Trekking with Me

I am so thankful for this past week.  I have gotten some much needed rest.  And with that rest, God has done a few wonderful things in my mind and heart. Being a teacher in the past, an analogy comes to mind.  A teacher has a challenge before them each unit of study:  by some form and fashion, each unit holds with itself goals of learning, milestones that measure the learning of that particular section.  You can not move forward until those are completed.  As some of you know - especially homeschool mom's, sometimes those milestones fall together very haphazardly - children learn in different ways.  If a child is not ready to grasp something today... after some time, growth, and patience, in their own unique way, that milestone is grasped.  We can't really decide the order and time it happens, but it does happen. This year, I see some very clear lessons God has been running through my life.  I rejoice that He has allowed me to see His han...

No More Sugar.  Yep. I don't know about you but over the last year I have been giving myself a lot of liberties in the sweets area. Somehow a sneaky philosophy came over me - "I worked out this morning, so i can eat dessert every meal AND three oreo's with a small glass of milk today..."  or "I will workout in the morning so I can have my favorite brownie cup with ice cream dessert creation... again, tonight..." I was in denial.  I have come to realize I need HELP! I must stop. Now, no like a few months ago.  I confess... i have fallen... yes, pride comes before a fall... me, Miss Health Nut. So... a few weeks ago (actually it was Christmas WEEK of all weeks) I had had enough of myself:  there were things pushing out where I have never had problems before... good grief. I have given myself a small vice: my coffee.  I like those fancy flavored creamers... but i am working on an alternative to wean myself off.  And my sugar will become Xylitol: m...

An idea has been flapping around in my head... over giving.  I can't exactly do a "comment on my blog and in two days you may win this magnificent prize" - kind of contest or drawing, though I don't think it would be too hard for the five of you who read; you should get a prize just for visiting, as it means a LOT to me.  BUT, I wanted to give something via my blog. I love to give things that have changed or touched my life to others.  Something God used to show me more of Himself or helped me grow or change... so, I thought I would share a few things that have made a difference, this year, in my life.  Then, you can either order it or download it and enjoy it - like a Christmas gift from me to you! So here ya go... Hunger For Healing  by J. Keith Miller. I had to read this for a class last Spring; this book has seriously changed me - or rather, the Truths the author fleshes out in these pages, have done a marvelous work in me.  grab a copy and re...

I love how God is with us.  He is so tender, so gentle, so patient... so good. There are many things in my heart and mind and life that tempt me to get all wound up, worried, anxious, perplexed.  I usually have a hard time leaving something alone too.  I pick at it over and over and over... like a child who just can not leave well enough alone and spoils the surprise with immature impatience, a lack of trust. Last night, after a long, busy week, I was thankful to have a few hours to sit in my favorite chair and spend time with the Lord.  I even had to be disciplined in doing that, as I was tempted to disengage with the TV, but I knew my Spirit was hungry for the Lord's Presence and honestly, my quiet times have been getting slim in quality and in quantity; when i feel myself getting to that point, a song rises in my heart.  I don't even know who sang it, and I have not heard it in years - but the words are... "I miss my time with you, those moments togeth...

Friday Morning Sky from my back fence; it was one of the most incredible sunrise skies I have ever seen! I like pancakes, but i have always had a battle with making them ...  these were a little on the thick side... i hate it when it is still uncooked in the middle... the pan was too hot... so... Sasha was happy to take care of some of them. Jimbo helped me out and the last half of the batch actually turned out decent.  Ask Kayden... she even shared them with George. :-) Now THIS is the face of a satisfied customer! This one... it's up for debate. ;-)

I am officially looking for a full time job.  My current job has exhausted itself; my program is coming to a halt with only my internship to complete.  Finishing my internship will take a while I am guessing and right now it looks like a very haphazard thing; a little here, a little there... So, I must look for fulltime employment. Hunting for a fun job, in this time and place, and always with me being the hunter, is a challenge!  I have a few things on my resume that look good and are very helpful, but I admit i feel very intimidated, scared, weak, and unacceptable.  Talk about vulnerability.  I hate hate "selling" myself.  hate. it. Being Chosen is my favorite.  It's everyone's favorite! When I look back over my career path, 9 out of ten of those were handed to me.  Seriously, once i simply walked on the premises and a lady met me on the sidewalk in front of the main office and offered me the job! So, I sent in my first resume this morni...

Okay, this is South Carolina.  I know I mentioned a few months back the joys of each season lasting 3 months, give or take a few weeks; offering a good heaping, helping of that particular season weather.   I am trying to remind myself of these perks when I am too cold to even take my poor puppy for a walk. The Weather Man just said we broke TWO records today: it has not gotten over 37 degrees today... I am sitting here on my couch, wrapped in my green blanket and silk cuddle duds.  Okay... let's think of some things to be thankful for in these temperatures: 1.  Kitty is much more affectionate; even now she laying over my arm as a type.  She is a great little heater. 2.  Cuddle duds. 3.  Flannel sheets 4.  A cozy house: there a so many homeless here in Columbia, I can't even imagine what it would be like to roam the streets in tattered clothes, especially in this weather. 5.  Health: I just worked out to help warm myself up, AND bu...

"Tis the Season to be Jolly...." I have rolled into this season with mixed emotions.  I am facing saying "goodbye" to my brother and his family in a few days.... the semester is closing fast and i am not sure what is happening next.  It is haunting me like an invisible ghost - something is there i just don't know what. These unknowns, and closings and changes... ugh, i can't really say i am all that jolly. YET, in the last few months I have sensed in my being a gentle settling... i love my new church, i love the potential ministry opportunities... I am hopeful for what is ahead and God keeps reminding me His heart is worth Trusting even when I can't see: He fills me with inexpressible joy and peace. So today... I decorated the house a little tiny bit.  I don't want the neighbors to think I am a heathen.  I have to admit Christmas decorations are beautiful and make me feel so at home and loved.  On the other hand, I am kind of lazy in that I run...

"can't catch me." I am a little tired today.  It can all be blamed on this varmint. "it's my favorite to get my picture taken!" Last night my folks came to town bringing sweet Sasha home!  She seemed happy to be home and we all loved on her a lot - she really liked that! I came home from school to find a wonderful dinner of grilled hamburger and mac'n cheese!  Toys were typically haphazardly ornamenting the living room floor - evidence of my brother and nieces being present for a mini-family reunion.  It is nice to come home to a full house - yet my house screams "little house" when they all descend. Bed time rolled around - none too soon - I had a long day and I had started early.  My folks stayed with me and since i have a queen size bed, my mom slept with me.  I have flannel sheets on my bed for the winter months - which i love, love, love - yet i discovered something last night.  It gets REALLY hot when there are two bodies in t...

A few weeks ago I was challenged to memorize Psalm 46, from my friend Corrie's blog (and Daniel) .  This week I have taken it to task and God is already making it come to life as I let it marinate in my mind.  I hope to have it completely imprinted in my brain by Christmas - care to join me? (Or at least keep me accountable?) 1  God is our refuge and strength,    an ever-present help in trouble. 2  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3  though its waters roar and foam    and the mountains quake with their surging.   4  There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,    the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5  God is within her, she will not fall;    God will help her at break of day. 6  Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;    he lifts his voice, the earth m...

I have loved this song for a long time ago - I first heard it while working at Brother John's in Toccoa, GA; it would play on the radio and it just made me smile every time I heard it!!! Now... what's one of your favorite Christmas songs??  I dedicate this post to all my nieces and nephews... love you all!! 

My goodness!! I can not even put into words how happy I am that I am able to be back into my blog!!  I have been locked out for almost a week; and i was seriously feeling some grief over losing my blog here.  I could hardly believe the loss i felt!  This little blog has become like a first born to me... my creative outlet, my baby.... and I thought i had lost it forever!!! I attempted starting a new blog too...  Place of Palms  yet i could not get the "umph" up to begin pouring myself into it... so, i guess i will leave it be - maybe the Lord has a purpose for that blog too.  I will wait and see.  Nothing happens by accident... and i was trying to listen throughout this frustrating experience - through my surprising emotional grief... for what the Lord was trying to say... it just seemed like a frustrating thing that I could do nothing about... yet... the key to solving it was not known to me and was easy, easy, easy.  Reminds me of a sermon I h...