Wednesday Ponderings

What a roller coaster ride life is! And aren't the days rushing past with locomotive speed. The trials and mysteries of day to day living can be so disconcerting, I can not imagine how the unregerate, folk cope! Just this week, I have experienced the sense of loss and dismay of brought on by unexpected death, then joy and love unspeakable because of the Father's love for us, the fulfilling fellowship of sisters in Christ, yet, the dismal longing to hug my own daughter who is happily living her new life hundreds of miles away. Then, there is the fearful prospect of the coming pandemic of pestilence, the crushing blows of failing economy, bad news on every network, it seems, which could deplete anyone's reserve and send one into a downward emotional collapse. But praise God! He is faithful and just. With all our faith in Him who orders the universe, we have complete peace and confidence that come what may, we'll be better that okay! The verse which was written over me in prayer on my "WALK" is Romans 8:28!

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Trust and Obey

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,What a glory He sheds on our way!While we do His good will, He abides with us still,And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:Trust and obey, for there’s no other wayTo be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,But His smile quickly drives it away;Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,But our toil He doth richly repay;Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,But is blessed if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove the delights of His loveUntil all on the altar we lay;For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;Never fear, only trust and obey.

Word Filled Wednesday

Amy Deanne of the 160 Acre Wood has more Word Filled Wednesday to share today.

Everywhere I look the earth proclaims the glory of the Lord. Come Lord Jesus, come!

Maranatha!

The Simple Woman Daybook

Visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more daybooks!

For Today...April 27, 2009

Outside my window...

there is the promise of a hot and humid day. The temps are supposed to rise into the high 80's. A little more that I like I am afraid for this time of year. It is also a bad tie for pollen! Yikes! Here go my allergies!!!

I am thinking...

oh, my goodness, and I mean this from the bottom of my heart! If you have never done a Walk to Emmaus you should! It transformed my life! There are sacred moments which I experienced that I will remember forever!

I am thankful for...

Christian friends like Nancy and Paul who invested in my spiritual journey and sponsored me to go to Emmaus!

From the kitchen....

I have no idea. After being gone for the last 4 days I have no clue!

I am wearing...

since it is 5:30 am, I am still in my pj's!

I am reading...

I hope to finish Miss Julia Paints the Town this week and start in on Wives and Daughters again with my blog reading group.

The group as a whole got off to a shaky start on this one and so we are giving it a new try. I am glad of it, for I do wish to read the book!

I am hoping... to really commit to be much more convicted to demonstrate daily Bible study, and spiritual practices of sharing love as one outcome of my Emmaus journey!

I am creating...

nothing much at this time.

I am hearing...

birds chirping over the whirring of the ceiling fan.

Around the house...

Well, I have a ton of laundry from my trip. And some general pick up around the house. I do want to stop in the VA hospital greenhouse this week and purchase some bedding plants.

One of my favorite things...

Lynn coming up the stairs each morning with my morning coffee.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

Hoping to meet Dottie for coffee or breakfast this morning!! Then I'm off to visit my mom and share about my time on the EW! Then I plan to attend a

funeral this afternoon. This season's last symphony concert is tonight.

We will hear the Brahms, Voices of Hope, a German Requiem, Op. 45. followed by Villa Lobos - Bachianas Brasileiras. On Tuesday and Thursday it will exercise class and taking my mom to the doctor tomorrow and myself to the allergy doctor on Th! Finally!!! YIPPEE!! Bible study and church fellowship dinner on Wednesday, and Thursday senior choir practice and fellowship luncheon followed by a ladies Bible study that night! Looks like another full week!!!

Here is a picture I thought I'd share with you...

It was so great pulling into the driveway last night and seeing my dear sweetie sitting out by the back door waiting on me. He had been told I'd arrive sometime between 7-8 and I did get there at 7 and there he was anxiously awaiting my arrival. I wish I coud have captured every moment of my experience on film, but that would not be right, for each person must experience the wonders of it all on their own! I am dying to share about it, but again I wouldnt dare let any of the surprises be known! You'll just have to experience it for yourself. I am so hoping Lynn will go to the one next month!

Sky Watch

Visit here for more gorgeous skies!!

Last evening the setting sun just grabbed me as I stepped from the car. Along with the April radiance of the blooming trees, it fairly took my breath away!

Thankful Thursday

Last night returning from church I was struck by the beauty of the evening!

God's presence was everywhere!

His omnipresence is an awesome thing! While I was basking in the glory of a spring twilight, a dear friend from church was being ushered into the heavenly portals. What a homecoming on such an eve as that! But what a tragedy for the family left behind, made all the more tragic in the suddenness of it all. Debbie, a mother of teen children, struck down in the prime of life by a heart attack.... Praise God He is there during trials and losses. Jesus is at this moment sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding for this family, and for the church who is so sad at Debbie's passing. Yet His Holy Spirit, the comforter, resides in every believer's heart sustaining and prompting to believe and have faith during these times. I am so thankful for God's omnipresence!

For more Thankful Thursday visit Iris here!

Word Filled Wednesday

Amy Deanne of the 160 Acre Wood has more Word Filled Wednesday to share today.

Store up your treasure in Christ, put your trust in Him, for when the storms of life come and threaten to swamp you in their fury,

you will not be ashamed, for you will know the one in whom you have put your trust. You will be convinced that He is able to protect what he has entrusted to you until the day that He comes. You will stand firm, unmoved, and strong in the Lord!!

When I was visiting around this morning I ran across this theme and felt it calling to me! Might I join into that ever growing group of folks who are behind in their reading. On my shelf I have many various books just waiting to be perused!

I am at this time I'm trying to finish :
Miss Julia Paints the Town by Ann Ross
Believer's Authority
On the stack below that I have:
The Road North 300 Years of Classic Scottish Travel
Secrets to Spiritual Power by Watchman Nee
Mrs. Benton's Book Of Household Management

~~Just to name a few at this time~~

To join in visit here!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Visit the Diary of the SAHM for more HHM!

On my bedside table:
Miss Julia Paints the Town by Ann Ross
A large box of tissues due to my allergies
3 cough drops also because of ~you guessed it!

On my TV:
I am looking forward to tonight's Daniel's Daughter on Hallmark
Tonight we are taping "24"

On the menu for tonight:
Tyson's frozen barbecued chicken strips (love those) cut up on a large chef salad

On my To Do List:
Laundry and packing for the Emmaus Walk this weekend

New Recipe I tried last week:


NEW ENGLAND CHICKEN & CORN QUICHE

Preparation time: 20 min Baking time: 40 min Standing time: 10 min
Yield: 8 servings

1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust


Filling Ingredients:

4 Eggs
1 1/2 cups Half & Half
3/4 cup cubed cooked chicken
1/2 cup whole kernel corn
1/4 cup chopped roasted red peppers
4 ounces (1 cup) Cheddar Cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons sliced green onions
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper


Heat oven to 400°F. Line 9-inch pie pan with crust.

Beat eggs slightly in large bowl; stir in half & half. Stir in all remaining filling ingredients; mix well.

Pour egg mixture into crust. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes.

To serve, cut into wedges.

In the craft basket:
I am sill working on a peach colored knit scarf and a felted wool knit blue and grey striped tote bag. No one ever said I worked too fast on my knitting!


Looking forward to:
getting away this week on the Emmaus Walk!

Homemaking Tip for this week:
When I accidently washed a tube of lipstick in a pocket of my best slacks and got lipstick stins on all my best clothes last week, I found to rub some Dawn liquid detergent on every stain took them right out! Hallelujah!!

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):

I love Marie's blog! A year From Oak Cottage
Her prose, poetry, art, and especially her recipes just bless my heart!!!

My View from my Window....

I just took this shot right out of my studio window. A nasty storm is brewing just south of us as you can see!

Favorite photo from last week:

I love this photo taken on the ferry from Lewes, Delaware across the bay to Cape May, NJ. Amanda was 6 and she, with her dad and Pop Pop, look very expectant as we were beginning our vacation introducing our sweetie to the fair city of Philadelphia.

On my Prayer List:
My parents
My husband,Lynn, and Amanda and Josh
My church family

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
http://www.ourprayer.org/DailyGuideposts/?p_storyid=2295785

The Simple Woman Daybook

Visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more daybooks!

For Today...April 20, 2009

Outside my window...

it is 55 degrees and it is raining cats and dogs!

(So Amanda if something wonderful peppers down upon us I'll claim it for you.)

I am thinking...

about what I have planned for the rest of the week. I have to pack for something wonderful coming up!

I am thankful for...

this rainy weather. We have had such dry seasons for so long, the rainy past few weeks has been a real blessing.

From the kitchen....

I am making a huge batch of chicken salad for us to munch on this week. we have a lot of Sam's canned chicken and Lynn loves it for his sandwiches and it is so good! I am also resurrecting the blender and I want to start making smoothies for us! YUM!!

I am wearing... white slacks and turquoise and white striped top.

I am reading... Miss Julia Paints the Town by Ann Ross. I just love the Miss Julia books! So realistic! Dont we all have a Miss Julia in our lives? Why sometimes, it's me!

I am hoping...

to get most of the laundry done today. I just dont have time to get it done any other day this week. Big week ahead!!!

I am creating... a mood for spending some quality time before the Lord. I need to discipline myself to meet more regularly with God. I mean a real dedicated effort and a quantity of time. Lately, it has been hit or miss. This is definitely the time to renew this effort.

I am hearing...

Lynn rummaging around in the kitchen as he is fixing his lunch. I will be so glad when he finally retires. He keeps saying 3 more years. It seems he's been saying that for about 3 years now. I really think I'll enjoy having him home and hopefully we can get caught up on some household projects we've been putting off.

Around the house...
If I can get the laundry done today that is about all I will accomplish.

One of my favorite things...

Spiritual retreat. I find that is one form of worship that really really appeals to me. Just to get away from every distraction away to some very natural quiet spot and spend time reflecting, in prayer, worship, etc. Lynn and I try to do this yearly and it blesses us so!

More on this below!

A few plans for the rest of the week...

today, laundry, quiet time before the Lord, Tuesday I take the car in to the dealership to have the oil changed. Then hopefully I will make it to aerobics class, and perhaps time with Dottie afterward. That is always so much fun! Tuesday night Lynn and I will watch our weekly taping of "24". We always tape it and watch it later so we miss all the commercials. It is practically the only thing we watch on tv together. Wednesday Ageless Bible study, and pack, then fellowship dinner, CLU class and Thursday, spend some time with my parents. Thursday afternoon I will be picked up by my dear friends Nancy and Paul, and taken to dinner then on to begin my Emmaus Walk which will continue on until Sunday night! I am so very excited about this spiritual retreat!!! I have heard of these all my life and have always wanted to do one, and God has given me the desire of my heart.

Here is a picture I thought I'd share with you...

I didnt take this photo but it represents the precious couple who now live in our bluebird house. The female is sitting on 4 eggs. I did my rounds checking yesterday and the eggs were unattended so I was deeply concerned and just as I returned to the house Lynn said, "Look!" and there they were sitting atop the house probably wondering what I had been doing there. They say that they dont get too upset checking in on them weekly. I pray they don't. I need to make my weekly report to the Falcon Ridge Bluebird Trail.

Pink Saturday

Beverly, at How Sweet the Sound hosts Pink Saturday every week. Be sure to stop over there and enjoy the PINKness today!!

This morning the sun is radiant and the glory of God is manifest in His beautiful creation, dominated by the PINKNESS He has spoken into being!

A walk around my yard this morning revealed these glorious colors!

The neighbors also just bless us with His majesty!

We revel in the greatness of our Lord and Savior!

HEEHEE, if you look to the right and see Bailey, He's showing off his pink today as well!!!!

My Husband Rocks Friday

Katylin of The Great Adventure hosts this each week.

As I scroll through the old photos I just love this one. Amanda sitting within the sheltering arms of her dad at a balloon show back in 1988. Isn't it great the relationship little girls have with their dads. He is the first most important man in their life. He sets the precedent and expectation women have in men as they choose their future mate. I love it when Amanda will call me in th middle of the day just to chat, but then other times she calls later in the evening, just to speak to her dad!

I am sure that with all her memories for the great times she has spent with her dad, she continues to desire his impact on her life even with a thousand miles of separation!

Show and Tell Friday

For more Friday Show and Tell visit Kelli at There is No Place Like Home.

I just love my little bunny candy tote!

He helped me immensely this week when we did the refreshments at the Ageless Bible study!

Friday Favorite Family Foto

For more FFFF visit Deborah at Pictures, Pots, and Pens.

Today I wanted to share about my dad. At 89 soon to be 90, he still gets around pretty well. This foto was taken Monday when I took he and mom out for lunch to the Irish pub.

Here he is last week at our Seder. He really enjoyed it.

I praise the Lord that I still have both of my parents. It is so sweet how they take care of each other, and I am so grateful that they are still able to be there for each other!

Skywatch Friday

For skywatch worldwide visit here!

This photo was taken as we were driving along the interstate coming home from a weekend away and our skyline against the heavenlies always looks so beautiful.

Teatime

Visit Emily for more Thursday Tea!

Whether tea for 0ne or twenty

there is always time to chat or muse

to smile or laugh

prat on about days gone by

or dream about your tomorrows.

Tea bridges life's joys and sorrows!

Share a cup of tea today with someone!

Tablescape Thursday

For more TT be sure to stop in at Between Naps on the Porch! You'll be glad you did!!! when I look out the window all I see is ....

Spring!

I love it!

So I am celebrating my bluebird eggs in my bluebird nest this week!

I have had these dishes packed away for years. This pattern, Savannah by Noritaki was my wedding pattern and at that I time loved it. For now, I do enjoy using them to celebrate spring! For this setting I am pairing them with my white Mikasa dinner plates just for interest.

This morning I stopped in Platagenet Rose, a favorite gift shop looking for goodies for the green and white swap and the gorgeous bird house was on the mark down table. I have been mulling that purchase over for some time, so ....

today it is mine!

These gorgeous painted bluebirds were also calling to me! I lovee them!!

It is great to bring the springtime in!

There in the background you see my official bluebird house where the sweet female is sitting on her first roosting of the season!God bless her and thank you for visiting my celebration of Spring tablescape!

Day of Remembrance

Two years ago today tragic shook our community. Amanda was a research assistant working on her master's on that fateful day. She was working alone in her lab across campus when she got the word of the shooter. I was watching the developments on tv 30 miles away, actually transfixed, watching the horror unfold. Thankfully, I was able to reach Amanda by cell phone during her lock down experience. She had just been dropped off by Joshua who had driven on to his office just a couple of buildings away from the melee!
How could something like this happen here. Isnt that what everyone asks? I mean Virginia Tech! Home of great football and such a beautiful campus, tucked away in the sleepy town of Blacksburg.
Unfortunately, no one is immune from the attack of the enemy! 9-11, Columbine, and Norris Hall serve as grim reminders that until Jesus returns satan is doing all he can to rob, kill, and destroy! We remember and we resolve to stay on our knees doing spiritual warfare to keep the enemy at bay! Today I commit to begin a regimen of Biblical decree- praying the Word of God over my life, family, home, church, community. I challenge us all to get much more serious in our endeavors to hold back the gates of hell and to plead the blood of Christ over our lives!!!

(Just 2 years prior to this Amanda and Joshua were married at the chapel you see in the background of the photo!)

Tax Day Tea Party

I didn't make it to the tea party but I have some dear friends who did. True patriots they!