Wide Open Spaces, High Places

Yesterday gave us a welcome taste of spring with warmth and sunshine over the plains so hubby and I decided to head up to the high places; something that always refreshes my spirit especially after a crazy week. Although the clouds were rolling in over the peaks, for the most part it was sunny and beautiful.

We anticipated seeing more wildlife than we did; we only found one very large herd of Elk grazing in the park. They did look a bit thinner than in the fall.

We actually thought we'd take a short hike but then the snow started to fall, we weren't equipped so decided we'd rather go have lunch. It was such a wonderful outing with hope of springtime that we are looking forward to doing lots of easy hikes this spring and summer.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs, Noreen

Once again it is time to stop, count our blessings and give thanks. When a person makes this a habit, your mindset is bound to look up.
Today I am thankful for another day to love and to be loved. I am thankful for every breathe I take; each one is a gift from above. I am thankful for my beloved husband, the love of my life~his devotion, loyalty, sense of humor, artistic bents and all that makes him who is he.
I am thankful for my family, here and Rich and Sue back in California. Without them, I wouldn't be who I am today. I am thankful for 8 precious grandchildren with number nine due in April. I am thankful for the health care system here in Colorado. I am thankful for this time, this season of retirement and the ability to be more relaxed in life as well as being more available.
I am so very thankful for my dear friend Becky-the best friend a gal could have!!! Even though we've never met in person, our spirits are kindred and she gives me joy just by being who she is. I am thankful for the day we will meet. I am thankful for sisters in faith, my prayer partners and their faithfulness to me. I am thankful for their labor of love. I am thankful for my dear friends in Ca.-Cyndi and her ministry of prayer. I am thankful for all those people who bless my life continually.
I am thankful that I have a Good Shepherd, who leads me in the valley, provides for me, protects me and calls me His own.
I am thankful that no harm can befall me except that which has been filtered through His hands. We have never been promised an easy life, but I am thankful He will never leave me or forsake me.
I am thankful for computers and the ability to connect with others, some closer than family even though distance separates us.
There are so many dear ones that make my life richer~Carol, Lynn, Dineen, Lisa, Sue, Amy, Aletha, Nellie, Ella, Rose, Deb, Tiffany, Pam, Marlene, Barbara and the list goes on and on.
Today I am thankful to be alive.
Blessings to you dear friends.
Noreen

For more thankful Thursday posts, please visit Iris at http://www.eph2810.com/thankful-thursday/thankful-thursday-changes/

Well, I have to say yesterday's doctor appointment was the first one, at least that I can remember, that I enjoyed. The gal is wonderful~besides telling me I didn't need to lose weight(which I do), she said I was doing everything right. When I shared the vitamins and supplements I take to help stay healthy she said it was the list she gives her patients. How refreshing it was that she just didn't want to push more prescription medicines on me. I loved her!
One of the things that gives me great joy in life is spending time with those I love. As you know our youngest is pregnant, 7 mos to be exact and is now on a restricted activity level due to a recurring problem. So this mom and nana gets to go over in the mornings and help out with the kiddos-make lunch, prep for dinner, chores and whatever she needs. What joy for me! Just hope I don't get on her nerves. In the afternoon and evenings I am continuing to work on the quilt; I will post photos when it is done. It is nothing really fancy or complex but it is filled with love and prayers for this little girl soon to be in our family.
We've got blue skies here today and although it's cold, it is incredibly beautiful.
Have a joyful day!
Hugs,Noreen

Happy Monday to each of you. I know, I know, if you are off to work today you aren't glad it's Monday but with how short this life is, we should be thankful for every day!
I'm off to the doctors today for an annual; it's a new doctor and I'm hoping I really like her. I know that I have about 8-10 lbs to lose but yesterday I had a good amount of exercise. You see, I'm a fair weather walker and don't have equipment here at home so if it is snowing my exercise is helping my man shovel the driveway and sidewalks. So on Saturday and yesterday we went out first thing and shoveled. Now, we have a normal driveway but by the time we are done with that and both sidewalks we've worked out a bit. In the afternoon, prior to our oldest & her family getting home after three days in the mountains, we went over to shovel their driveway. Now they live out in the country and although it is a development, they have a circular driveway and it is pretty long. We only shoveled the part going into their garage, so they could drive right in to unload, but it was still about 70' or so according to my hubby. To me, it seemed liked it was closer to double that. They had been gone so had quite a bit of snow piled up but it was nice to make sure it was easier for them. So, should my doctor give me a bad time about not lifting weights etc. I plan to explain that shoveling snow is not only lifting weights but also aerobic as well~plus very cold indeed. I think it was snowing more out there and it sure seemed colder.
Got to love it though.
Today was my mother's birthday and she would have been 97. Happy Birthday Mom-sure you are having a wonderful time in glory.
Have a wonderful day and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors at some point.
Hugs, Noreen

Happy Friday dear friends, Again the week has flown by so quickly. Yesterday morning I spent with our youngest and her three girls. It was a joy to be able to watch her homeschooling and to just be an extra set of hands should she need me. Afterwards, we ran errands-it helps having two adults with three girls between the ages of 4(going on 10),2,1. In the afternoon, I made a quick trip up to our oldest girls home to help them get ready for a weekend getaway. They are in Glenwood Springs for the weekend, enjoying snow time with a group from church. Right as I left their house it began to snow and it continued to snow until sometime during the night. We had plans to head down to Denver today and attend the Home Show but the weather made us really rethink this idea, so instead we are staying home and staying warm. I think the nice weather the last couple of weeks has made me anxious for spring and as much as I like snow, I'd rather it be sunny and warm. It is early to say that though because we could have two more months of the white stuff. O.k. so maybe our vacation for two weeks in the islands will be warm and a break from the cold.
We don't have anything exciting planned for the weekend~just watching the Olympics and my continued hand quilting.
Whatever you do, enjoy it!
Hugs, Noreen

Beauty of Creation

This morning I took hubby out to our town lake to see if we could spy any Bald Eagles. The morning is cloudy and cool and the eagles were not congregating like they did yesterday but we did get some shots. Mind you, I started out with just showing four photos but if you are anything like I am, the more the better so I added two. Here is an adult sitting majestically on the lake, watching intently the activity around it.

A baby~we've been told that they will not get all their white feathers until they are mature at about 5 yrs old.

Aren't they spectacular!!

On another note, to those dear friends that have prayed for Faith's arm to heal~this morning she had an x-ray and it is doing well so she'll not need pins and will get her cast off March 10th.

Thank you from our family for keeping her in your thoughts.

Have a glorious day!

Noreen

Simply Amazing

Although this is a bit late, I wanted to share something amazing from today. I met a good friend at our town lake at noon today to walk. I really need to get out and get in shape before our vacation and it's even better when a friend will join me for a walk. When we got out of our cars, I spied a Bald Eagle on the other side of the lake. I could tell there were lots of large birds with it but when you've seen the other side of 50 yrs old, your eyesight goes a bit. Anyway, I was thrilled as I always am to see the eagle. As we got closer I remarked that I thought there were a couple of others. Turns out there were 4 on the ice; at first I thought they were fishing but my friend said maybe they were just chillin...lol. She is from South Africa and her accent always makes things funnier. I couldn't tell what the other two birds were-possibly Golden Eagles or baby eagles without the hoods. We kept walking and spotted another one in a Cottonwood tree. I am thrilled by all wildlife here and especially love this time of year when the eagles are here nesting for winter. Tomorrow morning I'm taking my hubby back, with camera, to see if they might still be there.

Valentine's Day

On Friday our family gathered to have our annual Valentine's Day party. We did two crafts, had lunch and the kiddos played. What a wonderful way to spend a morning!

Making clay hearts to hang.

Can't miss an opportunity for photos.

We all had a great time! I love it that our family is so close in proximity and can plan fun times with all the cousins. Life doesn't get any better than this!

Words of Wisdom, Words of Life

Years ago when we only had one little grandson my daughter asked me to begin, at least once a year, to write a letter to our little guy and to any others that were to follow. I would give it to the grandchild on their birthday; it was to be filled with hopes, dreams, observations on their strengths etc. I began doing this, for a number of years, for each grandchild. Somehow, time slipped away and my plan got stalled as good plans often do. Then when my oldest daughter gave her sister a baby shower she incorporated this theme, a bit modified, into the shower. She provided paper and pens and numbered envelopes. Each lady took an envelope and wrote a birthday letter to the little one-up until they were in their teens. Some gals wrote flowery poems, some drawings, some hopes for this little one. One of the most touching was that my sister, in her final months fighting Ovarian cancer, got the envelope that said 16. She wrote pages for our granddaughter. We all knew her time was drawing to an end; she did get to see her grandniece before she went to glory. My girl and I have wondered what words of wisdom Aunt Dee shared and some day, years from now, it will be interesting and touching to read. Each birthday Shannon gets to open another birthday letter, mostly from people she doesn't know-because they are all in California. Still it is a very special tradition that our oldest daughter started at a baby shower.
Back to current day~I started this blog as a place to journal, since I love to write, for my family and friends and grandchildren. Recently though, I've scolded myself for not printing out letters for each grandchild to have for the future. I need to start again so when they are grown they will have a bit of me if I'm not there in person. So all you grandparents out there-we never know when our time is up, so start writing your grandchildren love letters that their parents can tuck away for the future.
Today, we will gather for a Valentine's Day party and I am hoping to get some good shots of our group. I love each one so very much and delight in spending time with them. God has richly blessed me.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to you my friends!
Hugs, Noreen

As A Nation

As a nation, I believe we christians fall short of the Lord's desires for us. You can look at our administration, that we the people elected, you can look at the soaring abortion rate as well as alcoholism and drug addiction rates. Even the divorce rate among christians has risen, let alone pornography. The list could go on and on. We need to take stock of our individual lives and take stock of our heritage here in this great country. As representatives of the Lord, we need to carefully align our behavior with the Word of God.

"If my people, which are called by My name shall humble themselves, pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."2 Chronicles 7:14

Father, we ask you to forgive us the sins of our country. Have mercy on us Lord, hear the cry of your people, cleanse us and heal our land. In the precious name of our savor, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

It's Thankful Thursday, and I for one am so thankful for the blood of my Lord and Savior. I'm thankful that He hears our cries and will heal our land if we but repent and turn from our sins.

Blessings, Noreen

In The Valley

If you are in a valley of suffering right now, whether it be physical, spiritual, financial, emotional or any other struggle please know there is One who understands and desires to be with you.
I know of so many dear ones who are fighting for their lives from cancer and it would seem not a day goes by when you don't hear about someone losing their home or a loved one. My heart is burdened to pray for those in need. As I walked today, I listened to the following song and thought how relevant it is today although it was taken from a book of Puritan Prayers decades ago.
May it be a healing balm to your heart this day.

When You lead me to the valley of vision
I can see You in the heights
And though my humbling wouldn't be my decision
It's here Your glory shines so bright
So let me learn that the cross precedes the crown
To be low is to be high
That the valley's where You make me more like Christ.

Let me find Your grace in the valley
Let me find Your life in my death
Let me find Your joy in my sorrow
Your wealth in my need
That You're near with every breath
In the valley

In the daytime there are stars in the heavens
But they only shine at night
And the deeper that I go into darkness
The more I see their radiant light
So let me learn that my losses are my gain
To be broken is to heal
That the valley's where Your power is revealed.

Sovereign Grace Praise

For those without Hope, without any certainty, know that He is near to all who call upon Him.
He is Faithful and will not let you down.
Please let me know if you need prayer.
Because He first loved us, Noreen

Ouch

Sunday afternoon our little Faith, age 4, was playing horse with her dad and two big brothers. I got a phone call a bit later that Faith had fallen off the horse and landed on her arm, thus necessitating a trip to Urgent Care. She had now joined the ranks of her two brothers with trips to the E.R. and is wearing a neon hot pink cast. Initially, a soft cast was put on her arm until she could get to the specialists today. She is doing well and adjusting to this big bulky thing on her arm. She broke her bone right above the elbow; we are praying that it heals without a need for pins. What a trooper she is and I think she has earned a badge of courage.

Hugs to you, Noreen

Happy Monday Friends~ I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I got most of the baby quilt top done and just have to add on one more border today and then begin to sandwich it...yippee.
I am not a big fan of watching sports on t.v. Never have been but yesterday we watched the Super Bowl. All I can say is "What about those Saints"....what a game and I actually enjoyed watching it.
Part of the reason I watched the entire game is that my dear sil asked us to fill out a research questionnaire on the ads and of course we would do anything for her. So I loved the game but was so disappointed in this years ads. In the past I've loved the Coke ads as well as the Bud ads-not for the beverage but because they always have done such touching ads. This year there was only one Bud ad that I said "ahh" to and the coke ads weren't much better. So all in all I think the advertisers dropped the ball this year. The half time show was a disappointment as well. Somehow watching grandpas act like they did 30 yrs ago doesn't seem to appealing to me.
Having said all this I was very excited for the Saints though-their city needs encouragement after all they've been through since Katrina.
Have a wonderful day today and stay warm. We've got snow on the ground and hopefully no more will fall today.
Hugs, Noreen

No More Going Through The Motions

Happy Friday to you all. Yesterday we had a dusting of snow but today is clear with promises of sunshine and warmth. As I was driving yesterday one of my all time favorite contemporary songs came on the radio and I ended up singing it all day including last night as I drifted off to sleep. I'm sure those drivers around me wondered about the lady rocking out in her car and singing...I'm sure I make quite the site. You know I just love to sing and worship so often when I'm alone in the car you'll find me singing very loud(usually the windows are rolled up)because even though I sang in a coffee house in high school I'm not very good. Amazing what youth will do to a person and what maturity does. Today's song isn't a light fun song but one that is heart felt and with all that is going on in the world this sums up my desires most. I tried to find it on playlist so I could add it to my songs in case you haven't heard it but sadly they didn't have it; if you have a newer computer just google it and then listen to it.

No More Going Through The Motions by Matthew West

The Motions
This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break,
At least I'll be feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

No regrets, not this time
I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

take me all the way (take me all the way)
take me all the way ('cause I don't wanna go through the motions)
take me all the way (I know I'm finally feeling something real)
take me all the way

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

take me all the way (take me all the way)
take me all the way (I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go)
take me all the way (through the motions)
take me all the way

I don't wanna go through the motions.

Have a blessed weekend friends!
Hugs, Noreen

Just wanted to let you all know that the vet visit with our old guy turned out informative and helpful. Actually, it wasn't as bad as I feared; it would seem that dogs can get IBS or irritated intestines which causes other problems. I really appreciate our vet how understands financial constraints and respects our decisions. We came home with pro-biotics and antibiotics for our Reggie; this will get him back on the mend quickly. He has always been a nervous dog and sensitive to food and stress which are two things that can cause these problems. Hopefully he will turn around totally within a day or two. Thank you all for your kind thoughts.

Good morning friends~ It's Wednesday already and I was thinking about the assembling together with other believers and what a rich time one can have, whether in a church service, bible study or just having a good time together. This past weekend some friends came up for dinner and games. We had such a good time with them, we always do. Then yesterday morning our ladies group took another sweet friend out to breakfast for her birthday. Can you believe that out of four other gals there, three of us got her flowers to enjoy now and plant later. I guess we are all missing warmer weather and longing for spring. Our friend, the birthday girl, is also battling invasive breast cancer so we were able to just love on her and have lots of fun. It is so important to women to have time with other gals-to build each other up and encourage one another. I truly believe that is why the Word tells us not to forsake coming together. Today we are making another trip to the vet, our little guy hasn't been the same since he got his flu shot last week. Unfortunately, the kennel we board at requires this now. I'm beginning to wonder if all the cancer in our pets is partially due to immunizations and I know of one vet in Ca. who believes this. Hopefully, our guy will be back to normal today and it won't be any bad news.
Have a joyous day, stay warm inside and out.
Smiles, Noreen

From The Library

Happy Monday All~Oh what a glorious day it is; to be alive in a time such as this and what hope we have in Jesus. When I was a young christian, a friend had an incredible home library and I was able to read so many christian classics by such greats as Amy Carmichael, Corrie ten Boom, Hannah Hurnard and biographies of great men and women of faith. These books influenced my faith and strengthened me. Last week when I was at my oldest daughter's house, I borrowed a book that I hadn't read on Corrie ten Boom entitled "NOT I, BUT CHRIST". Most of the chapters were taken from Corrie's radio messages from the late 1960's. For those of you who may not know who Corrie is, she was a prisoner in Revensbruck concentration camp run by Hitler's army. The horror that she lived through was beyond what many of us know or will ever experience but she, through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Spirit, was able to forgive one of the guards from the camp. This book so reflects Corrie's great love for God and His being Victor over all.
I am not quite through half of this book but it is so refreshing and helps one to really put things in perspective. If you haven't read any of her books, a good place to start would be Tramp For The Lord and I'm sure most library's have it.
It is very cold and foggy here this morning so I plan on staying inside for a bit until it warms up.
Have a wonderful day and keep your eyes looking heavenward.
Blessings, Noreen