This is the first time I am participating in a Five-Minute Writing Prompt that is featured each week at Lisa-Jo Baker’s blog: “The Gypsy Mom.” Each week Lisa gives a word to write on for five minutes. And you just go for it. Boy! Is that tough for me. No editing. No over thinking. No worrying about writing a perfect post. So here goes! Go. Several years ago, I went through a pit of depression. The walls were closing in … Continue reading →
We hang the flag out on Memorial Day and decorate the house in patriotic red, white, and blue. The theme remains until Labor Day~or a few days later. One of our favorite desserts to serve on any one of the holidays falling during this time of year is our “Stars and Stripes” refreshing cake. When our friends came for Memorial Day, I whipped this up quickly~a major feat for me. It combines the refreshing chill of a fruit-filled gelatin … Continue reading →
There’s nothing like time with your girlfriends to invigorate your life. Even the head of psychiatry at Stanford University a few years ago told students that the healthiest thing women can do for themselves is to spend time with their girlfriends “nurturing” their relationships. It helps relieve stress and enables us to cope with difficult circumstances in life. That together time actually affects our brains to release serotonin–a neurotransmitter that uplifts our moods. This scientifically explains … Continue reading →
“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” Psalm 24: 1&2 NIV In God’s creation, the crashing waves thunder and the mountains speak. I hear His voice call to me. And there in His creation, I am surrounded by His peace that stills my soul. My heart overflows in worship for My Creator. Everything … Continue reading →
There’s something about Spring, about seeing the new life bud forth that instills in us a sense of hope.When I walked to my favorite spot in our backyard, I looked up at the green leaves sprouting from our orange tree. But what I desperately wanted to see was some sign of an orange blossom, no matter how small. I crooked my neck back, staring into the twisted branches, just hoping that our tree would hold the promise of a … Continue reading →
Sunrise Across the Arizona Sky “Lord, order my steps today. Make me strong, not for the sake of possessing strength, but to make me sufficient for the crisis moments in my life and in the lives of others who reach out to me.” These words inscribed on a tiny, glossy strip of card stock sit on my placemat at the kitchen table. Each day I have the opportunity to read these words and be reminded of how much … Continue reading →
“His word thundering so wondrously, his mighty acts staggering our understanding. He orders the snow, ‘Blanket the earth!’ and the rain, ‘Soak the whole countryside!’ No one can escape the weather–it’s there. And no one can escape from God.” Job 37:5-7 THE MESSAGE, NavPress, (c)2005 Last week we had the privilege of watching lightly falling snow turn our desert into a winter wonderland. School children’s delightful squeals pierced icy air as they watched feather-sized snowflakes drift … Continue reading →
Winter’s Deep Freeze Has Left the Branches Bare My hope has been placed in so many things, in so many people. I depended on circumstances, or well-thought-out plans, maybe a job, but most especially a particular person in whatever season of my life on which to hang my hope. If whatever I was hoping for would come to pass, then I knew I would be at peace and filled with joy. But time and again, whatever I … Continue reading →
“I lift up my eyes to the hills–where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121: 1-2 NIV I’ve never quite jumped on the bandwagon of finding one word that I thought would describe the Lord’s focus for my life each year. Perhaps I never sought the Lord for that one thing He hoped to accomplish in me or that I hoped would change in my life. … Continue reading →
Gray clouds covered the sky but they would not darken my day. The Lord had written His joy and beauty across the sky and in my heart. He had ordered His hidden treasures to be placed with love throughout my day. Sweet words from my precious students. Smiles. Hugs. A thoughtful lunch from coworkers. Friends gathered around God’s word in our home. Words. Wishes. Love notes from friends. And then the desire and prayer answered that my heart feared … Continue reading →
