Eleven Years Ago Today....

Eleven years ago today....
* I woke up with butterflys in my tummy anxiously awaiting one of the best days of my life

Eleven years ago today.....
*I was getting ready in a little room in the basement of our church. My mom and my bridesmaids were helping me make sure everything was just right.

Eleven years ago today....
*I took my daddy's hand and he we walked me down the aisle and placed my hand in yours and kissed me as he turned towards his seat.

Eleven years ago today....
*I looked into your eyes and we exchanged our vows in front of God and all of our friends and family. I knew without a doubt that God gave me you, my soulmate, to walk through this life together.

Eleven years ago today.....
*We had the best reception that I have ever been too (ok maybe I am a little biased). We sang and danced into the night with all of our friends and family. They cheered us on as we sang "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meatloaf. Oh how we laughed when the DJ said "They don't mean it! They don't mean it" when we got to the part about praying for the end of time......so I can end my time with you. We were always a little crazy...weren't we? I think we still are.

Eleven years ago today....
*I was scared of venturing into the roll of wife. Not knowing what it really meant and if I could really live up to everyone's expectations. Who am I kidding? I still feel that way sometimes....lol.

Through these eleven years loved ones have passed on, little ones have grown up and are having children of their own. We have lost but we have continued to love each other. We have laughed, we have cried and we have gotten the chance to see a lot of places I never thought we would see. Through it all....God is good and God is faithful.

Eleven years later, here and now, you have been my knight in shining armor, you have stood beside me and held me...you have reminded me that God has our back. You have been the kind of husband a little girl dreams about and the kind of husband that a little girls daddy prays about for his daughter. You are no doubt...an answer to prayers.

I thank God everyday for you....I can't wait to see where our next 11 years take us!

Love you always,

Seasons of Change

Its funny how August has slipped in so quickly and so quietly. I cannot believe that summer is coming to an end when I hardly noticed its arrival. The older I get the faster the seasons seem come and go and before we know it our own seasons will come to an end.

:::
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
:::

Seasons are not easy at times. Its hard letting go of the past and waiting for the next season to roll around. One thing that I have learned though, is how important it is to cherish the season your in and look for the good in it all.

Hubby and I are experiencing a change of season is our own life. This time is a season that has lasted for 8 years straight. The Lord is clearly directing us to step back and regroup. For the last 8 years we have led the youth at our church and we have come to know so many teens as our own. We finally feel its time to step back and watch them fly. Its time for someone new to step in and let us step back, search our hearts and look for the Lord's leading on what to do next. We have been so blessed to be a part of of a great group of childrens lives and I know that they have taught me much more than I probably taught them. Kids are funny like that.

In spite of feeling the lead to step back I know I will miss this season, for it has been all too familiar to me for quite sometime. Possibly that is the problem. When I become too familiar with something I tend to stay in my box. So, in order to move forward....I look back and count the blessings that this season has gleened. Life doesn't get any sweeter especially when your list includes everday blessings that the Lord puts in front of us:

206-217

~the privilege of walking beside so many of the young adults in our church and watching them as they find their groove with their Savior

~knowing that they have taught me so much more than I have taught them

~watching as the post college young adults (that were once in our youth group) take on leadership roles such as starting their very own 20-30 age group

~a funky caterpillar that is the wierdest thing I have ever seen.




~church picnics filled with food and fun

~weed free flower beds

~summer rains that quench thirsty plants

~my real living breathing miracle

~friends who send prayers heavenward for my fear filled doctor visits

~fresh cut sunshine in colorful vases



I pray that whatever season you may be in right now, you stop and take a minute to thank God for each one. Cherish them ....because when this season is over....you can't get it back.

If you haven't listed your blessings lately...won't you consider starting? Join the community here.

Blessed Beyond Measure

Its been two weeks since I have had time to sit and list the abundance of blessings in my life. The list is long this week...for this I am thankful. For when I remember all the blessings....my fears and worries dissipate.

Gifts 171-205

*big puffy clouds that dance across a right blue sky
*the serenade of a sweet birds song
*the sound of water that reminds me of how His love washes over me
*happy fur babies that greet me at the door
*time spent with dear hubby
*planting a seed
*watching it grow
*chasing God
*nuggets of truth slipped into my day
*prayers whispered in the dark
*gift of creation-our glimpse of His handiwork
*nieces on their graduation day
*time spent with friends
*a chat with an old neighbor
*getting to know a new neighbor
*dephiniums in bloom
*a job well done
*bluebirds playing
*the smell of a cool spring evening
*sugar peas fresh from the garden
*the name of Jesus (just saying His name makes a bad day better)
*summer rain quenching dry soil
*longs talks late into the night
*stars shimmering
*blue hydrangeas
*the gift of time
*an opportunity
*silly giggles
*baby kitten finding a loving home
*safe travels
*words of life that finally stick in this forgetful mind
*beef kabobs grilled to perfection
*healthy family
*answered prayers

If you haven't listed your blessings lately...won't you consider starting? Join the community here.





I pray that at the end of your day you will be found reflecting on all the good in your life.....

Blessings,

Multitude Mondays

151. weekend getaways

152. natures shelter



153. movie night with my favorite man

154. mountain pies

155. campfires

156. a game of dutch blitz

157. a new addition to the garden



158. safe travels

159. home sweet home



160. a game of wiffle ball

161. the muscles that hurt the day after the wiffle ball game

162. new life



163. Cracker Barrel lunches

164. fresh berries

165. rain kissed roses



166. a reminder written in stone

167. fresh cut sunshine



168. Yahweh reminders

169. unexpected visitors on a lazy Sunday night

170. 2 Timothy 1:7



**this list is a continuation of the Gratitude Gifts list that Ann has going on over at Holy Experience. To learn more about it please click on the 1000 Gifts link on the right hand side of my page.

Unending gifts

Have you heard about multitude Mondays? No? Check out what its all about here and soon you will be addicted to finding joy in the everyday......


134. plants producing




135. weekend plans with family

136. camping with a great group of friends

137. date night with the hubby

138. verses that are shared between friends

139. a treasured furry friend that serenades me while I work



140. laughter is indeed the best medicine

141. prayers that are answered one way or another

142. giggling girls that brighten my Thursday evenings

143. a story that inspires

144. a hot cup of green jasmine tea (with honey of course!)

145. enjoying a quiet moment

146. flowers with sweet scents

147. Puppy love



148. a job to go to

149. the privilege of praying for a friend in need

150. sweet tea

Taking time to be grateful

111. a new flower bed completed
112. the feel of the wind on my face
113. the smell of the morning air
114. my mothers love
115. my fathers broken ankle (that could have been so much worse)
116. yearning for more of Him
117. a fresh load of laundry
118. an empty hamper
119. a smile shared
120. sweet sunsets
121. a blanket of rain that waters the soil
122. His truth that speaks louder than my fears or tears
123. the smell of lilacs and lavendar
124. snuggly dogs
125. lazy Sunday afternoons
126. chocolate/vanilla twist cones with sprinkles
127. an afternoon drive with no destination in mind
128. campfires on cool nights
129. bright red cardinals on purple wisteria
130. a hubby who loves me just as I am
131. rainbows after rain to remind us of a promise
132. long projects at work that are finally completed
133. birds that still sing their sweet song in the midst of the rain ( I could learn a lot from them!)

Hard to Believe

I must say that this Christmas was one of the best Christmas's I remember having as an adult. This year we toned everything down to try and focus on the things that really matter. To try and focus on the one true gift in our lives. I did so much better this year...less worry...less stress and to be honest...I am a little disappointed that the celebration is over. Hubby and I made most of our gifts this year and it seemed to be a hit. Now the rest of our family thinks that should be the case from now on.....something homeade instead of stressing about what to buy and how much to spend. It really was a wonderful peaceful Christmas....

Its funny how things start going back to what the world considers normal. Christmas is nothing more than happy memories tucked inside my heart and mind right now. Monday meant back to work and back to reality after a nice long weekend filled with friends and family and lots of fun.
No more Merry Christmas's in passing...no more smiles and holiday hugs. All these seemed to have been replaced with those scurrying around scarfing up the after Christmas sales or exchanging gifts that don't fit or things they will never use. Everyone seems to fall right back into the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Going from one thing to the next..then the next...then the next. Many people are tearing down the seasons decorations and moving on to the next big thing.

I don't want it to end. I don't want the feeling of joy and peace that envelope me at Christmas to end or go away. The good news is it doesn't have to. I can still enjoy the Gift that keeps on giving. He is one thing that won't be boxed up and put away until next year. In fact, I want to unwrap Him again and again...each and every day. Everyday for the rest of this year and everyday of the new year.

Sometimes its hard to believe that God loves me enough to have sent the Ultimate Gift. One that never becomes outdated or broken. Its new everyday...and that is a beautiful thing!

"For God so loved the World that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Gifts overflow

71. the sound of laughter

72. the sun after a season of rain

73. fall decorations

74. the whisper of the wind

75. unexpected emails

76. a cup of hot tea

77. a fire to warm the body, heart and soul

78. curling up with a good book

79. a morning call to Mom

80. a day to just explore

81. warm apple dumplings on a chilly afternoon

82. the tapping of the rain of the roof

83. natures lullaby

84. a memory of good times past

85. dancing to the song in my heart (while no one is watching!)

86. a deer grazing

87. cinnamon candles

88. His words that make me want to KNOW more

89. His love that makes me want to BE more

Summers last hoo-rah....

This morning I took a moment to relish in summers last hoo-rah....please walk through the garden with me....

67. dew drops and daisies....

68. one last picking.......

69. things that look complicated...but still are so beautiful....

70. hope of what is to come...

71. the unexpected.....
May your weekend be filled with unexpected blessings.......

Still counting my blessings

I know its been a while...please forgive me. With the changing of the season comes more things to occupy my time it seems. Youth group kicks off again...and I feel like I am in a whirl wind of chaos. A good kind of chaos, though. Even so, I am still counting all those many blessings around me...

58. deer who quietly cross my path on my way to work

59. the crispness in the air that seems to breath new life into me

60. Paths He makes straight for me....61. His beautiful seasonal decorations.....

62. His light shining bright in my darkness...
63. Fresh peach pie...

64. a retreat with the Father of my heart and soul.....

65. the smiles on the faces of the children that I help lead

66. for the gift of time

Lord, thank you for these gifts, may I never ever take a single one for granted. This is the cry of my heart. In your name, Amen!

More Gratitude Gifts

46. lunchtime laughter with a cherished friend.
47. forgiving hearts
48. a day of absolutely nothing, yet filled with everything.
49. the aged hands of my earthly father who loves to help me garden
50. the love of a man that God set aside just for me
51. the gift of choice
52. a heart that loves to make others smile
53. mornings spent in devotion
54. the gift of prayer
55. learning to move past insecurities that try to hold me back
56. for a bench to rest
57. for a song in my heart

**this list is a continuation of the Gratitude Gifts list that Ann has going on over at Holy Experience. To learn more about it please click on the 1000 Gifts link on the right hand side of my page.

and the list grows on....

38. words that revive a dry parched soul.

39. a night shared with young teenage girls who teach me more than I teach them.

40. rain that revives a thirsty garden.

41. meeting friends who are looking for more of Him and who encourage me on my journey.

42. a new life born.

43. reconnecting with old friends who have lost touch.

44. fears that subside

45. peace that resides


**this list is a continuation of the Gratitude Gifts list that Ann has going on over at Holy Experience. To learn more about it please click on the 1000 Gifts link on the right hand side of my page.

Sweet Sundays

#32- Blue skies in July

#33- Breakthroughs

#34-Natures color wheel

#35- sweet silence to reflect on all our blessings

#36-Contentment

#37-attentiveness to all that surrounds

A Perfect Way to Start the Day

I woke up surrounded in love this morning. The love of two dogs and a cat. Not to mention a hubby that had already rolled out of bed due to lack of room. When I opened my eyes I had a black lab on one side of me and a yellow lab on the other side staring at me with tails waggin'. The cat, well, he of course was curled up by my head purring like crazy in my ear. After saying good mornings, I turned over and reached for my Bible and opened the pages.....

"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day" 2Timothy 1:12

I must have read over these words many times before, however, they really jumped out at me this morning. What have I entrusted to him for today? What have I been doing each morning? Honestly, I have not been entrusting him with my days. I have been trying to fix, change and handle everything. Now I know why I have been struggling.

So today, a new day. A new way to begin my days from now on. With a little help from my four legged furry children of course........


Lord, today I give you everything. Whatever may come, whatever may not come its okay because you are in control and I am not. Take my worries and hold on to them for me...I trust you with them. Thank you for this great reminder today. Help me hold onto these words all through my days.


#31- Perfect ways to start days

Details

Details. Wow! When you stop and really look at things in your ordinary everyday life you realize that there are so many tiny little details that you just don't take notice to on a daily basis.

I was walking around the yard this evening and I noticed. I noticed how detail oriented God really is. Sure, I know he cares about the little things as much as He cares about the big things but He really went above and beyond in pointing things out to me that I may normally overlook in the hurriednss of my day.

Note to self: This is one of the those times He is reminding you to slow down. To stop and notice the details.

Well, I have decided to take you on a tour and join me in some details. Nothing profound just a reminder....

My purple butterfly bush always looks so beautiful when its blooming. The blooms look like they have been strategically placed in a spiral pattern up the stem. And just how did God get that orange dot perfectly placed in the center of each tiny flower?

My yellow butterfly bush which is right next to the purple one makes me smile when I look at it. It is just now starting to bloom. This one looks like yellow pom poms.

My obedient plant. (that is really the name of it). I bought it as a reminder to be obedient to His calling in my life. It looks so delicate but since I have planted it I have found out that this plant can be quite invasive in some growing zones. Just one more reminder to me that I have to tame my humaness and rely more on Him.

Our sitting area by the koi pond. My favorite place to just sit and listen to everything all around me. The sound of the water can put me to sleep!

My little kids-lol. These are our Koi and yes, I have them all named. They are all so different and have so many bright colors. They even have different personalities. They love to be hand fed and love to be petted. Once again, a reminder that we are all different shapes and colors and personalities but God made us all. We also all long to be loved.

So this evening I am thanking Him for the details of my life. He knows every one of them by heart. He reminds me that with Him anything is possible.

Gratitude gift #30

For the love of lavender

As I was leaving my house yesterday, I was greeted by the sweet smell of lavender welcoming me to a new day. I smiled.

Heaven Scent.

Lavender has become one of my favorite plants. It intrigues me.

It gives off a fragrance that makes me smile. Lightens my load. Although it emits a sweet scent on its own-its fragrance becomes so much sweeter and overwhelming when it is touched.

How ironic.

I am so much sweeter when I am touched by Him and His Word. I have been touched by my Savior...does it show?

For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing~2 Corinthians 2:15

Can others scents his sweet fragrance all around me? Do I lighten their load?

Heaven Scent.

Bright, beautiful flowers emerge from plain, tall green spikes. They are connected to the stem that gives them life.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. ~ John 15:4

I become brighter and more beautiful on the inside when I am connected to Him. Each moment I spend with Him...I am changing. Looking for Him in the ordinary.....everyday.

Yesterday He came out of my love for lavender.

Thank you, Lord for moments like this. Gratitude gift # 28

Truly Heaven Scent.

Thursdays- Gratitude gift # 27

Well Thursdays have become my favorite day of the week. It all started almost 3 years ago with this fantastic group of people.

This is when it all started. Each and every Thursday we have a group of 5-6 teenaged gals who bombard our house to eat dinner with us and kick our butts in games all night. If you have read yesterdays post you will know that these gals hold a very special place in my heart that no one else will ever be able to fill. These gals are between the ages of 18-21 (almost) and they spend almost every Thursday with us just hanging out and being crazy.

I cannot imagine my life without them and I thank God each day for every one of them! ;)

First camping trip this season!

Dice Night

Gift of Friends- Gratitude Gift #26

Twenty three years ago, I started working at a 1-hour photo lab in the heart of Hershey. Who would have thought that working in the the sweetest place on earth would lead me into a family of friends that I will forever be tied to. My sister introduced me to the owners of the lab, Kaye and Eric and at 14 I began working part time for them while going to school. They had a son, David, who was about 1 at the time...he was full of firecrackers and giggles - I can still hear his deep giggle when he would be tickled under his chin. A few years later, their daughter Trish was born. Both children were no strangers to the photo lab. I still remember running photos through the machines while Trish was hanging from my hip. They were there everyday when I would go in to work, and I would pick them up and take them for slushy's at Turkey Hill. They would play in the back until it was time for them to go home...and then we would do it all over again the next day. We experienced many things together.....chicken pox, a robbery, getting over a Santa phobia, and too many others to mention. As the years rolled by, we became more and more like family. I got to see their sports activities and I got to know their friends. They saw me grow up and get married. I worked for Kaye and Eric for 14 years until they made the tough decision of shutting down the lab. This was a hard transition to deal with at first, but in the end it was the best decision they could make. I worked a few other places and for about 2 years we sort of parted ways. Then one day I was talking to Kaye on the phone and she ended up helping me get a job with her at Food Distributor in our area. From the day I started working with her again - it was like we never had lost touch.

We all started camping together and the kids started bringing their friends. Before you know it we had over six families, camping and vacationing together over the last 9 years. David is now almost 21 and Trisha is 18 and graduating today. These kids and their group of friends are like the children Shannon (my hubby) and I never had. While I am so happy that they have grown up to be such wonderful young adults my heart is sad at the same time to see all these wonderful years go by in the blink of an eye.

I am and always will be, forever grateful to Kaye and Eric for allowing me to be a part of their lives and family and for creating this circle of friends that now I hold so dear to my heart.

Living in Fear

I have to admit. I have been in quite a funk lately. I am tired, tired of living in fear. I know I am not supposed to live this way and I have been working to correct it but it is hard at times to change a lifetime of anxieties.

I have always been anxious and fearful. In second grade my mom would have to literally tear me off of her side when she took me to school. In fourth grade I had the honor of waking up every Tuesday and Thursday at 4 am feeling sick to my stomach because I knew I had swim lessons and the teacher had already threw me in the deep water before I knew how to swim. My parents made sure it didn't happen again but then I was forced to walk around the pool the entire class while the rest of the students had their class. Then in 5th grade I was scared to death to walk home from school after hearing on the news that some guy was stopping and trying to entice kids into his van in a nearby town. When I finally did get up the nerve to walk home-some older boy threatened to beat me up after school- well that did it. Poor mom came and picked me up from school everyday after that.

Middle & High school was better. But I still had the occasional worries and anxieties. Like worrying about my parents getting sick and dying. I worried that I would have cancer at the slightest tinge of pain. I worried that I would grow up alone, and die a single old spinster. You name it I worried about it.

After high school, I sort of went out on my own. My relationship with God became a little more distant. I became engaged to my high school boyfriend and ended up moving in with him against my parents wishes. This broke my heart. Then about a year later, I went back to them broken and ashamed of the choices that I had made. The relationship did not work out- and I crawled back home. They welcomed me home with open arms and hearts and helped me through a very rough time. By that time I was into going out to clubs, I love to country -western dance. I was at a local club probably 5 out of 7 days. My parents still talk about how they prayed me home every night. During those couple of years, I made bad choices. Looking for love and acceptance where none could be found. I am terribly ashamed of many of the choices that I made during these years of my life. I cannot go back and change the things I have said or done but I have asked God for forgiveness and for help to have me move on. I remember one night just saying "God, help me move past this. I do not want to be 60 years old doing the same things over and over again!"

Like an answer to prayer, my life started changing around. The Lord brought an old school mate back into my life. We began to date, we got involved in a church and here we are 9 1/2 years later still learning to rely on God.

Some things though I have a harder time changing. I still worry. Sometimes more than others. My husband has been a great support system~he married me knowing all my fears and insecurities. We have been married for 8 1/2 years and the Lord has gotten us through many a hard time! Over 6 years ago, we found out we were going to be parents. Wow! We were excited, scared and many other emotions rolled up into one. Then on Thanksgiving Day, we miscarried and ever since then, I have been afraid to try again. I fear getting pregnant, then I fear not getting pregnant again and never having a child of our own. I fear one of us getting sick, I fear our parents getting older and worry about their future. We help lead the youth in our church and I fear for them in this day and age and what their future holds. I pray everyday for the decisions that they make in their lives and I pray that the Lord leads them and that they are open to go where He calls them.

Needless to say, I am so tired of living in worry and fear. I know I am not meant to live this way but sometimes I find it a little harder than others to get out of the pit that I tend to get myself in. But God sends sweet reminders to me and I am forever grateful. Here are some more of my gratitude gifts:

19. A post I ran across that made me heart sing this morning. What a great reminder.

20. A turtle dove gathering sticks and such to make a nest for her young. Another sweet reminder that he takes care of those birds so he will take care of me too!

21. Gathering of friends and loved ones to just enjoy each others company.

22. The ability to get up this morning and take in the sweet fresh air.

23. Knowing in my heart that God has always taken care of me and He will never fail me.

Learning day by day, and moment by moment to give my yoke of fear over to Him!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Julie

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.