Deborah hosts this meme. I love this foto of my husband Lynn, our daughter, Amanda, and myself taken on Amanda's wedding day, August 6, 2005. She had just dressed in her going away dress and was preparing to ride away in the limo with her new husband and start a new life. This foto represents so much- the end of an era and the beginning of new one in our lives. I love it!
*KatyLin* hosts this event on her blog...please stop over there to see all the other participants in My Husband Rocks Friday.Here is Lynn with our son-in-law. They are such great friends. Josh is a great golfer. Lynn plays, but not really enough to stay on top of his game. Josh's gear is all top of the line, new, and up and coming, while Lynn's gear looked dated and like someone who hadn't played in eons, which is sort of true. So Lynn bought a new bag and head covers to house his clubs, and was busily putting it all together last night. There was a lilt in his voice and a sweet smile on his face as he was really getting back into a frame of mind for golf and just being connected to Josh in a new way. I am so touched and thrilled to see this new interest and desire in Lynn to play more and have special times with Amanda's husband. I think Lynn rocks everyday!
The road of life is hard, let us count our blessings as we travel this road…
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name” ~ Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
As a child of the living God I have so much for which to be thankful! As I am learning to really trust Him and believe what he promises in his Word, I am learning more each day, bit by bit, just how much I can be thankful for. For His truths unfold in life, bit by bit, just enough for us to internalize and begin to apply or act on. I've always been thankful for the physical blessings, for he is faithful to provide whatever I need. I have learned to trust Him in many areas of my life. He has taught me to have peace in times of trouble, He has taught me that he is in control of all things that affect us. I am learning that He is carrying me through the deep waters not only in my circumstances, but especially in my exploits for him by the power of the Holy Spirit. This week I am learning how He is creating a new attitude of service in me. I praise Him for preparing my heart and mind and by His Spirit, he is revealing to me His plan for my life. A while back I received a word from Him about the "open door". I have pondered this for some time and wondered about it, but today the Open door was revealed- a new ministry of prayer is starting at my church and I was priveleged to meet toether with a group of women who have been impassioned for this next step in their spiritual walk, who have committed to working together as the hands and feet to help propel our pastor's vision. Personally, I can look back in the past few months and see the manner in which God has been preparing me in wisdom, understanding, and reliance on the power we have through kingdom authority which will make our prayers more effectual for kingdom growth. God is so amazing- His ways so wise. I am thankful beyond measure that He has chosen us to stand in the gap for Him and for the church. I am trusting Him for the energy, the passion, the focus, and the vision to personally stay the course. Praise the Lord!
I was just tagged by Susan to make a list of 5 things I love. Please go by her blog to see the wonderful things that really get her going! From there you can see who tagged her and so on!
I'm tagging the following people, but everyone can participate. I'm asking that you post your list, link your post back to mine and leave me a comment so I can visit your blog. Have fun!
In addition to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and my family near and far, here are
5 THINGS I LOVE
1)I am an Anglophile. I love all things British. I am a tea enthusiast and love to plan parties. My favorite books are Scottish historical fiction and non. My favorite movies are those of the great English authors, Jane Austin, and the Brontes.
2)Related to my love of all things British, I also am very much into all things medieval. I love a terrific fondness for knights, the whole chivalry thing gives me goose bumps! I read everything I can about the Templars. I find their story so fascinating and tragic. This led me to my keen interest in Scottish history and lore. I've read all of Lynn Kuland's books which are medieval time travel which I truly love! It is no small delight to me that the Armor of God is so knight-like. Due to this I have incorporated this in my living room decor.The cross is reminscient of the knight's cross and the shield picture actually depicts the armor of God. The painting on the far wall was painted by my dear art teacher. It is of a famous British landmark-Waltham Abbey. Fits right in doesn't it?Because of my family genealogy and heraldry being Blair, I have an affinity for Scottish history and geography which will be my #3 love.
3. I love Scotland and must spend some quality time there before I pass on to glory. I have been planning a lengthy sojourn there for some time now. Aw! When my dear Lynn retires and if costs haven't completely gone out of sight, I'll make it, I pray! Whether it is a Scottish city or magnificent craggy shore Scotland calls out to me! I am crazy about the music, the accent, the food, the rainy weather, the dreary skies! . If I could I'd live there in a small village in a small cottage and live a very quiet life around my aga stove and grow my own veggies and flowers! Did I mention I also love Rosamund Pilcher's stories very much! I relate!
4. I love music. I have to have music going all the time. I play the piano, although not as much now as when I was younger. Bifocals have interferred with my ability to see what I am doing!. Anyway, being able to make music has always been very important to me. So Amanda was also given the opportunity to play piano and another instrument as well. When she was 15 she went professional by joining a quartet playing at weddings and cultural events. She met her future husband, Joshua, seen there beside her, and they continue to play professionally on a much grander scale today! They also,continue to make beautiful music together in life!And she has continued to take piano at college and is quite accomplished with that as well. We are so proud of them both! Therefore you must know that I love the classics, especially violin concertos. For example, Vivaldi's Four Seasons. But I also love what can only be called New Age music to play around the house. Its dreamy wafting airs are quite conducive to my day-dreamy reveries. I enjoy them while I read. Or how about this beautiful piano piece? But my all-time favorite music is celtic music. I started listening to an online Irish station years ago, and fell in love with several artists. I love Donal Lunny! But my favorite Celtic artist is of course, Dougie Maclean!
5) I love to paint. I didn't pick up a paint brush until I was retired 5 years ago, but it just felt right. My teacher was 87 when I started painting with her. She stopped about 3 years later, but her simple rules will always stick with me. "Paint what you see, not what you know is there. Put light where it is light, dark where it is dark." My first piece was this simple waterscape,and I painted several pieces that I then gave away, before I decided to paint Amanda. As an empty nester, it helped to relieve my anguish of the tomb I seemed to be living in. When I feel the need to dabble in a class setting I do a Bob Ross class like one of these.I also love to draw. I am finding release now drawing the birds that I see in the yard in my bluebird journal. I am starting a collection of "oil" birds.(Sorry, I am having a hard time with the sizing down of a couple of photos! Argh!!Will have to come back to that later!)
AND what melodious sounds at times prevail! And, ever and anon, how bright a gleam Pours on the surface of the turbid Stream! What heartfelt fragrance mingles with the gale That swells the bosom of our passing sail! For where, but on 'this' River's margin, blow Those flowers of chivalry, to bind the brow Of hardihood with wreaths that shall not fail?-- Fair Court of Edward! wonder of the world! I see a matchless blazonry unfurled Of wisdom, magnanimity, and love; And meekness tempering honourable pride; The lamb is couching by the lion's side, And near the flame-eyed eagle sits the dove.
I was visiting Debbie in CA at her site at Wisteria and Roses, which I really enjoy by the way, and she recommended to take a respite this Wednesday, to ..."loll in the garden, sit tea, do some summer reading and think lofty thoughts" With the humidity here at 95% and temps in the high 80's I just thought that sounded terrific, so I am even now determining just how to go about that. I do have Bible Study later this morning and am helping my mother host a small luncheon following that, but thereafter I am planning on just kicking back with the binoculars and do a little bird watching. I can hardly wait! I may even be inspired enough to create a poetic line or two! If anyone wishes to join in I'll have the kettle on!
Deborah hosts this meme. 
*KatyLin* hosts this event on her blog...please stop over there to see all the other participants in My Husband Rocks Friday.Here is Lynn with our son-in-law. They are such great friends. Josh is a great golfer. Lynn plays, but not really enough to stay on top of his game. Josh's gear is all top of the line, new, and up and coming, while Lynn's gear looked dated and like someone who hadn't played in eons, which is sort of true. So Lynn bought a new bag and head covers to house his clubs, and was busily putting it all together last night. There was a lilt in his voice and a sweet smile on his face as he was really getting back into a frame of mind for golf and just being connected to Josh in a new way. I am so touched and thrilled to see this new interest and desire in Lynn to play more and have special times with Amanda's husband. I think Lynn rocks everyday!
My favorite books are Scottish historical fiction and non.
My favorite movies are those of the great English authors, Jane Austin, and the Brontes. 
I find their story so fascinating and tragic. This led me to my keen interest in Scottish history and lore. I've read all of Lynn Kuland's books which are medieval time travel which I truly love! It is no small delight to me that the Armor of God is so knight-like. Due to this I have incorporated this in my living room decor.
The cross is reminscient of the knight's cross and the shield picture actually depicts the armor of God.
The painting on the far wall was painted by my dear art teacher. It is of a famous British landmark-Waltham Abbey. Fits right in doesn't it?Because of my family genealogy and heraldry being Blair, I have an affinity for Scottish history and geography which will be my #3 love.
Whether it is a Scottish city
or magnificent craggy shore 
Scotland calls out to me! I am crazy about the music, the accent, the food, the rainy weather, the dreary skies!
. 
If I could I'd live there in a small village in a small cottage and live a very quiet life around my aga stove and grow my own veggies and flowers! Did I mention I also love Rosamund Pilcher's stories very much! I relate!
When she was 15 she went professional by joining a quartet playing at weddings and cultural events. 
She met her future husband, Joshua, seen there beside her, and they continue to play professionally on a much grander scale today! They also,continue to make beautiful music together in life!
And she has continued to take piano at college and is quite accomplished with that as well. We are so proud of them both!
When I feel the need to dabble in a class setting I do a Bob Ross class like one of these.
I also love to draw. I am finding release now drawing the birds that I see in the yard in my bluebird journal. I am starting a collection of "oil" birds.
(Sorry, I am having a hard time with the sizing down of a couple of photos! Argh!!Will have to come back to that later!)
