Then and Now

What a difference a day makes. The photo to the left is right after Baby Grace was born. She is holding on to her daddy's finger, knowing already who will be her earthly protector.

The photo to the right is of the newly named, Lexi Grace Roy with 2 of her sisters standing guard over her with much love and attention. Look at the peace on her face.

Our God is still doing miracles. Did you see any today?

Peace-fullness

Do you ever wake up in a "mood" for no reason that you can fathom? Today was one of those days. After these last few weeks of peace-fullness in my life it was scary to find my old whiny, negative self when I woke up this morning. With no luck figuring out on my own what had precipitated this sudden funk, I decided to pray.
We made our way out to Shangri La Ti Da and started to work. I cleaned the new stable of all construction leftovers, helped my husband with roof panels and painted. All the while a stream of praying is running through my mind. When my little husband had to run back into town for supplies, I sat in the quietness of the woods and meadow. As the symphony of nature soothed my spirit I realize that my prayers for a return to peace-fullness had been answered. Ahhh. Thank God.
ps...Baby Zoe, who will now be known as Lexi Grace to the rest of the world, came through her surgery with flying colors today! Ahhh. Thank God!

It's A Girl!

A new baby. An end of pregnancy. A new journey is begun as an old journey is ended.
Today, Baby Zoe Grace Roy was born. (well, that is what I call her....they can't decide on a first name yet) Baby Zoe is a bit of a miracle. Awhile ago she was diagnosed with Spina Bifida and hydrocephaly. Her parents were told how bad it was going to be. They were even told that many babies like her die before they are born. Meloney, her mom, didn't like to go to see the doctor because he was so negative.
So, we began to pray. And pray. And pray. When we didn't have some specific physical need to pray for we prayed that the negative doctor would not be able to be negative and upset Meloney...you'll have to get Mel to tell you that story.
Baby Zoe has a very small sac at the base of her spine and a very mild hydorcephaly. Her legs and her knees work. Her lungs work fine even though she is a month early. She was born big enough to put a shunt in immediately to alleviate pressure.
Yes. Baby Zoe is a miracle. She is already the most precious thing in the world to her 3 older sisters. She has doting grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. Her parents are two of the most amazing people I know.
Tomorrow the pediatric neuro surgeon will close the hole in her spine and put in her shunt. Surgery will start 7:30ish and last 6 - 8 hours.
And we will continue to pray for continued miracles, because our God is like that.
Lift up a prayer for Baby Zoe Grace Roy.
Lay some lovin' on one of God's miracles that lives with you.

One of Those Days

It was one of those days. Everything went well and a good time was had by all. All shopping goals were completed. No eating out was done ( I packed a lunch!) A bike ride was enjoyed.
My friend, Stevie, and I went to Morgantown. Might actually be the first time all summer. She is back from her trip to Ireland and it was the first day we got to spend together catching up.
We loaded the bikes on the back of the Subaru and took off. First stop was Pathfinder to get my fenders put on the bike, which by the way will now be known as Razzle...she looks most cool with her silver fenders. Next purchase needs to be a bell. Stevie needed a new inner tube for her bike. Then came the shopping part. Smooth.
Finally got to biking. We parked at MedExpress and went toward Fairmont. We only did about 15 miles. I know that is a diappointment to some of you who know I can ride longer distances, but Stevie doesn't have a comfortable ride like Razzle. Her butt was getting sore! I am the best of friends though and sacrificed my comfy seat and happy butt for her to use Razzle a couple of times during the ride. When we stopped for lunch we were near a field and saw several Monarch butterflies. They are amazing creatures and beautiful. We raise them and release them each year in Kindergarten. We saw deer coming and going to get drinks in the river, a squirrel and plenty of birds.
Stopped for a kiddie cone at the DQ and came home. Ahhh. One of those days.
Hope yours was as nice.
Oh. P.S. The show last night, that my Lydia was in, was amazing. I laughed and cried and enjoyed it tremendously. Near the end of the show we realized that every single cast member was a PHS graduate. Even Mrs. Broderick was in the show. The next one starts Friday. Big River. Nate Golden is Huck Finn. You should go!

One Of Those Times

Have you ever had one of those times when you said you wanted to do thus and such, were sure you wanted to do thus and such, were looking forward to doing thus and such, but when the time came to actually do it you could think of a couple of thousand reasons why you didn't really want to, shouldn't really have to, couldn't really even imagine doing that very thing? By yesterday evening I was tired, it was going to rain (the weather map radar was very green), it was going to be late and I didn't really want to go to Chestnut Ridge to see String Fever in concert anymore despite the fact that we had planned to for a few weeks. We have seen them before in the comfort and closeness of Monroe's during a Laurel Mountain Coffee House. It would be OK if we didn't go, right? We are too old to sit in the rain with strangers, right?
Well, it didn't start raining and it didn't start raining and I found out the concert really started at 6:00, not so late even for us (although I was actually looking on line hoping to see that it had been cancelled). So, I finally said, "If Keith can get there, so can we." Off we went, praying the whole while that the rain would hold off and Keith would be strong enough to enjoy what he was doing.
The rain did hold off. I got a big hug from a friend I hadn't seen for years as soon as we walked in and saw a few other folks we knew during the evening. And talking with Keith at the end of the show let us know that he did enjoy what he was doing. His smile and spirit were strong.
For those of you who don't know, Keith has cancer and is generally in a lot of pain. He had to sit through the show. He had to wear a brace from chest to waist. And he sang and he played with his usual passion. He and Joan and Jake were a gift to all who were there.
I'm glad I went. It was a blessing and a testimony to the power of prayer.
Tonight I am going to see one of my graduated kindergarten darlings, Lydia, in the show Steel Magnolias. I'm sure I will be glad I went to this event, too.
Ever had one of those times?

Baskets-my other hobby

These are just a few of my baskets. I really enjoy the peacefulness of creating them. I took a couple of lessons a couple of years ago with my friend, Autumn, and since then I have learned to read directions to make a basket on my own. But even more fun is the creating of an original basket. None of these show my latest "signature" detail that I try to put on each of my baskets these days. I don't guess I have photos of the newer baskets. The basket above is an original design for my friend, Sarah, in New Mexico.

The basket to the left is from a pattern and it is called a Shaker Cat's Head basket. If you look at the bottom you can see the cat's ears. This basket is sort of magic. You go along weaving and then it says turn it over. Voila...you have cat ear's. Lots of fun. This one went to my sister-in-law for her birthday.

This last basket is a twill weave market basket that I probably took apart 5 or 6 times as I was trying to get the twill right. I now carry this basket with me everywhere. It used to be my "pocket book" replacement, but now I have a pocket book small enough to fit inside the basket. It is my lunch box, mail carrier, general tote and supply keeper. I had to install leather band around the handle and woven into the basket after about a year because the handle kept breaking. Ahh, the joy of using something made by your very own hands...makes me think homesteading ... no, probably not in a very big way.

What have you made lately?

Learning New Things

I love learning new things. That's what makes me a good teacher. I never feel like I have it all "figured out" so I just keep trying to figure it all out. I even love learning new things about technology....once in a very great while, but don't tell anyone.
So, what I learned today is how to pull my pictures off of the computer and put them in here. What I didn't learn is how to put them exactly where I want them. Can anyone help with that? They each just went to the top of the page instead of next on the page...
Well, anyway, these are some of my Whimsical Woolies. Let me tell you about them.
This is one of the very first ones that I did and it still makes me smile. It says, "Yum. Tastes like chicken. (oh, it is chicken...)" Look at the grin on that face. He fits in an 11x14 mat, so the art work is about 4x6. Real feather.

Here we have the Cat Whisperer. He just evolved from a southwest feeling. Must be leftover from our 2 years in New Mexico. What do you suppose that crow is telling him? He also fits in an 11x14 frame.

The title of this one is "Mamas don't let your kittens grow up to be cowboys." Doesn't he look little boy determined? That is a real (little) piece of bandana and string for rope. Also 11x14.

This is what I do for fun. I have a gift for creating given to me from the first Creator and every so often I simply must create something. I also make baskets as you know. Maybe I will show you some of them tomorrow.

So, what do you think? Do you have a favorite saying that you think would be cute? Always looking for ideas...

Hope they make you smile for awhile.

Body Talk

Today was another perfect weather day...cool, cloudy and a nice rainstorm in the evening, but I was tired today. Needed a nap and a snack. Got the snack, but not the nap so will be calling it a day early this evening.
Isn't it interesting how much our bodies tell us if we will just listen...well, not to the little starving creature that wants an ice cream cone every single day!
Listen and enjoy.

And on the other hand...

Doesn't it always seem that just as you are getting things together in your life something goes wrong? We are trying to build as we go and pay as we go and are succeeding...but then today, Herself (my little husband's Jeep), had a falling apart and has to have major transmission work done. It is the cost of the repair and the fact that our "work" vehicle is out of commission for about a week. Evil is out there...waiting, looking, jumping. Be careful.
But on the other hand if you want a boost and a hero check the YouTube video of Coach Don Myer winning the Jimmy V award at the Espy's last night. I don't know how to link you there from here, but it is worth the time to find it.
And on the other hand, my friend Stevie is coming home from Ireland tomorrow and I will be very happy to see her.
And on the other hand we have 89 little trees that made it through the winter and deer attacks.
And on the other hand our friend, Mike, brought us cold drinks when he came to Shangri La Ti Da for a quick visit today.
And on the other hand I have a basket to finish and that makes me happy.
I am so glad there is always the other hand if we will only remember to look there.
Don't forget.

A Gentle Spirit

Another bike ride today. I think I need a name for the seriously cool sparkly rasberry old lady bike...any suggestions? I am becoming The Old Lady Who Named Things...a kids book by Cynthia Rylant I think. Whatever.
The bike ride was only about 17 miles today...from Reedsville down the mountain to Morgantown where my husband met me. Took about 2 hours.
While I was riding, I was listening to a podcast of one of my friend Patrick's sermons, watching the wildlife, and praying about how I am to be being right now...again! Anyway, in the sermon, Patrick said that we should have a love for our Lord, a gentle spirit and a heart for service. For now, for today that seems like a worthy and doable goal. My aim is to fill my heart and mind with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control, because it is what we are filled with that comes out in our words and actions.
Feel free to help me with this in any way you see fit. Really.
What are you full of?

Sunday

A good day at church visiting with good folks and sharing the journey.
Made a yummy lunch using more of the farmer's market foods, took a nap, read a little and then headed out to Shangri La Ti Da.
We now have 3 windows installed and 3 baby bluebirds hatched.
Hope your day was as full as mine.

Tears and Blessings

I don't know if it is just because I have been attempting to live my life more purposefully, more abundantly, more in the adventure of each day but things get to me and I tear up easily. Not saying this is a bad thing.
Josh and Kara have been married for 5 years and Josh posted his remembrances of his wedding day and the music that was playing as Kara walked down the aisle. I listened to the music and cried thinking of Kara, who was born in Scotland, walking down the aisle with her father in his kilt to the sounds of bagpipes playing Highland Cathedral. I cried again when I tried to share it with my husband.
This morning we got up and took the dogs for a run at Shangri La Ti Da. On the way back into town we decided to stop at the farmer's market. Walked the dogs up with us and everyone loved seeing them. I bought new red potatoes, peas, lettuce, and brown eggs and I cried again when we got back in the car. It was just so peaceful and personal and genuine and these words just aren't really capturing my feelings, but I was just so moved when we got back in the car I cried. Tonight we had a yummy dinner with some corn on the cob added to the other veggies! Don't tell my husband's family that he ate a vegetable dinner! Oh, we did sprinkle a little bacon on the potatoes.
We have a squash plant of some sort growing unbidden at Shangri La Ti Da. The plant is vigorous, huge dark green leaves, yellow blooms bigger than my hand and a green squash about the size of a small football with out the points on the ends. Any ideas what kind it is? I am taking it to church with me tomorrow to ask there.
I went to MountainMade and collected my artwork. They have sold 8 pieces since March. I think that is pretty good. They kept 2 at the store.
We put in one of the windows in Flicka's shed. Very exciting!
My new friend, Connie, won best of show at the McGrew House photo contest with a stunning photo of her twin girls dressed in their pink fairy costumes and tennis shoes walking away from her into the forest primevel. You can almost hear them singing a little song as they walk along with their heads together and their wings touching...
And next year they are all mine in Kindergarten!
When you pay attention it is amazing how many blessings fall on you in a single day's time.
Going to finish shelling the peas for lunch tomorrow and count my blessings for today as I work.
Count your blessings, too.

Possibilities and Planning

Yesterday, my little husband and I had a little date. We went to a non-matinee movie and shopping for new tennis shoes in a size 13. We were out way past our normal bedtime and my husband got some hip hop tennies...it was them or granpa's favorites. Not that much choice when you wear size 13!
Today we got up and out to Shangri La Ti Da early...had to beat the rain...and we were done by 10:15. We didn't even get to eat the picnic lunch. Our shed, which shall henceforth be known as Flicka's stable, is now waterproof! I let my husband drive the last nail. Can't say I'm sorry we are done driving nails for awhile. I have boo-boos on 3 of the fingers of my holding hand. All are healing very nicely, thanks. So, we are ready for the next step and had to take a little time for planning and thinking about possibilities. We went off to Lowe's in Oakland to see about soffit and fascia and shingles or tin roof. We got lucky and asked a very nice and helpful man, George a few questions and found out all we needed to know. Unfortunately, we didn't bring the right vehicle to transport what we needed so we will be going back. But, that is OK because somehow this week we lost a day. We were thinking that today was Thursday. On the way home from Oakland we picked up a hitchhiker who probably got a little nervous when we tried to convince him that it was only Thursday. Anyway, we were supposed to go to MountainMade to collect my art work on Friday, which just so happens to be today, so we will have to go there tomorrow and Oakland isn't that far out of the way...ahhh, the joys of not having to go to work every day.
Spent the evening at school. I love this time of the year and all of the possibilities that are looming. I think I got a schedule worked out and theme related activities for the year (Amazing Animal Adventures) assigned to time periods and all the CSO's divided up through out the year. I think they are calling that curriculum mapping these days...whatever.
It was a creative, productive, enjoyable few hours.
What did you do that was creative, productive and enjoyable today?

Deer Me

A little bit of catching up from yesterday. I went to Terra Alta to visit with my friend, Stevie's cat, Willow while Stevie is in Ireland. Willow is always very happy to see his favorite petter. Much purring. As I went out the back door there were 5 deer in the back yard and they showed no sign of leaving. They watched me watch them as I stood quietly. As they moved on in their grazing, I moved on to the car. There were 2 adults and 3 little ones. Ahhh.
As I was coming down the mountain I pulled into Carol's Curl Up and Dye beauty shop because it looked like no one was there. I don't like to make hair appointments because you know how on the day you are to get it cut it always looks really good and causes you to 2nd guess yourself? So, I like to just drop in for a hair cut. Carol had a free few minutes and did a nice job on my cut. It actually looks almost like I have been wanting it to look for a very long time...still need bangs to grow about an inch longer. Where did the word bangs come from? Weird. Any way I really like it and she didn't charge me anything...When their home burned a while back we helped them out a bit and so she wouldn't take my money. Doing God's work often has little surprise paybacks.
Today I went on a mega bike ride...22 miles! On my sparkly raspberry red old lady bicycle it was a breeze. Oh, and it was a flat rail-trail, too. Had to stop a couple of times for deer in the trail. Saw squirrels and bunnies and houses that I have no idea how they get to them. I rode from Marilla Park to the PA line and the trail map says that is 11 miles one way. My husband was doing another little job so no time at Shangri La Ti Da today.
I am finally losing some weight again and I have just noticed that God has answered prayer. Does that happen to you sometimes? You pray for awhile and then other things come up and you pray for them and kind of forget the prayer you were praying...I have been praying that I not be obsessed with food and all of a sudden I find my self enjoying food that I fix for my husband and I. I'm not a half bad cook and it is good for us food. We used to eat out probably 4 nights a week. I enjoy taking a lunch with us to Shangri La Ti Da and today I took a lunch with me. Food is becoming normal for me. Thank the Lord.
I tied one of my little baskets onto the front of my bicycle and I could fit my lunch, keys, phone and ipod and it looked pretty durn cute!
Now I am going to start a new basket for another project.
Did you have a good day? Have any blessings come back around to you lately?

Naming of the Property

Not much time to write tonight. Had a LONG and productive Arts Council meeting. Pretty soon you will be able to check out our new and improved website!
Anyway, while riding Flicka for a while today, and it was a bit of an adventure with holes big enough to lose tires in (!) the official name for our property came to me. Are you ready? Here it is:

Shangri La Ti Da

Doesn't it make you happy? I thought my husband was going to fall off the ladder when I told him. Much happiness. Now we need a sign....hmmmm.

Anyone else have names for their lands/homes? Wanna share?

Project Progress

Busy and rewarding day. We went out to the property...need to think of something more descriptive to call it...early this morning. It was still cool and clear as a picture postcard. All day the clouds were beautiful and the temps were reasonable. We saw a momma deer and her two fawns and a wild hen turkey. We saw the bluebird and a hummingbird who came to check out my brightly colored tie-dye shirt. While I was mowing I saw a mouse and a snake...no, not anywhere near each other.
Don worked on the "skylight" we had left in the roof previously. It is no more. The whole roof is on! Still need the finishings but you could stay pretty dry inside the shed now. Yippee! He climbed up and down the ladder many times.
My job today was mowing. I love that job. I named the riding lawnmower, Flicka. I tried pushing Flicka a little faster than I did the last time...from 5 to 6 with 7 being rabbit. She did go faster. Do any of you remember seeing advertised some sort of fat shaker thing that was a big rubber looking strap you put around your behind and it shook you? That's what it felt like riding Flicka at 6. I backed her back down to 5. We now have a yard and a field. The yard is probably a bit more than an acre and the house will go at the back of that section eventually.
I packed us a picnic lunch and we sat in the shade and enjoyed lunch and each other.
When we were done out there I changed clothes and went to Morgantown to get my new bike. It is even better than raspberry...it is sparkly raspberry! Very groovy. I took it down to the rail-trail behind Med Express and gave it a test ride. It was so comfy and easy. I am happy! Now if I can't walk on my sore heel, I can ride...all good. And I am trying to give up the need I have always had to time myself so that I can do better the next time I ride. I really do want my bike just to be for enjoyable time outside.
Made my husband and I dinner, we sat on the porch and ate and now I am going to read for a bit.
While mowing I continued my petitioning with God about what I am to be about at this stage in my life...listening and waiting. Waiting and listening.
And enjoying the journey.

Sabbath

Today was a quiet day. Church attendance was down...the preacher is on vacation, but Rich did a nice lesson on the men who signed the Declaration of Independence which they ended with promises to each other: "We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." (Not a bad sounding idea for a fellowship of Christian believers, huh?)
His point was that you don't get to just say, "We're for it" and get on with your life. As with Christianity...you are not called to just say you believe and then show no sign to the world that you have changed. Could you get married, say, "I do" and then just live your life as you did before you agreed to share your life, with no changes? I don't think so. What would be the point? We each need to know what we believe, where we stand and how to share with others. We are told to take the Good News into all the world. Start with your neighbors. With all of that to think about I came home to take a nap...not too successful. Overly protective barking dog!
So, the nap was a bust. Deciced to go shopping instead for groceries and an ice cream cone at the DQ. Should have walked to the DQ.
Looking forward to going to get my bike tomorrow....it's raspberry in color. Did I mention that? How cool is that? We will order silver fenders and maybe a dinger bell and those cool streamers for the handle bars, remember them?...OK, maybe not the streamers, maybe...But I do want a basket in front.
At lunch my little husband and I had a lengthy conversation about what God would have us do at this time in our lives...our praying will continue.
Join us if you care to and let us know. Thanks.
Going out to restake and water the tomatoes...BLT's coming along!
Happy Sunday!

Heroes

My husband is home from Boy Scout camp and we had a date day. We went to Morgantown and ate at the Chinese restaraunt where we ate on our first date. I can remember how nervous I was and how with a smile and a hug as we both got out of our cars, he made me feel safe. Today we were the only ones in the place so the food was fresh and the service was good. He says he wasn't nervous the first time. I remember him talking nonstop and I forgot my doggy box when we left. That would be understandable since I almost never have left overs that I want to take home. I must have been trying to be dainty and feminine to impress him. Next we went to look at bikes at Wamsley's and Pathfinder. No deal at Wamsley's but found one I liked...it's painted raspberry...at Pathfinder. They will order me fenders so it will be more retro looking. I can pick it up early next week. Yippee! Last we went to a movie at the same theater, the Warner, that we went to on our first date. We saw the movie, Pelham 123. Intense.
Made me think of heroes in our world. People who will sacrifice for others. Might not be a life threatening situation as it was in the movie, probably won't be for most of us, but opportunities to sacrifice for others abound. God tells us to be his face in our world...have I been? On Facebook, Rachael posted this comment: It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. I have heard that before and believe it is true. If we show the light of God in our lives so that people know that we are not going to be like the darkness in this world won't they talk about us? Laugh at us? Avoid us? Or will they turn to us when they are hurt and confused and want to know why we are not? How can I be a hero in someone's life today? How can you?

pickin' and grinnin'

Do you remember that from Hee Haw, I think? Well, today was not exactly pickin and grinnin, but it was readin and cleanin. Read a little and clean a little. I don't know why house cleaning is one of my least favorite things. I have friends who enjoy the whole process...really. Now, I enjoy a clean house, but cleaning? Not so much...so, reading is my reward. I got enough cleaned up in my craft room that I started a basket that should be finished tomorrow. So far it looks good. Needs to rest so that I can pack it all down nice and tight before putting the rim on to finish.
Basket making is one of those thoughtfully mindless (or is it mindlessly thoughtful) activities that give me great peace and joy. It is not very complicated so you have plenty of time to think and you see your product grow immediately. Much of my creating has a tendancy to take on its own life. I can have a pattern or an idea, but it is often different by the end of the process. As with so many things in my life it is the process that inspires me and excites me. A basket or other creation at the end is a delightful bonus.
My thoughts today kept wandering to the mission statement for my friend, Patrick's church...Connect Grow Serve. Can I go to bed tonight with a smile of contentment because I know I connected with someone else today (can I count you?)? Did I grow closer to God in any way? Was I a servant today? (And I don't think cleaning my own house counts.)
Ask yourself these questions before you go to bed tonight.
Are you smiling?

Hermit

I am by nature pretty much a hermit but I am asking God to show me ways to make connections and ways to be of service. I know that is risky and God has a sense of humor. This I know. Once when I was praying for help to stay on the diet (really Weight Watchers which isn't technically a diet) we went to eat at Monroe's before a meeting and they just never came to wait on us...and then we had to leave. While I was complaining to my sweet husband while we drove to the meeting I hear the little voice that says, "You asked for help..." Too funny.
So, this is one attempt to connect and share my life.
Today I drove to Davis to look for an old lady bicycle...up handle bars and a comfy seat. The guy in the store wins the prize for most charming and helpful...when I told him I was looking for an old lady bike, he asked if it was for my mother...now that's charming! But, the seat was not comfy and for the price it was going to cost I wanted really comfy. I also want cute/retro with fenders and a basket and a kickstand. Must look groovy while riding...but not today. Nearest Schwinn dealer is over near DC. That will be more than a day trip.
Took a new road for part of the way home. I love driving. For me there is usually as much joy in the journey as in the destination. It was a pretty part of Route 50 that I hadn't been on before. An end to end Rt. 50 trip is still on my list of things to do...sort of like a Bucket List...did you see that movie?
I also finished up a couple of my felt creations. One is a biker cat with a leather jacket and a cool Harley for my friend Teresa's son-in-law that says, "I like my bike, but ... I love my wife." It's for his birthday.
I finished one that won't ever be for sale. It is a puppy made from a scrap piece and he is looking up and smelling a lovely fushia blossom. It is called "Scrapper Takes Time" . Every once in a while I make one that I just can't part with. He's hanging on the wall right here by the computer where I can enjoy him regularly. He makes me smile.
I also did some laundry and visited with my friend, Stevie's cat, Willow who was very happy to see me and get good pets.
OK. That is enough sharing for this hermit...
What's still on your list that you want to do??? Do tell.

Ride'Em Cowgirl!

This morning when I took the Grace and Mercy girls outside it was so misty that you could see the water in the air blowing and moving like rivers in the sky...lovely and refreshing.
My big adventure for the day was learning how to drive the riding lawn mower that we bought for $400 to use on our almost 4 acre lot that has been a hay field up to this point. Anyway, I was nervous to try it and didn't want people there watching me so I went out by myself and read the directions and drove! It was so relaxing and outdoors and FUN. My poor husband has lost that job for sure. He can run the sweeper in the house. It is a little bit loud, but not so much so that I can't listen to my friend Patrick talk about God being at war. Lots of time for thinking deep thoughts...such as who knew that after 53 years of living there is still something as fun as learning to drive the riding lawn mower to be learned. I rode around in circles for 2 hours... ahhhhhh!
What I learned from Patrick today was a reminder about the power of prayer and how many times in the Scriptures it tells how God changed his plans according to prayers from his people. That is pretty exciting stuff....
What did you learn today?

Blessings

Today has been full of blessings big and small. My friend Misty's mom came through her surgery with glowing results. My friends, Stevie and Amy, made their connecting flight for Ireland with time to spare after a sprint to the counter after a delay in Pittsburgh. My husband and I had a fun and fruitful day while roofing the shed together and having a picnic lunch on site. Well, OK maybe all the blessings were big.
Prayer has been becoming more and more intergral to my daily life. I pray just in short little conversations many times through out the day. Yesterday I saw the movie, My Sister's Keeper, which was a wonderful, powerful, moving book by Jodi Picoult and a not very good movie, but anyway, I found myself praying for families, real families, in the same situations. This is all new to me, but seems to feel right. God and I talking regularly. I am striving for it to be my default response to life as it happens.
Bluebirds have built a nest in one of our boxes on the property. Lexi, the neighbor's yellow lab puppy, came to visit a couple of times while we were working. Chipmunks make more noise than you would imagine as they scurry about in the woods.
I smashed my finger while nailing on the roof and have more bruises than I can count, but it feels good to do hard work with someone you love as you are building a dream.
Had dinner with our group from church...good conversation with good people...trying to become family.
Yes. Lots of blessings today...thank you, Jesus.

Success

Well, I got some of this to work...I think. It is good to get the brain working.
Took the dogs out for a walk on the property. It is so quiet and pretty out there. They are a wonderful excuse to go. Saw 2 young, still spotted fawns on the way there....safe on their side of the fence. Didn't see mama this time, but did yesterday.
Gotta deal with doggies. Sleep well.

Beginnings

I am a big believer in beginnings...each year, each morning and even each minute I begin again. God believes in beginnings and continuings. I am just me, trying to live an abundant life as God has promised. Too often I just get through a day with out really living it to the fullest. I want to change that. I want to live with an avid interest, joyful awareness and Godly purpose to each day.
It's a beginning.