Winning, and the humility in the victory

Okay, so yesterday I was feeling like a loser because I feel like the plague of locusts was upon me. Today I feel rotten because I have a migraine in the making. Unfortunately, I could be negative about all kinds of things, but I just can't go there! Now, let me stop because it gets better. An early morning phone call yielded some very wonderful news, and I hope she doesn't mind my sharing of this news...

My sister accepted Christ as her Savior and has been studying His Word and making changes in her life!!!

That, my friends, always takes precedence over anything. When someone accepts the Lord, only good things can come of it. Though I am not, nor would I ever "take credit" for this change, I can tell you that it has been a prayer of mine for a long time. She thanked me, but I quickly gave God the credit for simply using me as His instrument.

That's really all we are! We are His instruments, not miracle makers. We can pray, but we can't change anything. Only God can, and His grace is our reminder to be humble in His sight, and know we belong to Him.

If you're still praying for salvation for someone you love, don't give up!! I have a list of those I pray for just for salvation alone. It's almost as big as my list for healing. It's worth it, and knowing my sister loves Jesus gives me such joy, peace, and hope!

No matter what happens today, I will be praising God for it. He has a way of reminding me that sometimes my eyes focus on the small, and miss the "big" altogether. I'm already feeling my headache beginning to ease up, and I have a lot on my plate today. Somehow, I think it will work out just fine.

Ble blessed, and keep your eyes up top!!

Battliing, and the Will to Find it Funny

Sometimes life can chew a tiny little hole in your underpants on the coldest day in January. On that day, of course, you end up with a big frostbitten patch on your chair warmer. Then you can't sit for a week, you can't tell anyone why, and you wonder if it will ever go away.

This is a battle, and while we're not talking cabooses, something is definitely bugging my knickers.

How tough am I? Pretty tough, pretty determined, and battle-ready. Bring it on, underwear wrecker!!

Oh, in case you think I've finally lost my mind, I haven't just yet, but I'm always hovering! How I deal with certain things in life is a big ole overdose of sarcastic humor. Then I can laugh at how ridiculous I can be and I forget what's bugging me altogether. At least for a moment. I type it out, press "send", then I can go on about my day, knowing my vent is hanging in cyber world for some poor victim to read.

Enjoy your day, battles and all. Find the humor in all the butt splinters (yes, Mary, I said "butt") then move on to more important things. That is what I am about to do!

Important News!!

Just wanted to let you all know that the girls have asked to be baptized! They accepted Jesus into their hearts quite some time ago, and would like to share it in a more outward way. They will be baptized on Sunday, August 2nd at 6pm...I won't post the address, though, so if you want to come, let me know!! Anyone is welcome to share in this special occasion.

Also, we will not be having Godparents, as some traditions prefer. We ask that anyone who is in contact with our kids would help them become Godly girls by being a good example of faith, a good leader, and an encouragement in their spiritual growth. And be ready to correct them if you see them messing around!! To all who agree to that, thank you!!

What Every Garden Needs

Yes. It will rain....weeds can be yanked. Pests can be squashed. Just need a little faith.
Some blossoms will be pumpkins. Some will be deer food.

We will hope for a pumpkin.

Tend to it. Water it. Give it attention.

There is beauty in the rose and beauty in the waiting.

Happy "gardening", friends.

Bootiful Berries

Today was blueberry picking day. We headed over to Sanford and picked to our heart's content.

Serena used to eat as many as she put in her pail. As she puts it, "I'm more grown up now. I don't do that anymore!"

The berries were just hanging everywhere. We had no problem getting what we needed. I am embarassed to tell you how much we picked! Let's just say I worked on getting them in the freezer for 2 hours, and I am nowhere near finished!

Road Trip!

We were all feeling a little claustrophobic around the house, so we pulled a "Rogers"--spontaneous road trip to wherever! Toss a dart and go. Throw in some picnic supplies, a camera and a little music...This trip led us to Tawas. Our mission? Find a yummy pie and eat it at a cool park!

So, here's the "road" part of our trip. It rained...downpoured, actually for most of the day!

The girls were able to put their toes into Lake Huron...it rained about 5 minutes after this moment.

We are big "great lake" fans. I love them all and the kids want to swim in all of them.

A tradition...to write our names in the sand at every beach we visit.

We couldn't find much to "do", since it was so rainy, but we stopped at nearly every roadside farm market we saw, and bought something, whether it was a bag of fresh green beans or a box of red haven peaches. We had fun just chatting up the locals and running between the raindrops. We stopped at a little diner type place to eat. No popular chains are allowed on these trips. You must always eat the local fare! So, we ate at a place called B's, which the girls thought was funny. I guess they read it as BS. Don't ask me why they would know what that means. I don't use that term at all! Anyway, the food was pretty good and the servers were friendly. After that we stopped at another farm market where they sold "gucci" purses and handmade jewelry. Only in Michigan, my friends! We finished off our trip at the famous cheese factory, where we bought what else, cheese!

No matter what the weather, we had a good family time. We needed to get out and see something different, and we accomplished that for sure. Sadly, we did not find our beloved pie, but we bought plenty of fruit to make one at home!

I'm a Loser

.....of weight, that is. I haven't updated on my healthy lifestyle plan lately. That in itself is amazing to me. My focus on weight has changed! I don't let it consume my thoughts anymore. Of course I have to be deliberate about what I choose to eat, when I eat, and all that, but not in excess anymore. I basically eat whatever I want. Just not in excess, and there's no guilt attached. I do what makes my body function at it's best. Eating junk makes me feel like junk. I figured that out quickly. Don't get me wrong. I like junk. I just like feeling good better.

It's not really important how much I have lost so far, so I don't feel the need to share that with you at all. It's not about numbers and I can't say it's always been that way. That's the one thing I changed that has made a big impact. I can say with all honesty that my focus is not to be healthier anymore. It's not to be smaller. It's not to look better. It's not to prove something. It's simply because it's what I'm supposed to do. Eat right. Move. 2 things that have changed me. Inside and out. Why? To glorify God. Fruit of the Spirit. Self-control. All of that AND a bag of low fat chips!

Why do I know it will work this time? Well, the definition of insanity is doing something the same way over and over again, expecting a different result. This time, I am doing things completely different, and I have God on board. He's in charge. So while I don't think sharing my numbers is all that significant to you, I will share these numbers.....Philippians 4:13....I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. That, my friends, is where it's at.

I still have a long way to go as far as keeping myself on the exercise plan. I jump off from time to time. As soon as I get back into it, I absolutely love how I feel. If all else went wrong in a day, at least I moved my body!

Don't struggle with your "weight" anymore. It's really not about that at all. No matter your size, just get active and cut out a few unhealthy things. As you feel better, you'll do better. What I learned is that my plan may not work for you, and yours may not work for me. It's not about finding the perfect solution or the perfect diet at all. It's about getting it right in your spirit and knowing God will lead you where you need to go. If my lifestyle extends my life or helps me to avoid the heart disease that has taken so many of my family members, then what do I have to lose? And yet, getting healthy can't be the only reason I need to live a healthier life. It has to be God-centered.

I just took the brownies out of the oven a few minutes ago...boy do they smell good. If I want one, I will eat one. Most times I want it, but I won't eat it, and I won't feel deprived at all. Believe me, that is not MY strength at work!!

Thanks for following me and for putting up with my long posts about weight!!

My Cloudy Day Thoughts

Good morning! Well, at least it's morning for me. I've got my coffee with ff vanilla caramel creamer...yummy! The 4 girls sleeping upstairs have not made a peep! I allowed the girls to each have a friend spend the night last night. With 2 girls so close together, I often have to treat them like twins. They like so many of the same things, and sometimes that can be a bit suffocating when one has a friend over and the other does not. It's so ironic. If Natalie has a friend over and Serena joins in, it's usually okay for quite awhile and then the welcome obviously wears off! Feelings get hurt, sniping words are said, and one comes complaining to me! However, if both girls have friends over, the 4 of them will hang out together the whole time and not complain at all!! That's smart mothering, my friends. Take notes!! :)

I love kids, but sleepovers are like being pecked to death by a duck. I have been needing time away with my husband, away from the kids, for some time. I guess you can see why having a houseful would not lend itself to my sanity. I need to add that these are great kids, and they have been really good. It's not them. It's me. Steve returns home from TX tonight after being gone a few days. It will be nice to have him back! Steve and I don't do anything without our kids. They go everywhere with us. We've never hired sitters. We don't like to impose on grandparents very often. But sometimes, we just need to be alone.

I wasn't sure what my post was going to be about today, as I have many things running through my mind. I woke up to a barking dog at 6:30. I guess I'm glad she let me know she needed to "go" or I would have had a lake to clean up. I couldn't get back to sleep (as usual), so I began praying about various things. It is my prayer time that I get peace about whatever is going on around me. There is nothing I can physically do about any of them, and God reminds me that it is his job to deal with those things, not mine. I am just to give them over. I wish it was as easy as it sounds. I'm still learning.

I will share just one of those things. Natalie's diagnosis of scoliosis was bad enough, but the fact that her brace is not going to work is worse. The surgeon says she needs to wear it. The man who designed her brace says she has to wear it as designed. This brace is heavy, thick, long, and constrictive. It does not fit under her clothes, as we were assured. She cannot use the bathroom without removing it, which she cannot do easily by herself. She can hardly sit in it without it pushing up into her armpit, making it difficult to use her arms. No one has been able to counsel us about the emotional side of having to wear an orthopedic device, and so that part of it also remains unsolved. It is not what we expected at all. It was extremely costly for us to get it, and yet it sits in the basement, unused. So, what to do? I've stepped out boldly and have begun praying for a complete healing and straightening of her spine. I've told the scoliosis it has no business hanging around there and to take a hike. I have laid hands on her, and I've asked everyone to be in agreement with me. Will God do it? Who knows. But my faith says, "yes,He will", or I wouldn't bother asking. I don't know His timetable, but I am holding on in expectation of healing in His perfect timing. Waiting is not easy either.

Like I said, I wasn't sure about what I was going to post today. I had hoped it would be something funny or clever, but the truth is, I'm not always funny and clever! This is me, and apparently this was heavy on my mind as Sophie woke me up this morning. Thanks for listening.

Be blessed today and every day. God loves you and so do I!

Weather Wanderings and Ponderings

Here is a tree I came across on my photo journey yesterday....okay, well, maybe it was December, but who can remember these things......
It wasn't too long ago that we were all complaining about the incredibly long and cold winter. We were zipped up, cooped up, dried up, fed up, and downright sick of it! Whine whine whine

So, then spring comes, and what do people complain about? Mud! Rain! Ugh! It's still cold.... waah!

Fall....now, I can't imagine anyone complaining about my favorite season, so we'll just skip that.

Wait? Did I forget summer? Who can forget summer? The snakes come out, the bees, the sunburn, the humidity, all the many family reunions and parties that bleed you dry.....oh wait, that is my list of complaints with summer....but I'm sure other people have their gripes too. Boo hoo

I am just pulling your seasonal legs today, friends. I enjoy every one of the seasons! Sometimes I wish I lived in a climate of 75 and sunny year round, but when i think about it, I would really hate that the spiders never go away! Big waah waah there for me.

Can we ever be satisfied? I so can't stand whiners and complainers, and especially when I catch myself doing it!! So, whatever your weather, whatever your season, love where you are and love who you're there with!!

I'll be posting later about the double sleepover we're having tonight....pray for me!!

Dog Doo Travels

I was picking up Sophie's "gifts" one day, and decided from now on, I need to take a camera with me. It's not that her gifts are so precious and should be photographed, but what I see on my walks all the way around the yard are pretty amazing.
Mom Turkey now brings her brood to eat while I'm standing right there! I talk to the babies, and although mom doesn't like that, I love to hear the babies "chirp" back at me. I'm picking up turkey "doo" right along with the dog doo.... there is something special about having nature 'trust' you and want to be in your world.

Finally! A blue sky! I love to watch clouds. It is relaxing and fun to do with my girls. I am a true skywatcher. Day and night, I'm always looking to see what's going on "up there". When I really need to talk to God, I look up. You don't always need to bow your head when you pray if your heart is submissive and your eyes are on Him.

A little rain on the hostas is a good thing. It makes my garden look tropical. So do the spiders and little lizards, but who is being a scaredy cat? Not me. All of my hostas are "borrowed" or moved from the old house. I love all the different varieties and colors. I call it my "Serenity Garden". Small Lake Superior rocks line my garden with hand painted words...."joy" "peace" "love" "hope" and "faith". We hope to take the girls to LS and steal some more rocks for our other gardens!

Oh, what I would have done to have a treehouse like this as a kid. My own childhood "fort" was made out of a refrigerator box, and my trampoline was an old mattress. These kids have it pretty good. They just don't seem to know it yet. Why does it take so long for that realization to occur? Kids don't have to "want" for much these days. We as parents sometimes decide our kids want something they never even asked for. I was convicted of that, and it has changed drastically. They have a big yard to play in. What more do they need anyway? I love going up into the treehouse. I feel about 10 years old up there!

There's nothing like looking at the sky through tree branches. Try it some time. Try looking at your situation like that sometime and see if the answer doesn't come a little quicker. It's amazing what a new perspective you will get when looking at a different angle.

Thanks for going on my Dog Doo Journey this morning. Again, be blessed by the "little things" around you and truly appreciate them. You will be blessed beyond belief when you see that God gives us little things that make us feel pretty special.

Sweaters in July and Other Weird Discoveries

Hello, July? Yeah, it's me. Just calling to see where you are and if you're ever coming back. What? Get out the fall decorations? Really? Sweaters? Now you're messing with me, July!

That was my conversation with this weird month of July that truly feels like October. I'm not complaining, as I am a big fan of fall, but I have a couple of swimmers who would like the ice chipped over the pool so they can swim again. It's supposed to be summer, and I have worn jeans! Jeans, people! In July!!

Well, another weird thing happened besides the unseasonably cold weather. On Saturday morning, we were preparing to go up north to work work work at the cottage. Mom and Dad went up to paint the cottage, and we couldn't come up until Saturday, and would have to come home that night because of stuff we had to do at church on Sunday. So, we're about to load the van and dad called. "Hey, don't bother coming up. There's a northwestern wind and it's freezing cold here. It's raining, and there's no way we can paint today." Oh, the disappointment in me was underwhelming! What? No work today? Whoopppeeeee zipper!! Now, to be honest, I did feel bad about not being able to get the cottage painted, and I felt worse that mom and dad were stuck up there not doing what they needed to do. But with that said, it opened up our day in a whole new way. For one, we were all up and ready to go at 8 am. That is a miracle in itself. If you have 2 pre-teens, you know what I'm talking about.

So, what to do....what to do....farmer's market? Yeah, that sounds great! Maybe hit some garage sales? Hey, Dow Gardens? Yeah! Let's go! We got to Midland and it was crazy with people...Riverdays--dun dun dun. Ugh....crowds.....no place to park....errrrrrrrrrr (tires screeching...that's us, turning around and hightailing it away from the farmer's market!) So, we went out in search of some garage sales, and garage sales we did find...some really good ones too! We came home with all kinds of cool stuff. The girls had a ball spending their allowance and I had a ball watching them spend their money instead of mine for a change. They are quite the shoppers!

We went to a little Mexican place for lunch, and although it rained off and on and was rather chilly for a July day, we really relaxed and had a good family day after all! After lunch, we drove back around Sanford and found more sales, and saw 2 people actually wearing sweaters! Sweaters in July! I had to pinch myself right then and there. It's Michigan, I know, but this is ridiculous. It started to downpour, and the girls found an umbrella in the van. I didn't have one as I rushed up to this kind old lady's garage sale. Sitting on one of the tables was a hot pink umbrella for a dollar! I left the sale with my new umbrella, which by the way, matched my shoes and purse! I was feeling pretty nifty, my friends. Poor Steve didn't find too much at the sales but a few books, and he ended up carrying my purse a couple of times. Real men carry their wife's purse, just so you get that straight. We went to some pretty posh neighborhoods and mansions, so I told him to spy on their landscaping and get ideas while I shopped. Turns out, I like my own ideas better!! :)

Our deck staining day was also a weird discovery, as we found we were out of stain. We took the number off the old can, and got a 5 gallon pail. Got it home and began to put it on the deck...hmm...looks different, don't ya think, honey? Yeah, well, maybe it dries darker? Hmmm....we checked out the computerized sticker on the cans again. Yup, exactly the same. Same paint number, same name. Totally different color! So, instead of a "valise" color, which is bomber jacket brown, we now have "cappuccino", which actually looks like cinnamon. This is only the third time this type of thing has happened to us with deck stain. So, we decided we're going to like cappuccino cinnamon, and pray that if we need to get more next year, that we don't get "valise". Life is so confusing in the world of paint, don't you think?

No more confusing than sweaters in July.....right?

Work Work Work

I am not a big fan of complaining, so I'm just going to call this "reality". Today is "deck staining" day. Ugh... move all the plants, move all the furniture, get all stainy and gross, take all day and work work work. That's nothing new to me. It seems all I ever do is work work work. And yet, never seem to get done done done! Am I singing your tune?

Last week I spent a day washing windows. We have A LOT of windows...I actually enjoy that, except for the streaking situation, but it was okay. Well, the girls had to keep coming to tell me that birds kept hitting the windows. Now, come ON, the windows were NOT that dirty beforehand!! Of course, now I have feathers at the very top of the window where I can't reach without going to get the ladder. Work work work.

I mopped the kitchen floor yesterday, as a mysterious substance had splashed all over it and went undiscovered until the sun came through the window. No one knows what it is or where it came from. Hmmm...Mr. Nobody strikes again. So, I mopped and mopped. My kitchen floor is huge, but who's complaining? Not me. Anyway, my dog decided that she was NOT going to move off the floor, so I mopped around her. When she finally moved, I mopped the Sophie size spot where she had been sleeping. She's not always willing to help, but she's good company. A pain in the mop too. Work work work. That floor will be dirty again in 2 days if not sooner....

My closet has seen better days, so I tackled that this week, as well as the basement, which was still cluttered with garage sale stuff. I finally found the ping pong table, sucked up the lady bugs and spiders (eek!), put everything away, and whew.....sat down for 5 minutes to check on my to do list. work work work.

I swiffered under the furniture, dusted the staircase, polished the wood and cleaned the glass in the pictures, cleaned out the fridge, made my own laundry soap (thank you, Hannah!), hung clothes on the line, weeded the flowers, fed the birds, swept the driveway and the porch, cleaned out the birdbath, made dinner, organized all the bills and paperwork, cleaned the bathroom, and cleaned yet another dog pee mess........work work work.

See, the reason I'm not "complaining" is that I understand this is my "ministry" and work doesn't scare me. In fact, being idle scares me, and I am never bored because boredom would probably kill me! I just can't seem to figure out how to relax and enjoy life too!! I don't know how to "take a day off". I don't know how to not work work work!! I don't want my kids to look back and say all I ever did was work, but right now they probably would. We do fun stuff, for sure, and I'm always here, but I do tend to put work first, as playing makes me nervous when I know I have a ton of things I should be doing. This is why one of my former favorite hobbies took a back burner when we built the house (scrapbooking), because this house and the work involved nearly consumed every waking moment. So now I'm learning to maintain it all and still be an attentive mom. I have to work at being impulsive and carefree, which will hopefully one day not be work at all.

I know, I know....there is more to life than work and keeping everything shipshape and clean. Believe me, I haven't even achieved that with all of my working. It's like being on the hamster wheel! Since there is a part of me that is fun and impulsive and carefree, I just need to see it come out more so that life doesn't feel like such a job.

I know I am to be doing everything as if I was doing it for the Lord, and sometimes I do feel that way. Other times I am just overwhelmed with responsibility. See, I'm not complaining. I think most people would agree that it's just reality, but that there needs to be a greater amount of joy in what we do. Otherwise, we shouldn't bother doing it at all.

Work work work.....it's important, but shouldn't be joyless....I think my "job" for the day should be pondering that further.....while I'm staining the deck.

Be blessed, whatever you're working on today!

Our Summer Project

The girls are enrolled in the local library's summer reading program, and the construction project this year was to make a model of Jellystone Park. We have been hard at work the past few days getting it planned and put together. What fun! This is right up my alley. I think I had more fun than the girls!

The girls with the finished product-- so proud. And glad to be done finally!

Some fun stuff on our model was a firepit with "flames"...a battery operated tea light, covered in clay, vellum flames, and real stick "logs", a rushing river, waterfall, and "beach" area with real sand.

We made a boardwalk, and signs....Natalie's Canoe Rental, Serena Falls, and Beware of Bears. The "cattails" were made from artificial grass and q-tip cattails. We made a popsicle stick picnic table, paper tablecloths, and a foam cabin.

I added a few of my own touches, such as a spider crawling near the tent, a bear in the "No bear zone", and white lacy underpants hanging on the clothesline (near the tent).

The library is full of these cool projects. If you can, stop in and see them all. I think they begin judging next week for different categories. Now I need to come up with food-related costumes for the costume party at the library.....hmm.....any ideas??

"Solemates"

I know I'm not alone in this... I absolutely can't stand it when socks come out of the dryer and have lost their mate along the way! I have my theories of why this happens, but they are ridiculous, so they will stay with me for now. At my house, when the sock bin overflows, whoever decides to mate the socks gets a dime for every successful pair. It's my way of getting a dreaded job done, and a bribe for the girls who think it's the easiest way to earn $40.00. C'mon now, I am just kidding about that amount....or am I? See for yourself!

It's been filling for awhile now, since no one wears socks in the summer. I guess I just told you how long they've been in there. Oh well, I have no pride as you can see. This is the label I made for my sock bin. I have a weird sense of humor. I just feel chores should be fun instead of work.


Whether your sock collection is in a bin or a giant laundry basket, I feel for you. I think maybe there should be sock mating parties instead of all this expensive stuff we don't really need. It would be great...everyone wears a pair from their bin, and brings the rest with them. Who knows, if you can't find a match, maybe someone else will have it! Oh, I can see it now....sockmatch.com. Women all over the world will be solving the great mystery of the missing socks. One day scientists will discover a great sock hole in the galaxy, full of mismatched socks!!

One day, maybe men will finally realize that having 800 pairs of black socks is what is driving their wives nuts! Oh, I am just sockin' it to you today, aren't I?

Life is meant to be enjoyed, and I enjoy life most when I can find the humor in every situation. I got up Sunday morning in the giddiest mood I 've been in in a long time. I was cracking jokes left and right, and as Steve put it, "I can't keep up with you today!" I don't know what set me off, but the whole day was just more enjoyable with that giddy spirit at work. If you can't find something to laugh at today, maybe you're not looking hard enough. Laughter is good medicine as they say, and I think an overdose is sometimes just what we need!! IV drip, anyone?

Photo Journeys

I take a "photo journey" about once a day if I can. I've always been interested in photography, and took some photography classes at Mid several years ago. It's been my escape, my outlet for creativity, and of course, a way to capture my life in pictures. There are few pictures of me because I'm always behind the camera, and of course, everyone always expects ME to take the pictures at all the family functions. Maybe just once someone will think to snap me with my family one day so I can prove I was there!!

Can it be? A turkey in a tree? I wandered over to the river bank to see what I could see, and much to my glee, saw a turkey in a tree. (raised on Doc Seuss, sorry)
There is nothing like a toasted marshmallow, pretty coals, and a quiet night.

Except for maybe family to share it with! Sophie had her nose right up by the chocolate. I raised her well, didn't I? The girls are in their jammies, fresh from the swimming pool, and we lured daddy over with the promise of a s'more.

The last light of day peeks through the wild grape vines that hang on an old oak tree on our property.

Chickadees are one of my favorite birds. They are so sweet and tiny, landing so close as I fill their tray.

Thanks for coming with me on my photo journey! There will be more to come as more life moments unfold around here. Take a minute and look around you today and try to find one thing that wasn't created by God. It will be a challenge, because HE made everything!! Enjoy it while you're here and keep your eyes on beauty. It is everywhere.

Monday Monday

After a wonderful weekend of gorgeous weather, accomplished tasks, and fun family time, here comes Monday! It started out fine, getting up and making the coffee, chatting with Steve a bit, and seeing the baby turkeys...had my Bible out, ready for study.....

Then I heard Steve exclaim, "Awww....SOPHIE!" Then he walked into the kitchen, hobbling on one foot, which could only mean one thing....a "Sophie mine". Yup, pooped right there on the living room rug. Quite a sizeable amount as well. Oh, dog ownership. Right up there with homeownership, and every other ship I sail. Evidently our conversation about what God wants for marriage was too threatening for the enemy. He's clever, but I am determined. He has a fight on his hands with this stubborn girl!

But that wasn't enough...the toilet decided to torment me as well, sending me running for the plunger. I tried my own will on it....demanding it to "go down!!" I even gave it my commanding stare. Obviously, I got nothin' on that toilet. It's still waiting for my next move, apparently, as it's still just sitting there, mocking me. "Whaddya gonna do next, lady?" Well, we have 2 other bathrooms, that's what I'm gonna do!!

Distractions. They come in so many different ways! I thought it was very telling of Pastor Shannon to talk about distractions in church on Sunday. I am the queen of them. I was so distracted during church, I had to work at listening. So it is for today, a day of distractions, which will NOT stop me from my original goal. A firebomb or stray lightning bolt will just have to strike me as I go about doing my Bible study and any other thing I need to get done today.

I must be a formidable opponent for the enemy, as he has tried many crafty ways of taking my focus away from God. Too bad for him, I don't sway easily.

So, happy Monday. I have to get back to that toilet. AFTER I do my Bible study.

Be blessed today and every day!

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Dear Friends,

I am blessed to live here in what I call "God's Neighborhood". There is always something new to see around here. Check out my new neighborhood discoveries this week....

The raspberries are almost ready!
Mom gives baby squirrel a little grooming session ...

The roses sprout "babies" every day... they are just as "blinding" in real life too!

Mama hens bring the babies by for a visit...

A squirrel convention? No, they just know Steve's gone! I'm the softie that lets them hang on the birdfeeder....

The baby bluebirds have gone out to meet the world, and we missed their goodbye, but our eyes are peeled for the next brood to come. I love my "neighborhood" and all the surprises it brings on a daily basis. It is peaceful to my soul to walk out on the deck and hear a cacophony of birds singing, chittering squirrels, the pool sprayer, the fountain trickling, the finely tuned wind chimes softly ringing, and my girls, saying, "mom, when's lunch?" I will also look forward to the sound of crunching gravel in the driveway, as Steve returns home safely from a business trip tonight.

I hope the sounds you hear and the beauty you see bring peace to your soul. Sometimes God gets our attention with a breeze, a feather, a visit from a special bird, tires in the driveway,or a laugh while watching squirrels play. He's got my attention for sure!

Be blessed by Him today!

Love,

Nature Girl

More Lake Photos

Here are some more vacation pics!

The confetti bombs at the parade are so fun and colorful. Everyone scatters to catch the paper coming down (look in the sky)
I guess the girls thought the old boat could use a little color....so girly of them!

Nattie's busy making a daisy chain and doing some thinking, as she said.

Oh, pretty lake, you have a piece of my heart...

I'm sitting here with my coffee, listening to the TV, and deciding what to do with my day. Some of my day has already been planned for me...we've been dealing with a "problem" that has kept me extremely busy. No further details are available here, but if you've heard from me otherwise, then you know already. Let's just say summer has gotten a pretty rough start around here. These are the days when pulling out positive thoughts is like not smelling the skunk that just sprayed you! This too shall pass, as I tell myself daily. This could be worse! Keep your chin up and just keep going! Don't let it "get" you! I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me! (Phil. 4:13)

I can keep my peace no matter what is going on around me, even when I'm exhausted. Even when I'm pushed. Even when I'm frustrated. I choose peace!! Well, at least I try..... :)


Have a blessed day, my friends!

I Get By With A Lot of Help From My God

Since speaking my faith more in circles where it is not well-received, I've noticed something about God that shouldn't surprise me, but it takes me back, for sure. I have to be vague here, in order to respect the situation and the people involved...try to follow me here.

A situation came up where someone was really struggling with something. I knew human logic was not going to serve this person well. I knew the only thing that was going to strengthen this person was God's Word. However, I was not alone. Someone else believed in human logic. I had a fight on my hands.

I was careful, because I was in the minority. Neither one of them is a "walker". In fact, crawling would be an improvement, and I pray it happens soon. I immediately threw up a prayer asking for guidance, wisdom, anything!! It came, and in a way that calmed me down in a hurry.

As I spoke God's truth in a way that this person could receive it, I then had to keep my strength up to deal with the human side of things. Vague, I know....sorry. I had the person in crisis settled down, but I had to face some human perspective from the other person. That usually gets me all up in knots!! God had a way of giving me "just enough" and not "too much" in order to relate to this person well.

I had written down 2 verses a couple days prior to this situation. I was in the book of Colossians, and these 2 verses really spoke to me. Now I know why. The first one is Col. 2:8, which says,

"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of the world rather than on Christ."

Whoa....I would need that one later.....then Colossians 3:12-15 became even clearer....

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clother yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace."

PEACE was exactly what was needed at that time!
Let me tell you, I was so blown away that God had given me these verses way in advance, and that they came to me as I was dealing with a delicate situation. He spoke truth into the situation and took me right out of it!! You can't argue with God. Well, you can, but you'll lose.

This situation had the threat of making me feel persecuted for my belief system, and there was a day when I did feel like an outsider because of it. Christians in families where there aren't a lot of believers often feel judged, or get called "fence post sitters" because they don't react to every situation with emotion. They get accused of being naive or immature, etc... because nons don't understand our reliance on God, not other humans and not ourselves. We're seen as meek (their definition of the word) or weak or uninvolved, unable to stand up for ourselves. It's really so opposite of what we really stand for as Christians. That "humility" factor is not understood among them. How could it be, when it's hard for Christians to be humble sometimes? Especially when someone doesn't respect our faith.

When I started to feel a bit "dissed" for my take on the situation, I grabbed the nearest Bible and went to be alone for awhile. I prayed first, then opened it up to Galations, Chapter 5. Bingo.

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.: Galatians 5:16-18


I also read the fruit of the Spirit also in Chapter 5, verse 22..."But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

Oh, yeah. I needed to remember those too....

I was quickly reminded that just because we're doing what God wants us to do, that it won't be easy or comfortable at all! However, no matter what the reactions were, I had my peace, and no one could take it. I had my Truth, and I was sticking to it. I was asking God what he wanted me to do and say, when there would have been a day that I gave my own opinion and messed it all up. This time I took a risk and let the pieces fall right where they fell.

I wasn't mad at those who stuck to "human tradition", but it made me sad to realize all they are missing out on without their hands firmly grasped in God's. Life is so hard, and going through it without knowing God's Word has to be even more difficult. I spent some serious time praying for their eyes to open, hearts to soften, and for the Truth to penetrate in a surprising way. I know this is a desire for nearly every Christian I know, that someone would come to know Christ in a personal way. Prayers for salvation should be number one on the list. Being a Christian who practices what he or she preaches is SO very crucial to those you are leading. Being a good example, though not popular at the time, will soon be something they remember when they finally meet the Christ we all know.

God is good, and He was there with me, as I was put in a situation that I didn't think I could handle. My initial feelings of defeat were put to rest as I read those verses. He continues to test me and give me trials, and I am on full alert! Praise God for His Word and His leading. Without it, I would have nothing at all.

The Lake Experience

My parents bought our family cottage when I was about 9 years old, and we've gone up there nearly every fourth of July since. Family would come up and park their campers or pitch tents, and we did everything from fish to play games, cook outside, swim, and whatever "floated our boats". At the cottage, you can do whatever you want- that's the rule!! So here we are on our holiday doing "whatever we want"!

Nat and Serena LOVE to fish! Daddy is so happy about that! They can bait their own hooks and take off their own fish! Nat is quite the boat navigator too!
Here we are at the local parade. We've come every year since I was a kid. There's Steve, Aunt Jeanne, my mom, Serena, Dad, and Nattie. The parade was great! That's a different lake in the background. This little town nearby buzzes with activity...and a tennis court for me!

Gramps loves to sit with the girls and swing...he's done it ever since they were babies. Here is Gramps and Serena having an afternoon break. We also have the eagle's nest again this year...full of baby eagles! We could hear them from the "beach".

Serena headed out to the meadow to pick daisies. Something she's done since she could walk! Gram always gets a big crock to put all the millions of daisies she'll receive over the weekend.

The evening was setting in, and daddy took the girls around the lake to fish. Serena pulled in a BIG bass! The girls caught all the fish while daddy drove the boat. He wished I could have seen Serena's face when she pulled that fish in by herself. Me too!

It's funny...when I was a kid, I didn't enjoy the cottage nearly as much as I do now. We went from camping in busy campgrounds full of kids, to a private lake and few cottages. This is now our family escape. It's where you go when you want the world to leave you alone! It's where you go to regroup, rethink, relax, and require nothing of yourself! It's the place we all run to when it's time to just be a family and have fun. We're 30 miles from 2 major cities, one of them being one of my favorite cities in the world..Traverse City! We're also close to Cadillac...so not far from bigger things to do when the quiet is too quiet!

Not everything went smoothly up there again this year, but there were no snakes and the toilet worked fine (see my very first post if you dare). However, there was no water! We drove up Thursday, drove home Thursday night, came back on Friday when the pump guy came and fixed the water problem. Slept in a tent that was made for toddlers, you know....typical "vacation" stuff. My idea of a vacation is to stay home! No packing. No driving. Hot showers. Lots of room. I think I need a vacation after a vacation. I think I'm getting too old to sleep in tents too! As my mom points out to me when struggles ensue...."you're just making a memory, honey."

Oh, the memories I've made this week........!!

Meet Ozzy Tyre

Patty came for a visit today! While she used to bring all 4 of her kids to see us, now she just brings her 11 year old daughter, Regan, since the girls are all great friends, and frankly, we bore the boys to pieces. This time, she brought the new "baby" ! Ozzy adopted Patty, it wasn't the other way around. He just showed up one day, hungry and wormy, whining, and needy, with no one around. Of course, she doesn't need any extra stress right now with the move and all the car troubles, etc...., but he got to her heart, and she'll make it work if I know her!

Ozzy is part beagle and we think part black lab. He's a sweet little guy, named Osgood after the Red Wings goalie, apparently. Patty and I have been exercising, and really wanted to walk together today, since that's something we can't do being 11 hours apart. So, what kind of weather did we have today? That's right...constant pouring rain. Patty finally said, "so what! let's go!" So, we took Ozzy and a couple umbrellas and hiked it down the road. It poured and poured, but we're not the melting type, so it was fine. Ozzy apparently is a melter. The passing cars gave him a scare, so I picked him up and put him right into my sweatshirt, carrying all 20 pounds of him the rest of the way. He snuggled right in and trembled, just like puppies do. Patty took my umbrella and carried it over me and Ozzy all the way back, which was a challenge in itself! We couldn't help but laugh at ourselves, as usual. Then a lady drove by, and got us to laughing as she pointed at me with Ozzy and smiled a sweet smile. Then, my weird sense of humor kicked in and I joked about how people must think we're a "couple", walking our "baby"! Patty said, "oh, great, I have to be the guy holding the umbrellas while you get to be the nurturer!" That did it. I know my sides just split open right then and there!! She is toooo funny, that one. I am funnier around her too. We both notice that about each other. I guess that's how it is when someone really "gets" you AND your weird sense of humor!
So, here she is visiting, and I took 3 whole pictures and they were all of Ozzy! Oh well, like she said, every time we're together, we're making a memory. Who needs pictures?!

Freedom

It's coming up on the 4th of July, and while red, white, and blue are three of my favorite colors, there is more to freedom than just the wonderful U. S. of A!

You, my brothers, were called to be FREE. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13

True Christian freedom does not mean you can do whatever you want! It means you are FREE to serve God and one another in LOVE!

In some countries, it is downright suicidal to speak your faith! I am thankful that I am free to speak my faith, my mind, and live the way I choose. That didn't come freely, and I appreciate that too.

Thank you to our great country men and women who make that possible each and every day. Don't forget to rise and clap for your soldiers, past and present as they pass during the 4th of July parades! Pray for those still fighting, and for the families of those who have fallen.