Island Majesty

If you were to ask my husband if he could live anywhere in the world where would it be, he would quickly answer "the islands". We fell in love with the Hawaiian islands before we were married and still love visiting. So, you may be asking, why are we in Colorado instead of the islands? John will shake his head and say because of me, which is true, and I would answer that I need to be with family, with daughters, with our grand kids. Childcare would be too costly to do if we were so far away. Having said that, we have found no greater place to vacation that Hawaii...not the big island but the little island of Kauai. We have vacationed there during each season and the only one I didn't care for, weather wise, was last March. It was rainy, not just the tropical storms that occur in the afternoons and the surf was especially treachorous. There is something so peaceful about the islands, a slower pace of life where a person really takes in the beauty of God's creation. This year we spent two weeks there and our next trip, not until 2010, John wants to spend three weeks there. How, I wonder, will I be able to be away from the kids and our two dogs for that long. I am so thankful for cell phones and the internet. Many of our family vacations, including daughters and grandkids, have been to Maui and Kauai but with air fares going up this seems impossible for the kids. So we are content to go once a year, o.k. I am content to go once a year, John would love to go there at least twice a year. I love being there but there are other spots beckoning me, Maine & New England for antiques, Ireland to see my grandparents towns, Scotland, Austria, Switzerland and of course New Zealand. These are pipe-dreams but who doesn't love to day dream. Enjoy your dreams today.

Lazy Days of Summer

I love summer, I love the warmth and the bright sunshine and if I am blessed enough to be near water I am happier still. Many would say that all my days are lazy now that I am retired but spending time with grandchildren is not an activity I would classify as "being lazy". There is nothing I love more than playing with my little ones and observing them create..whether it is a sand castle at our nearby lake or building a fort. The boys aren't the only ones creating forts, both Shannon and Faith can give them a run for the money when it comes to creating. The girls might have a bit less wood and a few less nails but create they will.

Soon summer days will give way to fall and then we will begin to make applesauce and other goodies in the kitchen. But for now I am content being with each of them, participating in whatever activities they dream up and watching them live life to the fullest.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am so thankful for the imagination of a bright three year old. Several years ago I was able to buy dress-up clothes for the grandkids after halloween, at KMart for a very low price.

Yesterday Shannon and I pulled some out for her to try on...viola-a princess bride.

Somehow I think in years to come we will play this often and as years pass by suddenly the time will come for her to be a real bride. I am so thankful we have many, many years left to play.

Today it is clear blue sky outside and warm already so I'm thankful that I can put shorts,a tank and flip-flops on and I look forward to playing in a wading pool with my grandaughters.

Nine years ago today, my oldest daughter Carrie walked down the aisle to meet her prince and say "I do". I am so thankful for her choice in a husband, their marriage and our wonderful son-in-law Brent. Hard to believe so much time has passed but when you are raising a family time does fly.

I am so thankful for my home and the area we are in.

I am thankful for the wisdom my hubby had in choosing this home for us to rent until our home in Ca. sells. I am also thankful for living across the street from Carrie and her family.

I am thankful that yesterday I got time to start a new wall hanging and help Kim sew a project.

I'm not as good as I'd like but I'm thankful that I do enjoy my relatively new sewing machine and got some time to work on it.

I am thankful for God's grace that covers me daily, from His presence to His word to the love poured out in my life from sisters around the world.

I am thankful that we can all dream and look towards the future with hope and joy, trusting that my days are in His Hands.

Spring of Life

As the deer pants for the water,

So my soul longeth after Thee, O God. Ps. 42:1

Each person is born with a chasm, a gap in their spirit that can only be filled by a relationship with the Lord God, through His Son, Jesus Christ. When we aren't abiding in the Lord and His Word we try to fill it with "things" and no matter how much you fill your life with, if you don't have Living Water giving you life, you will remain empty. You may not acknowledge it and others may not see it, but you will never be complete until you know Life, eternal and abundant. May you seek the true Spring of Life today.

As you seek the Savior today may you be blessed.

Hospitality

I have been reading a book by Karen Ehman titled A Life That Says WELCOME and I love all the practical ideas Karen shares that help the reader learn to have an open heart, open home.


When I think of hospitality there are 3 women in my life who have embodied this character trait . The first woman is my dear sister-in-law who I refer to as the sister of my heart; Susan has always had a knack of treating family and guests like royalty. Her natural ability and ease at entertaining always draws others to her home. Through her example I have learned many skills as well as what she has taught my daughters. Not only does she make a person feel so special but she makes the preparations look so easy. When I am with Susan, I feel so incredibly cherished, she nutures me in all areas. I am so grateful to Sue, her love and her example!


The next gal I want to give honor to is my best friend since high school, Aletha. Aletha and her husband live in the mountains above Carmel Valley Ca. When we visit there, it is like going away on a vacation to a mountain resort. Aletha is a first class cook with a talent for creating gormet meals from scratch. I always come home with new recipes but sadly don't follow her example too often. Aletha has such a laid back style and you know you can kick your shoes off and get in and help create.


My third example, although I have many more, is a woman who I worked with at a preschool. Her name is Beth Anderson and she is a pastors' wife as well as teacher, encourager, gifted hostess. Many times while working with Beth she would leave for day only to call the school and ask the entire staff to come for lunch. When we would arrive, it would not be a simple lunch of sandwiches but a complete sit-down luncheon, china and all. Beth always insisted in serving us and making us feel like we were in a first class restaraunt. Beth gives constantly to all she comes in contact with and is an example of a Prov. 31 woman.

With all three of these special ladies, I am so proud to have spent time with them and hope to emulate them in my own life.


One of the ways I hope to apply some of Karen Ehman's suggestions is to start with my family. I want to pamper them as others have pampered me so that they may be blessed by the simple art of pouring out love on a daily basis. I am still learning so much about ministering to others, God still has a lot of work to do in me in order for me to be a blessing and example for others.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am so thankful for the Word of God which ministers life to my brokenness and to my soul.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."

"The suffering caused by shattered dreams must not be thought of as something to relieve if we can or endure if we must. It's an opportunity to be embraced, a chance to discover our desire for the highest blessing God wants to give us, An Encounter with Himself". Quote from Barbara Rainey at Empty Nest.

Today Father, take my sadness, my brokenness, my emptiness and make it what You would have it. May I encourage others as only You can encourage me. May Your strength pour forth through my life for this hour, for this day. Fill me with all that You are for there is nothing that compares to You. Amen

Joy in the simple things

This morning I joined my two daughters and their children to go on a walk before our day got too hot. It is always so fun to see things through the eyes of children, to see joy in the simple things-red ants in the open space, butterflies, birds and creeks. Trying to run through the sprinklers without getting wet or falling while running, giggles and laughter as well as one granddaughter crying because she didn't want to be wet. Kim, my pregnant girl, telling me later she didn't expect to go on an hour long walk and being surprised that this walk was not a long walk by our standards. Boys that love to race around the trails, riding through the puddles and skidding to a stop only to be told they need to come back and join the group. Little ones falling asleep while being carried by mama despite all the noise and jostling. Life is good, the Lord has richly blessed us.