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!

mom's yard

my mom just e-mailed me a pic of her yard ... taken yesterday ... isn't it lovely? i love the various shades of light and dark ... and the brilliant colour mixed with muted ones ...

just sharing ...

i'm still sniffling and coughing with my cold ... atleast i didn't succumb to it on my little trip!

~ ~~~~~~~~~~

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.
~Stanley Horowitz

new friends

here is a pic of a new friend ... she had already been over to visit leo when i was gone ... this was taken on tuesday morning ... mrs deer saw me snapping away ... she didn't seem to mind ... though when i ventured outside for a closer photo-op, she left in a hurry!

it seems that mrs deer had teenagers with her ... can you see them in the photo below? quite camoflaged by the fall colours!

i loved being in the big city ... but photos like these would be rare ... whereas in the country, they are almost common place!

nature is a gift from God ... it's everyday beauty and wonder - matchless ...

For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour,
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon, and stars of light.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

by Fol­li­ot Pier­point (this hymn was used in the 1994 movie "Little Women")

1 Corinthians 10:23

You say, "I am allowed to do anything"- but not everything is helpful. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"- but not everything is beneficial. Don't think only of your own good. Think of other Christians and what is best for them."

in "knowing Jesus personally" Greg Laurie writes:

This verse tackles the issue of whether certain activities will be spiritually constructive in your life - even if it falls into a so-called "gray"area. A more literal translation of that verse is "All things are permissible, but not all things promote growth in Christian character." The next time you question whether you should be seeing a certain movie, participating in a specific activity, or engaging in a certain habit, ask yourself the following questions:

- Will this activity make the things of this world more appealing than the things of God?
- Will it keep me from prayer?
- Will it diminish my hunger for God's Word?
- Will it spiritually tear me down by pulling me away from other Christian believers?

You do not have time for anything that would make this world more attractive, dull your desire for prayer, take away your appetite for bible study, or keep you from Christian fellowship. Instead, look for things that will benefit and build your Christian character."

~ end of quote ~

i was thinking this morning about my vacation ... it was a vacation away from my normal routine, but a believer should never take a vacation away from God ... i thoroughly enjoyed myself - and i believe God wants believers to ENJOY the life He has given us ... yet i hope that my conduct at all times was of one who loves the Lord ... and when i felt that my attitude was slipping, i tried to immediately pray about it and then walk the line for Jesus ... i'm so far from perfect - yet IN Christ i am accepted by God ... *big huge grin* ...

vacation snippets

O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Psalm 34: 8

niagara falls

yesterday i finally saw niagara falls! it was a really good road trip!!! (pic copied off the 'net) ... the Lord gave us a day without rain - until we were packed back in the car, sight-seeing finished for the day ... isn't that great? *smile* ...

today is the BIG 40th anniversary celebration ... since i was a "junior bridesmaid" at the wedding, i get the honour of saying grace, reading greetings and acknowledging out of town guests ...

my camera is working VERY WELL now - the new re-chargeable batteries are doing the job ... i guess the other new re-chargeables i had bought were duds ... so it goes!

well we finished cutting fruits and different things ... back to visiting ...

an up-date for those of you who are wondering how things are going ...

amish

today we were in amish country ... it was lovely ... peaceful ... with quaint shops in the village ...

but guess what ... my camera seems to be eating batteries???? i don't know if it IS the camera or the rechargeables ... i bought some new rechargeables - i'm hoping that will work ...

just a quick note ... to let you guys know i am enjoying myself ... *smile* ... and leo and the fearless feline are fine too!!!

packed and ready ...

i am now officially packed for my trip ...

as i closed the suitcase - leo, who was reading the obits - called out that Rev Reinheimer had died ...

what!?

Rev Reinheimer's was the first church that i attended as a believer ... i learned much truth under his peaceful preaching manner ... and observed his obvious love of God and care for the folks in his church ...

now this dear man has taken his final journey ... no packing of suitcases ... no worries about having everything in order ... or being on time for a flight ... nope ... he just walked through the portals between mortality and heaven ...

how sweet for him ... he was 84 ... though his family will be sad, they know that their husband/dad has just gone on ahead ... he'll be in the welcoming committee when they arrive ...

O Beulah Land! sweet Beulah land! Upon thy heights I long to stand, And view the radiant, jasper sea, And mansions fair, prepared for me, And find on that eternal shore My heaven, my home, forever-more.

fall colours ...

yes, there are light coloured leaves all over our front yard (pic taken minutes ago) and even more in the back ... it looks lovely ... and signifies that a dramatic change in seasons will soon occur here in middle canada ... one from wearing t-shirts, to wearing sweaters, to being booted up and mummified with scarfs, mitts and warm coats ...

i love to watch the fall colours ... this year i may get to see some brilliant reds and golds ... why is that? you ask ... the answer being: on wednesday my aunts and i are jetting away to the largest city in Canada - to celebrate another aunt's 40th wedding anniversary ... it will be a mini vacation (leo and our fearless feline will be home alone for 5 days) ... i am looking forward to it, yet one part of me is dreading the travel ... and time away from home ...

speaking of "A" home ... i so miss all my books surrounding my computer area ... they are still packed in boxes, waiting for the day when i can unpack in our new home - date unknown ... still waiting and praying about that one ...

well i am procrastinating re getting things organized for my trip ... i hope to blog before - and during the trip ...

blessings on the start of your week!

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

"Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don’t argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear. Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth." 2 Timothy 2:14-15

blessings on your Sunday ... and for those who dropped by earlier - sorry for the picture that didn't "take" ... it seemed to "x" out all the time ... i love library photo's, so thought i would share this one ...

40?

happy 40th birthday to my westcoast sister!!!!

she's a sweet funny soul, who cheers my heart with cute e-mails and pictures ...

i remember babysitting her, laughing at the way she would walk on her tiptoes - like a spritely little fairy - her hair all matted at the back because it was so fine ...

i remember encouraging her to pray as we were walking to church, and her 4 year old self only knew to shut her eyes, steeple her hands as she walked alongside me like that ... *fond smile* ...

i remember the tough teen years and early adult ones ... yet she came out at the other end with more steel in her back and faith in her heart ...

i remember the joy in my heart when her boyfriend became a believer before they married ... together they have lived their lives with faith and hope ... encouragers ...

i'm sad that she lives so far away ... yet i am grateful for e-mails, phonecalls, webcam visits ... and the occasional real live visits too ...

i miss you, my sweet sisko ... may God bless you with a wonderful birthday and a new decade filled with His Joy ...

A sister smiles when one tells one's stories -

for she knows where the decoration has been added.

~Chris Montaigne

i bought a camera ...

here is the Canon A530 that i bought today!!! it fit all my requirements ... and hopefully i will be able to learn all that needs learning before my mini-vacation next week ...


here is my first photo - just waving at my blog buds ... next i ran to the bedroom and took a pic of leo ... i also shot a little video of him ... the video is so much clearer than what my old toshiba took!! i did buy a larger memory card (1GB) so there should be room for the various imagery ...

oohhhh time for some fun!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You miss 100% of the shots you never take."
- Wayne Gretzky

SONshine ...

i didn't want to leave my 9/11 post up for long ... because "this is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it ... " plus "the joy of the Lord is my strength" ...

we may be sad as we remember the things that have happened, yet we can go on ... wiser ... more mature ... less naive ... but still joyful, IN the Lord ...

remembering ...

9/11 ... in 2001 ... i was on a road trip to see my dad, who was dieing of inoperable throat cancer ... it was a long 8 hour drive ... leo stayed at home ... my cousin, however, was with me ... we first heard about it on the radio ... then the stories got worse and worse ... my first thought was to turn around and be with leo ... but after hearing his reassuring voice on the phone ... i continued on, for what was to be my last visit with dad ... he died a month later ...

i remember the sickening feeling that was in the pit of my stomach ... the fear that gripped my heart ... my eyes searched the heavens as i prayed, "please come back SOON! ... " ....

5 years ... and the sadness over man's inhumanity to man remains - and continues in other forms ... how can hate so rule the heart? - to do something so horrific to another?

to me, the signature of sin was so evident ... an event like this makes me cling to Christ my Redeemer ... and to yearn for His Kingdom even more ... i find Hope in Him alone ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jesus said: And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled ... (read the rest of His words in Matthew 24) ...

scripture reassures us that: "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." ~ Lamentations 3:22-23 ...

family, homes and heaven

last thursday my aunt and i did the 4 hour plus drive to see my mom ... it was a most pleasureable day ... i love to listen to the stories about the old days ... i like to see how these 2 sisters interact ... and it was great to be in a household of just women where everyone had their job ... i was the computer girl and dishwasher ... my aunt and mom did their thing in the garden ... when we left at the end of the day, my trunk was loaded down with produce! and we all agreed, the time was too short ...

isn't pleasureable time always too short? why is that? ...

the things we don't enjoy ... the painful times ... they seem to last forever ...

yet joyful times are too short ...

i'm glad heaven is an eternal place, where our cup will continually overflow ...

* * * * * * * *

now that work is done, my time has been filled with visiting, bike rides, reading, cleaning the house ... and the continued search for that elusive condo for us ... i know that it is in God's time ... yet, i keep looking ... and praying ... i want to be ready!!!

i was thinking about how important homes are to us all ... when Jesus left 2000 years ago - He said he was going to prepare a place for us ... a heavenly home ... and it must be lovely beyond description since He hasn't returned for us - yet ... yup, homes are important ...

just some rambling from my corner of the world ....

* * * * * * * * *

"Heaven is a permanent residence … a place where we unpack our bags and stay forever. … What a glorious thought to wake up in Heaven and realize it is home!----C.L. Allen

Humor is emotional chaos remembered in tranquillity. ~James Thurber

say cheese

the fall is coming ... the leaves will be changing colour ... and i'm going on a mini-vacation in 2 weeks (with my aunt) ... all sounds good ... EXCEPT my 5 year old digi camera is not cooperating ... yup! can you believe it?

i've been checking out cameras on the 'net - pricing them, seeing what is out there, etc etc ... sigh ... i'm a very poor shopper - in that i don't enjoy shopping ... and i have a hard time spending a larger sum on myself ...

soooooooo ... it would be a help to me if you told me what kind of digi cameras you have? i will be using the camera to take pics of my surroundings, friends, family - just documenting the life that daily swirls around me ...

thanks ... *smile*

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.
~Elizabeth Lawrence

all done ...

another season at the park is done ...
i thank the Lord for my job ...
and i thank the Lord for down time with leo ...

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11 ...

the commute

the early morning mist kissed the golden wheat fields with a shimmery haze as i drove to work today … a most relaxing time of day … i have my morning chat with the Lord as i navigate the familiar stretch of highway that leads to the park … however, i best be awake while i drive … i share the roadway with many critters! this morning it was a mama deer with her 2 teenagers … they all scampered across the road as if theirs was the only right of way … i slowed and watched their effortless gait … happy that i saw them in time …

i enjoy my 25 minute commute … the traffic is light and the scenery relaxing and serene …

this year i have seen wildlife galore! the deer that i encountered this morning – well that’s a usual occurrence … on the more unusual side is the timber wolf, a few weeks back … it was within a mile of the office, standing majestically by the side of the road … i slowed down and looked at him – he looked at me … eyes clear, displaying some interest and curiosity … he stood his ground and i drove past ...

bears are another regular sighting …they pop up wherever there is something to munch on ...

foxes, beavers, canada geese ... all seemed to be plentiful this summer ... and regulars on my morning route ...

shortly a new season begins and my daily drives will cease ... i will miss the morning solitude of the road ... but i do look forward to another routine beginning ... fall and winter ...

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'll Wait!

isn't it great when some decisions are so easy to make ...

the way to beat high gas prices!

fall is in the air ... but i hope to keep going for bike rides for atleast another month ... 6 weeks maybe? hope hope hope ... it has been great to just get on my bike and go to my aunt's for coffee, then bicycle back ... or get on the bike and ride into town to check our mail ... the small pleasures equal great enjoyment to me ... not to mention good exercise ... *grin*

this pic was taken today ... i'm wearing a very windy hair dooh ... it was super hard to peddle against the wind - though my heart probably thanked me for it!

and still no condo to buy - but i am going to just enjoy september ... regardless!

" ... thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me ..." Psalm 63: 3-8

tuesday morning ...

picture taken yesterday at work ...

sometimes "junk mail" holds gold!!! here is a little group note i received this a.m. ... look at the verse ... *grin* ... it blessed me ... so i'm sharing ...


By Roy Lessin, Co-Founder, DaySpring Cards

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

God has a plan for your life. He brought you into this world to fulfill that plan. It is the best plan that anyone could ever make for you. It is a plan that will bring Him the greatest glory and you the greatest good. From the beginning of this calendar year until its end, God is working out His plan.

As you follow God's plan for your life, you do so by faith. It is important to remember that He is the Guide and you are the follower. He does not need to bring you into His planning room as a consultant to help Him decide what is best for your life. God has called you to trust Him and to take the next step of obedience according to His will. God has said, "I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16 NKJV

Here are some ways that God is working out His plan:

He is your Shepherd—He is leading you.
He is your Provider—He is taking care of you.
He is your Strength—He is enabling you.
He is your Counselor—He is speaking to you.
He is your Shield—He is protecting you.
He is your Comfort—He is encouraging you.
He is your Father—He is blessing you.

sunday morning in my world ...

there was a slight fog in the area and the sun was streaming through the trees and the fog ... making for such a surreal scene ...

i tried to capture it ... and failed!

yet even the failed attempt looks peaceful, doesn't it? ... a sunday morning in my world ...

trusting ...

i love this verse ... my year started out with it ... and what a year it has been!

we sold our house - and i packed and packed ...
we moved into a rental during the middle of winter ...
we continue to search for a place to buy - 7 months now ...
we’ve said final earthly farewells to loved ones ...
work has had changes - good and bad ...
and i have only this weekend and next, left in the salt mines in the park - then work ends again for the season ...

i hope i have grown as a person through all this - that i've allowed the Lord to work in me and through me ...

and dear blog buds - i truly hope that the condo we are waiting for opens up for us! sooner than later ... would be nice! *smile*

in the meantime ... i'm trusting in the One who holds every aspect of my past, present ... and future! He has a plan ...

as i close, i am humming a favourite hymn, feel free to join in ... *grin*

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

Refrain
But I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.

I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.

Refrain

I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing us of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.

Refrain

I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.

Refrain

I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.

Refrain

when we find ourselves in a fog ...

look up ...

God's vision is always clear ...

before Oprah ... there was Billy ...

oprah's book club seems to be pretty popular ... i must confess to not following her list of "good reads" that closely ... but i know others do ...

before there was oprah's book club ... billy graham had his book "club" ... by club, i mean his monthly offer of a book he recommends ... he's had this gift offer, with no strings attached, for decades now ... and i have greatly benefited from the selections ... he's introduced me to authors i had never heard about before, but who soon became my "favourites" ... at the moment i am reading chuck colson's "the Good Life" ... compliments of the Billy Graham Ministry .... excellent read ...

i do make donations to the ministry, but they never solicit any if someone would just like the monthly offer ...

Radio Bible Class (who puts out the daily devotional leo and i read) also offer books by excellent authors ... they do ask for a donation, but the books have been good ...

what a blessing to live in a time when there is so much uplifting reading out there ...

if you want to check out the 2 websites, you can find them at:
Billy Graham Ministry and Radio Bible Class ...

old hymns

i'm still not completely out of the valley of sadness ... i landed there around the time of lucille's death and i've just been trying to see my way through the thicket on a day by day basis ... there are moments when i catch a glimpse of the sun and smile ... then the clouds appear and cover it all up again ... i think leo may be walking that same rock strewn path as well ... life definitely does have its seasons, doesn't it? the mountain top will be so much sweeter after this valley experience ...

that being said, i thought i'd post an old hymn ... songs like these cheer me the most!

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials he multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

words by Words: Annie J. Flint
Annie J. Flint (1866-1932).
Music: Black­lands, Ray Stead­man-Al­len

anniversary time ...

our wedding anniversary is coming up on thursday ... this cartoon made me smile ...

i hope i get a chance to post a longer note soon ... lately it has been hit and miss!! sorry guys!

let's go to the beach!

thank you for allowing me to unload on you guys in my last post ... and for sending me hugs and cheery notes in the comments ... i'm trying to play nice in the sandbox and not create any more unnecessary disturbances!

this weekend ... i think we should all go to the beach ...

one of my sisters lives on the west coast and sent me pics of her day at the beach ... they made me smile ... so of course i had to share them, so you can smile along with me ...

the water is so cold that her little pinkies only go into the water every few years ...

she has a wacky sense of humour ...

do you think we look alike? *chuckle* ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Every survival kit should include a sense of humour.
~Author Unknown