Best of the Best

"Your best day here on earth will be your worst day in heaven.". Max Lucado

How blessed we are to have a teacher like Max. This morning he gave an incredible sermon on grace. One of his favorite topics and one that I never get tired of hearing.

I started thinking about a "best day". I realize that I haven't posted lately and I think these two are linked. It's hard to share in a positive and encouraging way, with humor if it isn't one of my best days! It doesn't have to be THE best day for me to expound upon my thoughts, but it cannot be one of those less than good days!  As I reflect upon our fabulous week long Thanksgiving break, I have to admit not all of he days were good! Disappointing news regarding one of my husband's business ventures put him in a "less than best" of moods. As they say, "if daddy ain't happy, ain't no one happy!!" Sad, but true.

I know my Manny well enough to know that changing his environment helps to change his mood.....wow, rocket science! One of the best mood altering places for him is the Texas coast, in his boat on the bay waters!  Luckily, we had plans to head that direction for Thanksgiving anyway. It was just a matter of getting him ON the road.  My Daddy used to have an expression having to do with transporting his horses....usually relating to my Mother. He used to say, "she just doesn't want to load"!!!! Well, Manny just wouldn't load, at least on my time frame at least! I have a different clock when it relates to leaving for the coast. QUICK, ANDALE PRONTO, HAUL BUNS, RAPIDO RAPIDO!!! Is there any other way?

I love the coast, you see. My first trip there was apparently in a car seat, in the back seat of my parents car riding next to a friend of theirs who had just been ditched by his girlfriend. As he apparently lamented, I proceeded to eat the top off of the styrofoam ice chest! They found it in my diapers for days to come, legend has it. I digress......

But, trips to the coast were the highlight of my childhood, adolescence, early adulthood and whatever this stage in life is called now....VMH....Volleyball Mom Hood? Wow, that would be a great topic for another post, I need to start keeping track of these! I digress again....

When I think of best days here on earth I am certain the majority of them are on the coast! The most recent was just two days ago. Fall on the Texas coast is a time of year I had never experienced until just last year. It will always be a constant from now on, guaranteed.  The day started off overcast and muggy, not unusual for the Texas coast anytime of year! But, as the hours passed, the clouds moved out to reveal blue, clear skies. Without the wind, a luxury at the coast, the bay was like glass. Literally, like a mirror reflecting everything on it, above it and around it. So breathtakingly gorgeous! I was speechless....well, almost. It was really just beyond words. BTW, When the bay is so calm, it is easy to go fast to wherever you are going, woooooohoooooo!  When we arrived at the island where we planned to fish, we were met by schools of dolphin feeding, pelicans diving, birds of all sizes and shapes and sounds...really amazing. The water was so clear we could see schools of mullet flashing beneath us!

One of my favorite things about being on the water or really anywhere this happens, is when the sun's rays break through the clouds in shafts of lights so symmetrically perfect you could not mistake it for anything other than the GLORY OF THE LORD! So, regardless of who is with us on the boat, I will shout out, "Look! the Glory of the Lord!" each and every time I see that spectacular spectacle.

"And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.". Exodus 16:10

Lo and behold, we witnessed the G.O.L. On this most perfect of afternoons! Did I mention temperature? We were blessed with calm, clear water, incredible scenery AND temps in the 70's!! I know I go on and on, but seriously, conditions like this are such a treat for a summertime fisherwoman like me!

So, alllllll of this to say if my best day here on the earth (water) will be my worst day in heaven, then HALLELUJAH! What in the world are we afraid of?!

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4

ps....we didn't bring home one single fish, but who cares?

Give them a decade........

I just love the ability to jump on here and share my thoughts!  I hope they will encourage you or at least make you laugh!  This morning at the local gym, I was standing with a group of mom friends and Christian sisters, who all have children in my older daughter's class at school.  We were discussing various upcoming events for our Sophomores, like Christmas Tamale sales, Thanksgiving Baskets for local pastors, you know that exciting, hot-topic kind of chat.

Although I don't know for certain, I believe it to be true that our foursome represented close to 200 years!  We are all either there or on the cusp of our Jubilee!  We are committed to working out and having healthy bodies....on the inside for sure.  The outsides are having a harder time exhibiting the fruit of our labors!  I have the least number of children in the group.....two friends have four each and my other friend, three.  We have a lot of experience under our belts, not to mention other, squishier things under our belts too!  Notches on our wooden spoons.....we have lived, baby!

We are diverse in looks.....one with dark, beautiful curly hair and gorgeous blue eyes!  Another, very Irish maiden, with incredible Auburn curls and green eyes.  The third mom friend sister has wonderful, straight as a board, strawberry blonde hair with freckles and brown eyes!  Me, I'm pretty non-descript, especially after a work out!  Beet red face, slicked back blonde-ish brown-ish hair in a pony tail and green eyes.  But, just like a Dove soap commercial, we are beautiful!  Sweaty workout clothes, or ball gowns!  These three women have hearts of gold, servant's hearts and the words, actions and faith to match.  That is what makes them so darn beautiful!

"Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear:  Forget your people and your father's house.  The king is enthralled with your beauty, honor him, for he is your Lord."  Psalm 45:10-11

As were chatting, a so incredibly cute Mom of much littler kids walked by an inquired about my attendance at her work out class.  I explained that no, I hadn't thrown in the towel, but had been on a field trip with my 7th grader.  Yes, I would be there for sure tomorrow.  She gave me the thumbs up and went on her way, pony tail bouncing with three darlings in tow.  She is solid as a rock, not a bump or pooch, no cellulite or wrinkles, perfect bod...perfect teeth and hair, not to mention flawless skin!

My group of mom friend sisters wondered aloud how and where I would be working out with her?!?!?!?  After explaining that I had signed up for a strength training/circuit training class at our school with these young rock stars..........my Irish maiden mom friend sister said............and I quote...........................................
"GIVE THEM A DECADE"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We all cracked up right there in the middle of the lobby!  How perfect.......I said right then and there, "Now that is a blog post!"

So, off we went....our separate ways......me to buy undershirts for my husband, another to meet a service repairman and another to find a costume pattern at Wal-Mart.  Those Mom Friend Sister duties!  However dull they seem........I know He is Enthralled!

Menagerie

Merriem-Webster:  me-nag-er-ie.  noun
1 a : a place where animals are kept and trained especially for exhibition
b : a collection of wild or foreign animals kept especially for exhibition
2 : a varied mixture <a menagerie of comedians — TV Guide>

The collection of animals at our house has expanded now to nine.  Allow me to make introductions.  hhhmmm, how to start?  Biggest to smallest?  Outdoor to indoor?  youngest to oldest?  Smartest to .....well, not so bright?  Darkest to lightest?  Rookie to veteran?  Male to female?  Oh, for cryin' out loud!

Here we go.  Ella (short for Cinderella) is a rescue horse that we fostered then adopted from an equine rescue here in Texas.  They claimed she was a quarter horse, but my Daddy swore she is a thoroughbred.  And, he would have known!  Anyhow, As the economy has effected most people in our fare state, it certainly has had a negative impact on those in rural areas.  Many are forced to let their animals starve, for lack of funds to buy feed.  And, coupled with the horrific drought last year, grazing isn't an option.

Ella came to us as Willa, named for her will to survive.  Her Mother had perished trying to nurse her and another foal that wasn't even her own.  Ella and her brother were trying to survive on mesquite beans and barely had the strength to load into the trailer when finally rescued.  Rescued, by the way, from a rancher who had already been warned by law enforcement about neglecting his animals.

She is now queen bee!  The boss lady.  She has a sweet disposition and has taken to being ridden by Manny only.  Not my youngest yet, they both aren't quite ready!

Along with Ella in our front pasture is a family of miniature Sicilian donkeys.  Some call them Jerusalem donkeys, because they were the type of donkey Jesus rode on and have a beautiful black cross on their backs!

"The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!"
And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,
"Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!"  "
John 12:12-15

We first got Willow, a one year old male from a wonderful home here in Boerne that cares for children who have severe disabilities or illnesses.  His  Mom was having another baby donkey and young siblings aren't supposed to stay together!  So, we brought Willow home after much sweet talking to my Manny!  Willow has an awesome, funny personality and is very handsome.


I didn't like the fact that he was so lonely, this was prior to Ella's arrival.  I guess I should have introduced them in chronological order!?!?  Anyway,  I mentioned his lonely state to my sweet friend, who happened to have a neighbor with too many donkeys!  So, they brought us Sophie or "Sophia Maria" as I call her.  She is not as pretty as willow is handsome and was very fat when she arrived!  Her owners didn't know if she was pregnant or not, but said if she was, she would not be willing to let willow get near her.  Needless to say, not long after her arrival, a love affair ensued like one you have never seen!  I felt like I needed to shield the children's eyes!!  Quite the biology lesson, anatomy lesson or birds and bees?  Some sort of lesson, whew!

About a year later, poor donkey ladies and their forever gestational period ...PJ arrived!  If you have never seen a new born miniature donkey, then you havent seen the cutest creature God has ever created!  I love both my girls like crazy, but you have to admit, newborns sometimes aren't that cute!  Mostly red and crinkly!  Well, newborn donkeys are fuzzy, cuddly, wobbly and have huge ears!  I could not get enough of him!  I put a lawn chair in the paddock and would hold him in my lap!  I think Sophie welcomed the break!  He was my baby too!  And, you haven't seen anything if you have never seen baby donkey teeth!  You know how grandparents show off pictures of their grand babies?  Well, every chance I got, I would pass my phone around to show photos of my baby PJ "Paco Jack"! 



He was my little buddy donkey until one day he kicked a porcupine and I had to hold him down while Manny extracted over a hundred quills.  Then, of course came his gelding.  I couldn't participate, much less be on the property.  I suppose I went shopping....what I usually do to ease my pain and grief.  Needless to say, he doesn't love me like he used to......isn't that a country song?

Now, onto the house pets.  I suppose I should hurry up or I'll lose you.  Daisy and amigo are our two Golden Retrievers.  I will never live without a golden retriever.  My parents gave me my first one, Beau, as a graduation gift from college in 1986!  I had him for 13 years!  Then, we got Amigo when my youngest was only one.  She just turned thirteen!  Daisy was again one of those, "the boy is too lonely " kind of things!  We got her in February of 2003, and learned from the breeder she was born on the day my Mother had passed away, December 7, 2002.
Amigo had already been fixed, so we bred daisy to a beautiful sire and she had a litter of 10 puppies!  5 males and 5 females!  The absolute neatest experience for our family!

Daisy and Amigo love to tour the countryside, much to our chagrin.  However, we have met some great people because of their travels!  They most definitely have guardian angels and I'm pretty sure one of them is named Babs.



About six years ago, some friends of ours were going through a crisis and needed to relocate some of their own animals.  So, we took one of their cats.  The girls had always wanted a cute, cuddly, playful kitty, so why not?  Well, "Cupcake" as she was already called, wasnt exactly what we had signed on for.  I call her to this day, "psycho kitty"!  Such an odd creature.  I promise I have a follow up post one day only on this cat, called "Cupcake Chronicles"....stay tuned!

Our most recent canine, was a 50th Birthday surprise for my Manny.  We had been talking for months about getting a third dog, again something cute, cuddly and playful....since we missed with the cat!  I researched: Scottie's, Westies, mini Aussies, king Charles spaniels, cairn terriers, Norwich terriers, Norfolk terriers, morkies, Morkie poos, you name it, I looked at it on line!  Rescues, Craigslist, AKC, fancy breeder groups.  Lord, I feel like I could be a dog show judge now!  Well, guess what we ended up with....that doesn't sound right.  Guess what we finally chose?!  A wiemeriner!  Manny had grown up with these and said one day in the midst of our doggy debate, that they were by far the best dogs ever.  They don't shed, they are loyal, they won't run, they are protective.....on and on.  So, Mama made a mental note and found an AKC litter in San Antonio.  Welcome to our family, "Augustus Von Atkins". Gus for short. 

He will be 5 months old on November 19th.  Ironically, he was born on my Mother's birthday, June 19th!  Well, he was the cutest, funniest thing you have ever seen (except for a baby donkey, of course).  He is such a handful!  So opposite of a Golden Retriever!  No wonder Manny loves this breed, they are so alike!  Tenacious, curious, high energy, independent, lanky and just plain hilarious!  He has gained about 5 pounds a week since we have had him!  The vet says he is going to be giant!  He isn't five months quite yet and I'm sure he weighs close to 50 pounds.  His paws are massive and he has fingers like a monkey that can actually reach and grab!  He has already locked me out of the house.......we interrupt this blog to get off of the sofa to get Gus out of the pantry trash can.........

Our latest and greatest addition to the Atkins Menagerie is......we interrupt this blog again to check on Gus........a micro teacup......Potbellied Pig!  Her name is Bella and she is the cutest thing you have ever seen (except a baby donkey of course).  What a smart little creature!  She fits right in!


The only problem we are now encountering is at feeding time!  All three dogs, the cat and pig have to be fed separately!  Gus is so aggressive and Amigo is so passive that someone is bound to get hurt.  Gus already has two scratches on his face....we aren't sure who they are from, but it could be feline, canine or bovine!

First of all, when I buy their food I look like a zookeeper.  Each has their own food.....amigo gets wet food because of his digestive issue, daisy gets weight management food because of her overeating issue, Gus gets puppy food, cupcake gets indoor, hair ball control, single cat cat food and Bella gets oatmeal and pig chow!!
Last week the pig tried to eat the puppy food and a knock down drag out took place.  Now, I have to close daisy up in the pantry to eat her weight watchers meal.  Amigo gets wet food mixed with Daisy's watered down food, outside on the other side of the house from the pig.  Gus gets fed inside while daisy is in the pantry and amigo is outside.  Bella the pig is fed on the other side of the house without anyone watching, while cupcake is shut off in the utility room with her cat food.  Lord have mercy!

 I know, I know, you are thinking, "well, you brought this all on yourself, sister....".  But, honestly, I can't imagine life without animals.  They are the purest example of unconditional love on our planet! One of my favorite hymns is "All Creatures of our God and King".  We sang it at my Daddy's funeral, because he was such an animal lover.  I suppose that is another inheritance I received from him!

Animals bring me joy!  The girls laugh because I have a special voice or accent for each of our animals!  That must be a gift from my Mother, because she changed her accent when speaking to her friends of different ethnicities!  I used to make fun of her so.....what goes around!  But, really, can't you sense how an animal would sound if God had given it a voice, just by looking at them or learning their personality!?  Am I nuts?  Daisy would speak like Dolly Parton.  Amigo would sound like Morgan Freeman.  Gus, like Little Bear.  Cupcake, like cruella de ville.  Sophie like Reba.  Willow would sound like homer Pyle.  Paco Jack probably has a changing voice but I imagine him sounding a lot like Daffy Duck!!  I haven't had a chance to analyze Bella the pig quite yet....but, I imagine she would sound a lot like ____________.  I'll let ya know or you fill in the blank and let ME know!!!


ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING
Words: Francis of Assisi, cir­ca 1225 (Can­ti­co di frat­re so­le, Song of Bro­ther Sun). He wrote this hymn short­ly be­fore his death, but it was not pub­lished for al­most 400 years. Trans­lat­ed to Eng­lish by Wil­liam H. Drap­er for a child­ren’s Whit­sun­tide fes­ti­val in Leeds, Eng­land; first ap­peared in the Pub­lic School Hymn Book, 1919.

Hats.....
I'm on a bus riding with 40ish, 7th graders,  I suppose I should know the exact number since I'm a chaperone!  We are traveling to Austin to visit the Capitol of Texas!  I love Texas history and as I thought back, I couldn't remember ever visiting the capital, so I volunteered.  I did visit the capital once in college, but it was very late at night and we were climbing trees, another story.....

Today the hat i am wearing is 7th grade Mom hat!  It is actually a relief to "get away from it all" and actually be driven by someone else for a change!  I love these  kiddos, many of whom have been in class together since kindergarten....litter mates as I call them.  It's the beauty of a small town private school!  Like little scrapping pups, they get to know each other so well!  Then, one day they grow up, change their shape and size and viola....who are you?  Which puppy are you?  You look and act differently from when we were little.....I've seen it with my older daughter and now with this bunch (litter) and it amuses me so!

On most days, My usual hat is a black one with a patent leather bill.....the chauffeurs cap!    This particular hat of mine is so worn out, dusty and getting a little faded.  It is well used, comfortable like my favorite flannel nightgown, but sometimes makes me grumpy when I have to wear it....which my flannel gown never does!  I kind of enjoyed this hat when it was new and special, only coming out for special occasions.  But as any garment, when you have to wear it over and over, you get sick of it!  The little black hat is about to be put on the shelf, though.  My oldest daughter, is in the midst of Drivers Ed!  I am counting the days....

You may think I sound ungrateful for having such a cute cap, but since we live 11 miles one way from our school and 25 miles from our church....in the sticks, actually I wear this hat constantly!  When we were looking for property,   My Manny had to have "wide open spaces".... Which was very romantic at the time, but as I told him then and still believe now, "If I cut off my finger while chopping something, I need someone to call for help!". So, we really have the best of all worlds....beautiful views, acreage to play on and neighbors close by!
What this all means, is that I wear my black hat a lot!  It is miraculous I don't have permanent hat hair!   Hair is another whole blog post.....can't wait for that!  Most people tell me I'll miss my cap....that when I'm wearing it is the only time to connect with my children....that once I retire it I wont see them anymore...that it goes with everything......maybe that's why I'll just stash it away on the shelf with Manny's other  1,000 caps.  They all eventually get dusted off and worn again!

As I'm typing this, i am a little over stimulated!  The 7th graders are being 7th graders, moms are chatting, I'm listening to my tunes ....david bowie, mary mary, blake shelton....i know, weird combo....my playlist is bizarre....and getting texts from a desperate client trying to repaint her boyfriends ranch house!   Sorry, I didn't bring my design hat on this trip! I want to say....but isn't that the beauty of how God made us?  We have an innate ability to wear all of our hats at once.  I have a vision right now of a dr. Seuss like character with hats of all shapes, sizes and colors stacked on its head a mile high!  Don't you feel that way sometimes?  But, just think..He knew which hats I would need long before I did and he gave me the gifts to match each and every sweet piece of millenery.

"He doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called! "  We've heard it over and over.  In other words, he doesn't always use those who already have the best gifts and the best looking hats, but for those of us that have doubts about ourselves,  he  provides not just the spiffiest of caps, but actually gorgeous, sparkling tiaras overloaded with jewels!  Ahhh, I am a daughter of the King, after all!

Welcome....I guess!!!!

Well, here goes!  I have been thinking and praying about blogging for months....encouraged by others but never having the real courage to do so, until TODAY!  So, welcome to my blog....Fresh Work Heavenly Wisdom!
I suppose the first introduction should be an explanation of the name of this blog!  I am a huge fan and student of Beth Moore, anointed Bible Teacher and Sister in Christ!  I have been doing her studies since 2006, when my family landed in St. George, Utah.....but that is another post for another time!  Anyhow, as we began our study of Daniel this fall, Beth encouraged us to commit to LEARN!!  What a novel idea!!  Sometimes, we think that bible study is all about us.....and it is powerful when it is!  But, the study of Daniel gets deep, deep into the ocean of prophecy.  Learning it is more difficult than applying it....follow?
However, Beth said in her prayer for God to give us all a Fresh Work in our lives and some Heavenly Wisdom while completing this study.  HHHmmmmm, Fresh Work, Heavenly Wisdom...........I can use that every second of every minute of every hour of every day of LIFE!
The words just stuck......I even made bookmarks for the gals at my study table!  Crafty....I am not!  You will not get craft tips on this blog!  But, I just wanted to share the F.W.H.W. "Aha moment" and remind them while in God's word if we are open to Him, he can do that work and give us that wisdom...day in and day out!  Thus, welcome................

I might have mentioned that I am not crafty, but some have said that I do have a creative streak.  So, this blog will also be about helping you find your creative side.......is it through cooking?  I can share recipes, but usually I "cooter" most of mine....meaning that I add and subtract various ingredients at will!  Game, Mexican Food and New Mexican Food, Soups are all my gig!
Is your creative side evident in your love of books?  I am a voracious reader!  I usually average a book a week.  LOVE my Ipad for that!  And Goodreads is my new best friend too!
Do you like to Garden?  Well, I do and living on the "edge of the desert" as my Manny (husband's nickname) likes to say, is a challenge!  So, I will love talking with you about how you handle drought, deer and armadillos!
Are you an armchair decorator?  Well, aren't we all?!?  I just happened to be blessed with working with an awesome home furnishings company years ago, which gave me my start in Interior Design!  I invite you to check out my website!  www.caryatkinsdesign.com   I suppose there is a way I will have a link on this blog to the website, but I'll figure that out later!!!  I will be sharing ideas and photos and mainly things I love on this blog....hopefully to encourage you to make your spaces more reflective of who YOU are!  Not, who Pottery Barn and HGTV are............

Is this boring?  Do people really keep reading this long?  I'll just keep typing.....

I can't ignore that today is the "Day After".  November 7th.  I must share that when I was doing my Daniel study this morning, Beth was teaching on Alexander the Great and his pride and demise.  She pointed out that Alex's conquests paved the way for scripture to be circulated throughout the world.  God is amazing, yes!  Then she said, "He can "set up" a pagan king to accomplish His purposes.  Likewise, God can depose him when his heart becomes proud and God's purpose is served."  Amen!  Let's take that one to the bank....