I crashed my website yesterday.
It made me late for a ministry thing I do each month with women battling addictions.
I’m also behind on a project I’m working on with my friend Diane Bailey.
I’m staring at 2 mountains: one of mail, one of laundry.
My grass is knee-high and weeds threaten to take over the mulched beds.
Compassion International assignments come out on Monday, which squeezes me to post by Wednesday.
As I worked on the CI assignment and pulled out letters from my kids, I realized that the things causing my frazzledness are blessings. Every last one of them. So no complaining from me. I just need to get busy and finish some projects. Including…
Compassion’s assignment this week –> a Pinterest contest!
If you’re not familiar with Pinterest, you probably need to go ahead and set up a Pinterest account so you can waste as much time as the rest of us. I’m kidding of course, but like everything else online, it’s easy to lose track of time.
Pinterest is like an online magazine with tips about everything you can imagine –
Recipes, craft ideas, art, fashion, photography, vacation ideas, parenting tips, COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL …
It’s easy peasy to enter — just create a board and a couple of pins! And the best thing? All gifts go BACK TO THE CHILD. To enter the contest, click here –>
Compassion International Pinterest Contest
If you’d like to check out my board –> Susan’s Compassion Board on Pinterest
I have a BUNCH of pins you’re welcome to re-pin:
- how to choose a child to sponsor,
- letter writing tips,
- reproducibles you can send to your child,
- ways to pray for your child
CI is halfway to their goal of getting sponsors for 3,108 children. If you’re not a sponsor, would you click over to their site and consider it?
Sponsor a Compassion International Child.
Now, off to my blessings. First on the list, laundry.
Susan, so glad you are back on track, my friend.
Thanks to YOU, smart girl. You ROCK
So true! I am frazzled, yes. In the middle of discernment process, do I need to say more? Only grace can un-frazzle me! Thankful that God has loads and loads of grace! Blessings to you, sis!
YAY for grace, Mari-Anna! Thanks for stopping by. Praying you get a clear message soon.
Hugs from VA
Haha, who me???frazzled???
Grace indeed!
Would you come pack for me?
xoxo
Pack? You mean, for the Funny Farm? Sorry, they only admit one per day, and I’m it for today.
I guess all the items on my list of to-do’s are a gift because it means I have breathe and the ability to do them. For that, I am grateful. I do know that frazzled feeling, hope God extends your time today and you feel caught up, if not on the list, in your heart.
Thanks, Shelly. I AM thankful for the ability to do them, and I’m grateful for your prayers. One thing at a time
Ack! Guilty! Yesterday I was having an adult temper tantrum for lack of a better term. My husband was patient and at the end said, “You didn’t have your quiet time this morning, did you? How long has it been since you’ve written in your thanks journal?” Oh my. He really does see me…
P.S., I couldn’t get the link “Susan’s Compassion Board on Pinterest” to work for me, but I found it anyway and will look through it later!
THANK YOU for telling me about the broken link, Nikki! I renamed the board after I scheduled the post (DUH – more frazzledness), but it’s fixed now:
http://pinterest.com/susanrstilwell/my-sponsored-child/
And I hear you on the tantrums. I wish I could say those are a “thing of the past,” but sadly…
Thanks so much for stopping by and helping me stay straight. And thanks for the repin!
I am soooo glad you are back from vacay!! We missed you ! And….are you sure you aren’t making a mountain out of a molehill? (never really liked that saying)
I will definitely check out your Compassion Board on Pinterest!
Now…….go tackle those mountains, my friend! DO NOT BE AFRAID!!!!
Howdy, Sandi — I’m glad to be back!! I’m slowly climbing the mountains/molehills/whatever (I hate that saying too :p ) And I fixed the link to my compassion board, but just in case…
http://pinterest.com/susanrstilwell/my-sponsored-child/
Good stuff on there!
Always great when the Lord reorders your priorities and alters your perspective. Praise Him!
Yes, Felecia — He is GOOD! Thanks for stopping by today
You are very adorable when “frazzled.”
Love that picture of you. Love your spirit and dedication to ministry, and to those kiddos at Compassion. Grateful for you.
Thanks, Jennifer. I do love me some Compassion cuties, and I know you do too
So glad you stopped by today!
Oh girl, we’re in the same boat (wish that was literal)!!! Keeping my precious grandbaby…Blessing…big blessing! Moving…blessing! Being able to stay with my parents while keeping my grandbaby and waiting to move…blessing! But yes, a bit frazzled in the midst, as you can tell by my lack of posts. Hoping to get settled and back on top of the “mountain” soon!!!
Love you dearly!
PS Do go back to Wednesday Worship…oh girl, you are SO in that circle!!!
I can’t wait to head over there — just as soon as I get back from seeing my firstborn! Heading to VT for lunch. I’ll check back in this afternoon.
SO glad to hear from you, and I’m glad for the move and the grandbaby and the parents and all the good stuff in your life! Can’t wait to plan another trip to Tarheel!! Love you
I am frazzled about the church media ministry tasks that I assigned myself…trying to get my self-hosted site up (I’m just being super picky about the look…I need to just throw it up there and tweak later!), and a huge project that is also self imposed at work.
So I guess I’m the one who’s frazzling me! UGH!
Hoping your frazzled-ness is cleared up soon!
P.S. Can’t wait to see what you and Diane have planned!
Wow, Mindy – media ministry is a big thing to tackle! And your new site, too?? Whew, girl… that’s a lot on your plate. I feel your pain with the pickiness because that’s one of my issues with my site (and other areas of life).
Here’s praying we BOTH de-frazzle today!! And check back on Oct 2 to see what Diane and I have going on
I hear you Susan! Love the pic! It does help a lot to think of those mountains as blessings, and to focus on one thing at a time, and to gain perspective. Sometimes I have to remind myself- “It’s just laundry. The world will not fall apart if it doesn’t get done today.” My frazzle? From 3pm-9pm my life is not my own- do you remember the days of shuttling children and living out of the minivan? That’s me. I’ve decided I need to find a good family devotional on CD so that we can use commuting time for something positive. Any suggestions? Good luck and have a great week.
Ohh Julia, gosh, your post just took me back 10 years. YES, I remember those days of living out of a minivan. Seems like yesterday!! I’ll keep my eyes open for a good devo cd (check Focus on the Family), but here’s an idea: I got a family devo book, kept it in the car and let the kids take turns reading them. Then we’d chat and I’d pray with them before I dropped them off at school.
Lots of creative ways to share your faith, especially when they’re strapped into the car!
Thanks for stopping by. I always appreciate your encouragement!
Don’t forget to take the time to replenish yourself, Susan! It’s wonderful that you see your “frazzles” as blessings… do you think they can easily turn into a nightmare if you aren’t able to fill yourself back up again?! Prayer, devotions, meditation, yoga, deep breathing, & TEA are ways I unravel, or defrazzle
I’m sending this comment to you out of selfish motives because YOU are one of my replenishments and you’re not allowed to crash and burn! I’m breathing prayers for you as you knock off your “to do” list and that you may experience a filling from Above as you take the time to rejuvenate yourself…
…and you don’t want to read about my frazzles (my panties are often in a wad, but I’m undergarment shopping and replacing them one by one)!
Love you!
Marisa
Thank you, Marisa — You are such a sweet blessing, and I’m so grateful for your encouragement! I’m trying to keep in balance because I know how much better I feel (and perform — you know what I mean). I’m slowly getting back into a groove and getting organized, and then I’ll be asking y’all to pray for me as I start writing a Bible study.
Lots to do in the next few days, so I’m tackling one mountain at a time!
Love you too — hugs from VA
Susan, please forgive me for not being sensitive to how much you would face when you got home form you trip…traveling fatigue, laundry, mail, regular ministry responsibilities, loving on your family,etc.! What was I thinking about…when can we get together for coffee? I know better; but, I was not thinking clearly.
I am praying for you as you regroup and address all the responsibilities before you. Praying that God will give you wisdom and discernment as to how you can make time to replenish your physical and emotional energies. So many people love you, I love you my dear sister in the Lord, Susan! Take care, Judy
Hi Judy! I’ve been in Blacksburg visiting Scott today and have done precious little besides respond to blog comments. I’d love to get together for coffee and I’ll reply to your Facebook message as soon as I get home.
Thank you for your prayers — I need them this week! Isn’t it amazing how refreshing a vacation can be, but how crazy it is the week AFTER? But God is good and I am pressing on. I love you too and look forward to visiting over coffee SOON.
Thanks! I feel like I got a Word – frazzled is caused by blessings. If we had no blessings, nothing to take care of (such as home, family, jobs, ministries …) there would be nothing to frazzle us.
Thanks for stopping by Jerralea! And yes — all the things that are frazzling me are blessings, but I’m pressing on and getting things in order. As I told Judy, vacations are restful but the week afterward? Not so much
I love your perspective, seeing it all as blessings. Hope you get everything accomplished:)
Thanks, Christina – slow and steady
One of my frazzled blessings is you. I appreciate your dedication as a writer and your dedication as an internet friend, and I bet you are an even better friend to those who know you personally. My favorite thing about today’s post is your photo. I appreciate when people can be “real” with me…and this captures right where you are at. Soon the laundry will be done, the mail WILL get handled, and you will know you have been faithful right where God has planted you. Thanks, Susan.
You’re sweet, Karen, and I appreciate your friendship and encouragement. Things ARE getting done, slowly but surely.
Thanks for stopping by today
Nothing quite like feeling overwhelmed trying to care for all the blessings we asked for, is there?
I feel you’re pain…you could have been describing my life…
God is so good to us, isn’t He?
Thanks for sharing, Susan!
God IS good to us, and I’m thankful for all the tasks! Have a great weekend, Joe
Frazzled. Good word for the week. I am waiting for the birth of my grandson while working, doing laundry for two families, feeding and caring for my 15month old grandson and being a wife, mother, manager, sister and daughter to a lot of people in need……and feeling blessed and thankful for every minute of it. Sometimes “frazzled” is good. It’s all good.
Wow, Vicky – you’ve got a lot of thankfulness on your plate! And yes, it IS all good
Thanks for stopping by!
Frazzled blessings-what a great perspective! Seeing the lovely in our laundry, the Messiah in our mess.
My frazzled blessing isn’t so much needing a double set of octopus arms to get through my day as it is needing a calm and trusting heart.
Living in a very rural area, I don’t get to the big city much. However, I am driving into Boston every week now to accompany my young adult daughter who is taking an evening class. We go right into the heart of the city and continue to find ways to refine our path and shorten the journey. Although we are leaving class at 9:45 at night (past my normal bedtime!), I have managed to let go of the frazzled nerves and fears and am enjoying the experience.
I’m with you on the early bedtime, Kim. But I know you’re enjoying that time with your daughter. Those conversations on the drive are priceless.
“Lovely in the laundry, Messiah in the mess” — I love that!
Thanks for stopping by, Kim
Girlfriend – I feel your pain! I got this week’s post up on Monday and am only now at a place where I can circle back around, breath normally and catch up on my “me” stuff…and then I have to tackle that laundry mountain too. I started the week with out of town guests, and a major client crisis on my hands. But where I sit right now, although I smell like smoke from the fire the Lord delivered me THROUGH this wee, the air is good (although smokey outside from the wildfires), and that’s good enough for me.
Hoping you’ve made it through your week, with few scratches and burns as well (GLORY TO GOD!). Don’t know about you, but I’m thankful for the weekend right now! 
Cheers!
Oh NO, Jeannette! I knew something was up with you when you hadn’t responded to your Monday posts. I’ve been praying for you, so I’m glad to hear that you came through the fire! Now to shake out and air out those smokey clothes
I’ve had a busy week of checking things off the list and spending time with people I love, GLORY TO GOD! And I’m right there with you — bring on the weekend!!
Hugs and hopes for a restful time of both of us!!
Hi Susan, I am frazzled about being frazzled! JK I’m feeling much better these days; paving myself, making sure the things that should be first remain first. Your prayers during my unbalanced phase were pee opus to me. I’ll be sure to do the same for you. Sounds like your plate is full.
As for Pinterest, I signed up when another blogger shared her Christmas board; I was sold! It’s therapeutic! I haven’t figured out how to search for folks but ill give it a shot now. There are some inspiring boards and posts out there!
Praying that you’re not distracted from what needs to be done this week!
hitting submit without proofreading certainly creates some problems for me…sorry about that.
Hi Susan, I am frazzled about being frazzled! JK I’m feeling much better these days; pacing myself, making sure the things that should be first remain first. Your prayers during my unbalanced phase were precious to me. I’ll be sure to do the same for you. Sounds like your plate is full.
As for Pinterest, I signed up when another blogger shared her Christmas board; I was sold! It’s therapeutic:) I haven’t figured out how to search for folks but ill give it a shot now. There are some inspiring boards and posts out there!
Praying that you’re not distracted from what needs to be done this week!
LOL I do that all the time!!
Thanks, Diana! So glad you stopped by and commented, and girl — I know exactly what you mean about being frazzled that you’re frazzled! I’ve been praying for you and I’m glad you’re feeling more balanced. He has a good plan in all of this, and He’ll show you what to do. And what to stop!
Pinterest — isn’t it the coolest? I don’t spend hours on there, but I find it entertaining and so informative. I’m not crafty at all, so I love seeing what all the artsy people dream up!
Yes, I got quite a lot done last week and I’m in a pretty good position THIS week! I’m praying that He’ll keep me moving forward!
I think I would have a heart attack and then collapse in tears if my website crashed. I would just have absolutely no idea what to do! I have no techie knowledge! So if Blogging with Amy doesn’t have a “What to do when your site crashes” post, I’m toast. haha.
Thanks for linking up!