Trekking with Me

Oh Fall, how I love you.... It's God gift to me to live in South Carolina.  I never thought I would love living somewhere so much.  Sure, people make a place wonderful and God has definitely blessed me with a sweet community of friends.  And, yet, He has also blessed me with delight in the place. Growing up in Florida was great.  I went barefoot most of the time, wore shorts and tanks or my swimming suit 90% of the time and liked it.  But I have to say, experiencing a change in seasons, the sweet smell of spring, or brightly colored leaves falling as you enjoy a walk through the woods or the smell of a wood burning fire wafting through the neighborhood and sometimes a snowfall, is serious joy to my heart.   My wardrobe is definitely growing to meet the need, though I could do with some more warm layers. This Fall was even more accented with a Pumpkin party I co-hosted.  I was inspired by my sister in love in Florida, a native Colorado gal....

Happy Fourth of July!  I believe this day is one of my favorites; over the past few years, it has distinguished itself in my memories.  Sailing is one part of the weekend, as well as watermelon, blueberries, some group activities like Contra dancing or hometown festival... and this year it is no different - more or less. :-) This year, this weekend has included a bit of sailing, a bit of hanging with friends, but mostly I have enjoyed a quieter holiday setting my house in order, keeping Sasha company and calm during the exploding flares and bottle rockets in my neighborhood.  I do plan on joining my community group tonight for a firework show and traditional fourth food! Kitty is all about the celebrating too... "I think we should shoot some off in the house tonight.  Sasha would totally love it.....you know, like good therapy, make her face her fears.  I am just thinking of what would be good for her..." "Mom, I am not going to smile, I don't care ...

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...

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...

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!! 

This was a special moment for a few reasons: first, last year all I wanted was to experience peach ice cream at the famous Peach festival, and I drove all alone to the festival only to find I arrived too late and it was more like a ghost town and NO peach ice cream could be found!! Second, This year, we arrived EARLY, I had a FRIEND to enjoy it with and we got peach ice cream in a waffle cone! This is my sweet friend Heather! :-) Sasha enjoyed the Peach Festival as well! Yeah, Free Blueberries... the Lord blesses me so much!! The blueberry bushes were LOADED! We wanted to experience EVERY part of the Peach Festival... how about these tractors! Do we look like rednecks!? We headed out to River Falls to go Contra Dancing Saturday night. It was a first for me, and I had a FATABULOUS time!! On our way to Contra Dancing, I was needing an energy boost.... we stopped in Greenville, in the coolest coffee house stop ever!! :-) The coffee was delicious too - Coco-Nuts (Coconut & Hazelnut...

It's my favorite time... this week is one I enjoy spending time reflecting on Passion week. A few years ago It became SO much more precious after doing a special teaching on it to my Bible students. After studying over it for my lesson I was praying about how to present it to my students in a way that would be different. I taught at a Christian school and most of my students were from christian homes who could have taught the material themselves. How could I make it different, real and personal to them? As I was praying over this God gave me a brilliant idea; a monologue began to form in my head, as if an eye witness were sharing about the week... the eye witness came out of the story... she was a servant girl, who worked for the man who owned the Upper Room. It was a Powerful presentation; one that God birthed in my mind and heart and He help me pull it off! I was blown away with how it came together and my students gleaned truth in a fresh way... i even heard about it from...

This is my three brothers and I! I don't think I have ever had a picture of just us! I am so blessed... I think my brothers are the most amazing men in the world. Each of them are incredible husbands and fathers. No Lie, and even though I may be biased in my opinion, I know first hand that they are among the BEST! We shared a wonderful family Christmas a few days early - the 23rd - and we realized it was the FIRST Christmas we have ALL been together, for Christmas, in 15 years! It was truly blessed of the Lord! Praying you all, who read my blog, have had a very blessed Christmas - I pray Jesus is brighter and incredibly beautiful in a new way.... The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. From this fullness of His grace we have ALL received... ...ONE BLESSING AFTER ANOTHER. John 1:14,16 NIV

See, I am becoming a pretty good sailor!! Kind of bright huh!? That's me behind Bethany's slice of watermelon... truly blissful - sittin' on a sailboat, chowin' down on watermelon! A few more times out and I will have this down!!! maybe.... The best place on the boat to take a nap.... until the wind picks up and you about roll off!! Heading out to the Peach Festival tonight.... will try to add some more pics if I get some! Happy Independence Day!! POST SCRIPT... Post Peach Festival... i was too late, all the peach ice cream had been sold and I just walked through watching everyone pack up, oh well - but made up for the disappointment by talking with a friend on my way home, which was sweeter than peach ice cream! :-)

Whew! I am just taking a seat after making some headway on a few of my house projects this morning. The house is quiet, except for Kenny G playing Christmas tunes. I have laundry to hang out before the morning gets too far along but I thought I would jot a line here to say Hello to my friends who check on me now and then =) I finished my first semester! Woo-hoooo!! I have a goal oriented mindset so when a goal is reached I like to cheer! And I also realize that i have about four more semesters to go, I wish it would not be so long - but when you think about it in numbers like "4" - it doesn't seem so long! Thank you all for your prayers. God used this last semester to work in my mind and my heart. It is all good. Right now - the Christmas Holidays are here and it truly is fun! I don't have ONE piece of Christmas decor up! Not yet anyhow, I tried to get Kitty to get some things done but, well, you know, she doesn't always carry out my wishes.... Somehow...

Hey everyone! This is a moment by moment update blog entry! I am sitting in the mall, next to Starbucks, so tempted to buy a $4 coffee but am holding out as i am meeting a friend for lunch and i have good coffee at home. Trying to be wise with my money....besides, i really DO want to buy for others instead of me. I have a problem in that I tend to begin to think of the many things I want on my Christmas wish instead of what others may desire....the kid in me is still alive! So, I confess the voice inside to say "I want this, I need that, I would love to have that..." IT is about GIVING...not receiving! :-) Ah, well, I am still growing! It is festive feeling here in the mall; people meandering by (one sweet soul dropped me a mint on my table as i was engrossed in my computer screen! the smallest things bless so much!), the music, the decorations, the cute kids dressed up for their picture with Santa (he has a REAL beard!), and just everything. I like to just sit and t...

Italy was an adventure! Genova is breathtaking...a challenging community clinging to the cliffs of mountains on the edge of the meditteranean sea....we spenta week there - about three days it was sun shiney and one beautiful day we walked along the edge of the world taking in the sights of rugged cliffs and the incredibly beautiful water...it was the coolest color! Deep green blues...clear as crystal....GORGEOUS! If you give me your address i will send you one of the post cards i picked up. We spent a week in Genova meeting the team working there - they are just getting settled in and each family/single took us for a day or two and showed us around the city. the public transportation in Europe is wonderful and after getting use to the technique i so enjoyed it....and it is so feasible being like $2 a day to get on and off trains, busses and subways...the history of the cathedrals and piazza's(sp?), the cobblestone streets, the archectiture and way of life there is cool. I enjoye...