A new appreciation for an old word

     Years ago when I worked for an advertising agency I enjoyed learning a little about what makes a commercial effective. Creativity is important because there are so many variables to consider in relating to the consumer. I've seen a commercial recently and each time it has struck a deeper cord within me.  Their advertising worked on me with the sound of a word.  The word is insieme (in see m a), the Italian word for together. The commercial is for baby bow tie pasta and you can be sure I am going to buy some. :)
    Since I found a new way to say together I've been doing a lot of thinking about what together means. I'm saddened with how little "togetherness" most of us are participating in. I think the reason is that we've come to the conclusion that togetherness is not all that important and we can do okay without it these days. I don't want to do just "okay". Do you?
    We can't do without it. The truth is we were designed by God to be together. He made it that way so we would need each other. We are designed for spiritual, physical, emotional and mental togetherness. We have His word on it. He said in Genesis 2:18 that it is not good for man (one human being) to be alone so he made him a companion to help him. Many people think that their situations would be better if others weren't involved. It is time to see others as a help, not a hindrance and time to see ourselves as a helper in other lives. It is time to see that we can contribute something of  value to someone else and to appreciate the value they can contribute to us.
     We have a longing inside of us for togetherness. Togetherness can happen in lots of different settings but the true essence of togetherness is not simply being in physical proximity with others. There has to be a connection and for connection to happen someone has to reach out and take something of themselves and give it away with the hope of it being received.
     I believe with all my heart that there are many people around us ready to receive.                                        
     I hope you experience  insieme  this Thanksgiving.
     Let it be more than a visit to another house and good holiday food.
     Be thankful to God and to others.
     Be insieme and be glad to be insieme.


I came across this old picture of myself, my mom and my two children taken in 1989.  I think you will agree everyone was happy to be insieme.

  

Share the goodness

I love ideas. They are everywhere. Open eyes and hearts find them in all kinds of places.  I found one today I want to pass on to you.  It is a Thanksgiving idea from another wonderful blog I found called Apron Memories.  National Tie One On Day is November 24.  Here's how it works:  on the day before Thanksgiving Day you wrap up a baked good in an apron with a note of encouragement. Deliver your bundle to a friend, a neighbor, co-worker, or anyone you think of that you want to bless. On her website (blog button on my site) you can download a card to include in your bundle.  What a wonderful idea!
     Most people think of aprons as only something practical.  They have a rich history.  They tell stories. You can find one in all shapes, colors, sizes.  There are free patterns on the internet to make one.  There is an apron for everyone.  If you don't have one. Now is the time. Give yourself a bundle and someone else as well. My favorite apron is red. I've decided its time for another apron or two so I suppose its time to go shopping. What girl can have enough aprons?
      By the way-  you don't have to bake something.  The baking came come from another person's hands but the note of encouragement can come from your heart .  Hope you "tie one on" for someone this year and share your the goodness that has come your way. In case you haven't thought about it lately- when you do something "good"  God is shining through your life to someone else.
                                                                          Pamela  Ann 

                                            

Our cutest pumpkin

This is the cutest pumpkin ever, our Will!  He visited his first pumpkin patch yesterday in Ft. Worth with Mommy and Daddy.  I am so happy to see him wearing the pumpkin hat I made for him. His Mimi loves him more by the minute and she is planning more hats for the future.

Sweet Pumpkin Bracelets

I had to share this idea I found for these sweet pumpkin braclets. They are super simple to make and the instructions are on one of my favorite new blogsites- Brown Paper Packages.  I have a link posted on my blog.  I know some of you have little girls who would love one of these bracelets or you know of someone you could make one for.  All you need are candy pumpkins, a few ribbons, a needle and dental floss.  It doesn't get any easier than this.  Hope you enjoy making one.  Let me know.  Happy Fall!

Intentional Joy

     The sentence I read in the book on my bedside table held those two words. They leaped off the page, jumped in my mind.  It wasn't long (maybe 2 minutes) until they found their way to the door of my heart. I'm glad I answered the knock and opened up.
     I decided long ago that Joy is a must have. I always knew it was a Pam essential but I didn't know why for years and years. I watched lots of people do without it.  I found that answer in my favorite book- the Bible- page 1656, Romans 14:17.  Joy is a tell-tale sign that the Kingdom of God is in operation.
     My heart reminded me that my joy is always in jepardy. I decided I will be intentional about protecting it. I also know that because of that decision my Helper will glady assist me.  Disappointments have been coming, problems need the answers I don't have right now, changes are taking place that could be scary if I let them, personal progress is slow. Top it off with a cloudy sky outside my window view.
      What's this girl to do? The 3 P's I so often do?  Yes, I will pray, pour a cup of tea ( in the prettiest of my cups) and ponder the next step. Speaking of tea cups- years ago I met some people who read the future in their tea leaves (seriously- don't laugh- some people really do that). Well the pretty tea cup and slightly sweet and tart raspberry tea provided something for my senses but  the prayer and pondering provided what I really needed.
      He restores my soul. (Psalm 23) I'm so glad I don't have to do the restoring. I learned today that I probably have to wait a while on the bigger joys but I can rejoice and enjoy so many small things right now.  I'll stack them one on top of each other intentionally.  They will give me strength. 
     Guess what?  The sun is shining outside my window view now.  The birds are at the feeder, the roses are still blooming, the squirrels are chasing each other, all the clothes are folded, my knitting needles are nearby, I know God loves me and I say- "It is well with my soul." 
     Think I'll have another cup of tea and intentionally be joyful as I remember, "Those that wait on the Lord will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." (Page 1011, Isaiah 40:31)

The Importance of Together

     When life runs "snack dab" in your face, the pictures and words your mind holds onto and the ones you imagine coming to pass are ropes to grab and hold onto.  I learned this two weeks ago as I stared at my husband, Mike lying in a bed in the I.C.U. of St. Francis Cabrini Hospital. No one expected the complications that arose from a simple hernia repair.  The repair was quick and perfect; the awakening process was quite a different scenario.  As soon as the two doctors left the small conference room after delivering the critical news, I had a choice to make. I had help!  God is faithful and in a split second reminded me of His promises we stand on every day of our lives; one of them being, "with long life I will satisfy you and show you my salvation."
     Throughout the next two days, He continued to remind me of the promises in His Word and those personal ones He has given to our family. We chose and continue to choose His Word instead of circumstances and our feelings.We know this for sure:  God is faithful!  His Spirit inside of us comforts, guides and strengthens us.  When we believe Him, He does marvelous works.
     Hundred of images bombarded my mind.  God helped me, along with our children and good friends to choose to hold onto the good pictures.  Every time I looked at Mike full of tubes and restrained in that I.C.U. bed, I thought of us talking, laughing, being with our children and our grandchild.  We took the pictures here last Saturday when we celebrated our daughter, Casey's 23rd birthday in Ruston.  I look forward to sharing more pictures of us being with David, Lindsey and Will in the near future.
     TOGETHER is a special place to be.  I never want to take another "together" time for granted, with each other, our family or special friends and most certainly, not with God.  God has been so good to us. Our family has been so blessed. Our children are wonderful and so are our friends.  We appreciate you in our lives.  Reminds of me an old song. . . "I can't see me lovin nobody but you for all my life. When you're with me baby the skies'll be blue for all my life. Me and you and you and me, no matter how they toss the dice, it has to be. The only one for me is you and you for me . . .SO HAPPY TOGETHER."

HOPEfully devoted to you

     Baby dedications are beautiful, especially when the one you're attending is your grandson's. As I watched our son and daughter-in-law dedicate Will, I thought about what it means to be devoted to someone or something.  An "oldies" song popped into mind- Hopelessly Devoted to You.  I decided I was definetly devoted but HOPEFULLY so.  I thought about how I commited myself to this child before he was born. I am also commited to Jesus Christ, my husband, and my children as well.  As I began to think of other people and other things I am dedicated to, I decided to check out the definition.  Here's what I found.  According to Merriam Webster it means "devoted to a cause, ideal or purpose, firm in one's allegiance to someone or something."  The example given was "a dedicated follower of the television show wouldn't dream of missing an episode." Is this the best example people can relate to when they think of using the word  dedicated?  Some synonyms and related words for dedicated are: zealous,devoted, constant, faithful, loyal, steadfast, true, reliable, responsible, solid, unhesitating, unwavering, gung ho, passionate, enthusiastic and determined.
     I decided the next time I think or say that I am dedicated to someone or something, I'm going to check out these words again. Applying one of my house rules is also in order for my life. Whenever I buy something new, I look around for something I no longer need and remove it.  One of my friends continually keeps a great word in front of her- intentional.  That's what I want for my life.  I want to be intentional, to live purposefully.  The choice is ours. We can be hopefully or hopelessly devoted.
       We think Will is going to be a steadfast LSU fan and in all fairness a Texas one as well, but all Mimi could find in Louisiana to fit Will was purple and gold.