I love the change of seasons. I get this little thrill just thinking about colorful leaves and orchard apples and gorgeous fall sunsets.
Except that entering a new season means leaving the old.
I was washing dishes tonight, looking out the window at the evidence of fall's approach. (Washing dishes is a perfect time for thinking and dreaming, you know? *wink*) I've looked out that window for years and years and I've washed countless dishes there. But when my family moves in a little over a month, I won't wash dishes there anymore. I won't watch the wildflowers dancing or see the sunlight glisten on the pond.
This home has woven its way into my heart-- "The Evergreens" as I affectionately called it during my pre-teen, Anne-of-Green-Gables-obsessed years (although I admit that I'm still obsessed with Anne!). So many memories here. I love the fields, the woods, the country roads. My little garden. My birch tree, "The White Lady" (more Anne-inspired names!). Leaving all of it is like trying to pull apart the threads that have been knitted in my heart-- it hurts.
But while I leave behind the places I love, I don't leave behind the people I love. Nor do I leave the memories. Memories are forever just as family is forever.
The old season gently fades, and the new one begins to unfold, an exciting adventure with its own unique beauty if we only have the eyes to see it.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Life is Beautiful When...
-a patient in cardiology brings surprise lilies for the nurses
-my co-worker and friend finds out her melanoma surgery was successful
-my twin brothers celebrate their 19th birthday (my baby bros are growing up!)
-my family laughs during a Scattergories game
-I take a convertible ride with my Micah in the passenger seat
-God works in my heart and reminds me once again of His unconditional love
-I see the workings of the Spirit in my teens at church
And finally, life is oh-so-beautiful when...
-I'm leaving tomorrow for the Army base to meet my man on his return from Iraq!!!
-my co-worker and friend finds out her melanoma surgery was successful
-my twin brothers celebrate their 19th birthday (my baby bros are growing up!)
-my family laughs during a Scattergories game
-I take a convertible ride with my Micah in the passenger seat
-God works in my heart and reminds me once again of His unconditional love
-I see the workings of the Spirit in my teens at church
And finally, life is oh-so-beautiful when...
-I'm leaving tomorrow for the Army base to meet my man on his return from Iraq!!!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Looking to Him for Joy
I heard it again today at church. Psalm 34:6. Didn't we have that verse last Sunday, too? Sure enough, I flipped through the pages to last week's Bible readings and it popped up again.
Hmm. Was God trying to tell me something? It's a good thing He doesn't mind repeating things when I just don't get it the first time!
Psalm 34:6 says, "Look to Him that you may be radiant with joy." There's a lot of good stuff packed in that short little verse...
Joy. That quality that every Christian is supposed to bubbling with. A smile always on our face. Positive thoughts and words always in my mind and on the tip of my tongue. Never a worry or a fear.
Right?
Not so much. One of my favorite definitions of joy is this: "Joy is that deep-settled confidence that God is in control of every area of your life." Wow. That doesn't sound like superficial smiles or trite sayings. Deep-settled confidence. Knowing God is in control.
That sounds more like a choice, a decision. Not a fleeting emotion.
And to make that decision, we "look to Him." He is the source of joy. We can only find that deep-settled confidence by looking to Him. If we are seeking Him, learning more about Who He is and about His amazing love, how can we not choose to have joy?
And when we have that true joy, then we will be radiant. Only when we have spent time with the Source of joy will we be able to share it, to radiate it, to others.
Hmm. Was God trying to tell me something? It's a good thing He doesn't mind repeating things when I just don't get it the first time!
Psalm 34:6 says, "Look to Him that you may be radiant with joy." There's a lot of good stuff packed in that short little verse...
Joy. That quality that every Christian is supposed to bubbling with. A smile always on our face. Positive thoughts and words always in my mind and on the tip of my tongue. Never a worry or a fear.
Right?
Not so much. One of my favorite definitions of joy is this: "Joy is that deep-settled confidence that God is in control of every area of your life." Wow. That doesn't sound like superficial smiles or trite sayings. Deep-settled confidence. Knowing God is in control.
That sounds more like a choice, a decision. Not a fleeting emotion.
And to make that decision, we "look to Him." He is the source of joy. We can only find that deep-settled confidence by looking to Him. If we are seeking Him, learning more about Who He is and about His amazing love, how can we not choose to have joy?
And when we have that true joy, then we will be radiant. Only when we have spent time with the Source of joy will we be able to share it, to radiate it, to others.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
"I am a princess. All girls are."
When invited to a princess party, it's best to dress like a princess. Because as Sara Crewe said, all girls are princesses, right?
(Me with Grant's niece Rosemary)
Monday, July 13, 2009
Little Thoughts
Life is beautiful…
-when the sun smiles down as I walk barefoot through the grass.
-when the smell of baking bread floats from the oven.
-when I cherish the moment and enjoy a bike ride with my family.
-when a call from my man in Iraq brightens my day and warms my heart.
-when we both get excited about the countdown until his homecoming.
-when I realize that once again I need to focus on my Jesus so that I can walk on water instead of sinking below the waves of life.
-when “the peace of God, which passes all understanding” is within my heart.
-when I understand that trials are a part of life and they do not necessarily mean we have wandered outside of God’s path for us, but that He is right beside us bringing good from the difficulties.
-when I see that life, rather than being a fearful unknown, is a joyful adventure.
-when the sun smiles down as I walk barefoot through the grass.
-when the smell of baking bread floats from the oven.
-when I cherish the moment and enjoy a bike ride with my family.
-when a call from my man in Iraq brightens my day and warms my heart.
-when we both get excited about the countdown until his homecoming.
-when I realize that once again I need to focus on my Jesus so that I can walk on water instead of sinking below the waves of life.
-when “the peace of God, which passes all understanding” is within my heart.
-when I understand that trials are a part of life and they do not necessarily mean we have wandered outside of God’s path for us, but that He is right beside us bringing good from the difficulties.
-when I see that life, rather than being a fearful unknown, is a joyful adventure.
Monday, June 22, 2009
When the storms come
The past week has been stormy. Not the exciting, gives-me-delicious-shivers type of thunderstorms outside, but the emotional storms within. Work was stressful. My hormonal workup blood draw is coming up this week. I miss Grant. My dad's job is unstable.
And my friend at work was diagnosed with melanoma.
I'll never forget last Thursday morning when she first heard the news. The cardiology girls gathered around her, sharing tears and hugs and heartache. A million thoughts running through our heads and yet not knowing what to think at all. The fears and the questions. The what if's and the why's.
On Sunday at church, I listened as the Gospel of Mark was read, chapter 4, verses 35-41. The Apostles on the storm-rocked boat...fearful, questioning. Wondering about the outcome.
So they went to Jesus.
I love the fact that He wasn't worried about the storm. That the wind and the crashing sea were nothing that He couldn't handle, nothing unexpected or surprising. Yet He cared about His followers, knew their fear...
And calmed the storm.
My friend had an appointment today with her doctor. He was reassuring and encouraging. The lesion is so unusual that it's possible it isn't melanoma after all. She will still have to undergo testing, but there is hope.
I know that the Lord is close when storms rage in our lives. I know that even when it may seem like He is sleeping, He is very much aware of what is going on. He knows our fears and our questions, our hopes and our hurts. When we come to Him, He will either help us weather the difficulties--or He will calm the storm.
Because He is the one "even the wind and the sea obey."
And my friend at work was diagnosed with melanoma.
I'll never forget last Thursday morning when she first heard the news. The cardiology girls gathered around her, sharing tears and hugs and heartache. A million thoughts running through our heads and yet not knowing what to think at all. The fears and the questions. The what if's and the why's.
On Sunday at church, I listened as the Gospel of Mark was read, chapter 4, verses 35-41. The Apostles on the storm-rocked boat...fearful, questioning. Wondering about the outcome.
So they went to Jesus.
I love the fact that He wasn't worried about the storm. That the wind and the crashing sea were nothing that He couldn't handle, nothing unexpected or surprising. Yet He cared about His followers, knew their fear...
And calmed the storm.
My friend had an appointment today with her doctor. He was reassuring and encouraging. The lesion is so unusual that it's possible it isn't melanoma after all. She will still have to undergo testing, but there is hope.
I know that the Lord is close when storms rage in our lives. I know that even when it may seem like He is sleeping, He is very much aware of what is going on. He knows our fears and our questions, our hopes and our hurts. When we come to Him, He will either help us weather the difficulties--or He will calm the storm.
Because He is the one "even the wind and the sea obey."
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Summer Fun at Cedar Point
Waiting in line for the Top Thrill Dragster...note how well our happy, carefree smiles mask the fear beneath...
120mph is just a little fast for me...
My brothers and me...with the Power Tower looming behind us
Paying time at the old western jail
Let's try a gentle coaster now, shall we? These were my last moments with those nifty, blue-rimmed $1 sunglasses-- someone stole them while I waited in line for the next ride. Peter thinks I am better off without them. And maybe he's right as I look at this picture...
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