This Is How It Feels to Be Home

It was so much fun to go on our vacation trip and escape the cold for awhile and see the ocean and beautiful places in Florida and this is how it feels to be home. Just a couple pictures from tonight with grandkids. The smiles say it all.

"By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me-- a prayer to the God of my life." Psalm 42:8 Goodnight!

Fun at the beach

Our little grandson having fun. He liked the seagulls ❤on St Augustine Beach ❤

Goodbye St Augustine Florida till the next time

This was my phone today checking into the weather forcast. It was the last day to be in the SUNSHINE STATE for awhile. We had hoped to visit with our friend from Florida , Terri but it seemed best to head back north the faster route and get the little one, Oliver and his mommy back home. I am sure they are missed greatly by our son in law and dog Zorro. Oliver has been the picture of cuteness on this journey. As many pictures of him I have already I think I should start a blog, Adventures With Oliver. The weather forcast at home is only 32F today but it is suppose to go up to 50s and 60 soon so we escaped the worst of it. It was yucky weather at home while we were away. Now Spring is just around the corner! That is a great feeling. My daffodil leafs were starting to sprout up when we left. It will be sometime in March for them to flower all bright and yellow. Daffodils look so cheerful. Not long now and things will brighten up! I am sending this from my cell phone. The pictures are from my phone too. I will share more when I am home. Have a lovely day!

Morning in St Augustine with a toddler. Simply photos

St Augustine Sunrise with a toddler

I do not have time to write but they say a picture says a thousand words! Good morning from ST Augustine Beach We dont have a dog with us but this cute dog saw a cute baby and came up to say hi!

Beached Out!

Before he could even eat his snack. Ordering lunch to go and heading to the hotel to rest 

Forever Sunshine in My Heart ❤️🌸

Yesterday was a beautiful day here in St Augustine. We went outside early in the morning and sat on the balcony. It has been a long time since I woke up to 62F weather, I could get used to this! It is not even March yet! After breakfast we walked to the beach. I love the waves on the Atlantic Ocean. It feels so natural for me to be by water. I seriously don't think I could ever take forgranted the vast and magnificent beauty of oceans and the great lakes. I love waterfalls and rivers too. Some day I hope to see Niagra Falls. We walked to the fishing pier after some fun at the beach. There was a big pelican on the rail. I got a little too close and it squaked at me. I got scared and we all laughed. It was fun!

We shopped at my favorite gift shop in St Augustine Beach, had lunch, then Oliver ook a nap. When he woke up we went to the old historical city and also saw the Fort. It was a lovely evening. I will post more photos at a later time. It is good to be able to spend this time with family. We plan on doing some more fun things today, not in any particular order but as we please.

Have a lovely day. Be blessed by the best!

Photo of the Day!

This is the cutest photo at the Florida Welcome Center

We are on the road yet 🌴🌺❤️

 

Rolling Down The Highway

"Sometimes, all we really need is a break in a beautiful place to figure everything out."

~Unknown

We are heading to the beautiful city of St Augustine Florida. These photos are from another time but the views never get old.

Rolling down the highway now about two hours to the Florida welcome center. It is suppose to be a sunny and beautiful week! So excited!

 

The Gift Of Reflecting

 

The Gift of Reflecting

Through my minds eye I can see the places where I used to roam. Seasons change yet memories remain of what has shaped me both joy and pain.

Some things are clear yet others fade. Past and present are woven into the story of life.

Yesterday was never mine alone. Just as a tapestry is woven together  I have always been a part of something much larger than myself. I have had family that love me and teachers who have helped me .

There are acquaintances who have grown to be some of the dearest friends to me.

History never truly ends. the past blesses us with the possibility to learn 

and to make wiser choices when needed. We can also be  inspired by others victories. It is a gift for you and me.

              Cheryl L N

Sunset at the farm

 One of my favorite walking places is up to the farms. It only takes about 15 minutes from our little subdivision. The sunsets can be so beautiful . It is so peaceful.

Drinking From My Saucer

The Mumu cup was my grandma's cup then my mother's and now mine. It simply means Grandma in Finnish. I love being a grandma! 

The jar in the back had jam in it. I bought it from the mill pictured on it.

Here is a poem that I did not write but may be a lot of you can recognize it. 

It is a timeless classic.

Drinking from My Saucer

by John Paul Moore

I’ve never made a fortune and it’s probably too late now.

But I don’t worry about that much, I’m happy anyhow.

And as I go along life’s way, I’m reaping better than I sowed.

I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘Cause my cup has overflowed.

I don’t have a lot of riches, and sometimes the going’s tough.

But I’ve got loved ones around me, and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for his blessings, and the mercies He’s bestowed.

I’m drinking from my saucer, ’Cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong, my faith wore somewhat thin.

But all at once the dark clouds broke, and the sun peeped through again.

So, God, help me not to gripe about the tough rows that I’ve hoed.

I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage, when the way grows steep and rough.

I’ll not ask for other blessings, I’m already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy, to help others bear their loads.

Then I’ll keep drinking from my saucer, ‘Cause my cup has overflowed

I have never known what being rich is like. My great grandparents and grandparents and even my own parents had struggles in life to provide for large families. Yet in all this they were rich in the things that mattered. God has been faithful through many generations. 

I'm thankful for God's love and grace and for watching over me and protecting me even in the times I have made unwise choices, I find myself reflecting on years past and the things I have been taught not only by words but by example. My parents were not perfect, but they were the best that I could ever ask for. Dad lived a quiet faith, and his favorite verse was Micah 6:8

"He has shown you, O man, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justly,

To love mercy,

And to walk humbly with your God?

Who could ask for more?

I love this picture of my dad and mom when they were still living in their farmhouse. So much joy! 

I miss them so much!

The Mill here in Indiana when it was first built.

Dad and Mom's Farm in Michigan. Long since sold. Good memories.

Be Of Good Cheer

 This is Marquette, Harbor Lighthouse in Marquette, Michigan. It is one of my favorite places. I have spent so much time in this area growing up and every year I visit it. This is a summer picture. I may post pictures from other seasons someday. All of the seasons are beautiful. 

Perfect Love

 You are loved!

The poem I wrote came about when I was thinking back in time about being a child and how I used to love to walk the fields at my grandma's country house. I remember so clearly looking up at the blue sky and seeing the fluffy white clouds. I used to imagine things from the shapes of them and daydream. It was peaceful and life was good, much less complicated than it gets when we grow older although I think we as adults tend to complicate things that are meant to be simple. Hurts come and we try and protect ourselves, but God never changes. He is the One I talked to in my childlike way years ago when prayer involved more of simply being in wonder of the beauty all around me. Curtis Steven Chapman sings a song, "Fingerprints of God" speaking of how we are God's precious creation. I look at nature, the sky, the trees and the beauty of mountains and lakes and the creatures that He has made, and I see His fingerprints. God is love, pure and holy. I think that is one of the reasons I like to walk so much. There is still that childlike wonder inside of me and I just need to be reminded that God never changes. He has been and He always will be love.

 

Perfect Love

 

Come unto me my little one and walk the fields beneath the sun,

I have not changed through the years you've known; you are my child; you are my own.

I am Spirit and I am sky, the twinkle in a loved one's eye,

I am the song that nature sings, the simplicity of a flower, the wonder of kings.

 

I am not linked to time nor space; I am love and I am grace

I am the Good Samaritan, the oil of healing to the wounded soul

I am the eye within the storm that sees that you are safe from harm.

I am the One who draws you near, the perfect love that casts out fear.

                               Cheryl L N

 

 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17 NIV

The photos I took are from a nearby parkland. I am looking forward to seeing the wildflowers again.