In Purse "TIME OUT"

I'm a purse person. It began when I was in my teens. I couldn't always afford purses so I carried bags that were passed on to me. I enjoyed the rare times I bought a new one. After graduating from college and securing a teaching position, I could afford to buy a few upscale bags. Good times!

Now, however, I've put  myself in bag "Time Out" because I ordered more bags during the pandemic than I've ordered in years. There are many explanations about the why for this behavior that I won't offer in this space😉.  No more purse purchases for a long while. But look at this one: It's the Limited Edition DL Hughley NILA Doctor Bag. It's one of the last two bags I purchased online during the "stay at home as much as possible"  time of Covid19 safety behavior.  Next time, I'll show you my last purse purchase before my "Time Out." Am I alone in this? Did you purchase more of some item than usual during the pandemic quarantine?   Do tell...

Always Sylvia,        

 www.sylviabrownroberts.com

 

Encouragement

The young lady in this picture is reading my 4th novel in the Church Doors series. It encourages me. 

Today, I spoke with a businesswoman about a dress. Out of the blue, she shared that she saw me in a dream, dressed in a specific dress, sitting at a table signing my novels for many customers. I was  encouraged by her words and the fact that she said them to me today. "Sylvia, it's your spirit. Your books are going to be very successful." She didn't know it, but this was a day that I needed some encouragement about my writing work, and I'd prayed about it this morning. Our LORD is able to provide encouragement in many ways! 

Always Sylvia

Our Humble Worker Ants

 Never underestimate those quiet, humble people who don't push to be in the forefront because they enjoy doing their part in the background. These are people who you rarely see on the platform speaking through the microphone. They remind me of  the worker ants who keep moving in the colony, doing the work to keep the colony in good functioning mode. There are all kinds of workers in any group, and I sometimes wonder if the "worker ants" are appreciated. God gives us different gifts and strengths and He does all things well. Reflections: Some church workers volunteered to do clothing work today. Two of them came with their canes. One is recovering from knee surgery, so she sat in a chair, put clothes on hangers and folded clothes that others placed on racks and tables. The other worked carefully and effectively at a safe pace, her cane nearby.  Another does therapy for back issues, but works like a champ because she knows when to take "sit down" breaks. We got the work done together. We've all been positively influenced by the church workers who did this work before us and we're blessed that some of those are still with us. The LORD will make a way for those who want to serve.

Always Sylvia

www.sylviabrownroberts.com

My Imperfect Cup

This is my new cup. When I saw it in the store, the first thing that caught my eye was the message on the outside: Be Happy.  It implies that I should put forth some effort in the happiness process. Next,

I looked at the cup from the top and saw that it had an imperfect shape. What I call the lip of the cup isn't a perfect circle. It's a bit off, so of course I bought the cup. It's like me, not perfect, but able serve a positive purpose for others. It might not fit in with the regularly shaped cups, but it does the job and brings me a smile when I use it. By contrast, my cup won't grow, but I pray that I continue to grow in the ways that count for good.

Always Sylvia

@www.sylviabrownroberts.com

 

Sometimes Things Aren't What They Seem

"

Although the sign on the door noted that masks must be worn in the center, an agitated unmasked man entered the waiting room and asked the receptionists, "Do you have masks here at the desk? I don't have a mask." His tone and body language caught my attention. It was like he thought it was everyone's fault that he didn't have a mask and therefore might not get his physical therapy session without one. He saw his therapist across the room and hollered to him, "Do you have an extra mask in your office?" His therapist quickly found him a mask. Once the client put it on, he calmed down. The therapist asked gently, "So, what are we working on today?"

The client's shoulders slumped before he said, "I don't really feel like doing much of anything today. My mother died yesterday." Everyone in the waiting room, including his therapist, looked stunned. Seems like his attitude wasn't about the mask after all. 🙏🙏

www.sylviabrownroberts.com

I Like a Bargain.

They've increased the price to $1.25 per item. I wonder if they'll change the name to "Dollar and Twenty-Five Cents Tree."

Still, $1.25 per item is cheaper than the price I'd pay at the supermarket and the drugstore for pretzels with peanut butter, peanut butter sandwich cookies, Lance crackers, toothbrushes with caps, toothpaste, aspirin substitute, Halls menthol cough drops, and a battery for my pedometer. The dollar-type store is still a good deal for several items I use. I like a bargain. Do you?

Happy Shopping!

Smiles from Sylvia

www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Toddler Moves

Is there any sight quite like a toddler rummaging through a container of anything?

So intense!

Usually quiet! 

Very quick!

I hope someone catches him before he slides back onto that novel on the floor. Wait, that looks like Beyond Church Doors, the second novel in my Church Doors series! 

Smiles 😊😊!

www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Hot Coffee and Antics

 

My mischievous husband often senses when I'm on my way to heat my coffee in the microwave. He appears from somewhere in the house and puts his coffee in the microwave first. I often remark, "You get up early, way before me. Why not heat your coffee when you get up instead of waiting for me to head for the microwave?" He always smiles.

This Sunday, it happened again. When I entered the kitchen, he was ironing his shirt. I quickly seized my opportunity, filled my coffee cup, and headed for the microwave. Before I got there, he did a lightning fast spin and put his coffee cup in the microwave. I looked at him, smiled and said, "I'll take my shower first, then come back down and heat my coffee."  He looked surprised. When I stepped out of the shower and got into my robe, this tray with  hot, aromatic coffee and a comical knickknack was on the sink counter. Husband entered the room, smiled, and we hugged.  All was well. Partners and their interesting ways. Does this remind you  of one of  your partner's antics?😀

   ~Sylvia 😊💕

www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Sometimes Things Backfire

Most authors get a special thrill when they see a reader react to something they've written.  I know I do. The reader pictured here took a minute to close the book and consider the words she read. It could be many scenes, for many things happen in this book, my 3rd novel in the Church Doors series. One chapter tells how spiritually immature church sister Chloe plots to take down church sister NikkiMac by showing evidence of NikkiMac's past sin to other church sisters. This chapter has a powerful ending!

Behind and Beyond Church Doors: Promises

Always Sylvia

www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Let's Get It Started

What's your daily morning getting-up  routine? When my alarm goes off, I silence it. Then I turn on my right side and swing my legs down from the bed as I support myself with my arms. My feet touch the floor and I'm anchored. Twenty years ago, all this happened quickly. I don't make these moves so fast any more, but I thank God I can still make them. I say a morning prayer, starting off with gratitude to the heavenly Father for watching over me through the night and waking me up in the morning. I head downstairs to the kitchen and greet my husband, who gets up with the chickens. I'm not fully awake, but I'm in function mode, and I can perform many tasks in that mode. My mother knows this, and she teases me good naturedly about it. She knows all of her children so well. My goal is to get a fresh, hot cup of coffee. I have only one cup daily, before noon. I sip it while I enjoy a morning devotion of Bible reading, meditation, prayer, journaling, and making a plan for the day. How do you start your day?

Always, Sylvia  ~   www.sylviabrownroberts.com

 

In These Shoes

I bought these shoes about 21 years ago. I've only worn them once. They occupy a space in the top of my closet. I don't favor light-colored shoes because I always get them dirty. I don't want to throw these shoes out or give them away. I look at them every few years, then put them back in the closet.

QUESTIONS:

Why do you think I keep them?

Why do you think I bought light-colored shoes?

ANSWERS:

These are the shoes I wore at my wedding in 2000.

They have sentimental value to me.

I bought light-colored shoes because they looked great with the wedding dress made by my brother Ray, the fashion designer.

I'm still with the man I walked up to in these shoes to meet the preacher on our wedding day.

Do you also have shoes or some other clothing item you haven't worn, but you've kept it  because it means a certain something to you? Let me know at info@sylviabrownroberts.com

Sending you positive thoughts,

Sylvia

www.sylviabrownroberts.com

 

    

 

These Are The Covid Days

Great start today, with a trip to the church annex to sort clothing and shoes for the monthly church clothing giveaway this Saturday. It feels good that people in the community benefit from the projects our congregation has continued throughout the pandemic. When I left the church building, I went to pay my water bill, which I usually mail, but it arrived in the mail on the 4th and is due on the 10th. I knew it wouldn't get to the Philadelphia address in time, and I didn't want a late fee, so I went to pay in person. At the Water Works office, a guard came outside to tell me, "No one's allowed to enter the building. Only the staff."  It was some precaution related to Covid19. However, he was kind enough to suggest I put my payment in the outside Water Works mail slot, which I didn't know existed. YES! Next stop, the ATM in the bank lobby. Another guard stopped me with, "No one's allowed, select staff only. Covid19 safety measures." I waved my ATM card and he realized I wanted to enter the lobby only. YES! I was able to push through, complete my tasks, and not break into frustration and waterworks of my own. 😊 God is good.