Thursday, April 30, 2015

COMFORT



Time for this week's link up with Karen Beth for Tuesday @ Ten where we have a full week to write on the word prompt.


This week's word is:


C O M F O R T


How do you comfort someone who has just lost a loved one?

What do you say to comfort them?

Are there words?

I find it hard to know the right words to say; I hug them, look into their eyes and...

Tear up!

I don't know how comforting that is to one who is grieving a loss; to one who has learned they have a terminal disease - cancer; or to someone who is going through a difficult time.

I just don't always know the "right" words to say to comfort them.

One of my friends has recently been diagnosed with cancer; he shares his journey on Facebook and writes such inspirational posts!  Sometimes I feel he is comforting us instead of our comforting him!

When I saw this friend not too long ago at a function, I could only look into his eyes and give him a hug, letting him know how I felt without having to say anything.

Maybe that is the key...



Just to be with that friend - that person - who needs comforting; just sitting silently with them...

Listening...

And praying with them, reminding them that God is with them now and always will be.

Found on Pinterest
Shared by usurnsonline.com


Found on Pinterest
Shared by usurnsonline.com

Perhaps that is what we are to do...








Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Simple Woman's Daybook - April 28, 2015


Linking up with


FOR TODAY:
April 28, 2015

What is that saying; something about "a day late and a dollar short"?  That's me this week with The Simple Woman's Daybook!  I have so much that needs to be done...

But, I am stopping long enough to join in the FUN with this week's Simple Woman's Daybook.  So, here goes:

Outside My Window:  The wind is blowing in the trees; the weather is calling for rain today; not sure of the temp right now...but my day is busy inside!

I am Thinking:  The next two days will be busy getting ready for the weekend!  Will I get everything done?

I am Thankful:  For friends who "take me away" for several hours!  {Even if I have sooooo much to do to get ready for a FUN weekend...enjoyed our day!}

I am Wearing:  A flowered pajama top and a pair of jeans capris along with my crocs, that are usually off my feet.

I am Creating:  Back to my childhood!  I have discovered these adorable paper dolls - Prima dolls!  I attended a class with my friend yesterday and we made a card using one of the dolls...adorable.  I will share some others I have done, but not yesterday's because it is not complete {and I have an idea what I will do with it when complete!}.



I am Going:  No where today; but on Thursday, another day with my friend to pick up raffle items from Sweet Pete's - a "yummy" place to go!  {Check out the post I wrote for "Are We There Yet?", all about Sweet Pete's}.  And the weekend...FUN FUN FUN at a scrapbooking retreat in town; but I am staying overnight at the hotel!!  Looking forward to it!

I am Wondering:  Am I going to be ready - for the above retreat?  I am always ready; but will my "stuff" be ready?  That is the question!

I am Reading:  "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson; I did not see the movie.  But, am having a hard time getting into the book.  Perhaps it's because I have been so busy with little time to read?

I am Hoping:  The next few days are very productive!

I am Looking Forward to:  The retreat this weekend {my readers are going to get very tired hearing about this retreat!}; but I am excited to be with my friends - some from out of town - and having a great weekend - and maybe get some scrapbooking done!


I am Learning:  More about Eucharisteo and thankfulness; reading Ann Voskamp's book "One Thousand Gifts"; I did not include that in the above category because I am taking my time with it and savoring what she has to say!  The other book is just for pleasure; her book is for my spiritual journey.


In My Kitchen:  A lot of fruit and junk food and snacks and left-overs...and my cereal is beckoning me to come eat!  Seriously!  I haven't had breakfast yet!


Around the House:  Stacks and stacks of containers and bags, organizing and readiness for...yeah, I'm gonna say it again...for the retreat!


I am Pondering:  Eucharisteo...same as I am learning from Ann's book!


I am Hearing:  The quiet of an empty apartment, except for the sounds of the computer and the whirring of the ceiling fan.

A Favorite Quote for Today:  




I haven't been on Facebook yet this morning; and have already given you plenty of information about my day and week...so for today I will just say:  "Have a great week and weekend!  I shall return in two weeks!  See you around the 'net!"




Sunday, April 26, 2015

Gifts Found in April 2015 - Part 3

Part 3 continues posts written for "Gifts Found in April" following Ann Voskamp's book "One Thousand Gifts", and the monthly list of "gifts".  Read the other gifts found in Part 1 and Part 2...

April 16th
3 Hard Eucharisteos

Before searching for these gifts, I had to do a little research to learn the definition for this beautiful word...

I had not yet purchased or read Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, which is the basis for the gifts we find each day!


I have heard the word "eucharist" at church when talking about communion; so that form of this word was not foreign to me.  But, I have never heard it in this form - 

Eucharisteo...

A verb meaning "to be grateful, to feel thankful.  A gratitude that leads to joy and grace."

and...

A Greek word rooted in thanksgiving.  As we acccept God's gifts (Grace), and give Thanks for those gifts, we experience Joy!


GRACE + THANKSGIVING = JOY!

Found on Pinterest
Shared by Amy

Deborah Horst has a Pinterest account where she has posted her 2013 and 2015 Gifts;  she says of Eucharisteo:  "Grace towards others who may not think and believe exactly like we do!  Thanksgiving in the midst of busy days that don't always look like days of thanksgiving...finding it in the midst...choosing too!  Joy unspeakable and full glory...because I have the joy of the Lord!"

Thank you, Deborah, for helping me find the words!

1.  The Gift of Grace - Though I do not deserve even one day - even one hour - of this life He has given me...

He laid down His life...

For mine!  For yours!

That is GRACE!

2.  The Gift of Thanksgiving - Every day of my life - every hour of my life -

I am thankful for what He has done for me...

Yet, do I fill my days with praise and thanksgiving for what He has done?

One life, given for one life...

For many lives!

Thanking Him every day - every hour - of that life is such a small thing compared to what He has done for me...for us.

3.  The Gift of Joy - At the Cross, He gave...

He continues to give.

His love and grace warm my heart; brings a smile to my mouth; a song on my lips...

Praising Him for all He has done...

For me!  For us!


April 17th
3 Gifts Woven

1.  The Gift of Warmth - Before she was unable to hold the crochet hooks, or the knitting needles, my mother (Granny to my children and grandchildren) created many beautiful doilies and afghans.  Some of the afghans are still in the family, like this one that provides warmth whenever the grandkids stay overnight with us:


Photo by BJLondon

2.  The Gift of Togetherness -  Chief Seattle says it very well, that we are woven together:

"Humankind has not woven the web of life.  We are but one thread within it.  Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.  All things are bound together.  All things connect.

All things are bound together...All things connect...

WE CONNECT!

3.  The Gift of Creation - God created...and God planned.  He knew me before; He knows me now!

He knew who my parents would be, and all about me before He even "Wove me in my mother's womb".



How awesome that He is in control of ALL creation...

Even me!


April 18th
3 Gifts Inherited

1.  The Gift of Family Past - Memories of those gone before us, packed away in boxes and boxes of "stuff"; in furniture or dishes; jewelry or clothing; books, papers, pictures...

"Stuff" passed down from one generation to another;  "stuff" that is left as our inheritance -

Our memories of Grand Parents, Parents, others...

Our memories of Family Past.

2.  The Gift of Family Present - Memories for tomorow, the future, are made now with family and friends.

And, as an avid scrapbooker, I must admist -

This will be true:



3.  The Gift of Family Future - "Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.  You guard all that is mine."  (Psalm 16:5)

And, Lord, you are my past, my present and my future.


You share my memories of Family Past;

You guide my memories of Family Present;

And You hold my memories of Family Future.



April 19th
3 Gifts Square


1.  The Gift of Hands - A beautiful stained-glass window at the front of the church...

Jesus' out-stretched hands, welcoming all to "come to Him";

Though not quite a square...

Take a closer look at Jesus' hands...


They almost fill a "square" portion of the whole window!

Come!  Jesus welcomes you; come!

2.  The Gift of a Walk - A hymnal, when opened flat, resembles a square -

At least, in my eyes it did!  And, since I am the writer...

Our opening hymn in church today was "Just a Closer Walk with Thee"; the chorus of that hymn, inside the pages of the hymnal, is:


"Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea.
Daily walking close to Thee;
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be."

Yes, the gift of a walk with our Lord!  Let it be!

Come!  Take a walk with Jesus!


3.  The Gift of Communion - The Communion Table, a rectangle rather than a square, resembles two squares put together.

A symbol that we, though broken, are "put together" by Jesus Christ, who invites us to "come to the table" where together we join Him for the Holy Eucharist.

Come!  Join Jesus at the Table!



April 20th
A Gift Stacked, Stashed, Stilled

Whether "stacked" on my shelves; "stashed" in storage in boxes; or "stilled" in my hands as I read them...

I enjoy the many books that I have around this small apartment.

Some authors I always pick up to read; others I pull from the shelf at the used book store or a thrift store to "try", discovering new and interesting authors.


April 21st
3 Gifts Found in Christ

1.  The Gift of Comfort - My first thought for this gift was from the 23rd Psalm, the last part of verse 4:  "...your rod and your staff - the Comfort me" (NRSV).

Then there is Psalm 94:19:  "When doubts filled my mind, your Comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer."

And finally, Matthew 9:22:  "Daughter, be of good Comfort, your faith has made you whole."

We receive Comfort in Jesus Christ!

2.  The Gift of Hope - There are many passages on the word Hope; verses like Jeremiah 29:11:  "For I know the plans I have for you..." concluding with "...plans to give you Hope and a future."

Check out all of these Hope-ful verses:

Found on Pinterest


3.  The Gift of Everlasting Life - What better verse to share the gift of Everlasting Life than John 3:16:  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have Everlasting Life."

And, in Psalm 139:23-24:  "Search me, O God, and know my heart; point out anything in me that offends you; and lead me along the path of Everlasting Life."

So, these are just three of the many gifts we receive in Jesus Christ...

Comfort

Hope

Everlasting

Thank you, God, for these and all gifts given to us through your Son, Jesus Christ.


April 22nd
Three Gifts Close

Close - (noun) end; (verb) to end; to shut.

Close - (adjective) very near to.

1.  The Gift of Closed Doors - Losing a job; finding a seasonal job; then finding a temporary job soon after seasonal job ended...

Hospital stay just after temporary job ended;

No job...

No insurance...

"What do we do now?!"

WHEN GOD CLOSES A DOOR...



And the path was set for us...

Leave the house that was making me sick - mildew, mold, roof leaks; and no financial way to "fix" the conditions of the house.

But, then the unheard of...

Approved for disability - the first time I applied!

Found on Pinterest
Shared by instapray.com


So, with the hospital stay...

God had our attention!

With the prayers lifted up...

He changed my husband's heart!


2.  The Gift of Closeness - Many nights I cried out to God after that door - those doors - closed!  Many times I reached out, wondering "What now?!"

And, many times God sent blessing after blessing after blessing...

Assuring us that He was close beside us.




3.  The Gift of Vision - As I closed my eyes and looked back on all that had happened during those days after losing my job...

I realized there was a reason all of this was happening!

And I realized there was so much that we had in our lives that was good; so much to be grateful for...

Found on Pinterest
Shared by oprah.com

And I knew that everything was going to be OK for us!  God gave me the opportunity to close my eyes and "see" what the plan was for my life...

YES!  I knew I was going in the right direction and the "vision" was totally in sight - retired at an age young enough to be able to enjoy family and friends and hobbies!  YES!  Thank you God!


Gifts Found in April 2015 - Part 4


Part 4 continues posts written for "Gifts Found in April" following Ann Voskamp's book "One Thousand Gifts", and the monthly list of "gifts".  Read the other gifts found in Part 1Part 2 and Part 3.


{I apologize before you start reading - this post may be quite lengthy as it covers April 23rd - 30th; and I am not a short and concise writer in these "Gifts".  Perhaps next month's will be shorter!}

April 23rd
3 Gifts Reflecting

1.  The Gift of Self-Worth - Look into the mirror...Who do you see reflected in the glass?  What do you see buried deep inside your inner-most self?

No matter what you feel or think about yourself, always remember these words from Aibileen Clark in "The Help":


"You is Kind.
You is Smart.
You is Important."

And these words found on Pinterest:


Found on Pinterest
Shared by upworthy.com


These words extend what Aibileen said in "The Help", adding to the fact that "You {we} are not alone"!

2.  The Gift of Example - What do others see when they look at you; observe what you do; how you act or react?  What do they hear you say to or about others?

"Be a reflection of what you'd like to see in others.  If you want love, give love.  If you want honesty, give honesty.  If you want respect, give respect.  You get in return, what you give."  (These words were shared on Pinterest by lovethispic.com.)

What others see in you...

Reflect who you are!

Make it positive!

3.  The Gift of Image - Now!  Look in the mirror again -

SMILE!

What do you see?

A Child of God...

Reflection of God's own image!


We are made in God's Own Image -

Our lives should reflect that person!


April 24th
3 Gifts Fragile

1.  The Gift of Flowers - The petals of a flower blooming on the edge of the yard are beautiful to look upon.

Yet, if held in my hands, are fragile...

If I squeeze too hard, these beautiful petals will fall apart.

Photo by BJLondon

A flower's petal is so fragile...

Hold them carefully!

2.  The Gift of a Child - A child's mind is so fragile, so open to what the world has to offer; and that world can often times be cruel and hurtful to a small one.

Their mind is still learning; their hearts are so full of love; and their life is in our hands, so precious...

A Child is so fragile...

Hold them carefully!


3.  The Gift of Heart - A heart is a fragile organ each of us must handle them with care...

For without our heart...

There would be no life.

When our heart is broken, our life is broken;

We are fragile beings...

When our heart is whole, our life can be whole - and complete.

Found on Pinterest
Shared by flickr.com

And, a comment to this image:

"Be so very careful of what you say - you can never press unwind when it's said."

We don't know what our words may do to a person unless we know what is held deep within their hearts...

"Be careful of what you say..."

A heart is so fragile...

Hold them carefully!


April 25th
A Gift Cloth, Steel, Wood

The Gift of the Nativity:  In December 2014, I was excited to be part of FMF Party Snail Mail with a group coordinated by Kaitlyn.  We each had a list of names; the list I was on had a total of six ladies, including myself.  Once per week for a 5-week period, we sent a card or letter to one of the ladies on the list.

Since it was during Christmas, I also sent each one a Christmas card.  

One of the cards I received included a beautiful wooden ornament with the Nativity carved on it...

Photo by BJLondon

This Nativity ornament still hangs by my computer, reminding me every day of the gift of a Baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, born in a lowly stable!



April 26th
3 Gifts Moving

1.  The Gift of a Smile  - Grocery shopping, carts moving this way and that...

Most people rushing through the aisles...

With little thought to others who are also passing by.

Then, somebody stops, smiles;

And motions to you...

Showing a kindess that says,

"You go ahead..."

And smiles again as you, in turn, smile and say, "Thank you."

SMILE at others; you may not know what that smile may do for them - that very moment!

2.  The Gift of Acceptance - Today I read a very touching - moving - story on Facebook...

{wish I could find it again so I could give proper credit!}

I will try to relate the story from memory...

A family was enjoying a meal in a restaurant; their young child was sitting in his high chair, 

Suddenly he began laughing and giggling - 

Very Loudly!

His parents tried to quiet him down, but they were curious as to the reason he was being so loud.  When they looked in the direction the child was looking, they saw a homeless man was talking to him from across the room; he was playing peek-a-boo and giggling and carrying on - loudly enough for everyone to hear!

They hurriedly finished their meal and the father stayed back to pay their tab, while the mother and child headed towards the door...

On the way out, the homeless man came up and passed by them, smiling and continuing to talk to the child...

The child reached out and, before the mother could do anything to prevent it...

The child slipped from her arms...

into the man's arms - and laid his head on his shoulder!

The smile on the man's face was so full of love and thankfulness for being allowed to share such a special moment...

The tears in his eyes, as he remembered those of his own that may have done this very thing at some point...

ACCEPT others; you don't know where they have been or what they have been through.

3.  The Gift of The Holy Spirit - Leaves on the trees blowing - moving - in the breeze; a reminder of the Holy Spirit, moving in our lives...

Reminding us that He is always with us; carrying us through the hard times - as well as the good times.  Carrying our prayers to God when we don't have the words to say...

Remember, we are not alone with the HOLY SPIRIT moving within our being!

Found on Pinterest
Shared by 


April 27th
3 Gifts "Ugly Beautiful"

1.  The Gift of God's Creatures - A turtle, with its dry, rough skin and hard, dark shell, may appear "ugly" at first look.  But, a closer look reveals how beautiful and perfectly-made they truly are!

Slow down and "see" God's Creatures!


A Diamond Terrapin
Photo by BJLondon

2.  The Gift of Wonder - Gray clouds usher in an afternoon thunderstorm.  Though ugly at first, the rain falling is peaceful and calming.  Even the lightning and thunder though they can bring ugliness - can still bring about a sense of wonder.

Close your eyes and "hear" God's Wonders!



Found on Pinterest
Shared by maxsteffen.com

3.  The Gift of Self - My naked body; nobody sees this but me...

The scars and bruises; the not-so-beautiful shape.

My inner soul; only One sees who I really am...

The scars and bruises I carry inside from the experiences of life; the not-so-beautiful I hide inside, away from other's eyes.

I am not beautiful; but I am not ugly...

Created by God...

In His Image!

To me, I may feel "ugly beautiful";

To Him, I am beautiful!



Open your eyes and "know" you are God's Child!



April 28th
3 Gifts Orange

1.  The Gift of Refreshment - There's nothing like a glass of Orange Juice for a refreshing, delicious, healthy drink in the morning - or anytime!

2.  The Gift of Dance - Two couples on last night's episode of Dancing with the Stars danced to a song with lyrics including these words - "the orange sky".  While I don't remember the whole song, or the title, the word "orange" caught my attention.

Dancing releases joy - a joy that you feel deep inside that moves through your body rhythmically...

And releases a joyful dance!  I would so love to dance like they do on the show...but - well, joy and movement and happiness; those are gifts I can enjoy...Amazing dance talent...not so much!

3.  The Gift of Color - I love color!  Especially bright, happy colors...

Like this flower:


Original Print by

This is just one of many beautiful paintings done by Candy Waters, a young girl only 12 years old - with autism.  She comes alive through her art that can be seen on her facebook page noted above.

Not only is Candy the awesome artist of this orange flower, she is a red-head...more like a "carrot-top" orange than "red"!

Check out her art...she IS amazing!


April 29th
3 Gifts in Dirt

1.  The Gift of Rescue - A news story caught my attention the other night; one about a group of rescuers freeing a man who had been trapped for over 80 hours following the earthquake in Nepal!

They worked tirelessly for over six hours to free him...

A miracle, for sure!

Then...

Another miracle!  A four-month old baby found...

ALIVE!

Stories like these abound when we hear news stories after a disaster...and other stories of life ended too soon.

We have all needed to be "rescued" in one way or another at some point in our lives.

Thank you God for the rescuers...

and for rescuing us from our many and varied "traps".

2.  The Gift of a Stone  - Quietly sitting on the steps in front of our apartment, a small section of grass and dirt caught my eye.  Buried partially beneath thesw dirt were several small stones...


Photo by BJLondon

A reminder of another "stone" - much larger -

That held our Savior after he died on the cross;

But what I remembered was not the closed tomb...

I remembered the "stone" that was rolled away -

Showing the world that "He is not here"!

Thank you God for your Son who died, was buried, and rose again...

For us!

3.  The Gift of Innocence - A little boy, playing happily in the dirt...



So innocent!

He doesn't know anything about the world around him; all he sees is love, a love he shares with everyone he meets.

Does he know that man down the street may be a criminal?  Does he have any idea those children playing across the street may be hungry, or sadly, victims of abuse?

His innocence can be seen in his eyes as he happily plays in the dirt, unaware of things in his world that are not so good.  He only knows love and sweetness; he hasn't yet learned that all is not love and sweetness...
Photo by BJLondon


So, he continues playing in the dirt...

Innocent and unaware.

And I know he is innocent and unaware; and I pray we can keep him that way -

Until he learns.



April 30th
A Gift Given, Made, Sacrificed

As I come to the end of this month of looking for blessings - gifts - in the "every day" things...

Today I received a Gift - Given and Made - 

A box full of chocolates donated by Sweet Pete's for our fund-raising retreat this weekend.  Maybe not a sacrifice to give...but given and made. 

And I think about another gift given many years ago;

A gift given, a sacrifice made, a gift given sacrificially...

The greatest gift of all...


Found on Pinterest

Given by God, who gave His Only Son...

Who Sacrificed His Only Son...

So that we may have life!

So that we may have life everlasting!

And if I haven't learned anything else from looking for Gifts in the Ordinary of Every Day - 

I have learned that there are many gifts given to us each and every day...

We just have to look for the Gifts that are right in front of us!



{I plan to continue my journey with Ann Voskamp and "One Thousand Gifts" into the month of May and beyond.  At this time I am pondering how to share them on my blog - without it being so long!}



Thursday, April 23, 2015

WISH



Time for this week's link up with Karen Beth for Tuesday @ Ten where we have a full week to write on the word prompt.


This week's word is:

Found on Pinterest


WISH!

"...I wish I may,
I wish I might,
have the wish
I wish tonight."


Looking up into the beautiful night sky;

Wishing on a star - 

Hoping...

That it comes true!

Have you ever done that?  Make wishes based on the stars in the sky -

Not just any star...

But that first star you see in the sky!

Did it work for you?

Yeah, me either!!

But...

What about your dreams?

Found on Pinterest
Shared by society6.com


Do our dreams come because of something we wish for in our waking hours?

Do our inner-most desires come through in our dreams?

And, if they do -

Do we actually remember them when we wake in the morning?  Maybe we do; maybe we don't!

I am certainly not an expert on dreams or wishes!

The rest of this quote continues...

"...when you're fast asleep.  In dreams you will lose your heartaches.  Whatever you wish for, you keep.  Have faith in your dreams, and someday, your rainbow will come smiling through.  No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true."

Cinderella believed it!  And, I believe it...

And, what about this...

Found on Pinterest
Shared by ldssmile.com

Now, that is thinking positive, isn't it!!

But, I also believe - know - that if I "pray to the one who created" {the stars} -


Found on Pinterest

And...

"Delight {myself} in the Lord...

"He will give {me} the desires of my} heart."  (Psalm 37:4)

So, instead of wishing...

Say a prayer!

That's my post on "wish".

But, I wanted to share one more "wish" image:

Found on Pinterest


Praying ALL your wishes come true!