Hiking Toward Home

Come On Over!! I've MOVED!!!

2011-03-15T23:21:00.000-04:00

HIKING TOWARD HOME HAS MOVED.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE NEW SITE.

To celebrate my 2nd Blogiversary and my 40th birthday, I have moved up in the blog world to a self-hosted wordpress blog with my own domain.

Come on over to http://hikingtowardhome.com/. I'm looking forward to seeing you there!

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to John the Tentblogger. Who held my hand through the process and helped me when it seemed I was in over my head. He is a BLOG GURU. Go subscribe to his site!!

Prayer and Counting (571 ~ 585)

2011-03-14T13:56:00.001-04:00

God never ceases to amaze me. Specifically, through answered prayer.*

I was having a discussion with some ladies recently. A woman who has been a Christian for a long time was asking questions about prayer. She asked about praying for specific things and followed it with how she always just prays for "God's will to be done" and "giving thanks at meal times".

She had never prayed for anything specific.

She deemed it to be materialistic. It could be ... depending on your motive.

But my heart broke for her. It made me think of how much she is missing out on.

Of how she has missed out on having her faith strengthened. She has spent a lifetime missing out on knowing God had answered prayer in ways only He can. It builds our faith and confidence in God when we ask for specific things and then watch Him answer the seemingly impossible.

Ask. Seek. Knock. It is what Jesus tells us to do! Matthew 7:7-11

Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

He wants to bless His children just as we want to bless our children. As a parent I want to provide for my children. But there is an extra special joy brought when we are able to bless them with something they desire and watch them delight in it. Our Heavenly Father is the same way. He cares about every detail of our lives. So why would we not pray in specific detail?

When God blesses and answers our prayers... we must be sure to praise God and delight in Him more than the gift he has bestowed.

We must not forget to be grateful and give thanks to the Provider.

571. blue heron flying
572. fingers laced together, as she and I wandered the mall waiting for new glasses to be made
573. she loves her new glasses ... and so do I

574. cheshire-grin of the moon
575. over-heard from my sickbed: "this painting is for mommy to help her feel better"
576. she likes George Winston's Linus and Lucy
577. her gift list has this: "abstract painting brother"
578. his gift list says, "haircuts"
579. gift listing children
580. day-light savings time has begun
581. another relationship, thought to be beyond repair, reconciled and regained*
582. My God is an Awesome God
583. children sharing secrets between themselves...
584. my 40th is approaching quickly... it is Wednesday...
585. I have now known my best friend, love of my life, handsome hubby, father of our four beautiful children, photographic adventurer, hiking companion, my encourager, my rescuer... for half of my life

Noticing His Light

2011-03-09T14:06:00.002-05:00

Have you ever noticed that you see the sunbeams more when they are set against dark clouds or are somehow obscured by clouds?

When there are no clouds we don't tend to notice the light.

When it is bright and sunny you don't stop to notice the beauty of the sunbeams.

Aren't we a bit like that?

It is when there are clouds around us that we stop to see His Light in our life and we focus on it more.

As we face storms and troubles and get through them depending on God, that is when people notice the Light more in our life?

It is in our weakness that God shows through the cracks in our clouds. It is there where He shows himself strong and we stop to wonder at the beauty of it.

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure

in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses

for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak,

then am I strong.

~2 Corinthians 12: 9&10

Preparing To Celebrate

2011-03-07T08:32:00.001-05:00

My blogging has been rather sporadic lately. Life has just been full and not necessarily of fun fuzzy good stuff but just of stuff sucking the energy out of me. At the beginning of this year I made a pact with myself to stick with my gratitude listing. Even if I can't seem to keep up with posting several times a week, I will at least continue this. Of course you all may get rather bored just reading my list week after week with nothing else thrown in. BUT I am working on it. I promise!

I have some big exciting stuff coming up. I am moving this old blog in celebration of my 40th birthday and the blog's 2nd Anniversary. So help me decide:

Do I move the blog now? (just so excited I can hardly stand it)

OR

Do I practice self-control and move it closer to my birthday? (a week and a half away)

Cast your vote in the comments!

This week I could hardly believe it when I actually secured an EARLY BIRD ticket to Relevant '11. I had a really good time at Relevant last year. It was great to meet so many Christian women bloggers. If you are going to Relevant this year give me a shout out in the comments and link up with me on facebook and twitter... over there in my sidebar ->

God has blessed with so many gifts this week...

551. an EARLY BIRD TICKET TO RELEVANT '11
552. sliver of moon reflecting the morning sun
553. the opportunity to practice forgiveness, grace, kindness, patience, longsuffering, joy, mercy ...
554. time, each moment is a gift
555. His merciful kindness is great toward us Ps. 117:2
556. a single star gazer lily in a vase

557. a friend who checks up on me
558. Ps. 118:29 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
559. serving dinner to my parents
560. 4 of 6 down with strep ... food delivered by concerned church members

561. His imagination, the depth of it ... his creativity is amazing to me ... and he is only 9
562. a long awaited 'friend' request
563. lunch out with a friend
564. rain, quiet on the roof
565. domain bought
566. wordpress installed
567. template installed
568. light and line

569. twittering with Melissa Stover about photography software
570. having my boundaries respected, with no guilt trip attached

Join the Gratitude Community over at Ann Voskamp's "A Holy Experience". If you haven't begun reading her One Thousand Gifts, click that link in my sidebar and get yourself a copy! And you're going to need a journal to go with that for writing His Gifts to you in, so click that link below it to get yourself a journal.

Don't forget to cast your vote in the comments! If you are attending Relevant '11 leave me a comment to let me know. I'll look forward to seeing you there!

I am a DaySpring Affiliate. I do benefit if you buy through those links but it is at no cost to you.

On Being The Moon

2011-03-04T00:27:00.000-05:00

I glance out the window while filling the coffee pot, I noticed the moon. To the naked eye there did not seem to be this much light on the horizon.

I went out on to the deck to have a better look and went back to get my camera.

As I stood there staring at the light it was reflecting, you could see the whole moon... part in shadows... but the side that was lit was so much more brilliant than I ever remember noticing. As if I could just reach out and touch it. It made me think if I just looked left I would see the sun blazing away.

How much I want to be like the moon reflecting the sun. How much I want my life to shine for Jesus so that others will have the urge to look for the Son- Light. Does my life shine Jesus to those around me? To my children? and those I interact with through the week? to the grocery checker at the store dragging coffee and chicken across scanner? to the lady at the post office who takes my packages and mails them across this ocean and that ocean? to those who read what I write ... in this space ... in that space ... or even in that space?

What is the purpose of my Hike if not to shine Jesus? Like a flashlight helps me see down my trail in the dark, do I help others see down their trails so that they can have more of His Light?

Be the moon, Reflect the Son.

The Relevant Conference '11

2011-03-01T07:22:00.000-05:00

I stayed up late and bought myself an EARLY BIRD TICKET!!

They sold out in less than a minute.... I can hardly believe I got one of them.

I am looking forward to meeting quite a few people there.

Some for the first time.

Some for the second time.

Who else is going to Relevant this year?

Leave me a comment and let me know...

Will I be meeting you IRL?

☺

Victory... Counting Gifts, 506 to 550

2011-02-28T10:05:00.001-05:00

"Through God we shall do valiantly:

for he it is that shall tread down our enemies."

~Ps. 108:13

It is through Him, Philippians 4:13, for he is the one who gives victory over our enemies;

who have names like doubt, fear, worry and stress.

Has the song Victory in Jesus just started playing in your mind too?

Praise God!!

506. Early morning fog filling and defining the valleys
507. an early rising son who still wants to climb into my lap and snuggle
508. brown giving way to green
509. brilliant blue peeking out of cracks in clouds of gray
510. Ps. 31:24
511. texted messages filled with biblical encouragement
512. Noah Webster's Christian Character
513. Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary
514. gray low lying clouds fleeing, leaving behind bright blue open skies
515. thin, dark orange ribbon, flanked by the darkness of horizon and low clouds
516. a home with clear views of each sunrise
517. that His mercies are new every morning
518. pancit delivered to my doorstep
519. sunlight making the mercury climb above 60〫F
520. an anticipated trip
521. thick fog
522. sugar cookies
523. a gift counting daughter
524. Is. 58:12
525. Confidence in knowing God's will
526. Burdens lifted, stress relieved
527. Ps. 139:17
528. a humble, gracious, loving husband and pastor
529. special friends willing to strive with me in prayer
530. God answers prayer
531. His grace and mercy are beyond measure
532. the sound of migrating Canadian geese over head
533. open lines of communication
534. focus and clear vision
535. clear vision, he can finally see
536. clear vision, he can finally see
yes, i meant to type that twice
537. Son snuggled up warm and safe
538. health
539. One Thousand Gifts, Chapter 7

One Thousand Gifts Chapter 7 from Bloom (in)courage on Vimeo.

540. that Angie described the "daily sucker punch" so well
541. her suggestion on how to fight against it
542. Ann fights for joy right along side me.... us...
543. HikingTowardHome.com is MINE!!
more on that later... I'M SO EXCITED!
544. a husband who is supportive of my blogging 'ministry'
545. online friends willing to advise
546. courage
547. confidence
548. a healthy shot of fear
549. Emily is such an encouragement
550. that you all keep reading and made it all the way down here.

Come on! If you haven't started your gratitude list, what are you waiting for? Jump in!

Courage, part 2

2011-02-26T10:58:00.000-05:00

As I think more about yesterday's post, about walking out on that "knife edge"...

The story of Peter walking on water comes to mind.

It took courage to take the risk of stepping out of that boat.

He did not think of the risk involved until after he was out of the boat with both feet and committed to the task.

What caused his fear? and my fear?

Looking around at the surrounding danger.

Looking down and not up.

: :

Courage takes faith.

Courage takes trust.

As Christians, our courage is found in our faith in Christ.

As we walk in his will, there will be risks.

When He calls us to do something, He equips us for the task.

"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord,

who hath enabled me,

for that he counted me faithful,

putting me into the ministry"

~1 Timothy 1:12

But how often do we forget that?

Fear comes when we look around and see the risk we have taken, taking our eyes off of Christ.

When we take our eyes off of Christ, fear and worry will settle in if we don't follow Paul's urging in Philippians 4.

"Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

~Philippians 4:6&7

prayer + thanksgiving = peace

He follows it up in the next verse by telling us what we are to focus on instead:

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things."

~Philippians 4:8

(The phrase "focus on the positive" comes to mind.)

In the next verse Paul urges us to follow his example:

"Those things, which ye have

both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace shall be with you."

~Philippians 4:9

How often we find it helpful and encouraging to fellowship with someone who has walked a similar path and has done it successfully.

Isn't that why God calls us to comfort and edify one another?

"Let us therefore follow after

the things which make for peace,

and things wherewith one may edify another."

~ Romans 14:19

"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another,"

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Edify means to teach, to guide, to instruct, to improve, to develop, to build.

How did Paul do it?

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

~ Philippians 4:13

The one that enabled him, equipped him, 1 Timothy 1:12.

He followed Christ's example, and we are to do the same.

Courage

2011-02-25T14:29:00.003-05:00

How often do we take risks and not consider the risk until we are already committed?

I wanted a shot of the birds.

Zooming in from way back there did not quite get what I was looking for.

I slowly took a few steps.

Surely it is wide enough, at least 3 to 4 feet.

I edged out a little closer, taking slow steps,

not wanting to scare the birds off,

not wanting to trip either.

Once I got a shot I thought I would like,

I realized the risk of where I was.

All of a sudden, the thought of tripping, or loosing my balance,

or having my foot slip on the loose pebbles,

stopped me in my tracks.

I look back now, and I see I took a risk.

Just to let you know that I am not as brave as it may look...

I did not walk back...

I crawled back.

On hands and knees,

so that I would be more stable.

Because deep down inside...

I. was. petrified.

: :

Why do I forget that I can choose courage?

God has equipped me to be courageous, why do I forget that?

Courage takes effort on our part.

It is not automatic, it is not our default.

If it were, then why does God urge in His Word to

"BE OF GOOD COURAGE"?

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

~Psalm 31:24

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

~Joshua 1:9

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

~Deut. 31:6

Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work...

~1 Chronicles 28:20

Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.

~Ezra 10:4

A few definitions:

COURAGE, n. [L., the heart.] Bravery; intrepidity; that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution. It is a constituent part of fortitude; but fortitude implies patience to bear continued suffering.

COURAGEOUS, a. Brave; bold; daring; intrepid; hardy to encounter difficulties and dangers; adventurous; enterprising.

Is there anything that God is calling you to?

That just may take a bit of courage?

On "Birthdays" and Buttons

2011-02-23T15:38:00.000-05:00

My blog is almost two years old.

I want to celebrate it's birthday.

I have noticed that so many have Buttons with Grab boxes.

It seems like maybe it would be a nice thing to have.

So in preparation for it...

Those of you out there who have cute little buttons for sharing:

How did you do it and do you having any suggestions on how to go about it?

Leave me some info in the comments.

Pretty please? :-)

Magnifing Him With Thanksgiving, 474 ~ 505

2011-02-23T14:05:00.000-05:00

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. ~Psalm 69:30

Thank you, God, for:

474. bird nests in trees without leaves
475. old stone houses
476. cream of crab soup from O'Brien's
477. a quiet stroll around the Annapolis City Dock
478. vertical lines

479. the old church at the top of Main Street

480. our star spangled banner

481. prayer letter received
482. hawk riding the wind
483. the moonlight coming through the window
484. strawberry smoothies
485. sunlight
486. Daddy's sense of humor
487. Brown outs (power outages) that cause children to recite poetry...
   ~ "Hiawatha's Childhood" by Longfellow
   ~ "My Heart's in the Highlands" by Robert Burns
   ~ "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae
488. she's thankful for a "silly" mom
489. long distance phone calls that warm the heart, encourage, and bring hearts closer together
490. two daughters sharing smiles over breakfast bowls,
   blinking at each other trying to incite the other to laugh
491. a visit from Victoria, long ago she taught me to sew
492. and Crystal, who is clear
493. time spent laughing and drinking java
494. "hostile-er"
495. for a heart that honors God by choosing to live in the wisdom that is from above,
   "without partiality and without hypocrisy" James 3:17,
   not willing to take part in a double-standard,
   making the hard choice to step back from a twenty-five year ministry,
   to stand before God unashamed,
   for she has rightly divided the word of Truth
   and is standing on it firmly, even though it is difficult ...
   Father, abundantly bless her for it. Amen.
496. a quiet early morning wander

497. the crunch of snow underfoot
498. corn field stubble covered in snow

499. rows of unchosen Christmas trees laden with snow

500. pine branch hands with palms offering white

501. an abandoned bird's nest piled high with a mound of fresh snow

502. "Don't I look pretty?"
503. "Yes, you DO."
504. conversation between to sisters even though the littlest who asked has
hair unbrushed, and wrinkled clothes...
the oldest knows it is the inside that makes the outside pretty
505. their love for each other

Gratitude List... 451. ~ 473.

2011-02-14T10:59:00.003-05:00

451. Miss Independent standing on a stool singing Jesus Loves Me, while I fry chicken for dinner

452. She has taken to playing the bagpipes...

Now pay attention... look closely and then use your imagination as you read the next few gifts...

453. She looses her balance and grabs the freezer door to steady herself
454. The freezer door swings open with Miss Independent still hanging on, an impromptu "ride"
455. The look of surprise (or is it shock?) on her face as she swings- wide-eyed...
not sure if it is fun or scary.

456. Morning sunrise reflecting off the church...

moments later the sun had risen up into low hovering clouds and it was in shadow again

457. Tropical Dog ponders the cold weather she so dislikes.

458. Ecclesiastes 4:11 "...if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?"

459. a Sweet Pea Tea fellowship

460. Miss Independent doesn't want help

461. the look of concentration

462. the look of satisfaction, mission accomplished

463. the strand of gold falling across her face

464. older daughter's job well done

465. time spent drinking sweet tea with neighbors
466. children asking to "do art", begging to paint
467. children infected with the "sillies"
468. the sound of their uncontrollable laughter
469. the smiles stretched wide across their faces
470. popcorn
471. children making Valentines for each other
472. older siblings spelling long words for younger ones
473. My Valentine... so thankful that God's will is... us... together... until death do us part

Won't you join us over at Ann's?

The Gratitude List Continues...

2011-02-08T08:49:00.001-05:00

Thank you for reading...

As I continue to count the gifts handed down by my Heavenly Father...

433. Sweet Beth's email from the other side of the earth, filled with such encouragement and blessing
434. Carmel seeking me out to sit beside me for a scratch on the head
435. a familiar face in an unexpected place
436. Jesus *hugs* through the arms of a sister in Christ
437. the look of deep concentration as he traces his six year old hand
438. a day of fog so thick and heavy
   it obscures the trees
   standing silent watch
   along the edge of the yard.
439. ice-glass encasing dogwood tree
440. sweet time of fellowship entwined with scripture and sisters
441. a gift delivered, arriving safely, unbroken, having now traveled 3/4 of the way around our spinning ball of dirt to its latest resting place
442. that it has plans to be filled with true English tea as His Light is studied, shared, and devoured
443. being asked to take part and give thanks
444. sweet notes of encouragement from Canadian sisters
445. God's abstract art, oil slick in puddle, so beautifully swirled
446. the message that reminds me every day...

447. for mailing overseas and gifting a few closer by

448. my bookplate now has a home

449. a gift to myself, cause I need to be reminded: it is "by grace alone"

450. a quiet place

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp is a gift of grace, a great "trail guide" for hiking to joy, through giving thanks and gratitude. (I only recommend that which I have read.) I am on my second read through and know already that I will read it many more times in the future, because I tend to forget and I need to be reminded. Need your own copy?

Won't you begin your own list and join us in the gratitude community hosted by Ann Voskamp?

I am a DaySpring Affiliate and an Independent Consultant for Blessings Unlimited.

imperfect prose: The Value of Me

2011-02-02T17:12:00.001-05:00

hot tear streams flowing upon waking,
flowing before the eyes ever open to the morning light
overwhelmed by the long list that tries to convince me I have no value
strong arms that embrace, wrapping love warm
his quiet whispers, reminding that my Savior values... me
whispering of the cross
where He laid down on wood
and let them carve my name in his hands

stepping in the door for morning worship
in a sea of faces, one steps forward
one who knows from whence I came
one who loves and offers support, unconditional
another set of arms sent from God to wrap me in love
and help me know He cares, He loves, He values... me
hot tear streams now flowing in thanks

listening to message preached from a heart so full of love
for his Savior
for those who've come to hear, with open hearts
for a wife, battle-scarred and weary
preaching encouragement to look unto Him
the Author of ME,
He who shapes, forms, loves and gives life abundant,
He who values... me
to run with patience
lest I become so weary I faint in my mind,
for that is the battle ground
that is where I need strength to not give up
hot tear streams continuing to flow in gratitude
for His unfailing love
for those willing to be His arms
for those willing to whisper reminders of His love
whispering reminders of how much He values... Me
again
   and again
   and again
   and...

"Jesus laid down on wood and let them carve your name in his hands."
   ~Ann Voskamp

Linked up over at Emily's today.Please take a moment to click over and read some more "imperfect prose."

Just Let Go!

2011-02-01T17:26:00.000-05:00

Linking up to Sweet Shot Tuesday

This Week's Load

2011-02-01T00:25:00.001-05:00

Blessed be the Lord,

who daily loadeth us with benefits,
even the God of our salvation.
Selah
~Psalm 68:19

417.

quietness brought by falling snow

418.

dog wood

419.

snowman 2011

420.

wiped out after a day of sledding

421.

small feet growing fast

422.

423.

424.

white gloves

425.

break through

426.

snow plastered to tree sides

427.

Plenty of wood to keep us warm.

428.

Tropical dog = not in love with snow

429.

430.

Where's my ball? I want to play ball.

431.

432.

Our "snow angel" digging us out.

I am short on words today. I quietly ask for grace... patience... and prayer...

Stretching Paper {And Myself}

2011-01-24T15:35:00.000-05:00

I am so thankful encouraging words.

A little backstory for # 413...

This past week I really have been feeling a push to "stretch" myself and stretch myself some watercolor paper, and paint, even if it is just a few minutes a week. (Gotta start somewhere.)

Emily, at Chatting At the Sky, has been writing about Art lately and it has really tugged at my heart. After commenting and mentioning the urge to try to get back to painting, Emily sent such a sweet email of encouragement.

Ann Voskamp has also written of Art lately as well, another tug...

And, Emily at In the Hush of the Moon, has posted about her paintings as well and she also left a very encouraging comment on Hiking Toward Home's Facebook page.... yet another tug...

Also, I was reminded by the Holy Spirit of a conversation a while back, the same wise counselor who told me of paths and neurons, asked why I had stopped painting. My answer almost brought tears to his eyes. I stopped because I was persuaded that it was a worthless occupation of my time by someone behind a pulpit. (Yes, I have been rethinking that one too.)

So, I this past weekend, I bought some watercolor paper and board to stretch it on. It is stretched and sits waiting for pigment and brush...

If you think on it, pray for me as I step into this new area of stretching, it has been twenty years since I seriously dipped a brush into beautiful pools of color and applied it to paper.

So my gift list for this week:

397. a husband who encourages me to go to the local coffee shop to sit and think and write and read
398. the gift of time alone
399. the fresh blanket of snow
400. Reading Class done snuggled up on an overstuffed loveseat
401. the gift of being able to pray for others, it is something that we can give no matter if the person
we are praying for cares or not, it is a gift that cannot be rejected.
Because it is God who is the target and he doesn't reject our prayer
402. the "self-check" as a result of the challenging reading in Serena Woods' book
403. the forgiveness of God instantly upon confession
404. wisdom from the Lord
405. being able to enter into the sorrows of others and the heartaches of others and share, uplift and encourage...
406. as a result of having been through our own Hard Eucharsiteo
407. warm socks on cold feet
408. the quietness that falling snow brings

409. the moment in time where the sun breaks the horizon bringing with it...
410. His mercies...
411. that are new every morning
412. time spent with my kids
413. inspiration to attempt painting for the first time in 20 years,
   inspired by Ann, Emily, and Emily; their art, writing,
   and kind words of encouragement to go for it
414. the loud snapping and popping coming from the fireplace
415. finally being able to turn pages instead of scrolling
   (I finally got my copy of ONE THOUSAND GIFTS in the mail!)
416. sweet moments of love between boy and dog

Linked up today over at Ann Voskamp's A Holy Experience. Join the growing community of gratitude by beginning your own list and linking up!!

Not a Doubt Remains

2011-01-24T10:07:00.003-05:00

You know how you see television commercials for charities for feeding the starving and hungry of the world and you wonder... how much do the kids really benefit? Where does all that money go? Doubt fills your head.

There is one organization that I will gladly stand behind and help.

Compassion International.

I have seen first hand how they impact a child's life.

As a missionary in the southern Philippines, we had contact with a dear lady whose child is a Compassion Sponsored child. What a difference it made in that child's life. There are so many examples of how, but I want to share a specific one with you.

The child ended up in the hospital with Dengue fever.

[Hospitals are not run the way they are in the States. You pay as you go and the bill must be paid in full before you may leave the hospital. (Yes, kind of insane because the bill that one can't pay goes up as the family tries to borrow money from everyone they know to pay the bill.) The hospital is the very last resort for so many for this reason.]

Their "health insurance" would not cover it all.

Compassion paid the difference. Whether this is typical of their policies or not, I don't know.

Whenever I asked the parent questions about the sponsor/child relationship, tears would fill her eyes as she spoke of the letters and photographs they receive from her child's sponsor.

Her gratitude for Compassion International and for her child's sponsor overwhelmed her.

Seeing the organization from the point of view of the parent of a child who is sponsored dispelled all distrust I may have harbored.

I do not currently sponsor a child... yet. I have been in contact with Compassion to sponsor a child from a specific place. If you have a particular country, or city on your heart, they can work with you to find you a child from that area.

Reading the accounts of many compassion bloggers, Angie Smith, Ann Voskamp, and Lisa-Jo and a few others, always makes my heart ache for the children and adults we ministered to in Davao.

And they confirm what I already know to be true.

Not a doubt remains.

(You can also support Compassion International by purchasing Colors of Compassion Cards by Blessings Unlimited. Disclaimer: I am happy to be able to offer these cards as an Independent Consultant for Blessings Unlimited.)

Sleeping Princess

2011-01-19T15:32:00.000-05:00

I thought of the story The Princess and the Pea as I watched her go through the process of taking a nap the other day. I am sure a pea would NOT have affected her rest. I don't see how she can wake up so sweet and happy after going through this:

Every time I checked in on here she was in a completely different place.

Clothed in Ice

2011-01-18T22:34:00.000-05:00

I went out to capture

branches clothed in ice

Listening to the sound

like wind chimes

as the branches clinked against each other

Every so often one shattering and falling

like a dagger to the ground below

leaving the branch naked

Where I Don't Want to Live

2011-01-17T08:54:00.000-05:00

There is a lonesome street sign out in the countryside where we live. Every time I have passed it I have wanted to stop and take a photo of it. As my husband and I were driving by it the other day, I just happened to have my camera along. So, I finally was able to take its portrait.

This is a place I do not want to live. I don't want to live on Thankless Lane. I am thankful that God has been teaching me more and more about gratitude and giving thanks. The practice of listing has really helped to change my mindset, helping me to form new patterns for those neurons to fire in!

Thankful for:
367. our new "snowdog"

"Woof! Woof! Woof!" ~translation: "I SAID PLAY WITH MEEEE!!!!"

368. our home school

369. fresh and clean quietly falling

370. winter wonderland

371. the Hard Eucharisteo of the loss of a dear friend's parent

372. the gift of HOPE ~ of seeing him again one day

373. reunions, brought and blessed, by the Lord

374. an afternoon spent with old friends

375. a long chapter of Hard Eucharisteo coming to a close... finally

376. her "horseys" keeping her busy...

377. parents willing to look after grandkids for several days

378. an escape to a luxury hotel for a Ministers and Mates retreat

379. sunrise

380. we have this common interest

381. snow on the beach

382. sunrise reflected on waves washing over sand

383.victorian gingerbread work, dune grasses, and dune fences

384. rays of light

385. that I was able to capture these shots just before we both fell victim of the FLU

386. thankful for HOW I got the nasty bug... in all seriousness

387. the reconciliation was well worth the 24 hours of sickness

388. rays of Sonlight brightening my trail as I hike along

389. a pastor with a passion for God's word

390. tender hearts that respond to Spirit-lead passionate preaching

391. a caring church family showing concern for me

392. being sent home from church with orders to stay in bed (nearly passed out from doing too much too soon)

393. a sweet daughter willing to serve where needed

394. a dear sister in the Lord encouraging my photography

395. my Physician who heals my body, my mind, and my relationships

396. a father so tender-hearted for God that tears come to his eyes while relaying the mornings events, a sermon that touched hearts and a heart reborn

Join me over in Ann's Gratitude Community and begin your own list of gifts from His hand.

Rethinking and Renewing

2011-01-16T04:00:00.001-05:00

RETHINK- verb: think again about (something such as a policy or course of action),

esp. in order to make changes to it

As a young Christian I just went with the flow. I was lazy in my relationship with the Lord.

I did not discern the difference between the loud nagging of the enemy and the quiet promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Something I have been learning while hiking with Jesus is to listen to His still quiet voice and to recognize when it is NOT a still quiet voice. I have found that the Holy Spirit does not speak in a loud condemning tone.

I am posting over at (in)courage today! Hike on over there and read about my hike into God's Grace. To get there just click on THIS.

If you have stopped over from (in)courage... WELCOME!!

Glad to have you hike over here for a bit. Before you go, please check out my sidebar and "Like" Hiking Toward Home on Facebook or hike along with me by Rss feed or have it quietly slipped into your inbox.

Worn Smooth

2011-01-10T08:53:00.000-05:00

There is a branch on one of my favorite hikes that is very interesting. Over time, many people have taken hold in the same spot as they take a steep step up. It now appears shiny and it is smooth to the touch. The roughness has been worn down and the oil of hiker's hands has made it shiny.

Before we come to Christ we are like the small off-shoot below, rough, frail, and a dull sheen. As we grow in the Lord, we become stronger. There are places in our lives that are rough and as we surrender them to the Lord, his touch smoothes out the rough and he applies oil that makes us shine.

There is a second lesson in this branch for me as well. It makes me think of the trials in our lives that refine us. As time goes on the Lord redeems them for His glory. He makes it a place in your life that you can offer to others who are going through similar trials and we can help them through. We are more able to enter into the sorrows and heartaches of others and be used by God to encourage them, uplift them, and edify them. Help them up the steep part of their ~~trial~~ trail.

The Lord brought this branch to mind recently, on more than one occasion.

A dear sweet friend asked me to pray for her about something she is in the midst of. The Lord using a spot of my life, now worn smooth, to help another sister in Christ by sharing what I learned through my trial.

Also, I have been reading through two very good books, Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts: A Dare To Live Fully Right Where You Are and Grace Is For Sinners by Serena Woods. Both of these books speak to the same deeper message; that God is sovereign and is always in control. He allows what comes into our lives, the "good" and the "bad". He uses hard trials and failures to refine us so that we are more usable to His purposes for our lives. We are to be thankful for them. Then, He will use us to help others through where we have already been.

I have learned so much from both of these books. They bring conviction to the heart and much to ponder to the mind, so much to wrap my brain around. God has used them to show me some rough spots He needed to smooth out in me. They have both brought out facets of God's Grace, that though I thought I had a handle on, upon further deeper consideration, I had just shoved aside in pride. They have brought to mind things I must confront within myself and generate lasting change.

::

366. I am grateful for the places in my life He has worn smooth.
367. a husband who encourages a break at a local coffee shop to think, read, and blog
368. the gift of time
369. fresh blanket of snow
370. Reading Class done snuggled up on an overstuffed love seat
371. the gift of being able to pray for others...
372. it is a gift you can give them that they cannot reject, because they don't need to know you are praying for them, a gift that can be given in secret, known only by you and the Lord
373. the 'self-check' as a result of challenging reading
374. the forgiveness of God, that it is instantaneous
375. wisdom given by God
376. being able to enter into the trails and trials of others as an encouragement, to uplift, to edify, to help along...
377. as a result of "hard eucharisteo" in my own life
378. warm socks on cold feet
379. comfy warm clothes
380. sweet encouraging comments

Start your own gratitude list and link up with us over at A Holy Experience in the gratitude community hosted by Ann Voskamp.

A Plain Path

2011-01-09T12:40:00.001-05:00

Wrinkled

2011-01-08T13:34:00.003-05:00

There are times I feel like I have been balled up like a used piece of paper and tossed in a near by waste bin, while in the midst of a trial.
I am so thankful that Jesus picks me up from where the enemy leaves me on the battle field, tattered and worn. He redeems and restores. And in reality I come out looking like this on the other end of those trials...

Seemingly wrinkled ...but still beautiful in his eyes.

Linking up to Flowers on Saturday, hosted by blueberrycraftandhobbytime.

Gifts from His Hand

2011-01-03T11:52:00.001-05:00

341. being encouraged to write more here
342. for his honesty
343. wavy blond hair created by braids
344. the fresh start of a brand new year
345. Sophia, the stuffed dog
346. small fingers stroking Sofia's ears...
347. ... while drifting off to sleep
348. Ps. 4:8 "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety."

349. New Years Eve spent in fellowship with our children

Eating the gingerbread bricks we made at Port Discovery.

350. Ps. 9:10 "And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee."
351. family camp-outs in the living room
352. spending New Year's with new friends, building new friendships
353. finding so much common ground with new friends
354. child 1's concern for child 2 and wanting to comfort and help
355. Mom's eggnog
356. my daughter dumping eggnog in her coffee and calling it "cog"
357. a daughter enjoying her first Elisabeth George book...
358. and now she is reading her second
359. seeing her desire to grow in Christ
360. a day at Port Discovery with the whole family, including Grandparents

361. a good meal out as well
362. he really enjoys this and has a talent for it too: (no wonder he likes Selah's songs that are full of African Drums)

363. Happiness from soft fuzzy dogs (Mango is now 6 months)

(and she is getting so big!!)

364. He loves this dog so much
365. Those who read this blog and stick with me.

Thank you dear readers and thanks to those who encourage with their words in the comments. I do not measure my worth by them, still, it is nice to be encouraged by so many sweet comments.

I am overwhelmed with new ideas for the new year... though I am staggering at how to implement even just one of them (a tad bit behind the ball in the New Year's resolutions)

There are so many things here in blog land that I REALLY want to participate in... but they take time to organize and assemble... Lord, help me to get organized so I can have the time to do them and expand my creative horizons a bit this year. And wisdom as to which to tackle first.

For Thou Wilt...

2011-01-02T07:51:00.001-05:00

This is a BLOG HOP join up!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T13:36:00.000-05:00

One of my hopes for the New Year is more photography! So I am linking up to Flowers On Saturday.

Sweet Shot Tuesday

2010-12-28T17:43:00.000-05:00

So for the first time ever, I am jumping into the link party over at my3boybarians.

My Sweet Shot of the week:

The dome of the Naval Academy Chapel, in Annapolis, MD, Christmas Eve.

Or should it be this one?

After a very busy day of concert going, dinner out, and late night Christmas Eve services...
she could not make it any longer.

What do you think? Let me know which you like best in the comments... Then click on over to my3boybarians and check out some more good photography in the links over there!

Growing Up And Growing In Gratitude

2010-12-27T19:42:00.001-05:00

Thursday was busy with cleaning and packing. I finally cleaned up some clutter in my bedroom and packed the clothes we would need for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I had packed the suitcase with everyone's finest for we were going to The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. for the annual Washington Choral Arts Society Christmas Concert. Everyone's dress shoes were placed in a bag, all together, and placed in the center of the walk way, as one would leave our house through the back door. We would have to trip over it to get out the door.

The concert was a matinee and so we needed to leave the house by 11:30 A.M. Around 9 A. M. I began laying out everyone's clothes, not wanting to be in a stressed out hurry getting everyone ready.

I looked around for the plastic bag full of shoes...

... and looked...

... and looked.

My husband didn't remember packing a bag of shoes.

Umm.... what?

NO SHOES.

We would usually pack the car and leave through the mud room door... but the wind was so bad that we packed and left through the basement... so we didn't trip over the shoes...

Our day ahead called for semi-formal dress not crocs-and-tennis-shoes-casual dress.

Our youngest had no shoes at all, having been carried to the car and tucked into her carseat in her pjs, while sound alseep.

We hurriedly packed all the kids into the car and drove straight to the nearest Payless, and began praying: Lord please let everyone find shoes in this one store... we needed 5 pairs... I needed them too!!

This may sound like a fairly simple task, but it is difficult to find my oldest shoes. She has a wide foot but a narrow heel. She is 12 years old and I really don't want her growing up too fast and footwear has been an area where I have dragged my feet... does a tween-ager really need to wear 3 inch heels? I have tried to keep her in low heels.

Wouldn't you know, the only pair in the entire store that fit her looked like this:

um... and THIS:

The diameter of the heel is that of a pencil!!

Thank you, Lord, for helping us find her shoes.... all of us shoes... in less than 10 minutes.

Thank you Lord for meeting our needs... and blessing us with our desires as well... grace-gifts from your hand...

321. new technology... so all can enjoy without gathering around a tiny screen

322. that she is so creative with her choice of seating...

323. one sock on and one sock off...

324. Shoes from above

Christmas Eve was a delightfully busy day; a whirlwind shopping spree for shoes, Christmas Concert at the Kennedy Center in DC, Dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, and a beautiful late-night Christmas Eve service at the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, followed by fellowship and food at my parents home.

325. the family tradition of the Christmas Concert at the Kennedy Center...

326. the sound of these

327. the kids searching for and finding the flag for the Republic of the Philipines, in the Hall of Nations at the Kennedy Center

328. the Naval Academy Chapel dome

329. a son following along in the Bible as each lesson was read... on his own...

330. a child exhausted from a very long day...

331. Silent Night... for the second time of the day... by candlelight

332. a son who exclaims, while watching the flame spread in the pitch darkness, "I get it Mom! It is like the gospel being spread from person to person and lighting the world that is in darkness!"

Lord, please help him to surrender if you call him to preach and to DO IT with all his might for your glory and honor. Amen

333. our Eternal Father, who is STRONG TO SAVE

334. the vibrations felt in the chest when that pipe organ behind us sounds loud and low
335. (and oh yeah, the only shoes they had for me... were 3 inch spikes...)

336. that this shot came out clear though hand held (of course I kept the camera on the ground so it could not move much... uh... yeah... I was laying on the ground in a full length mink. I thought my mom was going to ~~tar and feather me~~ yell at me... when she turned and looked... but... thankfully... all she said was... "nice shot")

337. singing my favorite carols, proclaiming my Savior's birth

338. a very special visitor for Christmas Dinner, a man (now 27) that my husband led to Christ, when he was only 11 years old

339. he is now a Captain in the Army

340. that God has kept him safe through two tours in Iraq

Join in and start the New Year with your own gratitude list! Click on over to Ann Voskamp's "A Holy Experience."

Joy and Praise

2010-12-22T08:30:00.000-05:00

As I wage battle in my own fight for joy...

As I seek God for that "joy unspeakable and full of glory"...

"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not,

yet believing,

ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:"

~1 Peter 1:8

The Lord puts this verse in front of me:

Isaiah 61:3 "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified."

I find this... God "gives... oil of joy for mourning, and garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness..."
People focus so often on the 'beauty for ashes' part that precedes these words, and so little attention is given to these following words.

Think about these... the oil of joy... the garment of praise...

When Moses anointed Aaron as High Priest, he anointed him with oil and adorned him in new garments.

In the New Testament oil is a picture of the Holy Spirit which indwells each believer and new garments represent the righteousness that covers those who abide in Christ.

Mourning brings to my mind the mourning for our sin. It grieves us, as Christians, when we sin. Sin brings a heaviness of spirit. When I repent of my sin, God forgives, and my gratitude for that forgiveness turns to praise... for His forgiveness that washes white as snow.

God truly does "forgive and forget." He treats us as if we never did anything wrong to begin with. He doesn't say "I forgive you" and then abandon us in case we might sin again... because He knows we will sin again. He knows it and still loves us and STILL wants to be in our lives, in our every moment with us... Emmanuel ~ God with us.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

~Romans 8:1

"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not,

yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:"

~1 Peter 1:6-8

Does Emmanuel live in you today? Won't you Choose Him as a gift for yourself this Christmas?

Be filled with the oil of joy and put on the garment of praise today!

It. Is. Finished.

2010-12-21T20:26:00.000-05:00

I have never been good at follow-through.

I have so many unfinished jobs ~~in my life~~ around the house. Stacks of clutter, that each time I begin to sort, I get sidetracked and never seem to get back onto the main-line task of finishing the job.

And they don't just clutter MY house. They even clutter my mother's house, where I have at least two boxes filled with stuff I keep meaning to Forex to the Philippines. (I have another one in my basement.)

I always have lots of great ideas but never seem to get them to completion.

Laundry gets washed and dumped on the couch, eventually it gets folded... and rarely ever makes it from basket to drawer. I have never done a complete load and actually sort it, wash it, dry it, fold it, and put it away... all in one day.

I am so glad that God finishes what He starts.

I have a terminal problem called sin.

But God... has already taken care of it.

I am so thankful that God doesn't get sidetracked.

He has excellent 'follow-through'.

He sent his Son to free us from our sin.

He separated it from us as far as East is from West.

He nailed it to His Cross and declared, "It is Finished."

When he declared His work completed...

He swung the door wide open for me.

To receive Grace.

To receive Mercy.

To hold on to Hope.

To know one day I will actually be perfect.

::

And it all had to start somewhere...

He chose a stable and not a royal palace.

She gave birth to him in a stable... a barn...

Maybe...

laying on Joseph's coat, to cover up the dirty hay...

in a stall toward the back...

maybe there were curious bystanders that crowded around the outside...

not knowing it was the Christ child being born...

thinking it was just another "normal" birth but in such an "unfortunate place"...

::

Have you ever received this most wonderful baby into your life?

He comes to bring you redeeming grace...

Have you received it?

And THE LIST Grows Longer...

2010-12-20T08:40:00.001-05:00

306. "Look! I braided my hair all by myself!" and she did a great job too!
307. snow blankets on fields
308. tree skeletons frosted white with snow
309. the "crunch" of snow underfoot
310. the "oatmeal-peach-mango" scent of two freshly bathed dogs
311. Carmel Brulee Latte, a tasty Starbucks gift from my love
312. bloggers willing to answer odd questions and help another blogger out
313. this morning's sunrise
314. this morning's sonrise, already singing at the kitchen table
315. a sweet sister-in-love letting me know my parents have just started the long drive home
316. the education I received sitting under Pastor Ron Fenwick's preaching
317. the education I receive sitting under my husband's preaching
318. the education I get at home... I get 24/7 access to all that knowledge God has put in his head :-)
319. a good friend taking time to check my links
320. they work now... (now I have quite a bit of tweeking to do to make it more interesting)

Linking up at Ann Voskamp's A Holy Experience today. Come and join our gratitude community!

Better Late Then Never... When Counting

2010-12-15T11:45:00.000-05:00

Another week of Counting His Blessings with Ann Voskamp...

285. Youngest finished her breakfast, "I'm done Daddy, I'm FULL."
286. a massive cloud of red-winged blackbirds
287. being engulfed in them while driving, as they decide to change fields
288. pink clouds striping the sky over frosted white fields
289. dog-breath steam cloud, as Carmel sits surveying her realm from the top step of the porch
290. listening to my Baking Girl teaching her youngest sibling how to roll snicker-doodle balls in cinnamon and sugar
291. the children spilling memories while their hands busily decorate the tree

292. early morning announcement from the youngest, "Its Miss Crystal Day!
293. ...and she will see our tree and she will say, 'Its bee-u-ful!'"
294. Our Baking Girl finding making two batches of cookies rewarding and enjoyable, "I have such a sense of accomplishment!"
295. a dear long-time friend coming for a "sleep-over"
296. her company and fellowship
297. she loves and enjoys our kids too!
298. early-morning theology discussion, in the kitchen, while sipping coffee
299. the gift of Coffee
300. that she joined us in our 'home' worshipping our Savior on Sunday Morning
301. the cantata disc did not skip during the service
302. "Glory in the Highest"
303. tropical children scraping together a 'snowball' from the light dusting we received
304. Husband's love and care for me
305. a grandmother working all night caring for others, driving an hour and a half to enjoy Christmas programs and driving an hour and a half back to work for another night shift of caring for others

Join us over there, click a few links and read a few lists...

I Need YOUR Help

2010-12-13T08:38:00.000-05:00

I have been informed that my blog's widget links (all that stuff on my sidebar) don't work. Which is strange because they work for me on my Macbook and they work on my husband's PC that uses Explorer and Vista (yuck!).
I had received emails that someone could not click my links, that they did not work, in anything but Google Chrome. (speaking Greek to me...)
Then this past weekend a friend of mine was over at to visit and had her laptop up and running and we visited my blog to show her a video posted there... the video worked but nothing in my sidebar worked. She uses Firefox and Vista (yuck!) [yes i extremely dislike vista].
Does anyone else out there in blogland have the same issues? when visiting my site? or have you dealt with it on your own?
I'd really appreciate any help I offered.
Thanks a whole bunch!
I've also been told that my comment box is not working... any of you have issues with that? Though the person who could not comment here was able to click the facebook badge and leave a comment there. Go figure!
Any thoughts? Comments? Ideas?
It is too early on a Monday to be frustrated with this... YET AGAIN.
.... is it just Firefox users?

Amazing Grace, Penny Whistles, and Bagpipes

2010-12-09T14:28:00.000-05:00

If you spend much time with me you will soon learn my love of Amazing Grace. I've always liked this song due to Scottish roots and a love for bagpipes. However, nineteen years ago on Christmas eve (1991) I received Christ as my Savior, and my love for the song grew much deeper. I am in awe of God's grace to me. (scroll down to the bottom of the page and pause the player before watching the video)

The Gap

2010-12-07T09:32:00.002-05:00

A long while ago... it seems like that, even though it was only last year... my husband and I took a trip to Skyline Drive. A retreat of sorts to gather our wits back around us, having moved internationally and having said goodbye to so many dear sisters and brothers in Christ. At the time, not knowing where God was moving us to. We took a few days for a photo adventure.

We tend to unwind, de-tox, and de-stress, by getting out in God's creation and photographing the beauty He surrounds us with.

When I saw this the Lord whispered, "Who will stand in the gap?"

This broken down wall brought to mind Ezekiel 22:30...

"And I sought for a man among them,

that should make up the hedge,

and stand in the gap before me for the land,

that I should not destroy it: but I found none."

The enemy works so hard to create gaps for us to fall through. He spends his time trying to knock gaps in the boundaries that God sets for us so that we might fall.

1 Peter 5:8 warns us to...

"Be sober, be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:"

Think about this: verse 9 says...

"Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished

in your brethren

that are in the world."

Who will encourage them to resist running down that broad road that leads to destruction? Who help them to not fall through that gap in the wall, falling into sin, or distractions that take their focus off following the Lord?

Will you stand in that gap today?

Encourage one another to continue standing strong for the Lord. Stand in the gap when you see one and help others not to fall into it. Sometimes you see a gap that others may not because you are familiar with it. You may have fallen through that gap and know of its devastating hurts.

Will you encourage and protect with your words today? Will you use your words to 'stand in the gap'?

Click over to (in)courage and read what Holley has to say about our words and how we use them.

Linking up today over at Katie Lloyd Photography. Click on over there and see more stunning photos with Scripture applied.

Gifts of His Grace

2010-12-06T21:59:00.004-05:00

Last night as my son climbed onto my lap and I breathed deeply of his freshly washed silky cotton-top, I reminded myself that this was a gift to remember, to write down and not forget, to give thanks for it. To thank my Savior of his love for me and this blessing of grace sitting snuggled up in my lap.

Continuing my count...

...of gifts of grace...

...to be grateful and thankful for.

261. a note from my oldest son, that the Jesse tree devotional stirred his heart

262. my sister-in-law left a sweet comment on my blog, thankful for her and her love

263. Lego scattered all over the floor

264. Sun rays pouring through darkened skies

265. Grocery stores and grocery stores

266. the "Ugly-Beautiful" of a sick child at 3 A.M.

267. washing machine to launder soiled linens

268. cleanser to clean up the rest

269. a husband who cleans headboard, bed frame, side-drawers, carpet, and mattress

while I attend to the child and the laundering of linens

270. indoor bathing facilities and indoor plumbing... so many that are dear to me have neither

271. email from a sister in Christ that encouraged, uplifted and edified

272. being thought of and remembered

273. Laura Parker's comment that "legalism just sucks," brought a smile to my face

274. washable slip-covered furniture

275. The smell of freshly washed child snuggled up in my lap

276. the silky soft blond brushing gently against my face

277. getting through my first Blessings Unlimited Gathering

278. a husband who piles kids in truck and brings me what I left behind...

... he is always rescuing his damsel... she somehow always finds herself in distress.

279. kids having a 'camp-out' in front of the fire place

280. hearing about God working in hearts, listening to the glad report
of friends growing in His Grace,

breaking free of the bondage of man's opinions preached as doctrine

Photographs found on Artist-son's camera:

281.

282.

"lego grows on trees"

283.

praying in lego form

284.

285.

Must have been some good chocolate chip cookies!

Mmmmm.... where did that tin of cookies go?

Linked up over at A Holy Experience today where AnnVoskamp hosts the Gratitude Community.

Won't you join us over there and consider beginning your own list?

How GOOD Are You?

2010-12-02T14:35:00.000-05:00

When we were in the Philippines, we came across a TV show called Way of the Master. It was on some satellite channel very late at night. We found that it was co-produced by Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort. Since then, I signed up for their email newsletter. Their website is chock-full of info on leading others to Christ.

There are two really good sermons on this site by Ray Comfort. They are both worth hearing. Especially "TRUE/FALSE CONVERSION," it hits right at the heart of the "pray this prayer for fire insurance" kind of witnessing. The kind of witnessing that makes people think they are NOT on their way to hell without any conviction of sin or change of heart... without any REPENTANCE.

Repentance is the key. Without it...

"That Her Merchandise Is GOOD"

2010-12-01T14:53:00.001-05:00

As I opened my Bible this morning, I read:

"She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night."

~Proverbs 31:18

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good.

It hit me... my merchandise

good.

That is the reason I became an Independent Consultant.

I like the products I am selling.

They are really good.

If I had the money, I would have a lot more of it filling my home.

I especially like that each piece reminds us of

God's love toward us.

These are my favorite,

The Ever Grateful Collection:

They fit right in with all my gratitude journaling and listing. Each one has a blessing from God to be grateful for. The honey colored coffee cup that I drink from says "grateful for the gift of hope" inside the rim. I read it with every long gulp of my morning ~~starter fluid~~ coffee.

I. Need. That.

To be reminded of the gift of hope.

Because there is always hope.

Hope for hearts to turn toward God.

Hope for others to discover the GRACE He offers.

Hope for children to grow up and choose,

of their own will,

to love God

with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength.

I like that you can make messages with these:

Wouldn't this be stunning on your dining table or on your mantel?

I am going to fill them with sea shells in the summer.

and this winter... candles... to spread warmth of the light and The Light.

This lazy-susan reminds me so much of her:

Doesn't the design of it make you think of her blog logo?

Isn't this a wonderful reminder that every thing that surrounds us is a grace-gift of our Heavenly Father?

What a great reminder to give grateful thanks to the Lord.

For all that we have... are blessings of His Grace toward us.

What a beautiful way to serve your guests who join you for tea.

And wouldn't you just love to serve your special Christmas pie or cookies on these plates?

Aren't they gorgeous?

I like the things I sell. I unashamedly present them here.

When I left the Relevant Conference I decided,

I didn't want to "make money" with my blog

...unless he led me too.

This morning...

He led me to.

(...at least talk about it every so often.)

It is my merchandise.

And

good.

It doesn't matter where you live. You don't have to attend a Blessings Unlimited Gathering to obtain some of these beautiful things. You can just click on any of the links here or the ones in my sidebar (that nifty little blue button there that discloses that I am an Independent Consultant, it is a link as well.) They will take you to my Blessings Unlimited website where you can make a purchase by clicking the

'shop online' tab. Orders in by December 15 should arrive in time for Christmas.

Shower those you love with Blessings this Christmas.

Naming the Fish in the Net

2010-11-29T11:46:00.001-05:00

Last week, Ann Voskamp published a great post about noticing that Peter counted the fish in the net. He counted his blessings.

I count... like Peter, I name... like Adam, I list... like Ann.
Thanking God for all that He graces with me with each day...

241. The warm weight of the child asleep in my lap.
242. Little girl toes with tiny traces of nail polish applied long ago.
243. The moments spent watching Pride and Prejudice with my bookworm-girl and her dad
244. the laugh spilling from my Artist-son while he reads Charles Schultz drawings
245. a girl confronting her problems and turning to God for help with them
246. my Bookworm-girl baking DELICIOUS chocolate chip cookies, ALL. BY. HERSELF.
247. getting a lot of laundry done
248. the scent of turkey filing the house as we entered the door
249. the grinding sound of a puppy intensely gnawing on her bone,
   Praising God she is not doing that to the furniture.
250. a room filled with friends playing Apples to Apples
251. "My chains are gone, I've been set free,
   My God, My Savior, has ransomed me,
   And like a flood, His mercy rains,
   Unending love, Amazing grace..." ~Chris Tomlin
252. the gift of having the chains of double standards broken off of me
253. the deeper knowledge of grace
255. a husband giving me time to fix my blog
256. seeing friends join the counting of grace-gifts
257. a washing machine chugging along... I don't have to do my laundry on a rock in a piranha filled
   muddy river
258. there is enough milk for coffee this morning
259. the Bright and Morning Star (aka: Jesus, reference Chris Tomlin's "Glory in the Highest")

(Yes, I know that is Venus... a planet... not a star... but still a great shot. No?)

260. the Jesse Tree Advent devotional, printed and ready to use

This morning I was happy to see that my friend Louise had joined in the counting of the multitudes of gifts we count on Mondays over at the Gratitude Community hosted by Ann. I am one of those people that enjoys spreading the word about things I truly enjoy. It is encouraging to me to see someone join into something that has been life-changing for me.

I am truly thankful right now for a husband who knew that the template mess was going to be on my mind all day. My knight, who wasn't wearing medieval armor, stepped in and saved his damsel in distress. "Go ahead and take care of it now. I will get the kids started on their breakfast and school work." Such a good man I married. Dwelling with me according to the knowledge that he knew I would be stressed all day until I figured it out. Giving me a chance to fix the issues, without interruption. Though I never did get the old template to reload, I was able to configure one of Blogger's standard templates enough so that it looks close enough to my old one. It is doable and I am happy.

Prayer from the state of Frustration

2010-11-29T08:52:00.001-05:00

Last week as I was cleaning up my Macbook I must have (not realizing it) deleted my backup blog template. NOW it is messed up and I. can't. fix. it.
I went to where I got it from and it is not downloading correctly for installing.
I really don't need this added stress right now.
How am I to be thankful in this? It is Monday and time for posting my gratitude NOT my attitude.
Lord, I need your help and understanding so I can fix this mess and get on with my week, that is looking so busy it is already overwhelming me.
AND NOW it seems none of my linkage is NOT working... nothing is clickable in my posts or in my sidebar!!! HELP!

Continuing My Fight

2010-11-22T11:51:00.002-05:00

Ann writes it... a Fight for Joy, a gratitude journal, a listing of gifts...

Johnson Oatman, Jr. wrote it this way...

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Refrain

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Refrain

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,

Do not be disheartened, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Refrain

Something tells me Johnson Oatman, Jr. understood it.

191. The thin streak of brightest orange low on the horizon...

192. in the amount of time it takes to scoop four rounded mounds of dark brown deliciousness into is paper bed...

193. the horizon gives birth to its deep red-orange orb of warmth.

194. brick that stands indifferent...

195. to the blasts of howling wind.

196. long soft blond tangled by a good night's rest

197. the clattering of silverware on counter top...

198. as the artist-son prepares his meal alone...

199. so he can wage a successful ambush on his day of colonizing, averaging, and punctuation.

200. hearing him, now joined by his smallest sister, unselfishly prepare Little Miss Independent's breakfast too.

201. the quiet gentle loving banter between he and she

202. he speaks to her in gentle tones, teaching her as he goes along

203. Remembering her shocked-out-loud reaction of "Aye-yi-yi!" As the woman with the bobbed florescent lime green wig passes us in the store.

204. That she reminds me of it a month later, as we walk the same aisle, with a laugh and a grin.

205. crackle and snap from the fireplace

206. "Wanna sit with me? There is room enough for both of us." ~quiet son to smallest daughter

207. noticing my twelve year old has quietly begun her own "gift list" ...quietly counting like her mama

208. seeing a son's tender heart exposed

209. the sounds of three kids playing "Thomas"

210. ideas being exchanged and cooperation taking place with no arguing or bossing

211. adult dinner with friends

212. a website approved faster than expected

213. a space heater doing it's job

214. some one willing to host my first Gathering

215. an abundance of new reading material...

216. a rearranged room providing space for a small desk

217. "Are you washed in the blood, in the soul cleansing blood of the lamb?" sung by the quiet six year old as he races train around track

218. yesterday's sermon, God speaking so clearly through my husband.

219. Our time of planting on foreign soil

220. being reminded by the Lord that she is twelve and alive and not in a grave at age two

221. Gloria Inting

222. That the friends we met while leaving the field have continued on a friendship with a special couple we introduced them to

223. Witnessing my parents join our church, choosing a son-in-law to be their Pastor, with eyes brimming -theirs and mine.

224. falling asleep listening to the quiet cries of an owl in the distance. (a drastic change from noisy chickens, whiney goats, and the unsettling bellows of a cow only ten feet from your pillow, as he lounges against your compound wall.)

225. snapping and popping of the oil filled space heater warming up

226. He gives "oil of joy for mourning"

227. and "the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness," heaviness that was brought on by double-standards set against me.

228. and "beauty for ashes" ~Isaiah 61:3

229. a dry puppy cage at 8AM!

230. the honking of Canadian geese heard overhead...

231. their shadowy outlines barely seen in the thick morning fog.

232. silky soft puppy ears

233. a plate of cinnamon-applesauce ornaments made for me when I was unable to stay for the craft fellowship.

234. that they remembered me and thought of me... their pastor's wife

235. Seeing the front of the church filled with children practicing for a Christmas play.

236. the indwelling and filling of the Holy Spirit...

237. that He wants me to seek Him so much that my 'life-glass' overflows with His 'living water-Spirit'...

238. that He speaks through his Word

239. tight buds on a plant that has never bloomed

240. a husband's plans for decorating for Christmas

I am thankful the Lord brought me across Ann Voskamp's blog. Meeting her in person and witnessing first hand the grace flowing through her. This listing of gifts. The reading of her book. God is teaching so much through it all and is intertwining His own confirmation and added blessing through his Word during private personal reading done parallel. Thankful to know God is teaching and leading and I am hearing it and paying attention...

Being Reminded by God

2010-11-21T21:48:00.003-05:00

This morning as my husband was preaching he mentioned 1 Peter 5:7.

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

And God whispered,

"She is twelve now.

She is alive.

She is healthy.

She is sitting right beside you."

Gratitude filled and almost spilled.

I put my arm around her and pulled her close and kissed love on her smooth soft cheek.

She looked at me a bit stunned.

She doesn't remember.

But I do.

She doesn't remember at the age of two, being in the ICU at Children's hospital fighting for her life.

She doesn't remember her lungs filling with fluid.

She doesn't remember being tested for everything under the sun, from Lyme disease to scarlet fever.

She doesn't remember the rash that covered her and the high fever that raged.

She doesn't remember being on the edge of anaphylactic shock.

She doesn't remember that WE. WEREN'T. THERE.

BUT GOD WAS...

She doesn't remember that Daddy and Mommy were on a survey trip, literally on the other side of the earth.

She doesn't remember that her father had just preached "Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you." And then in within moments being asked by God to

LIVE.

IT.

OUT.

She doesn't remember how we prayed and begged God for her life. It was very literally...

ALL WE COULD DO.

We could not get there faster. We could not hold her. We could not kiss her brow while the fever waged war within her. We could not whisper in her ear that we loved her and that Jesus was taking care of her. That the Great Physician was in control.

All we could do was CAST OUR CARE ON HIM and trust him and his love and care for her... and us.

"For indeed he was sick nigh unto death:

but God had mercy on him;

and not on him only,

but on me also,

lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow."

~Philippians 2:27

She doesn't know that we could not get home any sooner. We were already scheduled to leave the very next day. But it would still take 48 hours to get there. That THAT fifteen hour flight across the Pacific was the longest in our lives because we had no contact to know her condition. We did not know if it had improved or gotten worse.

If she had lived...

or ...

We have told her.

She has heard the story of how God intervened and even the doctor's still can't explain what she had or what caused it or what exactly made it stop and go away.

She knows the story, but she doesn't remember it like we do.

God remembers.

O how I need him to remind me of it.

EVERY.

SINGLE.

DAY.

(The first photo was taken in Scotland, A WEEK after being released from the hosptial. We arrived home to a little girl sleeping soundly in her crib safe and sound ...and healthy. In less than a week we left for Scotland. The second photo was taken this past May.)

***edit*** As she read this post she commented, "almost spilled? I should think it puddled." Totally in love with her literary mind and how it shapes the way she expresses herself.

Cardboard Bullies

2010-11-20T07:55:00.000-05:00

At the Relevant Conference, I was introduced to Blessings Unlimited. I truly like the products they offer.

This is my favorite:

Isn't it beautiful?

Each piece with a blessing to be thankful for.

So I decided to take the plunge into becoming an Independent Consultant. I paid my money and received my 'business kit'. It arrived and my husband carried the boxes into the house and

there.

they.

sat.

Taunting me to fail.

"You'll never be good at this." They whispered.

"You wasted your money." They glared at me when I walked by, big cardboard bullies just daring me to open them and unpack the treasures inside.

So they stayed there.

Every time the whispering began I countered it with, "God, help me with this. I feel overwhelmed and I don't want to be a quitter... AGAIN."

I even called the 'home office' and asked about sending them back to their ~~dark cave~~ warehouse.

I could have... but... I didn't.

My husband encouraged me to try.

"Try it. Ask God to bless it. You may feel better about it after your first Gathering."

I have found one person willing to extend some grace and attempt my first Gathering.

So I have jumped off the cliff into the unknown world (to me) of small business and even set up a Blessings Unlimited website. (At the moment the intro is hard to read with no line breaks. Working on fixing that. Not sure what happened. I followed the directions and saved it in HTML but...?)

ANYWAY... Click on over and check it out! You have Christmas shopping to do right? I'm sure you will find something for someone on your list. (wink wink, shy smile)

If you think on it... pray for me as I wade into the ocean of sales.

The Most Valuable Gift

2010-11-18T10:17:00.002-05:00

This holy tide of

Christmas

doth bring

redeeming grace!

O tidings of comfort and joy,

comfort and joy,

O tidings of

comfort

and

joy!

Nineteen years ago today,

if you had told me I was going to be the mom of four kids,

I might have laughed in your face.

Nineteen years ago today,

if you had told me I was going to be a missionary in a foreign country,

one only half-steps away from being a third-world country,

I might have asked what you had been drinking

-and might have asked for some myself.

Nineteen years ago today,

if you had told me I was going to be a pastor's wife,

I might have wondered what had caused you to loose your mind.

Nineteen years ago today,

I was living my life for myself.

Nineteen years ago today,

I had no idea what grace was.

Nineteen years ago today,

I was on a my down that broad road

headed straight for hell.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:"

~Ephesians 2:8

Nineteen years ago, on Christmas Eve,

Christmas music took on a much deeper meaning.