Today is one of those days when my plans changed on the whim of another. So, in an attempt to continue to be productive, I started to do the miriad of little tasks that I kept setting aside for "when I get around to it." Since this time to myself was a gift, I decided to honour it by shortening my 'to-do' list. So, I started out my day by creating gift scrolls for my daughter-in-laws baby shower. What fun to play in the baby graphic sites online and put together a nice creation that reflected our love and excitement at the bending new arrival. Then, the nightmare started! My printer, which has been tempermental, of late, decided it was going to make the job as difficult as possible. It took turns giving me different frustuations from munching over 10 pieces of paper at one time, to printing all but a small patch on the page. I tested several other documents, and they printed just fine. But, all it would give me was 1 good copy out of every 5 or 6. Then, it would also decide there had been a scanner error (I wasn't using the scanner) and just shut down and refuse to print. The whole job took me over 3 hours to do what should have taken only about 30 minutes! I had to baby the machine and feed it one page at a time, and ask it only to print half a page at a time, then turn the paper to do the other half. (2 scrolls on each page) Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have little patience for equipment which I have paid good money for that does not work properly. So, knowing that, you can imagine how I was tempted to just pitch the thing out the window and go and purchase another one. But, as I worked, slow and steady, to get the job done, my frustuation turned to humour and I won the victory over the predicament. Feeling brave, I moved on to job #2, business cards for a gal at my Corps. These have a lovely soft pink background of roses, and a cheerful green writing. Now, to find just the right verse to place on them. So, from fighting with the printer to delving into my Bible and various concordances in my quest for a verse that would witness, while reflecting the gals personality. Next thing I realized, it was almost 3 pm, and I had spent over an hour in the Word! No matter why I open that Book, lately, God has something to give me from it. What an awesome God! So, here I am, at the end of these tasks and a few others in between. Sitting and praising my God for a very productive and pleasant day. My sweet friend, Heather Oliver, is doing well after her surgery, I have been blessed with a few phone calls, emails and encouragement from my last bog...THANKS! One friend told me I was being too hard on myself. She has known me for almost 20 years. But, when push comes to shove, to completely open myself up, I must be willing to open even those places where my hurt, fear, shame and regret are housed. My heart and prayers are with you all, today, my dear ones. May you be blessed as I have been with the reminder that we are only required to do one thing at a time. Just get up and start, keep a steady pace, and focus on God's promise for your reward at the end of the day. Love in Christ, jude