Saturday, April 25, 2009

Lazy Saturday morning

Today I had the privilege of sleeping in a little longer than usual. But when I woke up I was greeted by a beautiful day waiting for me. As I stepped out my back door to let the dog out, the most beautiful red winged blackbird was singing a song just for me. It made me smile. So I decided to sit on the back porch, read a devotion and take in all the sights and sounds this morning offers. Too many to try and remember so, I grabbed the laptop and here I am. Looks like the endless gifts that I might normally miss are being showered upon me this morning. Thank you, Lord.

13. The song of a red winged black-bird beckoning to the sun

14. The brightest color cardinal I have ever seen singing back-up for him

15. A gentle breeze that kisses my cheek

16. The leaves of the maple tree pushing their way through to see what the world has to offer.

17. The sounds of the waterfall (from the koi pond) that remind me how Gods love contiuously washes over me.

18. A dog that doesn't let me sit too long before telling me that she is ready to be fed! She keeps me moving whether I like it or not-lol.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Endless Gifts

I stopped over to a blog earlier today and came across the neatest challenge. A challenge to start seeing all the special blessings and gifts in your life. I loved it. So, I will be posting lists from time to time to help me get to where I recognize 1000 or more gifts in just the everyday.

As I was reading over some of my older posts I noticed that I have taken some time to see gifts in my everyday, ordinary world. So I will go through and list those first.

1. For my Lord and Savior and the sweet bursts of sunflowers that He send my way in late summer.

2. My wonderful, beautiful husband that loves me regardless of my many faults.

3. Songs that remind me how lost I would be without Him.

4. The love of my family and friends

5. My sense of humor.

6. My four-footed, furry children who love me unconditionally.

7. His Word that gives me new treasures each and every time I read it.

8. My beautiful parents who have provided the perfect example of love.

9. The brightest colored blue-bird that reminds me that my God loves and cares for even me.

10. The smell of spring and all its promises

11. Simplicity

12. Fall sunrises over misty waters

I can't wait to see how the list proceeds now that I will be consciously looking for the beauty in the ordinary. If your visiting and are working on your own list let me know- I would love to check them out!

looking at the everyday in a new light......

julie

Thursday, April 16, 2009

A Camping We Will Go!

Well it is that time of year again! Its time for us to get the ole camper ready and head out for some weekend fun with some very good friends. Last week we were camping in a big cabin with family and this weekend we will be out in the camper sitting by a camp fire taking in all the sights and smells of spring!

My best friend and I were talking at lunch today. As we walked out of the office, and we took a deep breath of the fresh spring air, I said that I think that Heaven must smell like spring! She totally agreed. The smell of all that was dead over a long dreary season comes alive with the brights colors and refreshing smells of life beginning anew. If I haven't said it before (yes I know I have)...I LOVE SPRING!

We are so looking forward to going out in our campers first trip of the season. This is where it all starts - a camping season full of good friends, food and laughter. I love it- and I never ever want to take it for granted!


Let us go early to the vineyards to see if the vines have budded, if their blossoms have opened, and if the pomegranates are in bloom— there I will give you my love.

Song of Solomon 7:11-13

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Let the mountains sing

God never fails to amaze me. Just when I think that I have it all figured out- I realize that I don't. Hubby and I spent a long Easter weekend with friends and family upstate at a cabin. I was so looking forward to this weekend for a while. I love our trips to the mountains-God never ceases to amaze me with His handiwork. I was hoping to spend some time alone with Him - and do some much needed catching up. But needless to say...He had other ideas in mind and in the end it worked out to be for the best.

In a cabin filled with almost 30 people its hard to find some quiet alone time with God. I went to my bedroom but the floors and wall are so thin that my thoughts were drowned out by my nephews who were having tons of fun downstairs. I tried to go for a walk by myself to just breathe and think but that was not part of His plan either. My little 4 year old nephew wanted to join me in the worst way- I could not say no. He wanted to spend time with me, just like I wanted to spend time with God. So, we walked. And talked. More walking...more talking and I loved it. We talked about all the different trees and buds that were starting to burst. We talked about how God made them all. "Why did God make them?" he asked. I simply said "Because He loves us so much"

"Jesus loves me!" Jon exclaimed.
"Yes, he sure does!" I replied.

Then we walked back in silence to the cabin. Sure, it wasn't what I thought I needed that morning but it definitely surpassed my expectations.

Then Hubby, Dad and 3 cousins took off that afternoon in search of some waterfalls and what we found made us speechless.

"I don't care what anyone says...there is nothing like looking at Gods handiwork here in the mountains!" Dad said as-a-matter-of -factly.
I couldn't agree with him more!


One thing I know is that you don't have to go certain places to see the God all around you. He is everywhere but some places sure do make the view so much sweeter!


Let the rivers clap their hands,
Let the mountains sing together for joy
Psalm 98:8

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

New Look

Well I changed the look of the blog ...again. I like change...sometimes...lol.

This would be one of the times I actually like it.

Looking forward to going to the mountains this weekend with the family. I have some much needed time to catch up with my heavenly Father. We have a "date" so to say- no distractions.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend.

julie

;)

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Springtime...well maybe...

Here in Pennsylvania the weather has been a little unpredictable lately. About 3 weeks ago I was so proud of myself. My father and I had gotten in our garden and got all our "early" crops in. We planted spring onions, sugar peas, lettuce, cabbage, and cauliflower. Well let just say... apparently it was too early (for some unknown reason) because within two weeks of us planting we ended up having a cold spell that lasted for just about a week. Long enough to make my cabbage and cauliflower plants shrivel up into nothing.

Well, nothing stops dad. He calls me last week and tells me that he will be going and getting some more cabbage and cauliflower plants and will plant them the following day while I am work. I come home from work on Friday to find a nicely planted garden bed with beautiful looking plants. And now once again, the cold has decided to return. Tonight Dad came over and we covered our crops and are hoping for the best. He goes on to tell me that he never had problems planting around this time in all his 80 years. I smile and say- it must be me! We giggle and laugh over the changing of the weather and season.

I love spring. I love planting and watching everything come to life. However, I think what I love more is the time I get to spend with my Father during this time of year. He loves to come over to my house and help me tend the garden. I have to be honest...its his garden- I plant one because I know he loves to tend to it. I love that he loves to tend to it. I love the way we work together and the way he tells me this and that needs to be done. He is the epitome of what I think my Heavenly Father is. He loves me....and he loves tending me and my garden. I cherish every moment that we share together. And I thank my Heavenly Father for the gift of my wonderful parents to share these special seasons together.

I look at my earthly Father and see how much he loves me and I am amazed that my heavenly Father loves me more than that. ...

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7)

Thank you Jesus