the journey revisited ...

i feel at loose ends when the seasons change ... my life seems to shift gears into utter quietness as the winter closes in ... and with the added stress of looking for that elusive home/condo to suit our needs (re leo's health issues) - in an area where real estate doesn't come up often - well i start to question my very existence and usefullness!

just a few minutes ago, as i was preparing to blog on a totally different subject, i came across a post i had written almost 2 years ago ... here is what it said:

Life is a journey.

Old cliche . . . but it becomes more real the older a person gets!

[as i read blogs] this morning ... it seemed like i received an answer to a question that i hadn’t even been asking . . . the old question of "if a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there, does it still make a sound?"

. . . if i live my life for Christ - even though it is a quiet life - trying to be the wife that L needs and helping him along in this chronic pain journey, and if there isn’t much leftover to do the "great things" . . . does my life still matter in God’s house?

If i remain faithful to Him who called me to this journey, and if i believe that i am living out my life doing what was laid before me to do . . . then even if it is only the dust bunnies that witness it . . . i will remain steadfast . . .

which leads to another questions, are there dust bunnies in God’s house too?

and as my blogging friend Knitter Kat so sweetly reminded me the other day, my most important job in this life could very well be - caring for leo and being the best wife i know how ... *smile* ...

tho' this "best wife" still would love to find that "best place" for us to live!!! stubborn old gal, aren't i?

an old farmer's advice

An Old Farmer's Advice:

* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.

* Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance.

* Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

* A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

* Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.

* Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.

* Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.

* Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

* It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.

* You cannot unsay a cruel word.

* Every path has a few puddles.

* When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

* The best sermons are lived, not preached.

* Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.

* Don't judge folks by their relatives.

* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

* Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

* Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.

* Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

* If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

* Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.

* The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.

* Always drink upstream from the herd.

* Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

* Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.

* If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

* Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

head in the clouds

the fall sky is ever-changing and awe inspiring ... it seems that God paints a new canvass, a flawless master piece, every time i look up ... this is what late afternoon looked like from our window ... i found it beautiful ...

it comforts me to see the grandness of our world ... to know that He has not left us alone - to untangle our problems ... but is ever there, ever ready to intercede ...

lately, i have just been doing my normal routine - but always keeping an eye to the sky ... as if i wait for something ...

it's difficult to share the anticipation of my heart ... since i don't know what it is all about ... and when i do sit at the keyboard, my mind becomes a blank canvass ... i do apologize for not being a good blogging bud of late ... but that is my reason ... the words aren't flowing ... though my heart IS over-flowing ...

may this weekend bring you clouds to delight in ... anticipation to stir your heart ... joy in the circle of family/friends ... and most important - the "peace that passeth understanding" in your soul ...

Thou hast given so much to me,

Give one thing more, - a grateful heart;

Not thankful when it pleaseth me,

As if Thy blessings had spare days,

But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.

~George Herbert

thoughts on busy days ...

morning images....

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust." Psalm 91:1,2

as i walked into the quiet morning kitchen, switched on the coffee pot and fed our fearless feline - i could just feel a stillness in the rooms ...

when i opened the curtains, i knew why ...

these pictures give you a glimpse of the soft snowy enchantment ...

instead of being annoyed at "snow - again!" ... i sat down to enjoy the perfect painting God had done over night ... the canvas was ever changing, as the sun took over and slowly melted the snow ...

today - the rental felt like home ... it was a lovely feeling indeed ...

however, my contentment bubble was burst when i went into town and listened to some small town chatter ... i heard our landlord wants to fix up the rental, sub-divide the property and sell ... my first thought was "oh no! when?" ... isn't there always something to start the worry juices flowing? but i have a choice - i could run with the worry and allow the "joy stealer" to put an end to my contentment or just put a stopper in it right away ... i chose the stopper!

God's timing in everything is perfect! so for "today" i will enjoy the rental ... and the beauty all around ...

Sunday morning cheer ...

feeling thankful!

i have such a thankful heart this morning ... a joy within - because of Jesus, my Saviour ...

my heart has been cheered by some telephone visits with family and encouraging e-mail from friends ... and my heart has been blessed by the book we are reading called "Unrelenting Prayer" (sent to me by Saija, who found me through this blog ... not only do we have the same name but we are living parallel lives: same age and husbands with similar afflictions) ...

and i am ALWAYS encouraged on by YOU ALL, my blog buds ... *smile* ...

after reading David's blog this morning, i was reminded of Gloria Gaither's hymn of trust ... just thought i would share the words here ... hope they encourage you as well!

Because He Lives

(1) God sent His Son,
they called Him Jesus,
He came to love,
heal, and forgive;
He lived and died
to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove
my Savior lives.

(2) Because He lives I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives All fear is gone;
because I know
He holds the future.
And life is worth the living just
because He lives.

(3) How sweet to hold
a newborn baby,
And feel the pride,
and joy He gives;
but greater still
the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days
because He lives.

(4) And then one day
I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and
I'll know he lives.

Gloria Gaither

making the rental cozy

today was the new curtains day ... first we had to take off the really old verticals that came with the rental ... then - clean thoroughly ... and finally we put up the new curtains ... which fit like a charm ... you'll just have to take my word for it!

as you can see, i am serious about settling in for however long the Lord wants us to be renting ... that doesn't mean that i'm not praying for our condo/house, it's just that i've given up my stubborn attitude regarding unpacking!!! now that things are more to my liking - i'm even feeling more optimistic ...

this is the ottoman i picked up yesterday ... it is just the comfy type of furniture i like ... it serves as our coffee table with lots of room for storing books and magazines inside ... yay for double uses!!!

in the next few days i will be unpacking boxes ...

it was a good day over here ... *big smile* ...

city trip ...

here's a pic of my morning journey into the city ... i drove in to visit and then to buy a few items so that i can begin to COZY UP the rental! the first purchase (ottoman that has storage in it - to be used as a coffee table) was a success ... let's see if the next (new curtains for the living room) works out the same ... this is my little "letting go and letting God" offering - settling in to wait on Him for our home ...

"Humbe yourselves therefore under the might hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." I Peter 5:6-7

Surrender to the great I AM

I AM

I was regretting the past
and fearing the future.
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
"My name is I AM"

He paused. I waited.
He continued,
"When you live in the past
with its mistakes and regrets,
it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WAS.

When you live in the future,
with its problems and fears,
it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WILL BE.

When you live in this moment
it is not hard. I am here,
My name is I AM."

Helen Mallicoat

hum along with me ...

last night i phoned Debra, from As I See It Now ... she is still without power ... i almost felt guilty that ours was only off for 2 hours - but Debra was making the best of it ... she sounded cheerful, and said that she and tom were sitting in a candlelit room ... sort of sounds romantic, doesn't it?

our snow is rapidly disappearing ... i hope my restless mood leaves with it! i just can't seem to settle into anything ... there is just a restless feeling in my heart ...

so i am humming this old hymn:

Come Thou Fount

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.

there ... that helped ... now i shall sing it again - just louder this time!
*lop-sided grin*

the weather ... always fascinating!

our solid 3 inches of the wet heavy snow is nothing compared to Buffalo NY's 2 feet! and the white stuff is really early this year - 6 weeks early ...

my sympathies to blog buds living in the hardest hit area!!

our power was out for 2 hours this afternoon ... and it made me restless for some reason ... while leo, on the other hand, was peacefully reclining - hoping that the power would come back on for the baseball playoff game at 3 ...

the outage did make me thankful for our usually reliable electricity ... the things we take for granted, eh? electricity is a blessing and makes our lives so much simpler ...

i'm hoping for a good old fashioned indian summer now ... and for the snow to disappear until atleast early december ... one can always hope! *grin*


I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in. ~George Washington Carver

the advice of friends ...

taken this morning in the backyard - the first snowfall

dear blog buds: thank you so much for your advice and the empathy shown in your comments to my last post ... i so appreciate your candor and well thought out remarks!

and yes, i agree, more resting in the Lord is in order ...

i will also start to cozy-up the rental ... just today i gave in and ordered a new computer desk (which i was waiting to do ONLY when we bought a new home) ... as well as a side table to house some of my books ... i am looking for curtains and also some more book shelves ... i guess i will start to unpack a bit more ...

God's timing is the perfect timing ... i will work on a grateful attitude and contentment in the situation we find ourselves in! ... so there!

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11

a detour!

"It has been said that a mark of deep spiritual maturity is to be able to enjoy the journey when God puts you on a detour." ~ Vance Havner

my personal detour is the lack of housing in this area ... it doesn't matter what i have done or where i have looked ... the answer is the same - day in, day out - there is nothing out there for us to buy ...

some days are frustrating ... other days we ask the Lord: "do you want us to move out of the area?" ... ALL days we continue to pray fervently for wisdom and for a home to buy ...

i'm just wondering if i should unpack more? ... then cozy up the rental to a more comfortable level?

as you can see, there are more questions then answers!

i mean honestly, who would have thought that the real estate market would drop to zilch around here ...

so i posted the Vance Havner quote to remind myself that detours are from God ... for a purpose ... so that i can GROW ... and all things are only for a season, and all for a reason ...

thanksgiving in Canada

"O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name:

make known his deeds among the people.

Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.

Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

Remember his marvellous works that he hath done;

his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth ..."

Psalm 105: 1-5

it was "the doctor day" yesterday ...

yesterday was leo's doctor day ... usually those are the dreaded hurry up and wait type of experiences for us ... for anyone in chronic pain, the drive in the car must first be endured ... then the never-ending WAIT in an uncomfortable chair, accompanied by the sterile ambiance of a doctor's office ... it increases the general discomfort of someone who is just not well to begin with!

i was not looking forward to this ...

yesterday, however, was a better experience ... leo seemed determined to have a good attitude about it, despite his cold and his continuous back pain ...

the 30 minute drive was lovely ... we talked about the fall colours ... chatted about our house-hunting ... just normal stuff ...

we arrived at the appointed time ... and as pre-arranged, we were immediately ushered into a room so that leo could lie down on the examining table if he needed to stretch out his back ...

i had brought along the book we are reading about unrelenting prayer ... and also a billy graham sermonette entitled "joy in tribulation" ... i read the sermonette out loud first ... that took 20 minutes and blessed our hearts with encouraging scripture verses and uplifting thoughts ... then i read a few pages from the book ... next we amused ourselves by reading the eye chart! ... it was 40 minutes into the wait ... leo had already reclined for a while, squatted for a while, then sat for a bit ...

the doctor was only 55 minutes late ... the visit itself took a mere 5 minutes!

leo was still uncomfortable as we drove home, yet his spirits were good ...

a victory is a victory ... *grin* ... it was indeed a day full of every day joy ...

condo news ... or should i say "more of the same"

taken today as i walked in our little town.

"In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus." Philippeans 4: 6-7

before putting down a bid on the condo (mentioned a few posts back), we talked to a sweet saint of God whom we have known for many decades ... this former shantyman missionary, who turns 91 this month, quoted the above verse ... he said he lets the peace of God rule his decisions ...

good advice! and a wonderful reminder ...

we didn't have peace about the condo - so we didn't pursue it any further ...

the condo was absolutely lovely to look at, brand new ... yet the question mark that wouldn't go away was "the well" - all the condo's were tapped into this 2 stage (160 and 300 foot) drilled well ... and that didn't sit well with us ...

another door closes on this housing thing ... yes, it is a teensie bit frustrating ... i have to admit it ... i am STILL hoping to find something before the snow flies!

my whirring brain came up with an idea this morning ... since there is NOTHING on the market locally - why not go fishing for a place? ... so, i put an ad in our local newspaper ... just saying that we're looking for a maintenance free home or condo ... maybe i am taking the verse "ask and you shall receive" very literally!!! but one never knows - until one tries? right?

peace, God's peace ...

you know how i don't like to leave sad posts up for long ... meaning my last post ...

well this morning as i read elisabeth elliott's devotional ... i thought it a perfect match to the worldy chaos that daily bombards us ... it encouraged me, i hope it encourages you ...

~~~~~~~~~~

Title: Don't Forfeit Your Peace
Author: Elisabeth Elliot

It would not be possible to exaggerate the importance hymns and spiritual songs have played in my spiritual growth. One of the latter, familiar to most of you, has this line: "O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer" (Joseph Scriven).

Prayerlessness is one of many ways by which we can easily forfeit the peace God wants us to have. I've been thinking of some other ways. Here's a sampling:

Resent God's ways.
Worry as much as possible.
Pray only about things you can't manage by yourself.
Refuse to accept what God gives.
Look for peace elsewhere than in Him.
Try to rule your own life.
Doubt God's word.
Carry all your cares.

If you'd rather not forfeit your peace, here are eight ways to find it (antidotes to the above eight):

"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them" (Psalm 119:165 KJV).
"Circumstances are the expression of God's will," wrote Bishop Handley Moule.
"Don't worry about anything whatever" (Philippians 4:6, PHILLIPS).
"In everything make your requests known to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving. Then the peace of God... will guard your hearts" (Philippians 4:6,7, NEB).
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me... and you will find rest" (Matthew 11:29, NIV).
"Peace is my parting gift to you, my own peace, such as the world cannot give" (John 14 27, NEB).
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" (Colossians 3:15, NIV).
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing" (Romans 15:13, KJV).
"Cast all your cares on him for you are his charge" (1 Peter 5:7, NEB).

"Grant, O Lord my God, that I may never fall away in success or in failure; that I may not be prideful in prosperity nor dejected in adversity. Let me rejoice only in what unites us and sorrow only in what separates us. May I strive to please no one or fear to displease anyone except Yourself. May I seek always the things that are eternal and never those that are only temporal. May I shun any joy that is without You and never seek any that is beside You. O Lord, may I delight in any work I do for You and tire of any rest that is apart from You. My God, let me direct my heart towards You, and in my failings, always repent with a purpose of amendment.--St. Thomas Aquinas"

innocence shattered ...

i found the news so disturbing today ... a one room school house ... innocent children ... amish children ... and a disturbed man with a gun ...

just like in Colorado ...

just like in other areas of the world ...

today's horror happened in the most innocent of places ... that one room school, with a horse and buggy outside ...

what madness and what evil ...

i wonder how long the Lord will allow it?

cough cough cough

cough cough cough ...

my cold is getting better, thank you - just an annoying tickly cough that is lingering ...

i am always thankful for these bothersome little illnesses ... because it allows me some sort of empathy with leo ... i mean he feels yucky 24/7 ... and he has been in chronic pain for over 20 years now ...

God certainly does give grace for each trial ...

an up-date re our search for a home - we looked at a condo last thursday ... we are seriously thinking about it ... the drawback is that we would have to move from cottage country, closer to the city ... but the unit felt cozy, even tho' it was a new condo ... hmmmm?? ... we still have questions that need answering and then - well? maybe that change i felt coming will be bigger then i originally imagined!

blessings on your week!