Arctic Memories

A view of a snow-covered bridge in the woods.

I look about our town now.Our apartment grounds.The view is not the same as it was a mere few days ago.Just before Christmas our town was blanketed in white.A real winter wonderland that very much resembled the picture above.My first white Christmas at 47 years old.Growing up in California,as a child,I dreamed often of a white Christmas.But,alas,Sacramento does not get snow.And so I continued to dream of this picturesque world swathed in white.And it came to fruition at 47.40 years of waiting for this childhood wish to come to pass.My first white Christmas.A gift from God to me.The dream's realization had it's moments of pristine beauty.The way lights twinkled and danced off the crystalline world of white.Sheer beauty.The way the flakes shimmered when captured by the rare sun's rays that fought their way through the leaden,frozen skies.The sheer perfection of icicles that hung from every roof top when the ice storm hit.Beautiful.The amusing snow people that showed up all over town,in front yards and even on tops of vehicles that had been out of doors for too long.We laughed with sheer delight as we drove about town.Each snow person seemed to reflect the personality and ,lifestyle and the creativity of it's creator.For all it's beauty and laughter this soft white world also had it's share of hazards and pitfalls.Huge ruts in the roads created by falling ice and snow made a trip to the store feel more like off roading somewhere in the mountains.Slick patches everywhere made walking treacherous at best.We all held hands as we traversed an icy parking lot on the way to dinner out with family before Christmas.Sticking together helped us reach our destination safely.We were blessed with this most awesome of gifts and we relished it's icy presence while we had it.It's gone now,replaced by a more typical and warmer rain.But we have our memories and eventually some photos to remind us that it really did snow here.I really did have a white Christmas.And that when things get dangerous it's best to stick together.And to hold hands too if needed.
Blessings~Sharon

Let It Snow!

We made it back safely from our one week trip to the mountains!We've been back since last Friday but this is the soonest I was able to post anything at all here.Since returning from our trip we have watched our granddaughter quite a bit.Those of you with kids know how your time is not your own when they're home.We've had several unexpected"snow days"this week in Salem.This seldom happens but we've been hit by an arctic blast all week that has left us snow covered,icy,windy and with wind chills in the single digits at times.Schools here have been closed all week.We've had to do our shopping between storm systems.Makes for exciting times for these former Californians.We even had to get pushed around a corner earlier this week as our rear wheel drive van does not like ice at all.Some kind strangers gave us the push we needed to gain some traction and off we went to my mother in law's apartment.I have been walking extra carefully as the ground here in town has been at times nothing but ice.My husband grew up in snow country as a child and learned how to drive on snow and ice as a teen.For that I am grateful as I had lived in Sacramento my whole life until I moved to Oregon in 1991 at age 30.Steve knows how to handle snow and ice covered roads.Whew...that brings me great comfort and relief.We are mostly done with Christmas shopping.Tomorrow we have to go out to the food bank we go to monthly to help us get by each month.I am hoping that we can get there and back home without incident.It is to get nasty again tonight.Possible freezing rain and such.We've had snow showers all day here off and on.Thankfully we are warm and dry in this small apartment we call home.It helps being on the bottom of a 3 story building with apartments on either side and an enclosed walkway out front that also accommodates our neighbors"across the way."There is not much in the way of decorations here in the building we live in.But we have enjoyed the lights from the neighbors across the driveway in another building.We do not decorate and have not since 2005.That's when we had to sell off much of our stuff to come up with deposit money for a downsize into an apartment.We were determined to not borrow the money so we sold off all but the necessities we needed to live on.That included all our Christmas decorations and artificial tree.We have not been able to replace any of it yet and now live in a place so small we have no room for a tree or decorating!But we can always go see our daughter's tree.And I am ever hopeful that things will not always be this way and that maybe we will be able to replace that which had to be sold to live.It is now dinner time here so I must go and reheat some leftovers and feed my hungry husband.Grin.I wish each of you a most blessed Christmas wherever you are and whatever situation you may find yourself in.Jesus is truly the reason for the season.The reason for this season of beauty and joy and celebration.And that is not at all dependent on pleasant circumstances!Much love to each of you my readers!
Blessings all~Sharon

Surprises of Grace

Image by Erick Kamp

A very Merry Christmas to each of you!I hope you well into your preparations for the upcoming celebration of Christmas.Last Sunday I turned 47 years old.It was a quiet affair for we had to babysit our granddaughter that day so her mom could work.But God blessed me in another way that has simply blown me away.Two dear Canadian friends who are believers in Jesus too have given me and my husband a week away at a resort here in Oregon!Can you believe this birthday gift?I have never,in my life,been given such a gift!And to be given such an extravagant gift after years of no vacations and few if any gifts is simply amazing.When Steve,my husband,had to go on disability a few years back life really changed on all levels for us.Vacations of any kind ceased.Gifts even for birthdays were almost non existent for the most part.Life for us became about mere survival.To say we have felt stressed at times would be an understatement.Chronic illness and financial issues due to it will do that to even a Christian person.God knew what we needed and He graciously provided it through these dear friends of nearly 20 years.I cannot seem to stop thanking Him or them!*Big grin.*So we leave tomorrow for a week long stay at a condo resort.In the mountains.With a gas fireplace and cold weather predicted I am going to be one happy women.Deliriously so I think.I just heard a loud"Woo Hoo"from my husband who is out in the living room and was telling me how we should load the van!LOL I kept waiting for him to get excited and now he has!!Our daughter and granddaughter and onsite management will care for our cat and keep an eye on our little apartment here.It's a sunny,windy and cold day here and is perfect for traveling.If it is not snowy(how I long for some snow which we seldom get here) then this for me is perfect winter like weather.Brisk.Invigorating.It clears away the mental cobwebs and invokes loads of energy in this woman.God has surprised us with this gift of His grace and we are humbled and blessed.I pray that if you too are in need of a surprise of grace this Christmas season that He will be just as gracious and kind to each of you.A Merry Christmas to each of you and we'll see you upon our return.
Much Love~Sharon

Happy Thanksgiving and an Update

I want to wish each of you a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving week.I will be offline completely after tomorrow for awhile.Hopefully just a few days.We are switching back to dial up internet(briefly we hope)to help out with finances here.Living on one income(my husband's disability check)is a challenge and sometimes we have to make changes like this to make it each month.That being said I am still so very thankful for so many things.I have friends and family who love me.A roof over my head(granted it's a very small 1 bedroom apartment but it's warm and dry).I am loved by God and by our cat Shadow.We have a vehicle to drive(It's a 1994 Ford Aerostar but it is warm,dry and running well at present).We have food to eat(thank You Lord for food banks).Clothes to wear(thank You Lord for thrift and consignment shops).A bed to sleep in(it's a few years old but oh so comfy as we slumber).We can all find things to be thankful for this season.May God fill each of your hearts with His joy and His gratitude as we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the USA this week.

Blessings Abundant~Sharon

Simple Love

Forever Autumn
by
Diane Romanello

It's been a busy time here lately.Sometimes when you are a caregiver in any capacity your own free time gets swallowed up meeting the needs of others.Alas I have not posted in awhile.Between errands and caring for Steve and occasionally watching Hope I have been somewhat MIA on here.It's all been good though as I do enjoy time with my family.Especially granddaughter Hope.She's a very loving,funny and tactile child(she's always hugging me and such).She never ceases to amaze me with her insights and the way she so capably expresses herself and her feelings.She's only 8.The other day she blessed me by bringing me a handwritten list of why she loves me.One thing I love about kids is how simple they can be.How honest.Uncomplicated.The ordinary things can make them happy.The common things make them feel secure.Lord,may I as an adult become like a little child.Blessed by simplicity.Amazed by the ordinary.Conscious of You in the common things of life.Thank You Lord.Amen.And now I will share with you the list that I have been given as a gift of love from Hope.I think it will make you smile.

Dear Grandma,
I love you for a lot of reasons.
1.)You care about everyone.

2.)You care about God.

3.)You are loving.

4.)When I am sick you let me rest.

5.)When I am sick you care for me.

6.)You bake us cookies.

7.)You care about our Father.

8.)You love me and Bapa.

9.)You are really nice.

10.)You color with me.

11.)You care about me and my friends.

12.)You let me go over to Kris,Jessica or Sandie's house.

Dear Lord,let me always live up to the things Hope sees in me.In this way I honor you and I bless her as well as those around me.Thank You Lord.
Love~Sharon

To Encourage You

Reasons to fear abound today.The economy appears to be on a slippery slope with no end in sight.Prices on things keep going up.Crime is increasing.People are wondering how they're going to make it each month.They wonder if there will be anything left when they reach retirement age.As children of God we need not fear.For we have a God who loves us.A good God who delights in providing for all His children need.Notice I said "need"and not want.While there may be some adjustments on our parts in these financially scary times we have God's promises in His word to provide for all we need.It may not be what we always want and that's where we may have to adjust.But He will provide our needs.I trust these verses that follow will encourage you to place your faith in Him and His promise to provide:

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
I Peter 5:7

And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

Do not be anxious about anything,but in everything,by prayer and petition,with thanksgiving,present your requests to God.And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Blessings~Sharon

What I've Been Pondering

Vermilion Meadow
by
Robert Striffolino

"Do not judge and you will not be judged.Do not condemn and you will not be condemned.Forgive and you will be forgiven.Give and will be given to you.A good measure,pressed down,shaken together and running over,will be poured into your lap.For with the measure you use,it will be measured to you."
Luke 6:37&38 NIV
(cf.Matthew 7:1-5)

God has had me meditating on these verses for a couple of days now.I am sure,without a doubt,that there is a lesson in it for me to learn and live by.Jesus speaks very clearly here...If we want forgiveness we must forgive others.Do not judge others or we too shall be judged.Do not condemn others or we too shall be condemned.I have,at times,and more often than I care to admit,come across to others as judgmental and condemning.Sometimes the person involved told me that.Other times I was disciplined by God Himself on it.Having a strong sense of what's right and wrong can make a person come across that way.But I am learning that often times God wants me to be silent.To pray instead of preach.For me I must listen closely for that still small voice of His Holy Spirit.I must forgive when He says to forgive.I must not judge another.That is God's job.I must not condemn another for as long as there is life in that person there is hope that they can change and become the person God created them to be.To live in this way I must daily ask Him for mercy,compassion and forgiveness.It is then that I can offer it to another.

He then goes on to say give and it shall be given.Now I don't think He is saying we are to give so we can get.I think what He is saying that if we give we will get.Now it may not be in this life on earth.Or it may not be in the way we thought.But we will receive back in one form or another.I know for me often the gift I receive from giving is simply knowing I have listened to God and helped meet a need that was expressed in some form.We live in a world that is the opposite.Greed abounds.If giving is done it is done with mixed or impure motives.But God sees and knows our very hearts and why we do something.And I don't think He delights in impurity of motives anymore than impure behavior.He digs deep,this God we serve and love.He goes on to say that when the giving comes back to us it will be abundant.Pressed together.Good measure.Not paltry.Pressed down.This reminds me of when I bake cookies for our granddaughter Hope.The recipe always calls for firmly packed brown sugar.I add some to the measuring cup and tamp it down.I add more and press down more.It has to be firmly packed and has to be the right amount.So I keep adding and tamping until I have the right amount.This is what I see this verse as saying.That God will give to us a good measure,firmly packed.Running over.What a giving God we serve.What a mighty God we love.It takes faith.It takes hope and it takes commitment to Him.But we can do all things,ALL THINGS through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Blessings~Sharon

Oops!

Woodland Garden in Autumn,
October,Westonbirt Arboretum

Vanity will get me in trouble every time.Big grin here.In my attempt to beautify my blog the other day I somehow deleted my post titled"Adrift."It is gone.Completely gone.Vanished like an Autumn mist taking flight in the face of a warming sun.All I had attempted to do was add a signature from My Live Signature to the post.It placed itself at the beginning of the post and not where I had wanted it or placed it even.My attempt at fixing this error is what caused the error of the now gone post.Ah well,such things happen sometimes.It's been awhile since my last post.I have been busy here with various errands and watching Hope and living this life God has granted.Yesterday we helped my sister in law stack firewood.I used to think I wanted a wood stove or fireplace if we ever were able to buy a home.Not anymore.Stacking wood changed my opinion greatly.Reality will do that to a person.Even bigger grin.We all used muscles I'm sure our middle aged bodies did not know it had.Give me electric heat or a gas fireplace any day.:-)That's all I have for this evening.I hope your evening is blessed dear readers.
Love~Sharon

A Rare Gift

God gives quietness at last.
~John Greenleaf Whittier~

I am enjoying some much needed quiet and solitude right now.
My husband is off helping his sister.My granddaughter has not
yet arrived for us to babysit and even our cat is sound asleep.
I do not get these moments often enough so I really relish them
for the rare gift that they are.I am one who has always needed
time to myself.Time to be quiet.To think.To read.To pray.
To just be.

Thank you Lord Jesus for this rare and precious gift.
I appreciate it immensely Lord.

Blessings all~Sharon

Round Two

Our granddaughter Hope had a follow up appointment with her doctor today.She was seen recently and diagnosed with a urinary tract infection.Today's appointment revealed it has gotten worse.She seemed to be doing better and then BAM!It was revealed that the apparent lull was only the calm before the storm.At least now our daughter is getting a referral for her to a urologist!And speaking of our daughter...April could use your prayers as well.She is an underemployed single parent and needs more work.Steady work with regular hours and weekends off.Things just keep getting tougher.And I keep praying more and more.And honestly,at times it seems as if God has fled the scene.Which is why we are to look to Him and not at the circumstances themselves.I will confess that His ways are hard to understand at times.Which often leaves me frustrated.But I must continue to trust,continue to ask.And thank Him for the answers.So,please keep us all in your prayers at this challenging time.It's hard for me to watch them struggle and suffer.Thank you all dear readers.

Blessings~Sharon

The Harvest Season

September Song
by
Diane Romanello

"Spring scarce had greener fields to show than these
Of mid September; through the still warm noon
The rivulets ripple forth a gladder tune
Than ever in the summer; from the trees
Dusk-green, and murmuring inward melodies,
No leaf drops yet; only our evenings swoon
In pallid skies more suddenly, and the moon
Finds motionless white mists out on the leas."
- Edward Dowden, In September

Harvest at Arles

c 1888

Vincent Van Gogh

"Smoke hangs like haze over harvested fields,
The gold of stubble, the brown of turned earth
And you walk under the red light of fall
The scent of fallen apples, the dust of threshed grain
The sharp, gentle chill of fall.
Here as we move into the shadows of autumn
The night that brings the morning of spring
Come to us, Lord of Harvest
Teach us to be thankful for the gifts you bring us ..."
- Autumn Equinox Ritual

The Harvest,1883

by

Camille Pissarro

"Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Matthew 9:38

Blessings~Sharon

Legacy of the Heart

Change of Seasons
by
David Marty

She's eager and poised for flight,our Hope Ann.
Cornflower blue eyes quickly scanned the
living room this morning for her backpack.
She cannot wait for her Bapa Steve to transport
her to the bus stop.There she will join
her many friends also eager to get to school.
A day of new things to be learned stretches out
before her.Her body is responding well to the
antibiotics removing the UTI from within her.
After a brief scan of the room she spies her backpack and
runs,on summer tanned legs,to retrieve
this carrier of childhood treasures untold.
I observe this frantic pace,this rush of activity
from my perch in the small kitchen that is
adjoining the living room.She does not
want to be late and that is good.But first,
we must stop,and we must pray.And we
must ask the Father of us all to bless and protect
her as she heads off into a world full of unknowns.
We join in a close,hugging circle,the three of us.
Bound by love for each other and by the love
of the Father,we form a prayer hug.Steve and I
draw her close,her almost 8 year old head nearly
reaches our chests.We are short and she is tall.
In this circle of love we join together as Grandparents
and Granddaughter.We thank the Father for His blessings.
My hand moves from Hope's shoulder to Hope's head,like
a blessing of old.We finish praying and I go off to brush my teeth.
A moment later,I am hugged from my left side by our Hope.
"I love you Grandma",she says sweetly as we hug.I tell her I
love her too.I then remind her of Jesus' love for her and that He is
always with her.She grins broadly,this Hope of ours,and says
"yes,He's right here" and points to her heart.We smile and
I wish her a good day.They take off.And I am left alone briefly.
Left to ponder the blessing that just happened.For it was a gift to me.I,
who never knew any of my grandparents.
I,who have no memories of a mother who prayed for and with me.
I was handed a gift to pass on,a legacy of sorts.Hope will have memories
of a praying Grandma.Memories of one who joined her in beseeching the Father
and Lord of all.She will know she is loved and prayed for.And she will have memories.
Good ones.And I thrill at that for children remember such things,I think.
And I want to leave that kind of legacy to this Hope girl of ours.This girl who
does not carry any of my DNA physically,is a granddaughter of my heart and spirit,
if not of my body.

Blessings~Sharon

One

A Garden in September
by
Bill Reid

Lord of all,
May the words that I speak
and the life that I live
be one.
Thank You.

Blessings all~Sharon

Prayer Needed Part 2

Please continue to hold us up in prayer here.Husband continues to cough from time to time.I awoke with a scratchy throat this morning.AND Granddaughter is here today,home from school, as she threw up less than an hour after arriving at school.She also continues to cough.And I am fed up.My spirit and my flesh are not happy with this.I know,I know,I can hear all moms out there thinking"boy,she ought to live in my home."But,please,please,remember,I never had children.I am used to good health when it comes to those ugly things kids bring home from school.But now that we babysit regularly,granddaughter constantly brings unwelcome guests home from school.I know this sounds like I am complaining.Guess I am.I also know I hate down time due to illness.My nature and personality is somewhat(I said somewhat)Type A.I don't like illness on any level to set me or my husband back.AND I absolutely despise sick kids. LOL Not the kids themselves but the fact that they seem to be little germ magnets and I cannot seem to keep ahead of the little"monsters."If you read my post from Sunday you will see the other factors involved in my intense dislike of down time from illness.So,we do covet your prayers here.Our granddaughter missed much school last year due to illness and this year is not starting off well.She has not even been back a full week yet and is already home due to illness.Thank you for your prayers dear readers.

Blessings~Sharon

His Presence

Autumn Morning near Dryman-Stirling,Scotland

Psalm 139

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!

7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—
12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

Sometimes life can be like walking about in a dense fog.Nothing is clear to us.We grope about blindly for answers.Sometimes we look in the wrong places for those answers to our questions.Very often that is when we feel the most alone.Often we feel abandoned by God.We wonder if He has left us.Or out of fear of condemnation we try to run and hide from Him.This is particularly common,I think,if you did not grow up in a loving and grace filled environment.But,we have His word,which tells us that no matter we are,He is there.When we run He is right there with us.When we hide,He seeks.His love,His presence,will not let us go,child of God.If we fly to the farthest reaches of the universe,He is there.If we swim to the deepest abyss in the deepest ocean,He is there.His presence,always present.Longing to gather us and hold us and love us as His children.He saw us when we were formed within that dark place of our mothers womb.He created every detail that makes us unique.Even in the darkest nights in our lives;when we are filled with sorrow,He is there.His presence,His Holy Spirit,never leaves us.He is as close as the very air that we breathe.Loving,guiding,and correcting when necessary.That amazes me.Causes me to stop.And think.And rejoice that though we may be forsaken by others,He never leaves us.Even when life is confusing.And it seems as if He is hidden by a thick,foreboding fog of circumstances,His presence,His spirit is there watching over us.What joy!What comfort!What a gift!

Bless you all-Sharon

Prayer Needed

Little Girl with Pray Rock

Please keep us in your prayers.
Husband and Granddaughter have picked up a nasty bug of some kind and are coughing,sneezing and congested.Please pray that April and I continue to stay well and that Steve and Hope will be fully healthy soon.I have come to despise illness in all it's varied forms.Most likely due to the fact that I was raised by a chronically ill mother as well as all the hospital and doctor time Steve and I have had in the last 6 years.Can any of you relate?It just can make me cranky if I let it so I have been praying and cleaning with antibacterial stuff and disinfectant stuff A LOT this last few days!So I would surely appreciate prayers on our behalf.We are to babysit a lot in the days to come and I just hate down time due to illnesses.Thanks so very much dear readers.It is much appreciated.

Blessings~Sharon

On the Threshold

Autumn Threshold
by
Diane Romanello

I just love this picture.It speaks to me of opening a door on a new season,thus leaving the old one behind.We stand upon the threshold of the Autumn season.A time of new things.Perhaps a new school,new clothes and new books.A new teacher,new friends,a new life perhaps."See,I am doing a new thing!""declares the Lord" in Isaiah 43:19.It is the season of harvest.Of ripening corn and apples and pumpkins.The season of growth is past and now we reap an abundant and hearty bounty.We enjoy the fruits of our labors."And let us not get tired of well- doing,for at the right time we will get in the grain,if we do not give way to weariness."(Galatians 6:9,Bible in Basic English)We look ahead to a time of giving thanks to our wonderful creator God who has blessed us with all of His bounty,both heavenly and earthly"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."(Ephesians 1:3)."The eyes of all look expectantly to You,andYou give them their food in due season."(Psalm 145:15, New King James Version).We,as children of God can look forward with faith and hope to this new season for the God who created the seasons themselves will continue to provide all we need both spiritually and physically.His provision may come in a new and unexpected way.But His provision will be there.Always.At just the right time.No matter what the headlines say about our economy,the God who sent His only Son to die for us will be with us in this new season.Are you ready to step over the threshold?I am.

Blessings~Sharon

Relief

Days of sun baked earth
and searing heat.
Gave way to leaden
skies pouring forth
Liquid refreshment.
Refreshing weary
souls full of
sleepless nights
and blazing days.
Now glad hearts
pour forth praise
to the One
who grants sleep
to His children
and sends forth
rain in it's season.
Cooling ocean breezes
pour forth from
same pale gray expanse.
Renewing all who
feel it's blowing breath.
Like the wind of His spirit
renewing our spirits.
And we breathe deeply
and sigh heavily
and thank Him for this
relief.

Poem written by Sharon Goemaere

Blessings all~Sharon(who is glad for rain and wind)

Image courtesy of Morgue File

A Child's Garden

Flowers by Jesse Wilcox Smith

There is a garden in every childhood,

an enchanted place where colors are brighter,
the air softer,and the morning more fragrant
than ever again.
~Elizabeth Lawrence~

I am babysitting and proofreading again today but I just had to share this beautiful picture and quote I found with all of you .
Blessings,Sharon

Conversations While Coloring

Heart-Kids

I was busy trying to proofread a manuscript today while babysitting our granddaughter Hope along with my husband Steve.None of Hope's friends could play so she hung around me and prattled on and on.I knew it was time to break from proofing so I suggested to Hope that we go color.She and I have great conversations while coloring.We talked about colors to use and our individual pictures and such.As often happens our conversations turn to deeper subjects such as matters of faith.I rejoice to know that she is well acquainted with Jesus.In fact she is amazed when others do not believe in Him!For all her social ways she is still a very deep thinker and has very strong opinions on God and His ways and Word.She knows that sometimes He has to say no to our requests if not in our best interest.Amazingly she is appalled by greed in the world. She was very distressed by the merger between Microsoft and another corporation when her mother told her that it was most likely motivated by money and the desire for more of it...Hope boldly proclaimed there were more important things in the world than money!But I digress.As we colored and chatted today Hope suddenly looks at me and declares that"Bad people have small,black hearts."I listened for I knew more was coming.Smile."And"she says..."Good people have big,red hearts!"I smiled and said"Yes,I think you are right Hope."She's 7 and still too young to realize that we live in a world where things are not so easily and simply determined.Sadly, we live in a time when the good guys don't always wear white and have big red hearts.Deception abounds.Political correctness has muddied and turned to gray all but the most discerning of hearts.Bad guys often masquerade as"angels of light."And it seems all good is almost non-existent.But,I think it is all just an appearance.An apparition.For I saw goodness today in the big red heart of a child.And I smiled.
Blessings~Sharon

This Fleeting Season

Late Summer,Tuscany
Hazel Barker

Love is to the heart what the summer is to the farmer's year-It brings to harvest all the loveliest flowers of the soul.
~Author Unknown~

Then followed that beautiful season...Summer...
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light;
and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow~

In less than 3 weeks our granddaughter goes back to school.All I have spoken to have said the same thing..."Where has the summer gone to.?"It is as if it had just begun and now is set to leave in about a month.Such a fleeting season.The landscape and weather here have been aware of it's all too brief presence and have slowly,gently responded to Autumn's beckoning.The sun,that gave us so many extra hours of daylight and cerulean skies is now fading into the soft nights much earlier now.The mornings,though still lovely and bright,at times,are definitely cooler.I welcome this chilly respite.I love watching,in anticipation,how the changing of seasons affects the earth.My eager blue eyes gaze with expectation for that first flame colored leaf to adorn the abundant trees here in our apartment complex.I look with joy upon the golden glowing landscape that is Autumn.I rejoice and give thanks to the One who created such exquisite beauty in Autumn and in each of the seasons.He says in Ecclesiastes 3:10 that"He has made everything beautiful in it's time."Each season on the calendar,each season or time of our life,has it's own unique beauty.It's own special fingerprint from the hand of God.His seal of approval so to speak.It's important that we enjoy each season that we are in at present for what it is.To relish each day as it comes.For life is like the seasons of the year.They are often too quickly gone.And unable to be retrieved once gone.Have a blessed day everyone.

Seeing Myself Clearly

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
~Philippians 2:4~

The real truth about myself or my character and motives can often be hard to discern and even more difficult to see.As an all too human woman, at times, I see myself through the pink hues lenses of rose colored glasses.I see myself through His eyes which are eyes of love and grace.Today I saw myself through His eyes.But this time it was through the eyes of a Father who longs to see me whole,and like Him.Those Eyes were loving but I,at that moment,realized I needed help with my attitude.I don't do the servant thing very well at times.I would,at times,rather do anything than cook another meal or wash another dish or do one more thing for another here.I saw this very clearly today.This was a glaring truth to me.I saw myself clearly.And it was not pretty.A sharp tone,rolling eyes or heavy sigh,may be missed by those whom I am serving but they are not missed by God.And today I was made aware of it.I had been too absorbed in my own self interests to see this as an opportunity to become more like Him.Jesus,the Son of God,took on the form of a servant and humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross.And yet,there I stood in my kitchen,not wanting to cook one more meal.But I did it anyhow.*Smile*Thankfully I married into a family that is extremely gracious and forgiving.Just like God Himself.They see me clearly and still they love me.That is an immense blessing.

Image from SOJ Graphics

Gift Graciously Bestowed

My dear friend Jo over at The Road Less Traveled
has graciously bestowed the Arte y Pico award upon me!
Apparently it was an award created for bloggers who inspire
you with their creativity and talents!
Thank you dear Jo for bestowing such an honor.
I am humbled and blessed by this.Jo is herself
a recipient of this award and I encourage you to
go and read her blog as well.You will enjoy!
This award is special I am told.
Therefore it comes with some rules:

1.)Pick 5 blogs that you would like to award this honor to.

2.)Each award has to have the name of the author and a blog
link to be visited by everyone.

3.)Each award winner has to show the award and put the name
and link to the blog that gave them the award.

4.)Award winner and the one who was given the prize have to show
the link of Arte y Pico blog so everyone will know the origin
of the award.

I bestow this award upon:
Adrienne

Ann

Brenda

Melissa

TeriLeigh

Blessings all~Sharon
PS~Keep me in prayer as I am getting over an upper respiratory infection.
Thanks so very much.

Berry Bliss

The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth;
One is nearer God's heart in a garden,
Than anywhere else on earth.
~Dorothy Frances Gurney~
1858-1932

We had opportunity recently to spend an unmeasured amount of time out in nature recently.I craved it.Desired it.Turns out I truly needed it as well and my soul and spirit knew that.God knew it.Too much of my life is spent indoors.Taking care of business here in the apartment.Inside the van on the way to run errands.Inside businesses and stores.Little time spent in the sun,fresh air and out in God's lovely and restorative nature.So,off we went to a local berry farm.To pick blueberries, we hoped.And we were grandly rewarded.They were ripe and ready to be picked.The sun was warm and the wind was cool and there was nary a cloud to be seen.We took our buckets and gingerly made our way over the uneven terrain to where the blueberries were.Acre upon acre of various fruits and flowers were laid out before us.I began to be at peace.There is something very calming and cathartic about picking berries in a garden for me.It's as if God Himself dwells there and He speaks peace to me as I pull the sun ripened,blue orbs off their delicate stems.His peace begins to permeate.And I am transformed.Unaware that I have been carrying any stress internally I begin to feel it melt away as the sun,the wind and God's presence do their much needed work within me.I move onto the next bush and with each bush I peruse I feel my pulse slowing.My heart rate calms.I feel,I think,what the first humans must have felt in the Garden of Eden.And I smile for I am suddenly aware of His presence here more than any other place I have been.And this changes everything.My outlook is renewed.I feel internally refreshed.And I think to myself that it is no accident that time began in a garden.For I think God knew of it's ability to heal and restore and bless.And for that I am grateful.I am grateful that there are still green spaces,gardens,berry farms and such.I am not anti-progress but I am glad that there are still places in His creation where we as His children can go and gain a small glimpse into what Eden must have been like.

Blessings~Sharon
Image from All Posters

I am,I think Meme

I have been tagged by my dear friend Jo!So here are my answers to these wonderfully thought provoking phrases.I shall decline tagging anyone for Jo and I share many of the same blog friends and I got no response last time I tried this!

Blessings~Sharon

I am: A much loved child of an awesome God.

I think:God is the greatest artist there is.

I know: His plan for my life will be accomplished.

I have: Many who call me sister and friend.

I wish: I was thin.

I hate: Those things that separate people from God .

I miss: Many things and people.

I fear: Circumstances will remain the same.

I feel: Peaceful this morning.

I hear:The hum of our fans and husband's occasional snoring.

I smell: Freshly made coffee and the smell of a summer morn.

I crave: Books,books and more books.

I search:For God's will and for beauty as well as inspiration.

I wonder:What my family and friends are up to right now?

I regret: That I couldn't go to College.

I love:God,His creation,and all that is beautiful.

I ache: For those who need to be set free from sin's clutches.

I am not: Lonely.

I believe: God is good all the time.

I dance: Seldom.

I sing:Often.

I cry:When needing to release stress.

I don't always:Do that which I should do.

I fight: Seldom.

I write:Because I love it!

I win:In the end!

I lose:My patience sometimes.

I never: Say"never!"

I always:Try to remember to say "thank You."

I confuse:My priorities sometimes.

I listen:To beautiful or inspirational music most all the time.

I can usually be found:Writing or reading or cooking or cleaning.

I am scared: That inspiration in writing shall never return.

I need:To find Him once again.

I am happy about:My life in general.

I imagine:Heaven will be an amazing place!

Glimpses of His Grace

My husband and I have faced numerous losses in the last 6 years or so.Losses of health,employment,finances.Loss of friends and family members through old age and disease.Consequently we've faced times of fear as well as depression.It is a common thing,even among Christians.Sometimes we have even had to sell precious possessions to make ends meet.You do what you have to do.At least this has been our experience.But in the midst of all this grief,pain,sorrow and loss we've seen His grace as well.I was pondering this while in our bathroom yesterday.I was observing how pretty the stained glass angel night light was that one of my younger sisters had given me.They were a set of 2.One graces a small alcove in our living room.Sandy knew of my love of color,stained glass and angels.And she graciously bought these for Christmas last year.They have been a continual remembrance of His grace.How He provides light for us in the dark places in our lives.A bit of beauty in our day,just like the sun that rises and shines it's light on us.A reminder that He sends His angels,ministering spirits,to protect us and to guard us.And He reminds me of His love through the love of my sister.Glimpses of His grace.Sometimes they're small.Sometimes they're great.But they're always present in even the darkest times in our lives if we but look for them.

Blessings~Sharon

Summer's Rest

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time. ~John Lubbock

We are off to the coast for some much needed relaxation and to enjoy this day's all too quickly fleeting beauty!Time flies much too quickly when one is middle aged.There are days I long for the seemingly eternal summer days of my childhood where time seemed non existent but for the ever changing position of that huge golden orb we call the sun.To lie on one's back and stare at summer clouds without fear of sun damage is a memory of my childhood I hold dear.What memories of summer do you treasure?
Blessings~Sharon

My Week

It's been quite a week here.Spring weather finally arrived just in time for summer to begin.God surely has a sense of humor.Smile.I ended up in ER again for my heart had jumped out of rhythm once again.I was shocked back into rhythm.But it took 2 doses of medicine to sedate me and three tries to shock me back into rhythm.That means my body is building an immunity to such things.I did not welcome that news at all.I am still in rhythm,praise the Lord.I see the cardiologist tomorrow.I do hope that he does not mention the dreaded"P"word.Pacemaker.I am too young and in many ways too healthy for such a thing. I know that is simply my non-medical opinion.And no one welcomes invasive surgery.But it is possible he will discuss it tomorrow.I am really hoping it all was just caused by a change of medications a few months back.What can I say,I am an optimist.Big grin.I know God is in control and that He loves me.I just don't understand His ways at times.It seems I have had need of a lot of sifting.And He has allowed it.I just must keep in mind that sifting purifies and refines us as His children.That it makes us fit for ministry and for heaven.And it is therefore necessary.We did some spring cleaning this week.I just love to look out of sparkling clean windows.It just brightens the day and allows for a clear,unobstructed view of the verdant beauty that is Oregon in the summer time.I feel so blessed,blissful really to live in such a state.I grew up in Sacramento CA and never thought, that at age 30, God would move me to Oregon.But He did.And I have been here ever since.Our apartment complex held a summer solstice festival here yesterday.I had thought of not going.It is very easy for me,a writer and avid reader to be what some would deem anti-social.My loves,my hobbies,my talents,my gifts,are solitary pursuits.I was created by God to be this way.I have never minded being alone.Consequently,I must sometimes force myself into the company of others,much to my husband's chagrin.He gently encouraged me to go and enjoy the festivities so I joined him,our daughter and granddaughter.And I am glad I did.There was a colorful parade of many of the children who dwell here and pets all decked out with balloons and such.Chalk art contests,hula hoop contests,prettiest pet contests.What fun I had!I chatted in the shade of a lovely tree with another tenant whom we used to attend church with years back.Occasionally a lovely breeze would grace us with it's refreshing presence, taking the edge off of the heat.Or an overly excited puppy would come over for some love and attention which I willingly gave for I adore animals.We finished off the festival with a donut provided by one of the tenants who works at a donut shop!And,Steve and I were also given pinwheels,along with the children to"play"with as we sat there enjoying the day's festivities.Huge grin now.They awakened a long forgotten childhood love of things that blow in the wind.They each now grace a pot of pansies on our patio,waiting for a delightful wind to set them in motion.I really needed this respite.This return to childhood.It's far too easy to become too mature,too adult like.I need to remember how to have fun.For this too,I think,is a gift from God.A way to alleviate the stresses that come with adulthood.Today we will babysit at noon.Right now I am enjoying the quiet hum of our air purifier and the gentle sleep sounds of my husband and cat.And I love it.It's peaceful.Comforting.Like a hug from God.May your day be filled with many hugs from Him too.

Blessings~Sharon

Potpourri

I titled this potpourri for it is not about one specific thing.It is about a variety of things that have all been blended together and have made up my life lately.I have not blogged in awhile nor have I been to visit many of your blogs.I miss it terribly but it seems that as of late the words won't come.They swirl about in my brain occasionally as if to tease me,tempt me,seduce,me,dare me to pour their content out upon this blank page.They come near,and then,like a skittish colt,they run off again,flying like the wind,and I am left alone to ponder their exit.Not completely alone for I know God is with me.But alone in that place writers know well at times.That place where the words seem frozen.Encased in ice as thick and unyielding as an Alaskan glacier.What does one do when the creativity seems to have vanished?When the words refuse to flow.For myself,I pray.I ask God to see me through this time of blank pages and seemingly dried up pen.And I await His warmth to once again blow His spirit,His presence, His breath,His"ruach"( a lovely Hebrew word)upon my life and writing.In this period of waiting I have helped hold a garage sale here in our complex.It was this last weekend.And I am glad it is done.We made a bit of money.And more importantly we were able to rid ourselves of things we no longer needed to hold on to.If we do that with stuff in our physical lives,how much more do we need to rid ourselves of those things that clog and clutter our spirit man.It was good to enjoy the sunshine and cool breezes God graced us with last weekend.We met some of our neighbors and their pets and children.And we survived all of it.If you've ever held a garage sale you know what I am talking about.Smile.Also during the last 2-3 weeks I finished my first ever proofreading job for a small,newly formed Christian publishing company called Revolutionary Disciples Media!They loved my work and want to hire me!That's pretty exciting for this 46 year old who has never worked in publishing ever.It will start small at first but God says not to despise the day of small or humble beginnings.I am rejoicing that I get to be a part of getting good writing out to those who need encouragement or need to be set free through the power of His holy spirit via the written word!If you are looking for a publisher please follow the link I have included above.I think it will be worth your time(of course I am slightly partial).Big grin.That's all I have for tonight dear readers.Be encouraged and blessed!Blessings~Sharon

Narrow and Less Traveled

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveller, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference...

Robert Frost

"Enter by the narrow gate;for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction,and there are many who go in by it.Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life,and there are few who find it."

~Matthew 7:13-14~

~Image from The Morgue File~

Rain

It's a lovely,cool and rainy night here.I am relaxing and listening to classical crossover on Yahoo music.And I am just enjoying the presence of the Lord.For me,sheer bliss,for I see His grace in every drop of rain that falls.

Rain is grace;rain is the sky condescending to the earth;without rain,there would be no life.

~John Updike~

Image courtesy of The Morgue File

Seeking the Sun

As I stepped out on to our small apartment patio this morning I saw our pansies had all been straining to reach what little bit of sun they could find.As I watered and tended to them I was struck with the thought that I too,as a believer in Jesus,must also seek the son.I must seek the Son of God.For it is then I will grow.It is then I will flourish.It is then I will bloom brightly for Him.It is then I will bless those around me.How about you,dear reader?Are you seeking the Son?
"Seek the Lord while He may be found.Call upon Him while He is near."
~Isaiah 55:3~
"As the deer pants for water brooks,So pants my soul for You,O God."
~Psalm 42:1~
~Image courtesy of The Morgue File~

Some Things Never Change

Some things never change.They really don't.They seem to span the generations.Passed down from Mother to daughter or Father to son.They just never seem to lie dusty and forgotten,tucked away in an attic somewhere.And forget about them ever becoming obsolete.They refuse to die it seems.I saw evidence of this recently as we watched our granddaughter Hope Ann after school one day.She came home to us as her Mom was at work.She was upset.Her face registered sheer mortification.The source of her distress?It was a song.A simple little song.Words set to music.And you'll never guess what song it was!?It was the"kissing song."You know the song from elementary school,I'm sure.I was surprised it was still around myself.And Hope was upset because someone had put her name in it.And horror of horrors it was in conjunction with her friend Shane's name.Her"recently declared"boyfriend.Love of her 7 year old life.Friend,defender and rescuer Shane.He,with the blond head and adorable grin.He who is shorter than Hope by several inches and yet above her in age and grade by a couple of years.They were both in a song about k-i-s-s-i-n-g.Hope and Shane sittin' in a tree k-i-s-s-i-n-g,first comes love,then comes marriage... this had ruined her day as well as her mood.When asked why this distessed her so much she boldly proclaimed that she hated Shane.That he was not her friend,much less her boyfriend.We do not know the reason or source for this change of heart.We only know it happened.And it happened quickly.Ah,some things never change.Like the fickle hearts of 7 year old girls.I am really glad God is not that way.Loving us one minute.Hating us the next.His love for His creation,and that includes us,changes not.God Himself boldly declares in Malachi 3:6"For I am the Lord,I do not change;therefore you are not consumed,O sons of Jacob."Yes,it's so good to know that some things never change.

Blessings,Sharon

Image courtesy of The Morgue File.

Lately

It's been crazy here lately.Last week Salem was sizzling under abnormally high triple digit heat and loads of sunshine.This week we are rainy and enjoying temperatures that are below normal for this time of year.That's crazy.Our lives personally have been crazy too.Unusually busy with appointments of various kinds.Unexpected trips to the doctor.Unplanned for times of babysitting our granddaughter Hope.Times and issues that have produced fear,and tears and disappointments.Crazy,stressful times.I am hoping that it will slow down soon.I long to be able to pursue those things I am passionate about like reading and writing and gardening.But time has not permitted it.My dreams at night have been reflecting the crazy pace we've had to keep lately.Busy,jumbled dreams that were hard to recall upon awaking.A vivid reflection of our busy,jumbled lives right now.In the midst of it all I have taken the time to thank God for His presence and His faithfulness through all this.We have seen Him smooth the way in the midst of all this craziness that has been our lives lately.Places that normally would require us to wait in long lines and such have been nearly empty!His kindness in the midst of chaos.I am so thankful He never changes.Though He may not remove the storm we can catch a glimpse of His hand reaching out to us in the midst of it's darkness and fear and pain.And it is then we truly realize we have a safe place to rest until the storm passes over.

Blessings all,Sharon

God Shouts?

CS Lewis said"God whispers to us in our pleasure,speaks to us in our conscience,but shouts to us in our pain;it is His megaphone to a rouse a deaf world."I felt compelled(led,inspired?)to share the following that happened to me around April 30th.Having just celebrated Mother's Day a week ago I thought it was timely,especially for those who did not have "Hallmark Card" Mom's.I was one who did not.I have accepted that fact.I cannot gloss it over,sweeten it up or even pretend it did not happen.I cannot look at it through the pale and pretty lenses of rose colored glasses.That would abort any healing that God may yet want to do.And it would be falsehood.Falsehood would allow the pain to fester and become poison in my soul.It would block the flow of His spirit to mine.So,if your youth was marred by the pain of woefully imperfect and inadequate parenting,whether maternal or even paternal,I hope you find comfort and healing in what is shared.From God's heart to yours~Sharon

God speaks often in our lives and sometimes it seems He fairly shouts.Smile.Yesterday was an emotional day for me and unexpectedly so.My eyes were awash with tears for much of the afternoon.We had run some errands and our last stop before returning home was to drop off a med list for refill.I waited in the van content to read a little while Steve ran the list in.As I sat there my eyes were drawn at one point by 3 women exiting the store.Obviously together I focused on the last one.She had the cart.She walked in a way that suggested a physical challenge.Her cart contained the evidence in the form of a quad cane.One of the women walked a few feet ahead at a good clip.Not intentionally but perhaps by nature she was a fast walker.And as I watched her walking ahead of the other two my heart and mind were arrested by the thought that this was me 20 or more years ago.I was the one walking ahead of my own disabled mother.I felt instant remorse and guilt.And pain for she has been gone many years now.And I was walking ahead at a good clip to avoid her.To avoid association with her in public.To avoid any appearance of a close connection.We did not resemble each other in any way for I took after my dad's Irish roots.This dark haired,darker skinned woman I called mom(or mother when I was angry)was someone I did not want to be near.For she had caused pain.Inflicted pain in the form of a dark,leather belt for what I as a very logical child deemed minor infractions.As these memories washed over me in the van I fought back tears and yet wanted to give full release to that which was just near the surface.As my husband returned I began to share with him my experience.And it was then that the dam within me overflowed it's banks and poured forth from my heart and spilled out of my eyes..I asked the Father to forgive me.I explained to my husband why I thought I was crying.I have never been super emotional so this torrent of tears left him confused and wondering what to do.Smile.Later in the day after my tears had dried I began to journal about this experience and once again the torrent came.This time in an even stronger way than earlier.But as I cried I felt as if I was,by this very act,washing away the pain and all the negative impact this had on me.I had not even known this was dwelling within me.But God knew it was there.Lurking in a dark,hidden place of my heart that had been locked down for many years.Waiting for full release from it's prison.And I,the prison guard,had to acquiesce,to the authority of the One who is greater than I.To the One who created this heart of mine and knew that such a thing could no longer dwell there without damaging me.And I am so very glad I did.