On days when the crashing ocean waves are not visible and the shores are miles away, I can look at my basket of shells and remember the refreshment and peace found walking ankle deep in white foam. In the same way, when God seems so invisible to me, I just need to open His Word or slip in a CD filled with praises of Him–and He is there. “Be still and know that I am God;” Psalm 46:10a NIV … Continue reading →
Goggle Image by Chidrencherished.com It’s been a week of waiting, and trusting, and hoping in the Lord. Waiting to see His plan and purpose unfold for my life. For the past few weeks I have been working as a special education teaching assisting for a local elementary school. My days have been filled with the wonder of children learning, the frustrations of children struggling, and the joy of being in their midst to help them along the way. I’ve … Continue reading →
Photo purposely blurred Tears trickled down my cheeks as I saw the young man’s picture. He standing there in camouflage, arm around his wife. The same age as our youngest–friends when they were little, spending hours as imaginary superheroes. Now, this young man was playing a real superhero–the role of his life for his country. Last week, he was deployed to Afghanistan. His Mom and Dad had taken the picture that day before he left. It came by way … Continue reading →
Whirling round with joy, round as the plate that celebrates the moments of our family life. What set this joy of celebration spinning? A round red plate–a gift from friends–declaring that “You are special today.” Special for a thousand reasons. a birthday the first day of kindergarten that first solo swim the report card gleaming with a hard-earned “A” making the team, the winning game the game that wasn’t won but hard-fought the start of school the county fair … Continue reading →
“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets the name of the Lord is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3 NIV I hopped in the car to make a quick trip to the grocery store when drifting clouds caught my eye. Instinctively I wanted to reach for my camera. The one I left at home. It was only a short trip to the market. Why did I need my camera? However, the Lord’s paintbrush … Continue reading →
As life whirls around us, we teeter attempting to keep all the activities in our life in balance. Our pride keeps us jumping from one project to the next, proving how adept we are at handling the numerous activities to which we have said, “yes.” We rush around, “keeping the plates spinning”, as our pastor put it this Sunday, until life falls apart and we crash along with the plates and activities. We have not learned to … Continue reading →
With Labor Day rapidly approaching and most of America planning to cook outdoors with family and friends, most of your menu is probably planned or typical from past warm family gatherings. How about adding a new twist with a fun, easy, and conversation-sparking treat? Gourmet S’mores. While we were on vacation in California and browsing around, we found an interesting book called, “S’mores: Gourmet Treats for Every Occasion” by Lisa Adams. Being of the persuasion, “I’ll camp for S’mores,” … Continue reading →
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What … Continue reading →
The smell of wet pine needles mixed with a potpourri of wild flowers, ferns, mountain meadow grasses and mud produced a heady fragrance beyond anything one could find bottled on a store shelf. I inhaled the aroma deeply, stirring imaginations of cozy winter cabins warmed by fireplaces ablaze with crackling wood. White tennis shoes contrasted with deep dark brown dirt as we trod up the gentle slope. A neatly manicured trail led us along this sky-high peak at … Continue reading →
I missed catching the oldest son in the act of wrapping up the food The sound of aluminum foil being tugged is heard upstairs as he pulls the shining covering across the plate. It crinkles quietly as he folds the foil around the edges. The refrigerator door opens gently and the dish of left overs from dinner clinks against the shelf. Quietly, the door closes as he picks up Corning Ware baking dish in which the chicken was … Continue reading →
