New Season

It's really sad.....so sad....when you have been away from bloggyland for so long that you have forgotten which email and password you use!!! Have mercy!!
I am here. I have a few minutes to share with you before I start the rice to go along with the roast beef for supper. I have a list a mile long of things that I need to do this week....but most all of us do!  So, what can I share with y'all this evening that's a bit different? Just a little bit of my heart.

I am digging deeply into His Word these days. I am making appointments with Him so that I don't get caught up in the busyness of life and forget about studying a little more of His grace and peace. I am in a thirsty time in my Spiritual Life.  I am taking a Bible study written by a friend of mine. I knew that she was an amazing prayer warrior, but I had no idea that she could write! She writes and speaks so that I understand exactly what He is trying to tell us.  We are comparing the Beatitudes (Matthew) with the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians). I can feel the spiritual water that I do so desperately need in this season of life quenching my thirst. He is there....I just need to obey and join Him. The other can wait.

I have been busy with my photography business! I love the joy that it gives me --seeing His beauty through the lens of my camera. And, I can share this with my clients. He has allowed me to capture some special moments this summer. From our mission trip to Peru to a beautiful and fun wedding to taking our oldest to college and seeing it through his eyes.  God is good!

So, with a full week ahead, I pray that you will take the time to spend with Him and see what He has in store for you this season.

Sweet blessings,

Good to Wow!!!

Hey, friends! Thank you for the sweet words about the quilt! I truly do appreciate it! More projects are underway here, but for now, I need to share a really cool "God moment" with you!

As we were going out of town late yesterday afternoon, my eagle eyed hubby spotted something on our neighbor's fence post. He drove slowly toward it and stopped to see our reactions. Y'all, it was a hawk! He was just perched on top of the post looking around his open fields. It was so cool! I grabbed my camera and changed the lens to a zoom because I thought he would quickly take flight. He did not! That critter just sat and posed for me to take 50 million shots! Wish I could say that about my boys!!! Oh, well.

Here is the before picture. I have done absolutley nothing to enhance the shot. And, this preditor was in full sun. So, the sun is filling my camera to boot. Can't wait to give this a try and see what happens. I will post my after shot on Thursday and let you see how it turns out.

I just hopped over to Jill's blog to link up with her photos this week, and oopsie! She has a great sooc (straight out of camera) challenge. It's using sidewalk chalk! Oh, well, I will just show y'all what I do with this critter on Thursday. But, for cool ideas and pics with fun chalk, go visit Jill!

Y'all have a great day!



2010---The good, the bad, the lovely!

Happy New Year's Eve everyone! In just a few hours, we'll be headed to a party to watch Carolina play in a bowl game and ring in the new year. Actually, we probably won't make it to midnight....I'm tired from a long run this morning, and Hubby went for a long bike ride. Sad when you get old!!!

Just visited Facebook to see how my friends in cyberspace are doing. One of my sweet peeps, Leah, had a great question on her wall. She asked what was the most memorable thing about 2010. I would love to hear your answers to this! So, get comfy and spend a few minutes reflecting on the moments that have made an impact in your life this year. (Leah, if you have the same question on your blog, please forgive me! I really liked it!!!)

My memorable moments (is that redundant?) include reading through the Bible for the first time ever (see Wendy Pope, for tomorrow we start again!), attending an awesome ladies' retreat (gIRL gathering at Black Mtn.), speaking to a lovely group of ladies at a nearby church, and seeing my photography business grow according to God's plan.

The other is going through the first year without my Daddy. It was a year ago last week that he passed away. But, glory! He's celebrating Christmas again in Heaven.

Share your memories with us! And, have a blessed New Year!

Sweet Blessings,

Mercy! Praise the Lord!

Trust in the LORD forever,

for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

Isaiah 26:4

Oh, bloggy friends! I have such wonderful news that I can finally share! I am so excited!! My precious friend, Elaine at "Peace for the Journey" has published her first book!!!! Whoohoo!! God laid this upon her heart so long ago, and with His perfect timing, it is now available to all of us. She has put her trust in Him to see this to fruition, and I cannot wait to hold a copy in my hand!


If you have never read Elaine's posts, you have missed so many blessings. She has such a beautiful gift of sharing God's love, warmth, and peace in her writing. Now, you can have a hard copy of her work....a blessing from our Lord!


I encourage you to click on her name, go to her website and see the trailer....just lovely! And, y'all....she is such a real friend! I just love how God has crossed our paths. She has been such an encourager in my photography endeavor. Believing in me and trusting that I can capture "God moments" through the lens of my camera. Just this morning, I received an email from my cousin. She has seen my website and is interested in my taking pictures of her daughter's wedding in late summer. Y'all, this is a huge leap of faith! And, I would so appreciate your prayers that God would reveal to me if this is part of His plan.


So, chickadees, please hop over to "Peace for the Journey" and visit awhile with Elaine. Tell her that Susan sent you! Oh, and sweet thing that she is....Elaine is giving away copies of her book!


Y'all have a wonderful day!


Sweet Blessings,
Susan

Wisdom and Teeth

Child #1 is on the couch sleeping peacefully thanks to a "happy drug" prescribed by the oral surgeon this morning. Yep, he had all 4 wisdom teeth removed at 8 today. Such a fun way to spend a day off from school. And, the weather is just perfect outside! Sunny and in the 60's! I plan on running in a bit. I need child #2 to come and watch brother sleep while mama runs!! How exciting will that be?

I am working on my photography website as I shared with you all. I'll tell you, if you are as computer illiterate as I am, even the easiest sites are HARD!!! I have gotten really frustrated with my lack of skills and the slowness of my computer--but, praise the Lord, it is working! Baby steps is the way to go. Plus, I am having to learn how to use Photoshop. Have y'all ever used the newest version(CS4)? My word, it's hard! There are no instructions! You have to find tutorials from other websites. Or, you can pay $$$ for one-on-one instruction!! Simply taking pictures is the old-fashioned way...now, you have to have computer skills as well to have a successful business! Please pray for me!

This sorta correlates to God's instructions for us. Thankfully, after years of telling the Bible stories, they were written down for us. We can simply open His Word and read it for ourselves. We don't have to go all over the place trying to figure out His will for us. Or do we still do it?

If you simply skim over your Bible, you will miss the beauty of His wisdom! You have to dig in the Book to find those nuggets of truth that He has just for you. Spending uninterrupted time with Him is something that has to be done in order to truly understand. I know that I keep going back to Mary and Martha, but that story speaks volumes to me. Mary "got it!" She wasn't flittin' all over the place trying to pick up the house and prepare the meal and dust the furniture, etc. She sat. She listened. She was quiet! It's the same back then as it is today. We have to listen to Jesus through the Word. Remember the story of Eli and Samuel? Samuel didn't realize that God was talking to him. He was so young, he thought it was Eli calling out to him. Nope, it was God.

Are we listening to God today? Do we hear His desires for us? He has a purpose for each one of us if only we will stop and listen.

I had no idea that this post was going to turn out like this! I guess God had plans other than my own! I WAS going to ask if any of you knew a thing about Photoshop CS4!!! If so, please share your knowledge with me!! Thank you! Help me get out of "frustrated land!"

Y'all have a wonderful day!

Sweet Blessings,

2010--A New Decade

I hope that y'all had a nice New Year's Eve...we ditched the grilled steaks and baked potatoes 'cause hubby wasn't feeling 100%--and I do not grill!!! Mercy! We are going to enjoy that meal tonight.

Things are going well with my family. Thank you all for your precious comments and continued prayers. They are felt and appreciated. We are just taking it one day at the time.

I have been cleaning...my house smells like lemony scented Pine-Sol! The floor is actually clean enough to eat from--but I wouldn't suggest doing that! The decorations and trees are in the attic, and the goodies have been eaten. But, Christmas is much alive in our hearts. Some of you may do this. We save the beautiful cards from family and friends, put them in a basket and place them on the kitchen table. Each night, before we say the blessing, we choose a card and include that family in our prayer. What do y'all do with your Christmas cards after Christmas?? Just DO NOT tell me that you throw them away!! That breaks my heart! I have 19 years worth of cards filed away(actually tucked in an extra chest of drawers!) It drives my hubby looney, but they are special-- friends took the time to send us greetings and love, and I so appreciate that.

Did any of you start a new resolution? I would love to hear about that! I had a great run today--perfect weather. Looking for a new marathon to do. We are actually considering the Little Rock , AR one in March. It's just a very LONG drive. Marci, are you near-by?? I also started a new Bible Study with Wendy Pope. I plan on reading through the Bible this year! I personally hold y'all accountable to keep me encouraged! Don't you just love bloggy friends? I also read that Yolanda is hosting a Bible Study too--check that one out too--see her Dec. 21 post.

Our computer is still "under the weather!" It's been 4 weeks this Sunday! I am using hubby's laptop--still! Sometimes it cooperates and sometimes...well, I cannot leave y'all messages sometimes. I am reading your posts! I truly dislike computers! We have tried an anti-virus thingie, but it was not 100%. We'll get it up and running..I pray..by the end of next week. I really am ready to launch my photography business--website and all, but if the computer is not cooperating, it's really not the right time. Patience, oh grasshopper! I did have a photo shoot yesterday morning! It had to be inside due to the weather! It was so much fun!

Ok..I have truly rambled today. And, it's my blog, and if I want to ramble every now and then, it's alright! I'll do better next time. Y'all enjoy your evening...have fun watching those bowl games. Mine is on tomorrow afternoon at 2--Go Gamecocks!

Sweet Blessings,

Good News and More Good News

Don't you just love some good news? I have some to share with my friends in Bloggyland this evening! (And, yes, I have the hymn with that catchy title just playing my head!!) First of all, I received two items of interest in the mail this afternoon. It truly was hard not to do a happy dance standing out in the street! So, instead, I tore into the envelopes standing in my driveway just to end the waiting.

Envelope #1 was from Nice Lady that I posted about last week...the one who had my chairs and fabric that she was going to slipcover back in January, and they burned up in her warehouse fire. Y'all, bless her heart! She sent me the sweetest card and enclosed was a check to cover my losses!!!!!! YES!!! People still make and keep promises! Love it! "I desire to do Your will, o my God; Your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8. Praying to do His will by encouraging her and praying for her and believing her became part of my heartfelt routine. I truly want to believe the best in people.

Envelope #2 was from the State Department of South Carolina. It was quite an official looking document from the Secretary of State! I kept looking for a stamp on the paper saying"denied." But, glory! It was approved! Y'all, I have an official, real-live business license for Susan Hood Photography!!! Whoohoo! I think I'll frame it and put it over our bed! Just kidding! I'll be working on the website over the weekend.

Third--not in an envelope this time--was a beautiful gift from a darlin' girl that I met in my favorite store (Hobby Lobby). Last week, I was wandering through the decorative picks to jazz up last year's wreaths. I was admiring the pretty ribbons while chatting with the other ladies on the aisle about Christmas projects. I love getting new ideas and meeting new people! Well, this girl started talking to me about the picks that I had in my hand. Long story short, she is a PROFESSIONAL tree decorator for our town's festival of trees! She has some on displayat the Hyatt and the Hampton Inn! Impressive. I plan on checking them out this weekend.

Anyhow, she talked me into putting down my cutesy little picks and letting her create 2 wreaths for me--for free! It's the "pay it forward" attitude! Wow! A complete stranger offering to make my boring wreaths all fru-fru! I dropped off the wreaths yesterday morning and picked them up today....she's fast! Take a look at what she did:

They lead into the study which is decorated in black, pink and green. Susan colors!!
They had to match my window mistreatments (thank you, Nester!!) in paisley and embellished with hot glued fringe! No sewing there, people!
She even used fringe from the fabric department instead of garland-y stuff (which I do love!) That's being creative--definitely thinking outside the box.
OK, reflection of it in the mirror in the hallway. I just love it! She truly has a gift and is so willing to share it with strangers. This is a huge lesson that I will share and pay forward to others. But I wanted to share it with you all first. :)

Enjoy the weekend! Think of ways to serve a stranger and pay it forward!

Next week, I want to try using MR. LINKY to do a post on favorite Christmas recipes. Pull out your recipe boxes for those tried and true ones to share. I want those recipes that your great aunt Doralyn (or whomever!) passed down to you or your mom or your dad--nothing brand new!! Promise??? I'll plan on seeing y'all back here on Tuesday--maybe I can figure out the linky thingie by then---if not, I'll be hollering at some of you savvy bloggers!

Sweet Blessings!

It's OK to Fail!

Have you ever pondered the question why God might want us to fail? We live in a society where success is everything. We tell our children from early on how great they are, what a good job they've done, etc. We do this to build their self-esteem and confidence. There's nothing wrong with being confident.....but in what and in whom?

The Bible study we're doing that I mentioned last week, The Seven Hardest Things God Asks a Woman to Do by Kathie Reimer and Lisa Whittle, discussed " fail vs.succeed" this morning. And let me tell you, it was a lively discussion!

God wants us to fail so we can realize that it's not about "me" and what "I can do". It's about Him. "Our Weakness is actually his most effective tool in using us for His glory and honor." In order to succeed, we have to fail first...to fall down on our knees and confess to our Father that "I can't do it alone! It's too hard! " Once we do this, we invite Him in to help us succeed--through His grace.

When we are discouraged from our weakness and disillusionment of what we think we can/can't do, we need to focus on this scripture.

"This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD. 'Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message.' So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him." Jeremiah 18:1-4

Are we allowing the Potter to shape us into the form that seems best to Him or to us? I mentioned in an earlier post that I had been praying for a while about taking a leap of faith in starting a little business with painting and photography. I've struggled with God on some aspects of this. All weekend long, my head was full of ideas, ideas, and more ideas! It was one of those times when you wake up thinking and can't go back to sleep! I am not a fan of that! I love my sleep!

Yesterday morning, while trying to have my quiet time, "stuff" simply kept popping into my head, and I couldn't shake it or focus on God! I finally closed my Bible and asked Him if these ideas were from Him and if so, did He want me to follow up on them. Once I asked Him this, my heart was at a peace (Phil. 4:6-7) that only He could provide! I was calm! I knew in my heart that His timing was now...He would be with me in order to succeed and not to fail. I had to wait on Him and trust in His ways, not mine. In the past, I've failed on following through with ideas. This time, I was trusting in One who is Holy and Perfect.

In the past 12 hours, I have FINALLY shown my work to several friends, and their reactions have been so encouraging! I have several orders already! I am really excited! But, I know it was His timing and His desire that I follow up on this dream. In order to glorify Him, I need to remember that I am His clay.

Many Blessings,