/c has went out and needs repairs but the morning was cool and the windows were down as I went to drive the whole two blocks to the bakery.  I stopped by the bank to check my balance and saw that it was around $70 until Ted gets paid. I felt that pain of fear try to creep in about the car.  I went to journal at the bakery my own problems to the Lord and wound up praying over friends, kid artists, and the community of Wagner.  On the way back to the church I could hear someones car not cranking over and thought of my own car woes and started to pray over them that God would help them.  I heard 'be bold" on my heart, mind, and spirit and took a deep breath and went over.  I saw it was a gal with two small kids in the van and she had the look of defeat.  I've been there, been that mom, am that mom....so I was bold.  I found out that she didn't need a jump start but needed gas in the van.  I told her not to worry that I could go and get some gas and be right back.  Thankful at Gods provision in my own life & for answering when he says "be bold".  I am trusting our Heavenly Father to provide not only the parts but people to help fix the Sandymobile because that car is my wings to the world.

Our time is Wagner has renewed my soul in my abilities to provide a safe sanctuary through creativity for the kids in Wagner. It reminds me kids & adults in my own community in Pleasant Hill need the same sanctuary as in Wagner. A place where they can create, socialize, and be lifted in God's light and I'm just the gal to lead it in my art room.  Thankful this evening for my time in Wagner to lead with integrity, love, and light.  May this week continue to bring each of us closer to God's light and purpose.

The pic at the top is from yesterday.  I had a kid artist tell me that she painted her nails to look like mine and showed me her hands.  Sure enough we now both have sparkle fingers.  Thankful for God's precious reminder that I am his hands and feet.  It is with impression, intent, and integrity that I walk.


Peace be with you- Sherry

Updates:

• This Saturday Ted was planning on traveling to Wagner with a family that was coming this way.  We found out that he can't get a ride with them after all.  We are looking for someone that is traveling to Omaha to get him there.   If you are going to Omaha let me know if there is room for Ted in your car.  We've prayed for over a year for Ted's heart to soften and that he would want to join us in Wagner & he is wants to.  Now, we just need to get him here. 
• We are in need of someone to let our dogs out for a couple of days starting on Saturday through Wednesday. If you or your kiddo would like to help us we would love your help...please contact me. 
• We are blessed to have 25 to 35 kids showing up daily for Open Artroom.  Yesterday, God gifted us with four more kids that we haven't met.  There were two that came in and asked if we had anything to eat and I told them we have snack at 4:30.  I got the opportunity to talk with them and started to silently pray over them, their needs, and that God's light to encompass them. When they began to go to art stations they were hesitant and by the end they were kid artists. God is good.  

Whats Love Got To Do With It

Ecclesiastes 8:1 "Who is a wise man? And knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A mans wisdom maketh his face to shine and the boldness of his face shall be changed"

 I have to be bold, I have to be bold, I have to bold, deep breath.  Ok, I think I 'm ready to blog again and feel moved by the Holy Spirit this morning as I glanced through social media.  I saw ; people with broken spirits, listening to the the lies the enemy says rather than Gods truth, and the hurt that can encapsulate your soul if you allow it.  This girl has gotta stand up and breathe life, love, and light into each and every that reads this.

This weekend at church they did an exercise in faith to show how to share your testimony.  I felt my spirit lunge as they were passing out index cards.  It is the kind of feeling a few years ago that would have had me leaving rather than accepting a card.  They had us divide our card in half ; the left side we wrote one word responses to "there was a time in my life " before you knew God.  On the right side you wrote one word responses to "do you have a story like that" where you were to write how it felt once you let God in.

Its difficult for me to express my emotions verbally.  I'm better on paper. I thought "this is gonna be cathartic, Sherry, do it you get to write".  They said turn to your neighbor and read your card.  Thank you, Jesus, that my husband is sitting next to me.  Then they said after you share with your neighbor find two others to share with.  Whhhaaatttt? ... that was my Scooby-Doo moment .  Things were going beyond my control but like in life I took a deep breath and thought "suck it up".

I got to "mockery" on my index card and began to sob so hard that I couldn't read the rest of my card. I couldn't finish reading it through my tears and told my husband "just read it". After a couple of minutes he said, "Sherry, there's a girl in front of you that has the same look of fear on her face as you do go talk to her next".   I snapped into "suck it up" mode took one look at her and felt the same pain from my card.  Instead of walking a few steps and sitting by her I chose to get up and walk thinking the heartbreak I was feeling would leave.  I just needed to find someone I know to share with.

That is when I heard a voice in my head say "Mockery all you do is mock sit down" and the further into the aisles I went the louder the voice got.  I ran back to my safe spot beside my husband and cried, sobbed, and cried some more.  He even called for someone to come pray for me.  I told him, "no I just need to leave".

When things get "too touching" or emotional I laugh them off, poke fun of myself, and if it really is too close I run from them.  Getting up to walk out was the only way I knew to protect myself. I chose to hear "mock" rather than listen to what my Heavenly Father was telling me.  As I walked out and got to the steps I stopped. I could hear "Sherry , you don't mock me. You've never mocked me.  You are mine.  I love you.  You just missed a chance to be bold like I asked".

I knew that I had listened to the last lie that the enemy had in his arsenal.  God told me a few years ago "you are mine". I truly feel His all encompassing love and salvation. I know I was forgiven for the past and had been loved my whole life by my creator.

The rest of the words on my index card meant nothing to me anymore but "mockery of the Lord" does.  Mockery is why I'm cautious now more than ever.  I want each step to be His and done in boundless love rather than in what I know. I pray over things before doing them rather than jump right in . I trust God to move mountains in my life rather than allowing fear to take over.  All that and I hear the word "mock" and I'm filled with guilt, remorse, and fear that this time I'm going to really make God mad.

I'm reminded this morning to look on the back of my index card.  I had wrote a thank you note to our Heavenly Father for;  "breathing life into a spirit that had floundered in disbelief of her own salvation. That your anger DID NOT mean banishment but everlasting love without boundaries that gleans grace and mercy. from me with love".

God's love is boundless, his forgiveness is beyond anything this world can offer, and his grace lights a pathway in this world that will always lead back to Him.  This morning I'm hopeful that my message will be ; boundless love to another, to assure you that you are forgiven, and that your path is well lit in the darkest of days. And, what's love got to do with it?  Everything.

Peace be with you- Sherry


Updates:

• The kids & I are heading to Wagner, South Dakota on Monday morning to do an Open Artroom with Native American children and families in Wagner.  Please pray for God's bubble wrap of protection over each of us & the Sandymobile as we travel and during our stay. If you would like to help beyond prayers here is what we need; 

• We still have a handful of supplies that we need to take on South Dakota trip to help us share love and light. You will find a list below.  Please let me know if you are willing to purchase some of these items ; 5 drop cloths, 10 bags of popcorn to pop, 10 boxes of Jello Cheesecake mix (Aldis or generic kinds are fine), 10 sets of paint brushes (they can be purchased at a dollar shop), 2 packs of multicolored Sharpies 

• I would like to bless the kids in Wagner by buying movie tickets each Friday that we are there. Tickets are $5 each.  I would like to have 10 friends that you would gift $10 .  If you are that friend let me know. You may donate via a Facebook fundraiser that I set up. 

• Finally, I want to ensure that we have gas money to get to Wagner and home. If you would like to donate for gas let me know. It is $50 one way. You can donate via a Facebook fundraiser that I set up.

Trickle

Remember being a kid at the pool or lake ?  For me that meant splashing everyone and squealing when I got splashed back. It meant summer vacations and road trips to the lake to hangout on a boat and if it were warm enough we could jump in.  Sounds sort of awesome, right, the warmth of the sun and the movement of the water.   As a kid I would freak out when my face got wet . Truth be told even as an adult I hurry in the shower because I don't like my face getting wet.  Let's just say swimming and boating aren't in my comfort zone. 

This year I've had a vision when I pray of darkness and then a water drop and ripple. At Easter as I was praising the Lord I got the same vision and some vertigo.  When vertigo happens and it does quite a lot to me I sit down and close my eyes.  When I closed my eyes at Easter I saw the water drop, the ripple, and faster than I could imagine it was like I was under water in a beautiful blue waters with sunlight glistening through.  I felt a calm and peace in the water.  I felt like God was telling me to come walk on the water with him but I instantly let fear take over and the vision was gone and I was back to darkness and a water drop. 

The next week the sonshine and I were coming home from a class we are taking in KC. I shared my water experience with the sonshine. What he said to me was "Mom, do you know what water means in the Bible?  It means the Holy Spirit.  Have you ever thought that you aren't afraid of water but are resisting the Holy Spirit?".  Talk about something to ponder, right?  The next morning I felt the familiar wave of vertigo start which feels a whole lot like buoyancy of water and I said "Holy Spirit if that is you please guide and direct my day and stop with the buoyancy already".  And, you know what?  The vertigo stopped.

Last month the hubs & I went on a retreat in Kansas.  That night I felt God telling me in no uncertain terms by the end of the retreat I was going to walk with him on the water.  I thought back on the water drop,  its ripple, and my latest word "flow" that I had been journaling about.  It made me write FLOW in all caps in my journal. It was if I could rebel and that going with the flow would be enough.  I felt my friend vertigo take over and had to close my eyes to just sit upright. I started to praise God for ; the comfy couch I was sitting on, time spent with the hubs, time spent to praise him and thank Him for trust of a Father that will never leave me.  Through my deep breathing to try to control the vertigo I was taken back to the beautiful blue water and then saw a spring that had started.  I then saw the hand come from the spring and heard the words "walk with me".  I took the hand to walk and could recognize that my life was never ever going to be the same.  It was as if the spring was running through my veins to nurture my soul, calm my mind, and encourage my heart.

This year has been in a season of challenge, change, and confidence in my faith and my design from the Father. I've felt threatened in so many ways ; my health,  my daughter's health, our home, repairs to our home and working creatively.  The threat and fear feels very real and its ominous.  I'm reminded that it is the world, and it is not God. I am reminded of that as I pray daily for His favor to shine through. I feel a confidence daily that is because I fully recognize my place as the daughter of the King.  I find solace in praising God ; "This world will continue to spin , Lord, with or without me, I know ultimately you are in control, you will show me favor in great ways.  All my joy is to sing your praises"

My life is to serve as a gratitude journey to our Heavenly Father. My story and the precious details are all His with my complete confidence and trust being in Him. May each of you see that lovely drop that trickles when you close your eyes from the world.  May you come into fruition feeling the buoyancy that is the spring of eternal hope. 

Peace be with you- Sherry

Updates:

• The darling dot, Emily, goes to the epilepsy specialist next Tuesday.  Please pray that God will guide and direct Dr. Seeley with her care and treatment.
• I'm working on a series of creative week long summer camps for kids.  I feel like God is telling me to branch out & have written a proposal to ask for local churches and non-profits to provide space for the camps.  Prayers would be appreciated that each camp finds a home space.  If you know of a church or non-profit that would like to host a week long kids creative camp in the KC area please contact me.