They're Here!

They arrived at dinner time last night. Today is Grandma & Grandpa time with the kids while Mom and Dad are off to Vancouver. I love popping my head in the doorway to "their" room and seeing this sight -- this is what I saw after telling them to make their beds and tidy up. Now we're heading off to OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) -- a very fun "hands-on" place for kids and adults alike.

Winter Wonderland

How am I supposed to stay busy, getting ready for company, when it looks like this outside?Exactly one week ago today, I posted this same view when I was looking for beauty in an unbeautiful day. Once again the skies are very gray and somber (much heavier than before), but what a delightful difference some snow can make in one's outlook!

I think I hear my boots and mittens calling me. What's that old song say? "Are ya ready boots? Start walkin'!" . . . "Walkin' in a winter wonderland!"

Snow in the air, a blanket of white on the ground, a song in the heart, and grandchildren on their way here -- YESSS!!!

Merry Christmas!

That's what I heard from my husband in the middle of the night last night. I quietly mumbled, "Merry Christmas" in reply and quickly fell back asleep. When I got up this morning I discovered that winter had arrived in the night! Everything was beautifully blanketed in white! Our second snow of the entire winter (first one was just before Christmas), and this one arrives in the middle of March -- just a week and a half before the start of Spring -- when the crocusses and daffodils are blooming! Even now,
as I write this, it's snowing -- big, fluffy flakes filling the air and earth
with white. What a lovely sight! What pure delight!

Tomorrow's the day!

WOO HOO!!!

They're coming! (my kids and grandkids) I can hardly wait till they get here!

Strange but True!

This morning, as I was sitting in my blue chair, I happened to notice out the front living room window that it was raining -- a very soft, light mist -- a beautiful kind of rain. Then I noticed something else -- the sun was shining brightly! So, I quickly got up and headed for the kitchen to look out the back window (toward the west), expecting to see a beautiful rainbow. (I've only seen that once before in the morning, looking out that window, just a couple of weeks ago. In fact, it was exactly two weeks ago today -- I know that only because I mentioned it in my blog.)

I was disappointed to see no rainbow; however, I noticed something amazing -- it wasn't raining in the back yard! I thought, "Well, that was a very quick little rain! But, on the way back to my blue chair in the living room, I saw that it was still raining in the front yard! I went back and forth, from window to window (front, side, and back), several times within the space of about five minutes, in total disbelief of what I was seeing -- no rain in my side yard or my back yard -- it was only raining in my front yard!

Then I also noticed that it was only raining in one half of my front yard!!! I watched this strange phenomenon for several more minutes, checking every possible way to find the evidence of rain all around, but it just wasn't there! It was only raining in one small patch! How can this be? (No, my lawn sprinklers weren't on -- they don't even work! Nor was water blowing off my roof -- there was no wind!)

I finally concluded that God just loves to bring endless delight and amazement to His children who look for it! He is an amazing God, and He can do anything He wants! Thanks, God!

Things That Make Me Laugh!

My new "Woman's Day" magazine came today. I haven't even opened the cover yet, and I'm already laughing! Here's this month's stuff to ponder:

1. "10 Recipes You Can't Live Without"
Well, friends, I guess this is my "goodbye" because I don't plan to use these recipes, and if I really can't live without them, I guess I'll be going home to Heaven very soon! Finally! Just what I've been wanting!!
Woo-hoo!!!

2. "Lose Weight, No Dieting"
Hmmmm...just what I've been trying to avoid! I already lose weight too easily! My struggle is to keep from losing weight! Oh, boy. Let me know if you want me to mail this article to you.

3. "6 Cookies from 1 Easy Recipe"
Spend all that time baking and only get six cookies??? (How big are the cookies?) I think it's a whole lot better to get more than six cookies out of one recipe, preferrably about 3 dozen or so (better yet--double the recipe and get twice the amount for your efforts)!

If you don't see a new post show up here for awhile, it's just possible that either:
1. I died from going without the recipes I just couldn't live without; or
2. I lost too much weight (without dieting) and ended up in the hospital; or
3. I'm busy making lots of batches of cookie dough, since I can only get six cookies out of each batch!

Oh, but wait...there's another article that might be worthwhile here: "How to Take Charge of Your Happiness" (by Holly C. Corbett) . It's time to open the cover and check this out! Here's the basic plan:

1. Get inspired
"To figure out what gives you a rush, spend an afternoon browsing through a bookstore. It'll help you zero in on your interests and might even spark a new hobby." (I know from my own experience what that will do for me: It will cause me to spend my money buying some books!)

2. Know thyself
"The ability to highlight your good points, rather than relying on others to do it for you, helps build inner confidence. Our ability to promote ourselves is directly connected to our self-esteem." (Hmmm...I think this might lead to a problem with pride, yet I once heard a music pastor say, "He that tooteth not his own horn, same shall not be tooted!")

3. Reflect
"Each day, note three small triumphs...do it every night before bed as a reflective wrap-up to remind youself of your strengths and accomplishments." (Sounds like good advice!)

4. Slow down
"Spend some time doing nothing--whether it's for five minutes or half an hour. Stay in the shower a little longer; sit on the front porch and watch the sunset; or linger over your morning cup of coffee." (This one sounds wonderful!)

5. Listen to your gut
(Mine is usually rumbling because of all the problems with my digestive system. I'd rather listen to praise music.)

In conclusion -- my personal favorite:
6. "Give yourself the same encouragement that you would give a friend, to help you feel better fast!" (Think long and hard on this one!)

Today is a brand new day!

It has started out well, and good things lie ahead! How can it go wrong if my attitude is right? So much of how our days go has to do with our own attitude toward our circumstances, but that is so hard to remember! It takes strong discipline of our thought life -- taking control of negative and positive thinking!

I'm currently involved in a study (with Roberta) called "Battlefield of the Mind" (written by Joyce Meyer). It is an excellent tool for learning this discipline of the mind, but during this time of getting together with her, I've noticed something: The battle has only increased! Why? Because the devil would prefer that I not make progress in this area of my life. He would like to keep me bound up in negative thinking and discouragement, so that I am less useful in God's plan for my life. Oh, may it not be so! I will continue in this battle for good and right thinking!

Even my return to blogging has been an avenue for discouragement. When I post, I desire feedback. I want comments! It's the way I receive confirmation and encouragement to continue blogging. I've quit blogging a few times since I began in October of 2004, but when I returned to it in December of 2005, I was determined not to let lack of comments get me down. Determined, I tell you! Yet, once again, with few comments coming forth, discouragement set in.

Today I received an email from a dear friend (Sandy) in Michigan. At first I felt a bit like, "But, you just don't understand how important comments are to a blogger!" But, as I reread her letter and gave more thought to it, I knew she was right, and I knew I had just received wise, caring counsel from a good friend! She offered her permission to share any part of her letter with my readers, so, just in case it may help another blogger as well, here is a part of it:

"Please don’t get discouraged that you don’t get as many comments on your blog as you think you should. In my eyes, a blog is just a personal diary that you are writing for yourself and expressing how you feel on a particular day—you are just “unlocking” it for others to read, becoming transparent. God has given you a real gift of expressing yourself, and it is much better than holding it within. The most important “reader”, God, is reading it (your heart) and knows your joy or discouragements before you do, and He’s preparing a message for you. Might be through a sunrise or sunset, the promise of beautiful flowers in the garden you planted, through a meeting with a friend, or a date with your husband. All have a way of spreading brightness in our days. The choice is, do we wallow in the discouragements, or choose to take the joy that is given to us. "

Thanks, Sandy, I needed that!

Now, on with my day -- time to get over to Roberta's house!

Just out for a Sunday drive

and ended up in Detroit! (Detroit, Oregon, that is)We forgot to take our camera along, so this picture was taken with my cell phone -- not exactly top-quality, but at least better than nothing.

This is an area called Detroit Lakes (about 75 miles from home)-- quite a variety of beautiful rivers and lakes all connected together. Looking at this glassy-calm, serenly-quiet waterway, you would never guess how different the river looks in other spots. We took a walk along one stretch of wild and wooly white water, and reminisced about the time we dumped our canoe and nearly drowned (on a different river, in the state of Washington), in February of 1998. You never forget an experience like that, and you hope to never experience it again!

Room With a View

(Please click on picture to get optimum viewing pleasure!)

This was what I saw from my bedroom window when I went to bed last night. After some oohing and aahing, Larry went out onto the deck to capture the scene for me. Of course, the camera can't do justice to what the naked eye can see, so you'll just have to take my word for it -- it was lovely! How nice to have a room with a view!

Am I Sometimes a Little Too Joyful?

It has been an incredible day for me! I didn't realize it until just a few minutes ago, when suddenly my mind was flooded with recognition of all that God did for me today. Happiness has been waning lately, and I've been pleading with God to restore my joy. Today He has been at it all day long, but I didn't add it all up till now, nearly 9:00 P.M.

This morning I was treated to the great pleasure of finding a personally rewarding email from a total stranger. Yesterday I received an email (a "mass-mailing" type note) from someone I worked with in Michigan 36 years ago, asking for prayer for a baby girl who has an inoperable brain tumor. Although I don't know any of the people involved, I prayed and sent a note to the email address given. The email I received back today was a huge blessing to me, and exactly what my heart needed.

This afternoon I spent time at a Christian bookstore, intending to buy something written by Barbara Johnson -- "Pack Up Your Gloomies in a Great Big Box, Then Sit on the Lid and Laugh!". Although I didn't find that book, I did find two other books written by her, older books that were on a discount table at 60% off! ("Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy!" and "Splashes of Joy in the Cesspools of Life").

Also, as I spent time browsing the bookshelves, I noticed a book on relationships that especially caught my attention. Skimming one particular chapter, I suddenly had full understanding of something that has caused me great consternation for quite awhile. What I read hit me like a ton of bricks, and suddenly a light was turned on in a dark room in my heart! There was no mistaking the truth, and as I drove home a great weight was lifted from my shoulders. The truth had finally set me free, and it had nothing to do with the reason I had gone to the bookstore! At least I didn't think so then, but now, as I think about it, I can see clearly that it had everything to do with why I went to that bookstore!
(I didn't know, but God did!)

This evening I had the unexpected pleasure of spending time alone with my son while my husband is working late. Oh, how I needed that time with him -- an opportunity to share my heart with him and receive his wise counsel.

After he left, I discovered a new comment on my blog (from my sister, Colleen), and it just blew me away! I read it several times, trying to figure out how she could possibly have known what to say, since we have not had any communication lately. It sounds to me like God must have told her my thoughts during the last few days. I just sat here shaking my head in disbelief and in the realization that God took care of my need without me expressing it.

Then I sat down with one of my new books ("Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy!") and began to read. Again, it's just what I needed! Barbara Johnson is known for her joyful attitude toward life, especially in the face of extreme difficulties and suffering. Although I've read only the preface and Chapter One ("Pain is Inevitable, but Misery is Optional") so far, I've enjoyed it immensely already! In light of my blog title (and some of my writings), the following was especially noteworthy to me:

Am I a Little Too Joyful?

"Sometimes people think I'm a little too joyful--that I'm ducking reality and ignoring the painful facts of life. But I simply tell them I'm not ignoring the facts--I'm just looking at them and trying to find joy, not misery." (by Barbara Johnson)

That's my viewpoint, as well. If Barbara Johnson can get away with it, then so can I!
It was during the reading of her book that it suddenly hit me -- God has been splashing my life full of joy all day long today! In answer to my desperate cries for His help, over the last few days, He is watching over me and providing a measure of His joy to meet my needs--my exact needs! He's like that, yes, He is!

Come close...

Another lesson from my cat:

She was meowing for my attention as she walked into the room, so I reached down to pet her. But, she stayed just out of my reach. I said to her, "You have to come near to me if you want to be petted."

Hmmmm...I wonder if God ever says that to me.

Lookin' for Beauty in an Unbeautiful Day

As I rounded the end of the bed, I couldn't help but notice the view out my bedroom window, on this gray, rainy day. The skies are somber (as is the mood inside), but there's still beauty to be found. One has only to look for it.

Joy in the Heart

When there's joy in the heart, there's beauty all around,
and every bit of laughter is such a pleasant sound.
Whether skies are sunny or rain clouds linger there,
when the heart is happy, there's music in the air.
But when sadness fills the heart, then all that's seen is gloom,
and laughter is just noise—unwelcome in the room.

If only we could see, though eyes are full of tears,
that God is in control, and wants to calm our fears.
Oh, how the heart is cheered when we remember Him;
then problems aren't so feared and cares begin to dim.
When we look to Jesus, He makes the gloom depart;
eyes behold new beauty and His joy fills the heart.

Popped out on March 1st!

It turned out to be a beautiful day -- what a nice way to welcome in the month of March! I ran errands, enjoying being out and about in the sunshine, coming home just in time to catch my cat watching a squirrel lunching at the feeder. While watching Pretzel watch the squirrel, I noticed a crocus was finally in full bloom! Not just one, but three! So, I just had to grab my camera. Quickly walking out into my yard, I almost scared away the robin that was sitting right next to the crocus I was about to take a picture of! He cautiously moved away just a bit as I readied the camera, but, fortunately, not out of view of the camera lens. Yup, spring has finally sprung in my yard!

Joy in the Morning

This morning I awoke with a song in my heart -- as though I was already singing a song before I became fully awake! What a wonderful wake-up call! It brought an instant smile to my face and joy to my heart! This is what I was singing:

Beautiful One -- I love you!
Beautiful One - I adore!
Beautiful One -- my soul must sing!

You opened my eyes to your wonders anew;
You captured my heart with your love;
And, nothing on earth is as beautiful as You!

Know this song? Sing it along with me. Go ahead -- sing it out loud! It may just lift your spirits and put a little joy in your heart! Here's the whole song (Beautiful One, by Tim Hughes):

Wonderful, so wonderful is your unfailing love
Your cross has spoken mercy over me
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart can fully know
How glorious, how beautiful you are

Beautiful one I love you
Beautiful one I adore
Beautiful one my soul must sing

Powerful, so powerful your glory fills the skies
Your mighty works displayed for all to see
The beauty of your majesty awakes my heart to sing
How marvelous, how wonderful you are!

You've opened my eyes to your wonders anew
You've captured my heart with this love
Cause nothing on this earth is as beautiful as you

My soul my soul must sing(x3)
Beautiful one

Beautiful one I love you
Beautiful one I adore
Beautiful one -- my soul must sing!

Then I sat down in my blue chair to spend some time with the "Beautiful One", and I read:

"As for me, I will sing about your power.

I will shout with joy each morning

because of your unfailing love.

For You have been my refuge,

a place of safety in the day of distress.

O my Strength, to You I sing praises,

for You, O God, are my refuge,

the God who shows me unfailing love."

(Psalm 59:16-17 - New Living Translation)

I didn't "shout with joy" out loud when I woke up this morning (because Larry would surely have come running to see what horrible thing had happened to his wife), but I did whisper it as I sang. And, although my head was throbbing with a headache, I couldn't help but smile and give thanks to Jesus for His wonderful love and special care for me.

The weather forecast is rain for today, but as I finished typing this, the sun came out and shone brightly, just for a moment. Yessss! Now I'm ready to get going in this new day!