Signs of Autumn

I truly enjoy all the seasons and look forward to the changing of weather with excitement. This will be our first Autumn in Colorado and although I may miss the reds,oranges and yellows that marked our area in CA. I look forward to new sights and adventures here. This week I have noticed more wind than before and our weather is definitely changing. Autumn always marks a time for fragrant candles and harvest decorations around our house. It also marks the start of football season and means that in the evening I can sit and quilt while hubby watches football. This year I am looking forward to getting up to the tundra in the Rockies to hear the Elk bugle and also see them rutt. I've been told that once you hear the sound you will never forget it.
September 1st always marks the day that I take down all of my patriotic decorations and put up most of my harvest decor. I do save some things for October and I love to spend time enjoying the beauty of God's world. This year my daughter is having a harvest party and we will be making batches of applesauce and giving them as gifts. I will undertake this with at least 4 of the grand kids; they've already sampled some organic applesauce I made Monday and we can all say that it was delicious. This year I imagine I will try to stock up on more items for our pantry in the event that we have an early winter. There are also lots of art projects to do with the little ones so I've got a lot to get ready.
May you find beauty in your life daily.
Harvest Blessings to you.

Family Fun

Last weekend part of our family went on a short vacation to Utah. We had never been to this part of the country before so we set out to find fun family activities. Being that two of the grandsons are homeschooling now, it was natural to find things to do for their schooling. One of the places we went was Minnetonka Cave; it was so interesting to go view these geologic formations. We actually hiked down a total of 444 steps, a feet which in and of itself was quite challenging. At the bottom of the caves, the tour guide( did something that in all my years of exploring caves I've never experienced), turned off the spot lights leaving us in total darkness.

I can honestly say I didn't care too much for that feeling. Both boys successfully made the hike without any complaining and I was sure I wouldn't be able to walk the next day but didn't have any residual stiffness.

After this, we headed to a museum and tour dedicated to the Pioneers and the Oregon Trail. This was by far the best tour I've been on, in all my years homeschooling and teaching.

We were able to experience what the people had to buy and leave behind, purchasing supplies for the trail, a simulated wagon train and then walk through a campsite to see what it was like. All of this for only $9.00 per person and the living history that the children will remember.

When our daughters were young we were able to go on several cross country trips and see places instead of just reading about them; now this tradition continues. I pray the boys and all the girls too, will grow to love learning whether in real life situations or by reading about history.

Have a great day.

A Small Town Parade

Living in a small town, compared to the city we came from in CA., has given us wonderful experiences. Last spring this was proved when a tornado ripped our town apart and people turned out in droves to help others, volunteering their time and money to rebuild our community. This weekend our town has been celebrating harvest and today we had a down-home parade. We weren't here last year at this time so we thought it might be a small parade, mainly of children's floats, but we were so surprised- it lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes. This is not to say there weren't parades in Santa Rosa but nothing could compare to this; it was so fun.

There has been a spirit of unity here since May's disaster and all over town you can see signs saying "Rebuilding" and today's parade echoed that sentiment. Our local high school had their marching band out with all the teens and many businesses had floats as well. Candy was given out to the children and after the long parade everyone went over to the Main Street Park and participated in all sorts of games, booths, food etc. The only other parades I've seen in a small town where so many participate was in Petaluma CA and also Los Altos CA.

You got to love it, makes me so glad to be living here!

An Old Rugged Cross

This last week my daughter and her family joined my dear hubby and I on an adventure, or as my friends the Kiwi's say "A Holiday".

We drove up to Garden City, Utah to sight-see and spend time at a beautiful pristine lake, Bear Lake.

One day we drove into Idaho to do some grocery shopping and spied this old deserted church on the side of the road. There were no signs or indications as to what type of church this might have been but I found it intriguing. As I often do, I pondered the Life it once held and wondered what had happened to close it down. It looks so sad, if a structure can look sad, and desolate like much of the landscape we drove through to get to Utah. I wondered if the Word of God was preached here and if lives were saved and given eternal life. I would have loved to have been able to peek a look inside or to talk to someone who once attended this church. But unless a dear reader has some insight they can share, all I can do is speculate.

Whenever we travel I love to see the sights of quaint, tucked away towns and country back roads. I love to imagine life in earlier days and families drawn together to fellowship around God's Word. For in Him is life, life abundant, eternal and free for the asking.

Be Blessed today as we celebrate Labor Day.

Living in Him, Noreen

On Eagles Wings

graphic from Heart Light

One of the most beautiful blessings that we've experienced since moving to Colorado is the eagles that winter here. It was such a sight to see them near our home for a season, for we've certainly seen an eagle in the Sierra's but to have them live near us is incredible. To me the eagle is not only a national symbol but it is a profound reminder of strength amidst the uncertainties of life.

This represents fortitude that enable a person to carry on even when it seems impossible.

It reminds me of a special lady who had the fortitude to carry on in her fight against cancer, against all odds for eight long years. It reminds me of the dear saints I knew in Ca. who also battled that horrid disease, one of whom is now singing praises to our King and the other who is lingering on near the end of her battle. It takes fortitude to, in the midst of pain and loss of most abilities, be able to open her mouth to speak and only let Praise utter forth from her lips.

It takes grace to carry on in the job of being a mom, very pregnant, with a special needs child who isn't sleeping much these days. It takes daily grace, wisdom and His strength to carry on, to rise up each day when your body screams out for more sleep, to press on when all earthly hope is gone and your assurance is only that He will carry you. It takes His grace to run and not grow weary when those prayers you've uttered for many many long years aren't answered.

Whatever your walk is today, know that there is a strength available for you that only comes from above, to carry those burdens making your load light.

Seek Jesus today and let Him give you strength.

Be blessed.

Whisperin' Waters

What it is that makes you sit and enjoy the quietness of life?

For me, nature and water play an important part; whether it is a mountain stream,the roaring of the ocean or maybe just my small water feature outside my living room window. Somehow it takes all my cares and daily stress and washes them away, allowing me to settle into a peaceful frame of mind. I always feel calm and relaxed, willing myself just to sit and take it in.

We need more of these moments in each of our lives, moments of solitude and reflection, moments of gratefulness and thanksgiving, moments to recharge and be refreshed.

Whether we are near a beautiful stream or the ocean or just enjoying that little bit of earth we call home, take time to enjoy it this day.

Looking Heavenward

On my drive home Sunday evening from our church service I pondered the deep truth that was presented to us. The Word was so powerful and the presence of the Lord so tangible, the message wasn't one you could just walk away from-it was life changing truth. The kind of truth that sinks deep into your spirit and causes you to assess the very essence of your life. The passage was from the book of Ezekiel and the message was concerning the aspect of God's nature; He is a commanding God and when we call Him Lord we give and yield total control of our life to Him. God wants us 24x7 so that everything we speak is what the Father says and every action and attitude should be the extension of His life. This is a message of life and death. God gives us a choice, give it all up and forsake everything to Him or we die spiritually.
This morning as I read one of my favorite blogs, Holy Experience, Ann quoted St.Teresa of Avila. This quote touched me for two reasons; firstly my parents choose my middle name after this Woman of God and it touched me mostly for the prayer it is.

"Let your desire be the vision of God,
Your fear the loss of Him,
Your sorrow His absence,
and your joy in that which may take you to Him,
and your life shall be in great peace."

So today Lord, may I find my true pleasure in You. May I hunger for more of Your Presence. May my words and actions and heart attitudes be an extension of Your life in me. Amen.