Friday, January 29, 2010

Home on the Range

It's an old song...I sang it often as a little girl.

Who knew that it would become a theme in my life...

"where never was heard a discouraging word,
and the skies are not cloudy all day."


I thought about this song while watching sheep in a field. 

Strolling through the field felt like being 'home on the range.'

Instead of deer and antelope, I saw sheep play...

On the three and a half hour walk, the conversation with my husband was quite encouraging.

The sky was a beautiful blue with full, puffy clouds. 

Today, I am remembering, reflecting, reviving...

in my everyday 'home on the range.'


Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Still under construction

Today was filled with reminders that I am still being transformed.

I am grateful for the patience of the One who created me;

the One who sees me and loves me;

the One who knows how to hold me when I feel fragile;











the One who is Truth - knowing Truth sets me free...

oh for grace to know You more!


Monday, January 25, 2010

Calm in the storm


On days like today when the:

electricity went out just before dawn;

work never ebbed throughout >8 hours;

dilemmas demanded decisions - NOW!

I am reminded to be thankful for: (#s 88-98)

his warm and inviting hug when I walk in the door;

daughter's laughter on the telephone - so far away and yet so close;

son's smile that comes through the phone line;

mothers who keep giving through memories made long ago;

fathers who lived and loved in the way they knew how;

birth families who helped make us who we are today;

friends who linger over tea and conversation;

the next generation living authentically;

Everlasting Love;

Redeeming Savior;

Ever present Comforter...


holy experience

Friday, January 22, 2010

Winter's Ocean: A Reminder of Life

"You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you; the days of my life all prepared before I even lived one day. " Psalm 139:15-16 (The Message)


Walking on a winter's afternoon; in awe of the ocean's Creator;


Remembering God's thoughts -


more numerous than the sand on the beach;


Remembering the Lord made me; He knows me well...


Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Hope Inside Haiti


In the midst of the devastation in Haiti, hope peeks out in various ways.

My high school classmate and her husband are blessed to own a company in Haiti. They have provided employment opportunities to at least one hundred people over the years. Now they are extending help and hope to employees through the provision of clean water, food, and other assistance.

Another glimpse of hope inside Haiti is the Saint Rock Haiti Foundation which provides free healthcare to the rural community of Saint Rock. As you seek ways in which to offer help and bring hope to Haiti go to the Saint Rock Haiti Foundation website at www.saintrock.org/aboutus.html.

The place of trouble can be a doorway to hope...

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Singing in the Cold




I woke up early to complete work. As I sat at my desk, I noticed a sound that seemed out of place. As I listened more closely, I realized I heard birds chirping - on one of the coldest days this winter!
As the sound captured my attention, I stopped momentarily to enjoy it.
Later, I wondered how often this week I allowed the coldness in my soul and the difficult circumstances I faced to block the songs that could have been sung. It has been a hard week for one reason or another.
Hearing the birds sing brought a smile to my face and gave me new perspective.
It is possible to sing in the cold.
Today, on my way to work, I sang my song...