My "Baby" Girl!

"Ain't she sweet?"
Such an adorable face and she has the personality to go with it!

Here she is, Miss Darcy at 8 years old...my sweet, loving baby girl!

Early Morning Revelry

The roar of the wind sweeping through the stately, leafless trees...
The rain streaming through the metal gutters...
And a hint of birdsong intertwining...joining this early morning revelry.

There I sat, wrapped in my woolen shawl, sipping hot coffee and delighting
in nature's symphony, while conversing with her marvelous Creator.
What a glorious morning indeed!

Philosophy from a Welcome Mat!

This weekend we were back and forth taking care of our son and his wife's home and the "furry grands".
Every time we entered, we stepped on the mat at the door. At first I didn't pay any attention to it but then I glanced down to actually read it..."Live simply". That's all it said.
It sort of grabbed me but in a very subtle manner...kind of the way one would cook a frog!
You know, in room temperature water and then slowly turn up the heat. The poor frog never knows what's happening!
Well this phrase keeps coming up to me, stronger and stronger... as an important message that needs my immediate and careful attention.
I recognize the voice...I know His voice and He wants me to simplify my lifestyle, our home, etc.
He speaks so clearly and gently reminds me that He is quite serious about this "important message".
He's speaking. I'm listening and obeying. He's leading one step at a time.

"Live Simply".

"LIVE SIMPLY"!

From Birthdays to furry "grand-dogs"

Saturday we celebrated Mike's parents' birthdays with the family. Mike's sisters and their husbands and two of our nephews were here as well as our kids and Grands, minus our son and his wife who were out of town celebrating her great-aunt's 100th! Mike's dad turns 84 this week and his mom, 79 next Monday. Our friend Maggie made our cake and cupcakes...so colorful!

We had a great party and as usual, never a dull moment!

Turned out to be a very active weekend with all the festivities! Lots of running around!

Here I am with two of our "grand-dogs"! We watched them over the weekend at our son and daughter-in-law's home. Meet Lacey, on the left and Shinca, on the right! Sweet girls!

And very obedient! :)

And all just a prelude of the action-packed week ahead!

Where I've been "journeying"

This is where my sabbatical has led me this week. Yes, I've been out on the porch...as much as I can posssibly be.

It has been wonderful to "unplug" and just sit and study, read, listen to music and birdsong and think on the things of the Lord. Selah!

How grateful we are to have this incredible haven.

If you're nearby, call and come sit "a spell" with us and just bask in the soothing peace that permeates this bit of Heaven on earth!

You probably won't want to leave! I never want to come inside myself!

I'm going on a...

sabbatical. Pulling away from a few things to regroup, making sure I'm choosing to do the best over "just the good".
Want to be a better steward of my time, my gifts and my talents.
Thinking on what's truly important and what is not.... what is life-enhancing rather than life-draining....
something to ponder....

A Poem?

When I think of POETRY, words that come to mind are "beautiful", "heartfelt", "pictures painted with words", "soul-bearing", "a work of art", etc.

One of the scriptures shared today in our Ladies Bible Study was Ephesians 2:10.
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,..."
The word "workmanship" is the Greek word, "poiema". Sounds like "poem" doesn't it?
God is the Poet and we are His poems! His work of art. A beautiful creation! That's what we are;
that's how He sees us!

What a lovely thought!