Wear Bigger Earrings

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present you requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Philippians 4:6-8 (NIV)

Recently I noticed I was losing my hair. My mom has alopecia, my sisters have alopecia and brother… is just plain bald. So it seems reasonable to think I have alopecia and will soon loose most, if not all, of my hair.

I was anxious about this and had resigned myself to the idea that I would soon be without hair. I asked my wonderful husband if he would still love me if I were bald, which was absolutely ridiculous to even consider, this man loves me and has stuck with me through good times and bad times for the past 26 years.

My thoughts were focused on what others will think of me. How will I conceal my bald head; will I get extensions, should I buy a wig, do I just go au naturale and expose my bald head? I shared my concerns with my dear friend, Robin. Her response was not only funny and precious but oh so profound “Wear bigger earrings”.

While spending the afternoon with Robin I learned she and her family had been experiencing very difficult times. The challenges she faced had not eroded her joy or her ability to think on the lovely things. She had the peace that stood guard over her heart and her mind and on that day she shared that peace with me. When faced with difficulty what are you thinking?

Father, I thank you for good friends. I thank you that there is so much more to think on than our immediate unfortunate circumstance. In all things you have given the lovely, the pure, the noble, the right and the true thing to think on. In addition to all of that, you will guard our heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

In Palace Style,

Victoria


Inspired by God Written by
Victoria Edwards October 3, 2009

Kaleidoscope: We Work Together

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NAS)

A kaleidoscope is a tube of mirrors containing loose colored beads, pebbles, or other small colored objects. The viewer looks in one end and light enters the other end, reflecting off the mirrors. As the tube is rotated, the tumbling of the colored objects presents the viewer with varying colors and patterns. Any arbitrary pattern of objects shows up as a beautiful symmetric pattern because of the reflections in the mirrors.

Do you remember as a child looking through a kaleidoscope, holding it up to the light and seeing all the beautiful colors and patterns? All of that splendor and variation was contained in one single tube and together created a beauty to behold.

My precious sisters, we are like the various patterns in a kaleidoscope, all different, all beautiful, all in one Sprit, reflecting one light. We have different gifts but the same Spirit. We have different ministries and the same Lord. Our effect on others varies, but is from the same God.

Knowing this, there should never be envy or disrespect for a sister in Christ.
We are all in this together; God is working in us so that we may work together for the common good, to the Glory of God our Father. Working together we show ourselves as a beautiful, symmetrical, balanced and equal, pattern; reflecting our Father God, our Savior Jesus and the Spirit living in us.

Father thank you for the variety of gifts and ministries you have given us by your Holy Spirit. I thank you for working in us as we work together for the common good. I ask you to help us always encourage and inspire women to operate in the gift and ministry you have given them with wisdom and courage, seeking to give you glory, in Jesus name, amen.


In Palace Style,

Victoria




Inspired by God Written by
Victoria Edwards October 3, 2009

An Amazing Jouney

This photo represents the end the of an amazing journey. Terrence (right) graduated from high school. Our homeschooling days are over. From here we move forward into a new "thing". Terrence will be moving to South Carolina. I am going to miss him.

What will I do with myself? For starters I'm going "do" for myself. I'm going to exercise more, I'm going to rest more. I'm going to have more quiet time. For the first few months It's going to be all about me. I have to regain myself, remind myself of myself, find myself. Take care of myself.

I'll be spending my days alone with myself, by myself. I'm going to miss him . I'm going to miss mothering him, seeing him, spending the midnight hours talking with him. Going to lunch with him.

Oh God, what will I do with myself? Lead me, guide me, comfort me. Care for him, take care of him. I love him, I'm going to miss him.

In PalaceStyle,

Victoria

Hello chosen, holy, and beloved women of God, (Col 3:12)

God, in His word, has so much to say about our heart. Here is a short list of what I've learned:
the heart can;

rejoice (1 Samual 2:1)
be troubled (John 14:11)
be turned by those we associate with (1 Kings 11:4)
reveal our true selves (Ps 27:19)
make fools of us (Ps 28:26)
and know God (Jerimiah 24:7,amazing)

Although I was fascinated by all of this, the most hopeful and troubling was that our hearts can be turned by those we associate with. The hope in that is by speaking the word to my family, my friends and my acquaintances I can turn their hearts towards God, in every situation.

What troubles me about this is we can turn hearts away from God and His purpose for our life as well. Our words, our deeds, our attitudes, our issues can prevent others from experiencing the love, mercy, and faithfulness (to name a few of God's attributes) of God, and someone else's words, deed, etc can turn our hearts away from Him and His purpose for our life.

What then? Choose your words and your friends carefully. Not in a manner in which to judge, but to protect (guard) you heart, to allow it to be filled and overflow the love of God to our families, friends and aquaintances.


In PalaceStyle,

Victoria

How Did I Get Here?

I have wandered out into the desert. Away from the comfort found in the presence of my Father into a dry, dust place.

At first I tried to keep myself comfortable here by entering into dynamic praise and worship, but only at church. I would pray daily, but neglected to immerse myself in the words of God to cleanse and refresh myself.

I looked up from my business lost, longing to be with my Father. This dry and dusty place surrounds me, engulfs me, overcomes me. How did I get here? And how do I get out of here?

I long to be in a lush, green, cool, place. A quiet place, with just the sounds of nature; birds, wind, water, and the voice of my Father comforting me, encouraging me, leading me.

I hear Him calling my name. He sees me!! He calls for me!! I run to Him!!! and I am safe!!!!

Have you ever found yourself in a dry and dusty place, not knowing how you got there and wondering how to get home? God is so faithful even when we are not. He is with us (Matt 1:23)and for us.

In PalaceStyle,

Victoria

The Girls in My Life

Cheriese, Draeanna and Danielle

These are the girls in my life. You "met" my Mom in an earlier post, and I'm sure you'll meet my sisters and sisters-in-law in later posts. But today it's Cheriese, Draeanna, and Danielle I'd like to introduce you to.

Cheriese is our thirty something daughter. Oh what a blessing to have her. She is an amazing woman. A wife, mother, sister, auntie, friend, etc, etc. She teaches Government and Economics. She's so smart.

Danielle is our soon to be 21 years old daughter. She reminded me of that today when she asked if I would like to help pay for her party. Danielle is a Communications major and hopes to one day produce or direct live sporting events; Superbowl, the Olympics, that sort of thing.

Aw! Little Draeanna. She is Andrae's ( from the Princes in the Earth Today post) oldest daughter. She's 4 years old. She loves being with her Aunties. And she love taking pictures.

Each one of these amazing girls has her own journey to live, her own salvation to work out, her own relationship with the Father to pursue. Our role is to lead the way to the Father and to Jesus by living a lifes pleasing to God, before them.

In PalaceStyle,

Victoria

The Lovely Marietta

Suprise!! Mommy didn't expect me to actually take this photo. She'd be so suprised if she knew it was on my blog. Oh, but she doesn't use her "puter" (as she calls it) much. Isn't she lovely? The handsome young man is our last born (the baby), Terrence. He's a jewel.

This is a gift my dear mother (mommy) gave me a few years ago for my Christmas. The message inside reads "I was never as blessed as the day you were born." Isn't it lovely? So is she.

In PalaceStyle,

Victoria

Looking Back

I've been journaling since 1993. So much has happend during that time. Lot's of laughs and tears.

My new journal is black and leather bound. It's a bit too stuffy. I need something cute, beautiful even. Ooh. Maybe one with pockets, an attached book mark and matching pen.

I was saddened by some of the entries I made back then. Entries about being overweight, and not using my time wisely. The sad part is all these years later I still have those same struggles.

Recently, God has been calling me to retreat with Him but I didn't really "get it" until I read my entry from Febuary 2, 1996. Here's what I wrote: "I was reading over my journal pages from Feb. 1993. I'm in some of the same situations now that I was in then; 1. my weight. 2. the way I spend my time."

I hadn't grown. This broke my heart.

I am saying "no" to all activites and events that will interfere with my retreat with God. There are a few really great things happening soon; a new Beth Moore Bible study at my church, and a Kay Arthur, Beth Moore and Pricillia Shrier conference. As much as I would love to participate, I'm not going to. I need to spend time with my (heavenly) Father and He wants to spend time with me.

In PalaceStyle,


Victoria

Project 365

This is a photo of a tree in my backyard. I start Project 365 today, 9 days late as indicated by the date stamp on the photo. Well, better late than never I guess. I hope to take a photo every day. I wont post them here but you can view at Flickr soon.