Evening and Morning Shadows

Good Morning and all is well.

We got the little one over a couple days. His mommy and daddy are celebratinng their wedding anniversary.

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. ~Helen Keller~

Sunday Roses and Sniffles

My life is not perfect but I am blessed and everything seems to be coming up roses in my front yard. The second round of roses has begun. I brought the rocking horse out for our 2 year old grandson because we are painting the room we keep it in. I also brought toys out for him but I am enjoying the rocking horse being in here. It looks so cute. I am staying home today because I have the sniffles and keep sneezing. Wouldn't be too good sitting through church that way surrounded by people. Good to know God can speak to our hearts everywhere and He does if we listen closely. He certainly has created so much beauty.

Tall Shadows Morning Walk

It is nice to get up earlier in the coolest part of the day in the summer.

Once again I we were enjoying the beauty of creation at this quiet park. I didn't take as many pictures this time. I was thinking how wonderful it would be to capture the vastness of the meadows and the scent of the wildflowers and clovers. It would be good to be able to share the cool of the breeze but perhaps imagination can take you there. Hope your weekend is wonderful!

One of the funny memories I have of my dad is a question he would ask, "Guess what I saw today?" then we would ask, "What?" His answer was simple, "Everything I looked at." it worked better with the little kids but they caught on quickly. I ask my grandkids that now and they roll their eyes and grin. Now I think my family could ask me, "Mom, grandma, what did you take photos of today and I could almost answer (slight exaggeration) , "everything I looked at!" One of the downfalls about taking too many pictures is that a person can focus so much on getting that perfect shot of something lovely or funny or whatever that they miss the life around them that is happening. It's kind of like the old saying not seeing the forest for the trees. These days that also includes cell phone and facebook and selfie shots, none of them are in themselves bad except when they begin to consume us. Seriously I think many of us including myself have missed out on the best at times being caught up in the technology of today. For all the newness that we live in with modern advances some things remain the same. Jesus is calling us into a deeper more intimate walk with Him and satan is trying to distract us as much as possible but we have a choice to find a place where we can listen for His voice and focus on Christ Jesus and what He is speaking to our hearts through the Holy Spirit. It's not always easy to find a physically quiet place especially if you are a mom of small children, a caretaker, and many more scenarios but our Heavenly Father can hear our prayers above all the noise of this world and life's events. He hears our smallest whisper and if we sincerely long to be in His presence He will lead us and bless us with the peace that transcends our limited understanding. There may still be chaos in our life but He is the one who calms us through whatever any day holds. Focus on Christ and His love and seek to know Him and He will lead you and equip you for whatever task He has before you. My dad loved the Lord so much and I am so thankful for the love he had for me and and all of our family. He reached out to a lot of people in his life. Right now I would like to ask him, "What did you see today daddy?" I know that is not possible but I imagine heaven must be far more beautiful than anything here on earth. These moments on earth whether happy or sad , easy or difficult will all be worth it when we look upon Jesus face to face!

2 Corinthians 4:17,18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal

1 Corinthians 2:9 King James Version (KJV) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

New Baby

One of the highlights of Father's Day weekend was getting to hold our new great grandson. It was an amazing feeling to hold the little one and reflect on times holding our own babies then grandbabies and now great grandbabies. Our grandaughter and her husband will be very busy with a 3 year old 1 year old and newborn!

Father Daughter

This is my husband with our only daughter. We have 3 boys and 1 girl. We love them all but there is something unique and special about that father daughter connection. I am blessed to have a husband who is a good family man and the children grew up seeing his love for me and them through his integrity and nurturing. He has always cared for us all. Since it is soon Fsthers Day it is good to especially honor my husband and father of my children.

Fishing with grandpa "PaPa"

The picture is of my dad and my youngest son who is now a grown man so many years ago. I am in the background. My dad went to be with the Lord in Heaven but there are so many wonderful memories of him and his influence still remains in my life. He sure did love his family and grand children. Just a picture here that I like a lot. Enjoy the small things in life!

The Short Version of the Long Version

God breaks the chains of addiction whatever they may be. What may come to our minds when hearing or seeing the word addiction most likely is alchohol or drugs or other sorts of things that destroy our bodies or injure others as well but some things seem to be more "acceptable" There are so many things that people struggle with on a daily basis. Some of the things have a root to past hurts. Those who have suffered from unhealthy relationships or family situations might build walls to try to protect themselves from further damage but the sad thing is they might be keeping out some of lifes greatest blessings, those who truly do value and care for them. I think in my own life there's a part of me that thinks that I need to try and keep peace and I sometimes sacrifice what is healthy to try to keep other people happy. Yes it is good to be a peacemaker and yes it is good to bring joy into others lifes but there are times that I have tried so hard with loved ones that I forget to take time for myself and my own health of mind and body.

Life presents to us many defining moments and it is up to us if we will choose wisely.

Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him, For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Issac and Jacob.

In the last month I have had a defining moment. It has brought to light how fragile life is. We do not know from one moment,day, month or year what we or someone we love may be facing. In my case it was how close I came to losing my sister and the very best friend I have this side of eternity. She suffered a massive heart attack and had to have emergency open heart , double bypass surgey. She lost a great deal of blood and was unable to get off the ventilator as soon as the doctors hoped. We all hoped and prayed! It was uncertain which way things might go but the Lord protected her and she is on the road to recovery, It's not a quick or easy process, A couple days ago they aspirated a liter of fluid out of a lung. She feels better now but is naturally very tired yet.

She is making progress. She sent me a photo of her walking yesterday, she is using a walker until her strength builds up but she looked so great to me. All those little walks and each new day of God's sunshine and faithfulness are making a difference. She is a tiny little lady small but mighty I say. I thank God for her with all my heart.

I sure do not understand why the bad things and trials happen in life but I do know that my sister and I are not only sisters by natural birth but children of God and he gives us the strength to get through lifes toughest times. Since this all happened I've thought so much about human frailty and yet the fact that we hold Gods treasure in vessels of clay.

We have God's treasure in these jars of clay, This last defining moment has shifted my thinking. I want to take better care of what God's given me and to take care of this "jar of clay" body that I live in physically, emotionally and of course spiritually.

My sister in on the road to recovery and I seem to be on a journey. I can't explain everything that means because I don't really know what is happening but I want to honor God and what he has for me in this life. All my days are in his hands. That is the best place for them to be!

Morning Song

Be not discouraged oh child of God, And know that He’s your strength and song

Although the night may seem so long, He’s singing over you.

Oh come to where the waters flow, That bring sweet healing to your soul,

Let the sunshine of His love and grace, Direct you towards a higher place

Rise up ,rise up on wings of prayer, Where faith and hope replace despair,

Release to Him your every care, Let songs of praises fill the air. Cheryl L N 4-6-2020

Psalm 42:8 NIV By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.

I wrote the poem a couple years ago. There sure has been a lot that happened in the last couple years but God is faithful. There have been some trying times but also so many times of rejoicing,

Just to Keep in Touch

I started trying to work on a blog here more than once in the last week or so but I just wasn't comfortable posting it. Sometimes too much of what I am feeling comes through which can be a good thing but sometimes it is just too personal or based on emotions and better not to share at the time. The last couple weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions. I am Ok and I am ever so thankful for my sister coming through her hesrt surgery but this healing is going to be a process. She is doing well. I just do not know what to say right now. God has got this, it shall be well. I am keeping things simple as possible. The photos are from a pond at the 4H Fair grounds. We went there last night. It was lovely. Goodnight and God bless you.

Sunsets

Sunsets yesterday from Parklands and the farm close to home