~Giving Birth~

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I've been in labor for almost a week now...No, not with child! But with my business.

Working from home has its challenges, especially since I stay at home most everyday and my level of interaction with the world has its limits. So, I connect via the Web and have been working on a website to show off my wares (and eventually my photography business, too!)

Actually, I've been **learning** a lot, too, and staying up really late!

Searching for a 'deal' with a new website, I decided to go with yet another blog and attempt to sell things there, but I wanted it to look like a business website.

I bought a domain from Blogger, http://www.designsbydaune.com/ and began working on it immediately. Then, after all my effort, I still wasn't satisfied and I was frustrated because when I'd view other's blogs and how they had a business on theirs, I realized I would probably have to pay someone to have a nice one...until I stumbled upon Microsoft Office Live for Small Business websites for free! Just the thing I'd been searching for all along!

Well, I still have to buy a domain to have the name I have now, but initially I'm using the free one until I actually sell my stuff! Here's the Designs by D.A.U.N.E. website! If you visit my site, please accept my apology beforehand because although I've given birth to this creation, she's weak and needing much nurturing. But, she's alive and the labor to deliver has been worth the pain!

It definitely has affected everyone in our home! Yet, we all are working together as a family to learn what it means to own a business, to serve each other and to walk in grace and truth toward one another!

So, now I have four blogs and one business website...if only I was savvy enough to figure out how to have only a couple or somehow melt them altogether into one (and get some sleep!)

...Another day!

So, if you have a moment and would like to visit Designs by D.A.U.N.E. ,be sure to stop by my 'About Daune' page and read my bio! If it's off a little, it might be because I wrote it at 1 a.m. last nite!
God bless and happy blogging!

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**Short note**: I've learned through all this that God is for me, He wants my attention, my heart and He desires that I put Him before anything else, especially a business. I see the propensity I have toward running from Him or ignoring Him because I've condemned myself for not living up to expectations that I set for myself, not what He's set for me. This mind game is exhausting. Yet, He is teaching me what grace is. How He relentlessly pursues me and has a plan for me that is better than any my mind can conceive. I realized, too, that when one is learning something new, that there is this thing that happens...you go to bed thinking about what you're learning, dream about it and wake thinking about it...like when I worked outside the home and began a new job...wanting to learn evrerything immediately and do my best and focusing on this new job had a way of working its way into every area of my thought life until I had it down pat and became second nature...I hope this is making sense cuz I wanted to jot down that Jesus is working in my heart and I am growing...it's just growing pains and sometimes I forget to relax and ride the wave of change...I hate how hard I am on myself...His yoke is easy, His burden light...I will get this down, if it takes me all my life!!!

...and I haven't written in so long and have missed sharing my heart...

(Oh, this pool is time consuming, too! Having to walk around and skim so often is so boring to me, but it's wearing the boys out to play and that's a great thing!)

Hope you all had a great 4th! We drove to Burger King, bought cones and watched the fireworks on the curb! NO traffic or fussing...then we all came back home and swam...it was 103 degrees at 8 p.m.!!! It felt more like bathing!

Life is so good!

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Latest Handbag and extras!

...Jumping the Gun...

My heart rate is finally slowing down to normal.

We needed some groceries and Love was working later today, so I took the car this morning over to the post office and then to Walmart. As I got in line, I took my phone out of my wallet and called my Love to tell him where I was and then when I hung up, my wallet was gone. I searched the cart over and over...no wallet. That's when the heart began to race...I had my phone, but no driver's license, no credit/debit card, pictures, all our cards, and on top of that, no way to buy these groceries and love couldn't get to me...I called him back to tell him my wallet was stolen out of the cart and he immediately prayed. He told me to look around and I did, but nothing. The workers told me there was nothing they could do but call the police and then lo and behold, someone found it on the floor in the next aisle!

Talk about fear girpping in one instant. I don't like that feeling of helplessnes...even though my honey had prayed, I felt like I was drowning and had caused it all myself by not paying better attention. All these thoughts ran through my mind...before I had my wallet back in my hands and then, too, after. Why did I react? Why didn't I walk all around? Why didn't I stay calm? Why was fear my first reaction? Why was I so quick to judge that someone else had stolen from me? Guilt, shame, embarassment, high blood pressure...schemes that I fell for...ugh. But, He was watching...He had my wallet, my Love, our groceries, and my heart. What a relief. I can tell you, I'll be more watchful in the future!

So, I'm running to Him. If I look at the Truth, as He promised me this morning...
"You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 (NLT) How applicable is Scripture...

...Thankful Thursday...

Trinity Faith Ritenburg!

Wordless Wednesday...

What a Summer So Far!

Summer has arrived and yet it's been 'summer' here for over three months already!
We've had temps over 100 for atleast a week; the lows have been in the mid 70's, so any outside work has to be done then...
Last week the boys and I did a lot of biking, visited a local park and they swam and I burned calories! Clothes are fitting better! Yippee.
Love and I stopped at Half-Price Books and picked up a book, 'Intimate Issues' and let me tell you, it's what I've been praying for...dealing with my thoughts, attitudes and issues with sex. Don't get me wrong...I love being intimate with my great lover, I've just been praying about certain thoughts that hinder me and the stage of marriage we're at and the physical/physiological issues of my health, etc...(tmi, right?)
I am sooooo grateful we found it and the coolest thing was that it only cost $3! This discreetly written book addresses issues that women deal with and give Biblical truths that will change one's life, IF one is willing to pull the weeds that may be seeded deep in one's soul. I'm likin' it, and I would encourage every woman to read this book, even if you have a great sex life!

We finally took the plunge--we bought a pool...not an in ground one, mind you, but a bubble one! What a gift for Father's day to the whole family!
We started putting it up Sat. afternoon and didn't finally get it filled until Sunday afternoon! But it was well worth the time. The boys, at 9:42 a.m., are still asleep...(reading this over, it's 10 am and they're still asleep!!!)
I so needed something, anything to wear out their energy! I just couldn't seem to give twin ten yr. olds enough activities to tire them out-(They had no trouble wearing me out, tho!)...until now!

Father's day was magnificent....we were awakened with a booming, "Happy Father's Day' and two little boys dressed in their baker's aprons carrying a table leaf laden with two plates. They made scrambled eggs and toasted bagels and made sandwiches for us! We agreed that these are the days! And that we like this tradition!!!
Then the older boys came and Dan cooked on the grill...Jef had marinated steak meat in fajita seasoning all nite and that was delicious!

Everyone swam, I took pix, then it was mom's turn to just lay on an air mattress and relax!
They ended the day by going to see 'Up' and mom rested at home...earlier in the day, I was carrying my coffee and a table cloth out to the yard, and turned my ankle in a small hole and fell...so it was pretty sore, but I am thankful it didn't break and it did not even swell!!! Thank you, Jesus. Besides, I didn't want to infringe on 'daddy time'! Of course, they had to finish off a perfect day with ice cream...now I'm glad I didn't go...that is one of my weaknesses!!!

Oh, I forgot...I painted my kitchen last week, too!!! Been such a busy week. I'd been talking about painting for a year and when I found oops paint for $5 a gallon, despite the splash of color I wouldn't necessarily have chosen, I couldn't resist...total cost of painting...$35! Just gotta keep your eyes open for deals...I love sunflowers and my daughter told me I'm determined to have a sunflower kitchen everywhere I go...! Yup!

Have a great week!

Prayer for my Nephew...

My wonderful brother sent me a note:
"We go back on the 15th we are bringing 35 photos blown up to 28x21 inches and giving our public defender the tools to defeat this serpent under our feet."

So, I mention this in order that you would have everyone you know pray. They will pick a jury and would you agree with me for God's hand-picked jurors to serve that day. Also, that my nephew will rest in His peace and strength and not f.e.a.r.-false evidence appearing real.
May God have His day in court and may my brother and sister in law experience His power flowing through them.

On an extremely sad note, my newest grandbaby went home very early. We grieve over this loss, but are confident that nothing escapes Daddy's eyes and He remains faithful.
This, I admit, has been a toughy for me. I had just read that morning that worship and praise need to be the mainstay of our life, when things are good, when they aren't, because circumstances change, but He does not.
I will praise Him despite my grief.

That's basically why I've been so quiet all week.

Back to Boerne!

Last nite I asked Love if we could go on a date...

On such short notice, it became a 'family date'!

We wound up in Boerne, Tx.

It's a beautiful little town I'd love to live in!

There's a creek that runs through the town, so we stopped and found the ducks wagging their feathers for us to get out of the van, hoping for some bread!

Some friendly people offered us some of their bread. There are definitely friendly people here!

Then we met up with some kids fishing and they had a teeny tiny turtle and as we walked away they offerd it to the boys.

They gladly took it but as we walked along, they agreed that little 'Boerne' deserved to stay in the creek with his family and friends. 'He'd be happier there, mom.'

I was very proud of that decision, although I love turtles and would have enjoyed having it around. So we set him free and boy, did he run for the water.

We ended our adventure at McD's.

Driving to Boerne was like taking a deep breath of fresh air as well as drinking in the beauty of His handiwork, displayed so elegantly through His creation and the love of family.

Life is good, yet our God is greater than good, He's exquisite!

My Athletic Nephew

Well, the time has finally come for my sister's family to experience the fruit of all their hard work in supporting their son's desire to play hockey...this guy's been playing since he was three- (maybe two), I think! I know old enough to stand up with all the equipment on and hold a hockey stick on ice and then move like lightning!
T.D. Wachowski, (click on your name here, too!) misspelled Tiwalhowski-#20, is now playing for a Canadian junior hockey league team!!! And he got his driver's license to boot just so he can drive himself across the border to practices and games!!!
I'm such a proud aunt and so excited for my sister and brother-in-law, Tim, for their devotion, love, time, money and commitment to sell chocolate (among other things for years to pay for all it takes to do this!) and only God knows all that they did for that boy...and now, it's finally paying off!!!
Congrats, T.D., (click on your name to go to an article about you!), despite the misspelling of your name on your jersey...I empathize with that since my name has always been spelled wrong, said wrong and yet, look at me now...using it in the title of my business...D.A.U.N.E.-Daring, authentic, unique, needledom expressions!
God bless you as you pursue your heart's desire and may He use this in your life to draw you near His heart.
I love you.
If your mom sends me a pix, I'll post it for all the world to see my famous nephew!!!

Threads of my life...

Spools all lined up,
full of color and waiting.
Calling my name and
yearning to sing.
It's that lullaby of weaving together
a future gift;

a little dress,
an apron, a card.

Something today,

tomorrow,

next week.

Always calling my name.

and each one has their own name...

a colorful name.








I see pins, needle, thread just laying there, too.
They sing a different song.
Their song holds my attention,

for if I ignore their presence,
I experience painful pricks-hindered work...

and frustration.

At times,

Reminds me of the children I've been entrusted with!

It is a beautiful song when I listen.

What beauty!

My toys.

(Boys!)

Dropping and

Rolling around the floor,

unraveling,

sometimes mingling together to form a knotted mess.

The container only appears to bring order.

Each little wheel is determined to be connected to something.

A spool,

needle,

something.

Kinda like life.

I can compartmentalize it,

but it somehow always gets mixed up with...

other lives.

A beautiful tapestry.

So,

I read,

and read,

and learn new ways to blend the colors,

fabrics, and threads.

Elastic,

polyester,

cotton,

and on and on.

All with a purpose.

All with a plan.

To be useful.

Like my life.

Being useful,

productive,

and fulfilled.

Teaching,

training,

pursuing His tapestry

for His purposes.

How sewing speaks to me!

Cute Video about Love!

I love this Life!

Wow, so much has gone on in one week.

First off, my love had been involved in a film project with a wonderful man of God named Tom Allen, who works with Campus Crusade. Friday night was the unveiling of the film and our very own Joshua-David did the drawing of "Destino Man" , a comic book character that comes to life and fights against 'Mexican't' for a Latino guy trying to decide to go to college. It was a cute movie and at the end when the credits ran, there on the screen was my name alongside my love's...I thought, 'what did I do?' Oh, yes, Jef brought home some cloth to make a mask and I showed him how to do it! I've never seen my name scroll down on a film credit before!!! That was a fun evening.
Sat. morning, I went to a sewing store that was closing and found some amazing deals...too many to mention, but the best was getting twin needles for $1 a piece!~
I've been sewing my heart out now that 'school' is over...(they'll probably learn more now that we've put away the schedule and they can just be free to learn!)
That afternoon, Josh, Dan, and Eric came over for cake to celebrate Dan's birthday that was last Thurs. That was enjoyable and I love them guys!!!


Then, Sat. nite, we went to the church we've been attending and were *affirmed as members along with over 100some more people! They had put up a huge screen and we drank root beer floats and watched, "The Alamo"!

Halfway through, I was ready for bed and the boys didn't care for the 'black and white' screening, so we headed home. That was such a treat.

Sunday was a glorious day.
Since our pastor has been on sabbatical, he's made sure that we've gotten fed well and this past Sunday we heard a video presentation by John Ortberg entitled, "Shadow Mission". Based on the story of Esther, it was extemely eye-opening and there were moments that spoke very loudly about leadership.
After the service, Love encouraged me and together we went to a leader and asked if we could pray because I knew in my spirit that I just needed to pray. I know now that it was a deep healing of my soul and another moment of letting go of the past and moving forward.
How precious the Spirit of God in us is to walk us down paths that are painful, yet the narrowness is an ever real knowing that we've found His life in us and He won't share us. He wants all of our hearts and so when those moments come that I am drawn to remember painful past memories, it's His way of leading me to His heart for me-complete devotion to Him, not matter how difficult it is to 'go there'!
The funny thing is that that morning while I was reading the Word and talking to Jesus, I specifically asked Him to make Himself real to me because I was 'feeling' lost.
When we finished praying, I recognized the 'shadow mission' has been thoughts that lie to me about how I see myself. I acknowledged it to God, myself, the enemy and repented for looking to myself and forgetting that Jesus in me is the hope of glory. If I have any talents, gifts, desires, abilities, dreams, and passions, He put them there, He'll bring them to pass and I am hidden in Him.
I am secure in Jesus. Nothing can snatch me out of His hand.
When I have forgotten the truths about whose I am, that's when the enemy has come to rob me of my peace, relationships, then fear makes itself comfortable in bed next to me and I lose sight of His love and His grace to pick up the weapon, His Word, and fight the enemy by the power of the God of Heaven's Armies. But God, HE hears my prayers, the times I literally cry out to Him for revelation, strength, love, grace and as I asked on Sunday morning, 'You said you reward those who diligently seek You'; that's what I did and once again, I'm content in Daddy's lap!

To cap off that marvelous day, we headed to a beautiful home for lunch with a family we'd never met. Jef works with a girl and her husband's sister and brother-in-law invited us to come to their new home in Boerne. (Check out this site!) Wow, what an amazing home!!! They've only been in it for three weeks and so there is much to do, but I was in awe of all the built-in book shelves, the round room, (here's a sideview of it.)


the 'Castle' that was a water cistern: (fake windows!)


There was a built in pool that needed to be cleaned, but the frogs I'm sure don't want it cleaned out!





The girl Jef works with has quad step children, age 10!

So, there were six ten yr. olds and a three yr. old, as well! They were so adorable!

Here's the Guadaloupe with its ginormous trees. Oh to live on this river!


I took pix and cooled my feet, but the rest of the gang had a blast in the most refreshing river around!


We capped off the evening at Subway and then home to watch 'Ever After'.
That movie so reminded me of that morning and how my Father has given me His name, His royalty and that I have to renew my mind to that truth everyday in order to receive all that He's promised!
I will fight the fight of faith. It's a fight that's already been won!~

P.S.-To top off the victory that this week has brought, I cannot forget to mention that my mom, who's been battling for her health, told me on the 28th that she beat the devil. This comes from someone who has no clue about spiritual warfare, but decided to live and not die. She was really battling anxiety attacks due to the fear of dying, not finishing off her life the way she believes, and the lies the enemy was telling her...but she whooped him by the word of her testimony and belief in a God that loves her! I am in awe of the power of God to hear and answer before we call! Glory to God and Praise and honor to Jesus! You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

*affirmed*-There were two classes to take to belong to this fellowship, but I wasn't in town for the second class, so now I have to finish in July, when Jef will greet me as a new member! ;o)

Wordless Wednesday

The Girls...and The Girl...juicy cheeks.

...Where Do I Begin?...

Let's see. First off, my mom is in the hospital for the ninth time this year, I think !...then there my new website : Designs by D.A.U.N.E and eventually, when I make some money and get rid of the ads on the page and have more storage space, I'll sell my photos as well. But until then I'll let that go...('focus, Daune, focus...')
But the most wonderful thing to share is that:

I'm going to be a gramma again!!!!

While searching the thrift store for "Batteries Not Included" (which we never found), I got a phone call and the funny thing is that when I heard Rachael's voice, for some reason I knew what she was gonna tell me...we couldn't be more delighted and thrilled! Trinity Faith will only be thirteen months old when either Preston Allen or another little red-headed girl comes on board!

Is she ever gonna need me and am I ever gonna need her! God is in charge of that department.

Today I was thinking about the criticism I've received for leaving family and traveling this far to follow my husband.

On the surface, it looks like I am selfish and don't really care about my family-ie. my parents, daughter, grandchildren, friends, etc...but, the truth is that I care deeply, but if I care more about them and what they think than I do about Fearing God and obeying His Word, then I am not fit to follow Him. I am not going forward if I focus on what I left behind. My focus is on where I am today, what my husband's purpose is and how I am to position myself to serve Him by Serving him. 'Wives submit to your husband as unto the Lord..."...to the degree I serve my husband, that is the degree I am serving Jesus.

I suppose this is what Grace is all about. My heart is at peace to be here with everyone I know dearly and love deeply up there. Unless one experiences it, it's difficult to explain.

These are just some of my ponderings lately...

Thanks for sharing them with me ;o)

daune