This is the last project I completed before I morphed into a grocery shopping, party planning, cupcake baking machine…
I present…the fireplace:
We weren’t sure how to repair that ragged edge where we took the cover off, but Pinterest came to the rescue with a few tutorials on painting the stone.
IV wasn’t sure, and when I put that first brush stroke right in the smack center I may have panicked a little on the inside.
BUT…after brushing on some more, smearing it with a paper towel, and applying some water to dilute it a little more I was relieved…
The kids, of course, pointed it out first thing so I don’t know if he would’ve noticed or not, but he wasn’t mad! He liked it. Phew! I like it too.
Since then, when I haven’t been at the YMCA, I’ve been squeezing in shopping trips and stopping by others’ homes to gather party supplies and such.
Busy bee…buzz.
In the midst of the hustle and bustle I kept noticing how everyone was just being so nice to me. I try to be nice, but there are some gifts in my life that I just can’t repay.
It was just before my last stop that I suddenly became overwhelmed with thankfulness for the Lord’s goodness to me…because I surely don’t deserve it.
This verse came to mind:
I love those moments when the Spirit stirs within me and brings to recognition that I don’t deserve any good things…from the kindness of a stranger giving me a quarter at Aldi to all the ways people have helped us over the past year and beyond. So much love…love that I can never fully return. And then there’s the ultimate love…flowing from Jesus’ veins on the cross and continuing to flow in my every day life.
Grace upon grace.
Check yourself, and notice God. Then sit in the grocery store parking lot for a minute and cry to yourself before going in again.
And give thanks…always give thanks.
Praise the Lord…and get ready to party!!!
If you’ve read this blog til the end I would like to cordially invite you to our low county boil as a thanks for your support…just bring a pound of shrimp with ya! 😄
Can’t wait!!!
Free and Fearless 
Katie, I have loved reading your blog, and I would so love to come to your party! I will be thinking of the whole Buttram family and how we love you, miss you always. Your family will forever be a part of my heart – a miracle of God’s grace that a northerner was so loved & accepted by your mama! Thank you, God, for your love which led the way!
LikeLiked by 1 person