Day 30 - 2015 - BACON {FMF}

This is Day 30 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group.  Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here.


Today's word is #1 of the Top Five from the Reader's Choice words; and, what a FUN word {I think!} ...

BACON

That's right!!  Bacon...

When I saw this word on Kate's post...I laughed!  Literally laughed!  I do think it is a FUN word to "almost" end our month.

So, whatever do I write about BACON?!

Well, I do love to eat bacon; a good BLT or grilled cheese with bacon, or even a bacon cheeseburger or...just crispy fried bacon with breakfast any time of the day!

We've been writing so hard these past 29 days; it's great to have such a fun word to easily write about - or is it easy to write about?

I felt so silly when I read the word Bacon, I have decided to use the words from the FMF "free writes" and share this bit of "whatever"...maybe a bit of whimsy or comical relief ?!

So, here goes!  Hope you enjoy:

Perhaps it isn't that easy to write about this word Bacon?  I thought I'd have a hard time with Green.  I tried to Capture my Calling while writing this series.  I made sure to Embrace my Family and the Home we share; and to remember the Possible Love of Purple!

I Trust(ed) I was Ready to Rest before the Storm came along and Crashed the Wave(s) into the Sea.  I so wanted this series to be fun; and tried to have more Patience before I tried to Fly away...

I had to Laugh at myself many times, wondering if it was really Worth all the Silence and Hope I had Whisper(ed), thinking about the Temporary Honor it would bring to me.

But, tonight as I finish writing today's post, I realize the Value of what I can Offer to you, my readers...

With great Joy, I now present to you, on this Almost last day of our 31 day journey...

BACON!!!

And I pray you will always...

Found on Pinterest

Shared by stokeglory.blogspot.com

What a wonderful way to end (or almost end) a challenge!!

Can't wait for the next challenge!!!  What about you?

Day 29 - 2015 - SEA

Today's word is:  Sea

Found on Pinterest

Shared by theultralinx.com

And, I'm sharing a poem today...

"Walking by the Sea"

Walking barefoot

by the sea;

Running, jumping,

splashing free.

Squishy toes

beneath the sand;

Waves roll quickly to the land.

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Shared by plus.google.com

Look!

How far away they go...

Waters to the shore

may flow.

Back and forth;

in and out.

Crashing waves

seem to shout:

"Here I am, Lord,
send me now!
This I pray
my solemn vow!

Use my gifts
to share the word;
Where no one else
Your Word has heard."

Waves may flow
back and forth;
Shouting praises
of your worth.

Thank you, God,
for showing me,
all the glories
of the Sea.

This is Day 29 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group.  Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here.  For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.

PATIENCE

Today is Tuesday; and I am joining my friend, Karen Beth, for Tuesday @ Ten.

This link-up, writing from a prompted word or phrase, is one of my fave...be sure to check out the others' posts, and link your own!



Today's word is:  PATIENCE

A word that I have written about over and over and over...

Something I have prayed for over and over and over again!

Actually, I am a pretty patient person,

Most of the time!

The times that I have a worse time with patience are with my husband...

A subject I have written about quite a lot on my blog; and one that I really am not an expert at.  Don't ask me how to be patient with someone who has no idea how his behavior affects someone else, especially me...his wife and caregiver!  I have a hard time with that.

Patience?  The definition of "patient" as an adjective is:

"(a) a person who can wait for a long time/who remains calm/who doesn't lose his temper; (b) careful/painstaking."

Actually reading this definition reminds me of my father.  For years, his hobby was building small airplanes from kits.  

My Father a few years

prior to having a stroke

After having a stroke, my father continued to work on his model airplanes with such patience...

...With the use of mostly one hand since the other one was crippled and in a brace!

I was amazed at his skill at holding the airplane with his crippled hand so he could paint or glue it together!

Now, I will say this - There were times when my father became very impatient; when my two brothers and I were growing up, he was a quiet, patient man...but had a few out-bursts when we were "out of control"!

But, later, when building these model airplanes, especially after his stroke, he would get very impatient with himself and his inabilities to do things as he had once done...not often; but sometimes.

More often he was a very patient man!

I pray for that kind of patience!  I pray almost every day for it...

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Shared by kingofkings7.wordpress.com

Thank you, God, for the example of this wonderful, loving earthly father.  My I learn the patience he had - before and after becoming ill.  And, may I be more patient with the one who I become the most impatient with...

Day 28 - 2015 - HOPE

A few weeks ago, I expressed what {I feel} everyone else may have been feeling while trying to get through this 31-day challenge writing every single day!

I said, "I sure hope I will be able to get all of these posts done before the 31st!"

Of course, I took what I thought would be the "easy way out" in using the Five Minute Friday "free writes".

It didn't work!  Some days the words were hard to get my mind around; some days I just had so much other things going on, I wasn't sure if I'd finish at all...

Yet...

Found on Pinterest

Shared by teentimes.com

And while at times it may have felt "hopeless", I knew that if I just stopped and took a deep breath, and settled into the task at hand...

The words would come; and I would write until I had it all done!  

And now, the end is in sight!

This image with "10 1-Minute Tips for Finding Hope" points out some very quick and simple ways we can remember there is hope!

You can also go to the Bible...there are so many verses that bring hope in many situations.

Check out these verses found on this brightly "hopeful" image:

I

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Shared by southernhospitalityblog.com

Here are a couple more verses that didn't make the list of those above, but also speak of hope:

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Shared by becauseofgrace.com

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Shared by babble.com

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Shared by wisewifesoaps.com

No matter what life brings my way, I know my hope lies in my Father who reigns in Heaven; and I look to Him to show me the way out of my hopelessness.

Listen to Aaron Shust sing "My Hope is in You"...

"The Lord delights in those who fear Him; who put their hope in His unfailing love."  (Psalm 147:11)

Let Him be your source of hope!

This is Day 28 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group.  Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here.  For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.

Day 27 - 2015 - PERHAPS

Just a few more days left for the "write31days" challenge...and yes, I am going to miss writing every day.  But, of course, I will not quit writing...

Perhaps... I will find another month-long challenge!

And, with that being said {written}, today's word is:  Perhaps!

The "Webster's Student Dictionary" I keep near my computer defines "Perhaps" as...

Simply:  "possibly or maybe"...

Actually, I like that word...

PERHAPS!

I use it a lot in my writing...leading the reader to reflect on what I have written and to share "possibilities" for where their reflections may lead.

Even the Bible uses the word; and gives us an example of how the written word can lead us to reflect on other things:

Found on Pinterest

Shared by lizmarieblog.com

So, reading this scripture can lead us to think and to reflect...

God has created me for something; perhaps...possibly...maybe...

It is what He has been leading me to all along!

Or...

I need to be diligent in what I am doing now because this is what His plans are for me!

Wow!!  See where this word can lead us?

I'm not sure which version of the Bible this verse was taken from; and it may not use the word Perhaps in every version; but here it is found on this image, and fits perfectly in what I have been saying!

I love this quote I also found on pinterest, a possibility of where we may find our strength:

 

And another great quote from Alex Tan:

Found on Pinterest

Shared by thesecretlaw.tv

Not to forget good ole Charlie Brown with the possibility of the stars in the sky:

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Shared by myhoneysplace.com

And, one of my favorites from an old children's Christmas classic:

Found on Pinterest

Shared by beautifulbydesign.com

Perhaps...you have your own uses for this word!  Share them with me in the comments!

This is Day 27 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group.  Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here.  For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.

Simple Woman's Daybook - October 26, 2015

Linking up with

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Just a few more posts and the "write31days" challenge for 2015 will be completed!  Today, I am linking up with Peggy and the Simple Woman's Daybook for the last week of October.

FOR TODAY

October 26, 2015

Outside My Window:  The weather is more spring-like than fall; yet, here in Florida, I guess they would be quite the same!  The temp is probably mid-70's by now with the sun shining and a little breeze blowing through the trees outside my window.

I am Hearing:  News, news, news!  Nothing "new" in the news; nothing "good" in the news!

I am Thinking About:  Sorting out the contents of several bags full of scrapbook supplies and projects; preparing for {yet another!} retreat in a couple of weeks.

I am Thankful for:  The "free time" that I will have this week at home; time to be able to rest up for other events and occasions coming up later:  Halloween; grandson's birthday; daughter's birthday; two retreats (one scrapbooking and another for Disciples' Women's Ministry; Thanksgiving...and so on and on!

I am Praying for:  Continuing to pray for our church and the process we are in to call an interim minister who will help us as we call a permanent senior minister.

I am Wearing:  My pink, white, fuschia flowered pj's - top to bottom!  And my crocs {maybe someone will buy me a new pair for Christmas?  Or, a pair of comfy slippers?}.

I am Creating:  Working on 20 scrapbook layouts - all the same! - for a page swap with 19 others.  At least the base of the pages are done!

I am Going:  To stay home today!  Catching up on chores and other things.

I am Wondering:  How long will the "peacefulness" last...only a few days ago it wasn't; but it's been good the past few days!

I am Reading:  Still struggling to read "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte...and also reading "When Your Loved One Has Dementia - A Simple guide for Caregivers" written by several authors; but endorsed by Peter V. Rabins and Nancy L. Mace, co-authors of "The 36-Hour Day" which has been a great source for me throughout the years.

I am Excited for:  Halloween - so I can see my grandkids all dressed up!  And, for my oldest grandson's 16th birthday dinner; also for Thanksgiving when we will all gather at my daughter's house; she has invited a good friend and her son to join us, and her friend's father will also come (they live out of town and come here to visit her husband's grave site at this time of the year).

There are a lot of FUN times coming up within the next few weeks; and add Christmas to the mix...FUN FUN FUN!!

I am Learning:  More about Alzheimer's disease; at least, how I can deal with it better.


In My Kitchen:  Small packages of "down to the bottom" chips; bagels; bread...all laying on the counter to be consumed at some point.  I just don't have a lot of storage space for that kind of food - at least, not that I can reach!

I am Pondering:  What scriptures to use for a Guest Post I'm in the process of drafting...

A Fave Scripture Thought:  My fave scripture would have to be 1 Corinthians 13, the "love chapter":

A Quote and a Blog Share:  Today, I am sharing a quote from another blogger; Carol Bovee, who blogs at blessedbutstressed.  Carol just lost her father, who was battling Alzheimer's disease.  Her post for today October 26th, found here talks about finding a blessing...

She says, "How do we find a blessing when our caregiving comes to an abrupt stop?"  And answers that question in a beautiful post.

Thank you, Carol, for sharing this beautiful post!  Prayers for you and your family.


And that ends this week's Simple Woman's Daybook...

Day 26 - 2015 - WHISPER

Each word in this series has been unique...

Yet, each word has built on previous words, or led into another...

As they connect one thought to another!

Today's word is:  WHISPER

Found on Pinterest

Shared by rossifox.com

What a wonderful quote to come across as I was searching for images!  During times when I am not involved in writing on my blog every single day, I do write in my journal almost every day!  And, I guess it would be considered talking to myself - whispering to myself!

But, could it be that I am actually whispering to someone else?  Perhaps...to God Himself?


When I whisper, do you hear?


Do you quiet all around you and listen to my voice?

When I pray, do you sit in quiet, in silence, so you can hear my whispers to You?

Do you?  Do you hear me when I whisper as I sit quietly listening for your whisper?

Perhaps God also hears our whispers!

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Shared by allposters.com


So, try to quiet the voices inside; to silence the noises of the world...of your life!  

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Listen intently for that whisper from God...

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Shared by triciagoyer.com

God knows the desires of our hearts; and He is waiting for us to ask Him for those heart's desires.  He has so much more for us than we could ever imagine!

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Shared by spiritualinspiration.tumblr.com

So, give it a try...

Find a quiet place to sit; tune out the noises all around...

And listen for the whispers of God!

This is Day 26 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group.  Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here.  For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.

Day 25 - 2015 - CRASH

Thinking about the word Crash -

My first thoughts were to write about the waves crashing into the sea...

And how God would be there as my anchor when they crashed down around me!

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Shared by etsy.com

Then, I thought about how tired I was.

My life today - now - is so much busier than "back then" when I was working a 40-hour week and trying to fit everything else into the rest of the time.

Now...

I "go go go" for as long as I can;

Then, I have to take time to rest and catch up on just being "still"!

Today is one of those days!  I have been so busy the past few weeks; going from one thing to another in such a whirl-wind of activity that...

I just didn't know which end was up!

Eventually...

I CRASH!

In the past, that crash has been an illness; whether one that would put me in the hospital, or something as simple as a virus or bad allergy or sinus infection that had me down for a few days.

Whatever it may have been, it gave me the opportunity to rest; to catch up on just "being" and get my strength back for whatever the next few weeks would bring.

And, I'll continue to listen to my "body", because those are the indicators that I need to slow down and rest...

I won't quit!  I won't stop doing the things I love to do.

I'll just continue to go until that time when I crash and then take the time to rest again; but I'll pay more attention to the indicators!

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Shared by kaleighsomers.com

So, as long as I keep going - I "get back on that bike"... 

It won't matter that I crashed because I did get back up and keep going!

My life will continue in this whirl-wind way...

Because I love my life!

This is Day 25 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group.  Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here.  For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.

Day 24 - 2015 - SILENCE

As we move towards the last few days of this writing challenge, the words seem to blend together, making it a bit harder to write something "different"!  But, I - we all - keep on writing!

Today's word is:  

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Shared by tomboyvintage.com

Did you ever stop to think...

That "silence" and "listen" are made up of the same letters - there just happens to be an extra "e" in one of them, and that one is...well, silent!

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Shared by flickr.com

Now, I am not an expert in the history behind the words...

But, I do find it quite interesting that they contain the same letters!

I think this is telling me that these two words go hand in hand:

In order for us to be able to listen, there must be silence!

Silence around us; silence within us!

So, as I wait for the silence, I am reminded that:

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Shared by aquiltandaprayer.blogspot.com

And I know that, even if my prayers are not spoken out loud, God will hear the prayers of my heart, once I have silenced the "voices" and other distractions around me.

I will end with this Cherokee Prayer:

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Shared by world-ethnic-beauty.tumblr.com

And that ends Day 24 of the 31 day challenge...

This is Day 24 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group.  Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here.  For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.

COURAGE

In the midst of the "write31days" challenge, I am taking a "break" and joining Karen Beth  for Tuesday @ Ten.





Today's word is:  COURAGE

Courage; being courageous...

Being brave!

If you have read even a few of the posts that are written for the 31 day challenge...

And any other of the many posts shared on Facebook in some of the groups I follow...

You will see there are so many brave and courageous women "out there"...

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Shared by foodforlaughter.blogspot.com

These women open their hearts and share the very depths of their souls.

They write about abuse and hurt and love and loss and pain and joy and happiness and...

Well, you name it!  You can find someone's post written on that emotion or situation.  I am often surprised at how vulnerable a person's writing can be as they open up and share.

The written words found on these posts - so heart-breaking and heart-warming and inspiring all at the same time!

In just a few words, you can feel their hurt, their pain, their loss, their joy and happiness...sometimes all rolled up into one situation!

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Shared by sussle.org

And, somehow I relate with these women; perhaps because I have shared so much of ME in my posts, as well!  I write from the heart; and hope that what I share helps at least one person.  If so, then I feel I've done what I set out to do...

Encourage, inspire, build up another's self-esteem a bit!

And, I know that whatever comes my way - whatever comes our way - ALL of us! - we know who will be with us on that journey!

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Shared by etsy.com

 And, He will never lead us astray!

So, be brave!  Be courageous!