SHARING SHARON

Farewell(for now and maybe forever)

2010-03-02T13:16:00.001-08:00

It's been nearly 5 years since I first typed words onto this blog.Fine years of ups and downs and changes in my life.Things seem to be changing again and I wish I could put my finger on something definitive to share with you,my readers.I sense more than I actually see at this point.I just know that God is in it so I must listen ever closer.This will be my last post for now and maybe forever.I will keep this blog up for now until I have more clear direction from my Father.It's been fun.I've enjoyed getting to"meet"some of you via your own blogs and comments left here.I cherish each of you.I will still pop into see you on your blogs as time permits.This decision I have shared here has been a long time in coming I think.So that being said,I bid you so long.It's been a wonderful journey.
Love and Blessings~Sharon

Please Pray for Our Granddaughter Hope

2010-02-24T11:50:00.000-08:00

Please keep Hope in your prayers.Earlier this month she had a urinary tract infection(UTI),then a bout with strep throat and now it looks like she has another UTI.This has been going on for at least 2 years now.She is only 9 and was scheduled to be tested for and enter into her school's talented and gifted program(she's super smart).But she keeps missing school due to illness in one form or another.They keep giving her antibiotics but have not gotten to the root of why her immune system is so low apparently.Please keep her in your prayers.Thanks so very much.
Blessings~Sharon

Happy Valentines Day

2010-02-14T16:30:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!
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Whether you have a Valentine to share this day with or not, remember,that a Love much stronger than any earthly love holds you safe and strong in His arms.The love of God will keep you in ways that an earthbound love can never do.God's love is eternal,entire and lacking nothing.So be blessed this day in the knowledge that God loves you,His wonderful creation.
Blessings and Love~Sharon

Deep Thought

2010-01-28T16:46:00.001-08:00

I've been deep in thought for a couple of weeks now.Inside my head a lot.I know part of it is due to my God-given personality.I'm a pondering soul.A deep thinker.Have been since I was a small child growing up in hot Sacramento.I knew it may get"worse"upon entering counseling,which I did a few months back(she's a wonderful Christian who is tremendously helpful).But this is a worsening condition that has been good for me.:)I've dug deep into the darker corners of my mind where I placed all the unpleasantness of a traumatic childhood marred by chaos,abuse and neglect.But leaving it in a seldom visited corner of my mind did not promote healing.Instead it began to fester.It took on a life of it's own.Stray tendrils of negative happenings began to send out shoots much like the ivy that will over run a garden's beauty if neglected and allowed to run amok.And the enemy of my soul rejoiced.He relished with glee all the ways this childhood marred who God made to me to be.He laughed with abandon at the ways it's trauma produced anxiety within me and caused me to fear.To get stressed easily.But all the while God was still watching.From before the beginning of my life God was watching.He knew what would happen to me and chose to allow others in my life to also exercise their free will and choice,a double edged sword granted to us all.And when the time was right and I had reached a crisis point in my life God stepped in and led me to just the right counselor.This was after following Him for 31 years.31 long years of stops and starts.Of trial and error.31 years of blessing and and hardship.And He began to unearth those deeper things I thought I had dealt with.Deep pockets of pain and inferiority still needing a touch from the Master's hand.His words,via the counselor,became like a perfect blending of oil and perfume to heal,soothe and then fragrance my trauma filled soul.Tears flow as deep thoughts and memories are brought to the surface and into the light of my Savior's presence.And with those tears come healing and renewed hope for my future.A renewed sense of purpose brought about by going deep and allowing Him to heal all those places darkened by trauma.For me it has been good to get inside my head.To ponder deep things.Painful things.To think long and deeply about what I have endured.For it has been to me the beginning of healing.And I know that by His grace and in His timing it will be completed.

"...being confident of this,that he who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion until the day of Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 1:6~NIV

Blessings~Sharon

Signs of Life

2010-01-14T11:44:00.000-08:00

Daffodils,Cache Valley Utah

For me,it always happens about this time every year.At least since moving to Oregon in 1991.My birthday,anniversary and Thanksgiving are over.These all happen about the last week of November.The hustle and bustle,the beauty and joy of Christmas and New Year's are past.And I'm left with,what feels often like dull,drippy and often dreary January.Gray skies for days and often weeks on end are the norm.Same with the rain.Storm after storm rolls in off the Pacific.I am not a meteorologist so I do not know why we get so much rain here in the winter.I just know that we do and it's this time of year that I begin to look forward to signs of spring.Winter may have only arrived less than a month ago on the calendar but I often begin to look forward for signs of spring.Any little sign will do.Any bit of hope of it's impending arrival.A bit of bright green poking it's head from under brown,winter weary earth.Will it be a crocus,a daffodil or a tulip?I wonder and my eyes continue to look about for signs of life.I begin to scan the trees for little bits of yellow-green fuzzy caterpillars.New growth that will eventually turn to flower and then leaf!My winter weary eyes and soul long for some color.Although the winter landscape has it's own monotone beauty I long for color,real color,brightness in otherwise dreary days.My life has often been like that when it's cavalcade of storms have rolled in.And there have been many at times and in different seasons as well.Unfortunately they could not be planned for often times.They hit without warning(like my husband's heart attacks in the past,or my bout with cancer).There was no way to prepare.Life became one long winter it seemed.A years long January.The past was a memory,the winter had settled in upon our lives,and I was longing for spring to once again reign down it's warmth and beauty upon our lives.But for awhile it was not to be.And at times I doubted.Doubted spring would return.Doubted even my Heavenly Father's love for us.And in some ways I am still waiting for spring.Life is not the same it was before.It's changed.Long winters cleanse the earth with it's sometimes torrential downpours.Heavy winds can often cause massive damage.The landscape of our yards and our lives changes.Leaves things looking different.I know that the view outside our windows have changed based on the storms that have come through off the Pacific.And the storms that have assaulted our lives personally have changed me.On both the inside as well as outside.I still continue to look for signs of life and spring in both our lives as well as the trees and soil outside our windows.And I know they will both come for I know that we have a God who can be trusted.And as spring follows winter in the natural world I know spring will arrive in our lives once again.And always on time.:)
Blessings~Sharon

Fulfilled

2010-01-10T16:27:00.001-08:00

Young Girl Reading
by
Mary Cassatt

Last week(on Friday I think)Steve and I had a few errands to run.One of those was a stop by the Salem Public Library.As I climbed back in the van with my"treasures"(3 books for me and a movie Steve wanted me to see with him)I began to tell Steve just how much this all meant to me.How could something so simple as a trip to the library mean so much to this 48 year old woman?It all began in my childhood,a childhood marked by poverty.Mom was a single parent left to raise us kids on a very restricted"welfare"income.Granted we had food and shelter and clothes so in that respect we were most likely richer than much of the world's population.But by American standards we were quite poor.There was no car so summers were always spent at home for the most part.But that also meant no trips to the city library where my most favorite things in the world could be found!Books!Glorious books!When many kids took trips with their folks to such places I had to stay at home as the oldest and care for my younger sisters(and sometimes mom as well as she was physically disabled and mentally ill too I later found out).So after school and on weekends I was for the most part at home.I had a love of reading and learning that I could only get during school hours.For me that was tragic.I can see that now.For me it was a deprivation of the worst kind.I don't know if I saw it so clearly then for much of my childhood is a blank page that I have few memories of.But I do remember the longing for books and the sorrow I felt when I was not even able to purchase books from those Scholastic papers that were sent home with us weekly(or was it monthly?).It was a sadness that went deep.I had such a desire, a longing to smell that new book smell.To gingerly open that new(or even old/used) cover and enter the world I found within it's pages.To learn about this huge world God created or get lost in a story.But at that time,sadly, it was not to be.Which is why,now, at age 48,I find myself so thankful for trips to our local library.I find myself thankful for this computer to peruse the library's online catalog and request as much reading material as I have time for.I am filled with gratitude for a 16 year old vehicle that still runs very well so we may drive to that library and pick up that reading material or movie.I am thankful for legs that carry me into that library and back out to that van,arms carrying those word filled gifts.And this past Friday found me in just that state of mind.And body.Arms filled with treasures and heart full of joy.Full of gratitude.Full of life.The Bible says that"Hope deferred makes the heart sick but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."My longing for books was fulfilled and I am so thankful to God for this simple but so lovely gift!
Blessings~Sharon

Please Pray For My Brother

2010-01-09T17:30:00.001-08:00

Power of Prayer
by
Danny Hahlbohm

Please keep my brother Chuck in your prayers.He's 62 years old and in hospital in California.They have done a colonoscopy and are running other tests.There is a bleed in his stomach and blood in his stool.They think the prostate cancer may have spread.:( I do not know for sure where he stands with the Lord and it is hard to speak with him as he is on so many medications.They make his speech slurred and it is hard to understand him.:(Thank you for your prayers on his behalf and his wife Faith's as well.

Blessings~Sharon

Goin' To The Vet Today...

2010-01-07T11:50:00.000-08:00

This is our sweet male cat"Shadow."We have had him since he was about 6 months old.He is just a few months over age 3 now.We found him at a cat and kitten rescue in Silverton,Oregon.And you cannot imagine how this ball of fur has blessed and enriched our lives here.When we went to look at the cats available he seemed to have the most personality of all of them.He was purring up a storm as we looked at him and he was reaching through the cage at us.It is as if he chose us rather than the other way around.:)He still purrs up a storm 2 and a half years later.And today he has to get caught up on his shots and treated for worms.I hope he continues to exhibit his usual charm with the vet like he does with us.When we feed and water him he looks up at us as if to say thank you.It's almost a look of cat-love and gratitude I see in those green eyes of his.And it melts me.:)He loves to chase Steve down and slap the backs of his ankles,calves or thighs in the hopes of Steve chasing after him.:)If I happen past he will reach out and slap my heel.I call it a love tap.When we nap or sleep at night Shadow will often jump on the bed and begin to purr.He will then settle down on one of our bellies and we will pet him till he's nearly asleep.With me he will often put out the"paw of possession"over my left hand,lay his head down upon my hand and go to sleep for awhile.This makes me smile in the night with contentment.His purring often sends me off into a deep slumber for which I am grateful.He's a smart cat and I am nearly certain he can tell time.He knows I am generally up at 6AM.If I am not he will bat the hose on my sleep apnea machine as if to say"GET UP!"LOL Or he will push open the bedroom door with such a flourish that it bangs rather loudly against the filing cabinet nearby!At first we thought it was due to him needing food or water.But we now know it is often his way of saying it's time for the changing of the guards.Time for me to take over so he can go to bed.:)He's such an incredible gift of joy to us.I would love to hear about your cats,readers of my blog,if you have cats.:)Have a great day everyone.

Blessings~Sharon

New Day,New Week,New Year

2010-01-03T09:50:00.000-08:00

I was up early as usual this morning to write in my journal.I have discovered,over the years,that for me,I am better able to focus if I write out my prayers to God.That is not to say that I do not pray verbally for I do.But I primarily write Him"letters."As I was speaking to Him about the year,the week,the day ahead I asked that He would bless them with His favor and goodness no matter what may come.As I wrote that I pondered how ominous that sounded.:) But then I quickly remembered that each new season has both the potential for good and bad to happen.That's how life is for us all,in one form or another, on planet earth.Times of hardship and times of His obvious favor.As I thought on all this I told God that I,in all honesty,could not have complete confidence or faith that this next year would contain only good things and nothing bad.Walking through the things husband Steve and I have faced changes you.It definitely polishes away much of the confidence in self and makes one realize that apart from Him we can do nothing(John 15:5).I shared these feelings very freely with God and as I poured out my heart to Him in my journal I began to hear Him speak His word to me over and over again in my spirit"You crown the year with a bountiful harvest..."I knew it was in the Psalms so I looked it up and found this..."You crown the year with a bountiful harvest,even the hard pathways overflow with abundance."(Psalm 65:11).Oh how that encouraged me to know even if life gets hard we can know His abundant provision in the midst of the hardships!That His presence,His power and all that God is,will be available to us as His children to see us through the good times and the bad.That His bounty is a crown upon the year ahead and that even in the hard places His provision will overflow in abundance.Be encouraged child of God.He is for you and will be there with you whatever may come.

Blessings~Sharon

Sunday Saying

2009-12-27T11:40:00.001-08:00

White Rose
by
Laurent Pinsard

"God gave us our memories so that we might have roses in December."
~J.M. Barrie~

Blessings~Sharon

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T08:34:00.000-08:00

Homage
by
Danny Hahlbohm

Merry Christmas and a blessed,prosperous and healthy New Year to each of you who read this.I just love this picture(and all it's many variations I have seen over the years as well).It puts things in the proper perspective.In the right place.:)No matter what the commercials may say Christmas is about the Savior.Holiness wrapped in humanity.The Light of the World entering sin filled darkness.Truth taking on fallacy.All this ensconced within a tiny baby,born in a barn,thousands of years ago.A baby who's birth was herald by angels and attended by lowly shepherds and stable animals.Such humble,common beginnings.But there was greatness within.This baby was God come in human form.Love,pure,passionate,holy love came down that first Christmas.The eternal God entering a world He created but marked by boundaries of time and space.And it changed the world,and our lives forever!May the peace,joy and presence of God be yours this Christmas.May you know Him in a deeper way in the year to come.And if you have never met the Savior,I urge you to ask Him to make Himself real to you at this time.Commit your life and all you are to Him.Your life will never be the same.:)

Blessings and Merry Christmas~Sharon

Sunday Saying

2009-12-20T08:35:00.000-08:00

Christmas Carolers
by
Jon McNaughton

~The earth has grown old with it's burden of care But at Christmas it is always young,The heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair And it's soul full of music breaks the air,When the song of angels is sung.~

~Phillips Brooks~

The Christmases of my youth were for the most part forgotten by me.I am not sure why I have so few childhood memories,even of Christmas,but I do.But the things I do remember were the church musicals,the caroling and the parties at church afterward.:)And they are for the most part great memories and something I have missed immensely as I have gotten into my 40's and now nearing 50(in 2 years I will be 50).But last night,in a small way,I got to relive those youthful times of fun at Christmas.Our church,Salem Vineyard,hosted it's annual Christmas gathering.It was a wonderful reminder of just how much fun this season can be and a poignant reminder of the real reason we,as believers in Jesus,celebrate this season.:)God came to earth wrapped in human flesh.There was music,skits,carol singing,special music and snacks afterward with plenty of time to visit with church family.And I came away from it all just so blessed and relaxed and happy.And I think,for me,next to Jesus being born,that was the best gift I could have received at this time in my life.The gift of time with just my husband and church friends.Time to relax,visit with church people whom we love and just unwind.Thank you Lord.:)May each of you also find some down time just to relax this Christmas season.
Blessings and Merry Christmas~Sharon

Rambling(s)

2009-12-15T16:29:00.000-08:00

This is from my sister Sandy's visit to Oregon back in October.I am on the left in green,Sandy is in the middle and sister Jane is on the right in the flowers.:)I found and met sister Jane on Christmas Day 2003 here in Oregon via ancestry.com.We had been living just a few miles from each other since I had moved to Oregon from California in 1991 and I did not know it till 2003!How good God is!This was Sandy's first visit to see me in Oregon and her first time meeting Jane.We all had great fun together.

We have been busy here preparing for our friend's arrival from Canada tomorrow.They live in Vancouver BC,Canada and are on their way down to California for the Christmas holiday.We see Patricia and Brian at least every other year and just love their all too brief visits.Lots of laughter and some serious conversations are all part of their visit.We all share a common faith in Jesus and I have been friends with Patricia since the late 1980's when we were both single and attending church together in California!They are chicken farmers up where they live and we just love their stories of life on the farm.:)

Our Christmas preparations have gotten smaller and smaller over the years as life losses have done their work.This year I did not even send out cards as I just had other things to work on(like me :) ).As mentioned in a previous post we had to sell off all our Christmas stuff(and nearly everything else)a few years back at a downsizing garage sale(in 2005 I think).It was painful and yet by that time I think I was ready to really simplify our life.Stuff and all it's trappings are deceptively dangerous or can be anyhow.We had just survived husband's stroke and surgery and my diagnosis of a pre-cancerous condition followed by a complete hysterectomy and were definitely ready for some simplicity in life.Those were just the two biggest things we were dealing with at that time.There were countless other issues,both big and small also going on at that time.No wonder I readily identified with Job.:)So,Christmas prep is pretty well done here.Looking forward to 2010 and all God has for us in it.

Blessings all~Sharon

Sunday Saying

2009-12-13T06:58:00.000-08:00

Christmas Tree and Packages
by
Michele Westmorland

"Remember,if Christmas isn't found in your heart,you won't find it under a tree."
~Charlotte Carpenter~

Do you find Christmas in your heart today?More importantly,is the Christ of Christmas dwelling within your heart today?The real heart and spirit of Christmas is not in presents and glass ornaments on a tree.Though these things can be wonderful,Christmas truly is all about Jesus.The one true King and Savior of the world.He was born long ago into a world dark and full of sin.In many ways the world and our hearts are still the same.Still shrouded in darkness and depravity and still in need of a Savior.Won't you open your heart and life to Jesus, the"Light of the World"today?

Blessings and Merry Christmas~Sharon

Sunday Saying

2009-12-06T08:03:00.001-08:00

The Angel of the Lord Announces the Arrival of Jesus to the Shepherds
by
William Hole

"Oh!lovely voices of the sky
Which hymned the Saviour's birth,
Are ye not singing still on high,
Ye that sang,"Peace on"earth"?"
~Felicia Hernans~

Christmas has changed a lot since the angels first heralded to a few lonely shepherd's our Savior's birth.Many have gotten trapped in the miry web of materialism.Others have tried to totally do away with any religious references opting for"Happy Holidays"instead of "Merry Christmas."Perhaps they think that they will also do away with our Savior if they change the usual greeting this time of year.But they cannot do away with Jesus for that baby in the manger did not stay there.He grew up and became a man.The"light of the world."The one who would die for us to save us from our sins.Some forget that.They only see the child,the baby.They do not see the man He became.Healing the sick,casting out demons,raising the dead.He did not stay the same.That baby changed,grew up,changed the world.Turned the world on it's head in a sense.:-)How we personally celebrate it here has changed as well.Since having to sell off all our Christmas stuff a few years back to make ends meet we have been unable to decorate our home in any way for the Christmas season.Initially I struggled with that.I missed our little tree and the lights,etc.I missed sitting in a darkened room,looking at the twinkling lights and shiny ornaments.But life had changed and we had to change along with it.As time has passed and we have adjusted to the changes my heart has adjusted as well.I no longer sigh with sadness over the loss of a few Christmas decorations.I enjoy this season of celebration just as much as I used to but inside I've released the hold all the trappings of the season had upon me.It did not come easily for I had loved decorating for Christmas since I was a child.But it did eventually come.Healing.A changed heart.That baby in a manger changed the world of a few lowly shepherds forever and He still changes hearts and lives today as the man Jesus,our Savior!
Blessings and Merry Christmas~Sharon

Blog Tour Book Review:God Gave Us Love

2009-12-03T15:05:00.000-08:00

This is another well written book by Lisa Tawn Bergren(with art by Laura J. Bryant).I am not sure what number it is in the"God Gave Us" series of books but once again it is a book I highly recommend for the young reader in your family.In this particular book,"Little Cub",learns some very simple but valuable lessons about the greatest of all gifts,love.As in the previous book I reviewed on here from the series, the artwork is nicely colored(though done by a different artist).Rich but not glaring.A great gift for the upcoming Christmas season or a birthday too.For more info or to purchase this book,please click here.

Blessings~Sharon
Disclaimer:This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Blog Tour Book Review:Treasured:Knowing God by the Things He Keeps

2009-12-02T09:06:00.000-08:00

Before I chose to read and review Treasured:Knowing God by the Things He Keeps I had never heard of it's author Leigh McLeroy .I can see now I was really missing out on some beautiful writing.Treasured was a wonderfully written book.The author weaves lovely threads of stories from her own life combined with biblical stories and principles into a beautiful tapestry.I came away with a deeper confidence in His daily and tangible love for us,His creation.I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a bit of encouragement.This book is small enough that it would fit comfortably inside a larger Christmas stocking or even a gift basket.However do not let it's size fool you.It's dynamite in a small package.To purchase this book or for more information click here.

Blessings~Sharon

Disclaimer:This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Blog Tour Book Review:God Gave Us Christmas

2009-12-01T15:12:00.000-08:00

This wonderful little book written by Lisa Tawn Bergren(with art by David Hohn)is perfect for young readers or for parents or grandparents to read to those not yet old enough to read.The words are a simple testimony to the reason why we as Christians celebrate Christmas and the main character,"Little Cub"is a real charmer.The colors in the artwork are vibrant and rich without being glaring.It's a perfect Christmas gift for either a girl or boy and I highly recommend this book.To purchase or learn more about this great little book simply click here.
Blessings~Sharon

~Disclaimer:This book was provided for review by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group~

Sunday Saying

2009-11-29T14:16:00.001-08:00

Be Ye Thankful
by
Jo Moulton

Keep your eyes open to your mercies.The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.

~Robert Louis Stevenson~

*Thankful here today for the gift of November sunshine.We so seldom see such a lovely sight here in Oregon this time of year.We have discovered there are few things lovelier than taking a nap in late Autumn with open curtains so the sun may warm our blankets as we slumber.Sheer bliss.:-)What are you thankful for today?*

Blessings~Sharon

Post Thanksgiving Ponderings

2009-11-28T17:03:00.000-08:00

Another Thanksgiving Day has come and gone as has another Black Friday.I thoroughly enjoyed the first and managed to avoid the second altogether.Life is good,is it not?:-)Thanksgiving was spent at Steve's sister's place.She and her husband and daughter have a really cozy apartment here in town just across the walk from Steve's mom's apartment.Our time there was all too brief as Steve wanted to nap after eating and daughter April had volunteered to work the Black Friday graveyard shift at Toys R Us.That meant a nap for her too.Granddaughter and I wanted to continue to visit but as our rides wanted to nap we acquiesced and left not long after eating.It had drizzled much of the morning but by late afternoon had turned into a full on downpour of liquid sunshine.I went home in the gathering darkness with Steve.Stomach full of good food and heart full of much gratitude.I know there was a time a few years back when in the heat of the onslaught of life's battles it was hard for me to be thankful.Hard to find gratitude within.And yet somehow as the battles raged on our Heavenly Father began to pull from the muck of life a slender,golden thread called gratitude.Only He could do that in me.For left to my own whims and devices I could only see the trials,the storms and the losses.It was hard to lift my head some days,much less my heart.That place of trust and faith really took a beating.But it was needful.I needed to see what was in me.Things buried so deep I was not aware of their ugly presence.But God was and sadly perhaps,so were others in my life.I began to call upon Him to free me from the clutches of ugliness within and by His grace He has begun to do that work and I know He will complete it one day(Philippians 1:6).It's so good to have His promise of completion of works he's begun within each one of us who call Him Savior.And as we enter this time of Christmas it's for me just one more opportunity for giving thanks for the gift of His son,our Savior.Speaking of Christmas,you will see I have changed the look of my blog for the holidays.I was going to go with a more traditional color scheme but had to have this one when I saw it over here.Blue is my favorite color and I thought this was just so elegant.:-)Wishing each of you a wonderful Christmas season filled with an abundance of good things from the Father.

Blessings~Sharon

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T15:16:00.000-08:00

Garfield Thanksgiving

While looking for a picture to add to this post I was captured,arrested and amused by the toothy grins on these guys.They made me smile.Inside and out.So I chose them as I feel like they accurately represent what is in my heart today.Joy.Gratitude for God's many gifts in our life.Granted,there are many negative things we've faced and still face.It's not easy living on husband's disability check for instance but we have always seen God's provision in the midst of it.We have what we need to live life on this earth and that is reason for thanks.We live with chronic medical conditions at this point but we have medications and machines to keep them under control and in check until our healing comes,either here or in heaven.That is another reason for gratitude and thanksgiving.We have hope in spite of the less than perfect aspects of our lives for we know Jesus lives and we know the Father is watching over us and that His Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth.Many,many reasons for thanks there!Amen?As one of my favorite songs says"life is hard but God is good."That fact never changes even when it seems the rug has been pulled out from under us and we're left laying on the floor wondering what happened and will life ever be "normal"again.So,if you are reading this and wondering what you have to be thankful for I want to encourage you that there is much to be thankful for.It may take some looking especially if you are in the midst of really hard times right now on any level.I know for we have been there.But it's there.It may be something small but small things to be thankful for are no less important than the larger things in life.And it's a starting point that may lead to bigger things to be thankful for!We just never know the good things the Father may have waiting ahead of us in life!!:-)Happy Thanksgiving everyone.May you be filled with an overflowing heart of thanks wherever you find yourself this holiday season.

Blessings and Love~Sharon

Sunday Saying

2009-11-22T21:06:00.000-08:00

Cornucopia
by
Ron Jenkins

Let us come before Him with thanksgiving...Psalm 95:2 NIV

**Giving thanks to Him for so much today...Health in our bodies once again,sunshine after church today,being well enough to go to church today,a warm van to drive,food to eat,so much that so many do not have.Lord,make us mindful of the many simple things that we could so easily take for granted for they are priceless and non-existent for some.May we never take any of Your gifts lightly.And may we all give thanks for them daily.**

Thankfully~Sharon

Happy 17th Anniversary Sweetheart!:-)

2009-11-21T11:21:00.000-08:00

My wonderful husband Steven!:-)
(taken outside of Sublimity,Oregon)
Happy Anniversary to the love of my life and the man of my dreams.You loved me when others said I was not worthy of being loved.You make me laugh constantly.You bless me in so many ways.We've been through so much together as a couple but I would not trade any of it if it meant not having you by my side every morning when I awake,throughout the day,and every night when I lay down to sleep.You are one in a million.It took God moving some mountains for us to even meet!But meet we did and I pray that God grants us many,many more years together to love and to laugh.I love you.:-)

Blessings~Sharon

Book Review:Called To Worship

2009-11-18T10:29:00.000-08:00

When I first chose to read and review Vernon M. Whaley's book"Called To Worship:The Biblical Foundation of Our Response to God's Call"I had a brief moment of panic.Would this book be too deep,too over my head,or worse yet,too dry?I am so thankful that my moment of panic was unfounded.From the first page I found this book to be enjoyable.Vernon writes in a very down-to-earth style while treating the the subject of worship with all the respect and reverence it deserves.This book blessed and challenged me as it relates to my own Christian walk and how I perceive and"do"worship.I found myself looking deeply at my own past experiences both as a former worship leader of a small womens Bible study and as a worshiper myself.Vernon states that true worship begins with obedience.Obedience to God,His will and His ways.He reminds us that God takes worship seriously and that we are to have no other gods before Him.This book takes us on a wonderful and challenging worship journey through the pages of Scripture;from Genesis to Revelation and beyond.I highly recommend this book to anyone;from the average Christian in the pew who wants to learn about worship to the serious Bible student or worship leader.
~Available at Amazon.com~

Blessings all~Sharon

Sunday Saying

2009-11-15T15:52:00.001-08:00

Songs of Autumn
by
Diane Romanello

Oh,Lord,who lends me life,lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.
~William Shakespeare~

**Better here.No more bronchitis.Hope to have a book review for you soon.Was going to publish it today but we had to babysit this afternoon unexpectedly.Sigh...Please pray that our daughter gets a different job or at the very least a back-up babysitter.This retail job of hers gives her different days and hours every week.And this weekend they told her the wrong hours which is why we are babysitting this afternoon.Thanks for your prayers.**

Blessings~Sharon

Sunday Saying

2009-11-08T15:54:00.000-08:00

Autumn Scenery I
by
Patricia Ivanov

God has two dwellings;one in heaven and the other in a meek and thankful heart.
~Izaak Walton~

**Still recovering over here.Husband now has what I had and what I had has turned into bronchitis.Sigh...We are now both on antibiotics and cough syrups to help us sleep.Looking forward to being well again and able to go to the complex fitness center once again.In the midst of all this"suffering"we have also seen His hand of provision and goodness to us(when our heater core on our van went out last week, God spoke to someone at church to pay for it for us as we had no funds to do it ourselves;we serve such a faithful God!) and we are thankful.I am hoping to get some book reviews on here shortly as well as pictures of my sister's recent visit here.Just been waylaid by illness and auto repairs and unexpected doctor visits and such.**

Blessings to all~Sharon

Sunday Saying

2009-11-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

An Autumn Afternoon
by
Robert Herdman

A state of mind that sees God in everything is eveidence of growth in grace and a thankful heart.
~Charles Finney~

*Still recovering from this"bug"here.Down to just a couple of symptoms and laughing again so I know I am on the mend!:-)It's a gorgeous afternoon here in Oregon.Sunny,cool and windy.And I am thankful for it.Hope the sun is shining where you are as well.But remember,if it is not,it will shine again.*

Blessings~Sharon

Prayers Please

2009-10-29T15:09:00.001-07:00

Please keep me in your prayers.I have picked up some type of"bug"and feel pretty cruddy.Started Tuesday night with a small sore throat and then came on the sneezing,sniffling,coughing,fever.chills,a leaking nose and eyes,itchy eyes and ears that itch way deep inside.I am pretty well fever free today I believe so maybe whatever it is is on it's way out.Praise the Lord if it is.Also,another friend,Marilyn Christine,has developed cancer.Please keep her in your prayers as she is not communicating with some of us and we don't know any updates this way.It's the same type that took her husband last year I think but in a different location.Thanks and Blessings all~Sharon

Sunday Saying

2009-10-25T08:19:00.000-07:00

Friendly Visit
by
George B. O Neil

True friendship is a plant of slow growth.
~Benjamin Franklin~

*Still visiting with my sister/friend Sandy.Shes goes home tomorrow but does plan on returning to Oregon for a visit.I am hoping to not only post pictures soon but also have a book review for you all as well real soon.:-)Have to get ready for church now.*

Blessings~Sharon

Can't Stop Smiling :-)

2009-10-22T14:36:00.001-07:00

The picture above is of my sister Sandy.She is 2 1/2 years younger than me and my one and only full blooded sister.Though the rest of my siblings are half siblings I love them equally as well as any full blooded relative.In just about an hour we will wind our way north to pick her up at the airport for a long weekend visit.I have not seen her in person in nearly 9 years;since our mom passed in Sacramento in 2001.Life has been full of changes for for Steve and I since then which is why we never got back to CA to see family.So she is flying north to see us after all this time.And I can hardly wait.It should be a fun weekend as her personality is as bright as her smile.She loves to laugh as do I.I hope my husband Steve survives all the endorphins.:-)I hope to post photos sometime next week if possible.That is after she is safely back home and the endorphins have gone to rest awhile.:-)

Blessings all~Sharon

Sunday Saying

2009-10-18T07:45:00.001-07:00

Escape
by
Edward Raymes

"The world will never starve for want of wonders,but only for want of wonder."
~G.K.Chesterton~

Blessings~Sharon

A Diagnosis

2009-10-16T07:15:00.001-07:00

As I had mentioned in a previous post I'd been feeling just a tad overwhelmed.Stressed out.Prayer and journaling did not seem to help.I spoke with a local Christian counselor on Tuesday of this week.She's fantastic and it took me some time to get an appointment with her as we kept playing phone tag.:-)After a ton of paperwork and a long chat about my life she believes I am dealing with complex post traumatic stress disorder and the high end of moderate anxiety.I am thankful to have a diagnosis and even more thankful to have been able to talk with someone about all we have been through the last 8-9 years.Deaths of friends and family members.Life altering illnesses that could have taken our own lives.Massive changes financially and in every other way possible.It all took it's toll without a strong support network locally and little social outlet due to having been out of church Christians for a season after my husband's stroke.There was a time I am sure I believed that stuff like this did not happen to God's children.That we were somehow immune to such things and that if we did face them we would not be impacted by them like others.No PTSD or anxiety for instance.How naive I was.How erroneous I was in my thinking.It was merely wishful thinking.Faulty thinking.Christians do deal with such things.I cannot be sure but I believe that for many it goes undiagnosed and the child of God may suffer in silence due to the stigma attached to"disorders"of the mind and emotions.But we live in a fallen world and few if us get through life on earth unscathed in some way.And the truth is,no matter what some name it and claim it types tell you,life is hard at times and not all of the bad things that happen or our responses to them are satan.We are but dust and to dust our bodies will return.I believe if a person is feeling the kind of stressed out feelings I was having then talking to someone about it is imperative.We take care of ourselves if we face physical issues but ,like me,felt a bit stigmatized,at the very thought of taking care of mental and emotional health.We are not just physical bodies.We have hearts and minds and spirits that need care as well.And sometimes extra special care by speaking to a certified counselor or your local pastor(that was who I asked about local,female Christian counselors).I am now looking forward with a bit more hope and a somewhat less stressed out perspective.Changes will need to be made for sure and I have already begun with some.I am once again using the complex fitness center.Exercise releases endorphins which make you feel good,relaxed,at peace and for me,better able to handle stress.It's some great"me"time which for this care-giver is now essesntial.I also get some solitude whenever I can.Also an essential thing for me as I gain my energy by periods of alone time.That is how God created me.So,if you are feeling overwhelmed by life and it's trials or are a caregiver(for instance)in need of some help I would encourage you to find someone to talk to.Your own life and future happiness and well being could very well depend upon it.

Blessings and Love~Sharon

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

2009-10-12T16:42:00.000-07:00

Wishing all(if I have any) my Canadian readers a most blessed Thanksgiving Day!May the Lord bless and keep you as you gather with loved ones to celebrate His goodness in your lives!And may that gratitude spill over within your hearts the rest of the year as well. :-)
God Bless~Sharon

Sunday Saying

2009-10-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

Solitude I
by
Darlou Gams

Talent develops itself in solitude;character in the stream of life.
~Johann Wolfgang Goethe~

Blessings all~Sharon

He Knows Our Needs

2009-10-10T10:51:00.000-07:00

What is your need today?Healing?Provision?Peace?Time away?The Father can and will provide.It may not be in our time frame but God is always on time.He never neglects His children's legitimate needs.I have seen it time and time again in my own life.Today He knew I needed some solitude and He provided it.Husband is off helping his sister and her husband move and granddaughter just left to play with a friend.When I have needed healing he has provided it.Like the time when we were getting ready to move in here almost 2 years ago.3 days before moving day I developed a red and hot spot on my abdomen.I had had this once before and it was some type of infection.But this time I had no time to go to the doctor.So,without any fanfare,I prayed.I reminded the Lord of His promises of healing in His word and that I had no time to go the doctor due to the move.And I simply trusted Him.The spot was cool and normally colored within 2 days and all this without a doctor's visit and another round of antibiotics!There have been times we have had financial needs and got unexpected checks in the mail or even found $50.00 bills on the sidewalk.Just last year we needed a vacation badly but could not afford one.He spoke to some dear Canadian friends to have them give us a week away at one of their time share places.Oh what a gracious and loving God we serve!I share all this not to say look at how good He is to us but to say that He is a God who will and can and does provide for His children.We can trust Him.His word says He is no respecter of persons.He does not esteem some of us higher than others.We are all His children if we have accepted Him as Savior.He will meet all your needs as well whatever they may be.Just ask Him.

Blessings~Sharon

Doing Time...

2009-10-05T17:32:00.000-07:00

...on the treadmill that is!After a long hiatus from regular exercise(please,no tomato throwing or nasty comments.:-))I have once again returned to that sometimes glorious and sometimes pain filled world of fitness centers.Thankfully our complex has a small one that is available to use for free.I was able to walk for just over 15 minutes today.Though it's a far cry from the hour long walks(on a treadmill) I was doing in 2004 and 2005 it's a step in the right direction.A returning, albeit slowly, to that thing that has been a life long issue with me.To exercise or not...that is the question.?I have never been athletic and even as a child was more bookish,more cerebral than athletic.But now that I have survived so much and seen and felt the benefits of regular walking I long to return to that place again.However,me thinks the treadmill doth protest too much.:-)If I were walking on me I would squeak too. LOL :-)But,Lord willing,I will be at it 6 days this week(even God rested 1 day).I hope to make this a regular thing.A commitment to fitness and even greater health(I have always had,thank You Jesus,great blood pressure and cholesterol).Though I may never be thin(I am not genetically predisposed to it)I can be as strong and as fit and as healthy and as thin as my Creator will allow.Fit for a King.The King!Off to prepare dinner now.
Blessings~Sharon
Image from www.precor.com

Sunday Saying

2009-10-04T08:25:00.001-07:00

The Morning Light I
by
Melissa Bolton

" A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling"darkness"on the wall of his cell."

~C.S. Lewis~

Blessings all~Sharon

Oh My Goodness :-)

2009-10-01T10:35:00.000-07:00

Autumn Reflections
by
Mike Jones

Life has been a whirl of activity since I last posted here.Many things have happened,both good and bad.Both sunshine and shadow,just like our weather.I find it interesting how often the weather mirrors our lives and vice versa.I have been a human pincushion lately.Thyroid blood draw(which turned out normal so no dosage change on the thyroid pills).Pro times/INR blood draw(also normal so no blood draw for another month and no change in the dosage on the blood thinner).A regular flu shot(hoping to get one for swine flu as well when they become available here).Good thing I have no needle phobias.:-)Steve also got a flu shot.And he left lasting memories with medical personnel all over the Willamette Valley I am sure.He has that effect on people.I also had to go see a new cardiologist/electrophysiologist as mine had retired and moved back to Hawaii.My heart sounded good so I do not need to see him for another year unless I go out of rhythm again and Lord willing,I will not.I have been hearing of answers to prayers I have been praying for many I know dealing with illness and disease.Oh God is so good and I must declare that here!He is such an amazing God!Truly amazing!Do I hear an amen???:-)I have been enjoying watching summer waltz into Autumn here.It's been colder and the trees are beginning to don their lovely Autumn colored garments.We've had the most refreshing rain showers.Not yet time for the days of rain and gray skies that seem as if they will be a permanent fixture.Steve is grateful for that as he really struggles with the ever present darkness that is Oregon in the Fall and Winter months.I have recieved good news in that my younger sister Sandy is indeed coming to visit this month from California and I am thrilled to no end.She will fly into Portland Oct 22nd and fly out again on the 26th and I cannot wait.We have also been busy helping Steve's sister and husband pack for their upcoming move.Please keep Linda in your prayers.We believe she has had a stroke but is refusing to go to the doctor though she has exhibited all the classic symptoms.We have all tried to convince her to get checked out but she refuses so we keep praying.We cannot force a 55 year old woman to do anything.Even though she will not seek aid I have made a decision to seek some aid for myself.As I mentioned in a previous post called"Overwhelmed Overload"or something like that I have felt like the last 8 years or so of trials have caught up with me.So I am hoping to get in to see a Christian woman counselor here in area.We are currently playing phone tag but she takes my insurance and is taking on new clients.The stress of being a caregiver these last few years with no one to talk to humanly speaking has impacted my personality at times lately and I felt like if I had one more person ask for help on something I was going to run mad into the streets.That is just my way of expressing just how stressed I felt.Were it not for the Lord on my side I may have done just that.I am also planning on beginning to exercise again as I KNOW from experience about 5 years ago how beneficial that is for reducing stress and promoting creativity(my writing was better back then I think LOL) and a sense of well being in my mind and body.Gotta love those God created endorphins!Our complex has a small fitness center and I plan on using it beginning Monday.I just wished they were open earlier than 9 am as I am a morning gal who loves to exercise at likw 6 am or so!Then shower and breakfast and start my day.But since I know I need to learn flexibility I will get there when they first open at 9.It is time for me to begin to care for me and it's a lesson I have learned and observed in the lives of other caregivers.I do not want to become a statistic on some doctor's office wall of the effects of burn out.Boy I feel better just writing all this out here.God is so good.I am so thankful for Him and for each of you,especially you who take the time to comment here.You all are real gems.Laundry calls so I will close till next time.Please pray for my sister in law if you think to.She is in the fire of circumstances right now and if she does not get care she will not be able to care for her disabled husband and autistic daughter.Thanks and God bless.

Blessings all~Sharon

Busy but Grateful

2009-09-21T15:46:00.001-07:00

Shades of Autumn
by
Diane Romanello

It's been a busy season here in our apartment.Each year about this time we have to gather up proof of income,etc. and fill out re-certification forms for our local housing authority.That way we can continue to get rent assistance to help with our oh-so-very-modest income.To not be somewhat organized and such could result in homelessness.So we do this.Our life depends on it.We also had a housing inspection.They hold these annually as well to make sure we have lights and heat and running water and that we are not living under slum lords.And thankfully we are not.We are blessed to live in a pretty nice complex that has caring management and staff.And wonderful maintenance guys that keep everything in working order.Add to that our regular watching of granddaughter Hope and an odd assortment of other errands each week and we have been kept very BUSY to say the least.Today we had to pick up some forms at the local SSI office to take back to housing and that was um...interesting to say the least.Long wait in a crowded office but we managed to take care of business and amuse ourselves while waiting.The police had to be called in at one point due to an irate woman in a wheelchair.I do not know what exactly happened but she had to be escorted back down to the first floor by the police.After we ran a few more errands Steve took off to help his sister and her husband pack as they are to move soon.I stayed behind as I had some work to get done here and calls to make.And I am glad I did.I got a call from Steve saying my brother in CA had called on the cell phone for me.I dutifully called my big brother back for I love him and have been in prayer for him on some issues.I was so glad I did.As we chatted he proceeded to tell me that the doctors have said his prostate cancer has just DISAPPEARED!I could not help it so I let out a rather loud"WOO HOO!":-)God has healed him and I am grateful.His wife Faith was having seizures and these too have gone!Oh God is so good.He still heals and I have seen it first hand in my own body as well as the bodies of friends and family!It as so good to pause in the midst of all this busy-ness and hear a good word from God via my brother.It gives me faith to keep praying for others that I know are suffering in their bodies or minds.Like my brother and his wife who still deal with schizophrenia.But I know that God can heal this too so I will keep on praying.
Gratefully~Sharon

My Strange Fascination

2009-09-15T16:21:00.001-07:00

Early Autumn Path
by
Lazzarra

Autumn begins with a subtle change in the light,with skies a deeper blue and nights that become suddenly clear and chilled.The season comes full with the first frost,the disappearance of migrant birds and the harvesting of the season's last crops.
~Glenn Wolff and Jerry Dennis~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And God said,"Let there be light,"and there was light.
~Genesis 1:3~

For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with light.Drawn to light.Passionate about good lighting in our home.When I watch shows or movies with my husband Steve I am always drawn to observe the lights or lamps in any given room(I am particularly fond of Tiffany Style Lamps :-) ).I notice with great regularity how sun light sparkles and shines on rain soaked leaves or blades of grass just watered.And,I definitely notice the subtle changes in the light this time of year.It's mellower,gentler,more golden and to me more lovely.I know it was today as we were out running errands.When God created light He declared it good!And it is.Without it our world would be a much darker place.We would enjoy less good health,our crops would not thrive and for some the darkness would invade their very souls and spirits(I think of those with seasonal affective disorder who need light therapy).In addition to physical light from the sun and lighting in our homes,we need His light in our lives.We need His light to gently melt away the cobwebs of spiritual darkness.We need His light to illuminate His word and reveal the depths found within.We need His light to reveal areas in our lives that need work(oh how I need that particular light in abundance).Light does so much for us as people and as His children.And His light can help us navigate the dark times and places in our lives with a bit more ease and comfort.I pray for much light in your life from the Lord for He declared it good and it is!
Love and Blessings~Sharon

I Will Never Forget

2009-09-11T08:08:00.001-07:00

September 11 2001

Our world was forever changed that day.Innocence lost.Trust and security broken.Forever changed.May we never,ever forget...
Love and Blessings~Sharon

A Second Spring

2009-09-10T14:01:00.000-07:00

Autumn Threshold
by
Diane Romanello

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
~Albert Camus~

We stand perched on the edge.Eyes looking both ahead at the new season to come and back at the one we are soon to leave behind.We are on the threshold and ready to make the leap.We search our hearts and our minds.What to leave behind and what to take with us into this new season.This time of new beginnings.We take Jesus and all He is and means to us into this second spring.We leave behind hatred,malice and all that is not of Him.At least that is my desire as we approach Autumn and the new year to come(I think my inner clock and calendar must be Jewish for it feels"right"for me to ponder newness every year at this time! :-) Rosh Hashanah is about a week away or so).I desire to truly make this a second spring each year in my life.To see new growth and warmth in me and in my life;my heart.All too often I remain stuck for one reason or another in the winter season of life.Too much dark and cold.Especially the cold.And at times that cold seeps inward to a depth I never dreamed it could reach and it affects me and those around me.I turn off the feeling as a way of escape or of dealing with tough places.Another thing to place before His throne.Another resolve to make.Another change needed.So goes the cycles and seasons of my life.Times of harvest followed by times of deep plowing and maybe even a burning off of the stubble fields that have become my heart.And all done in preparation for another time of harvest and perhaps a second spring.Our Divine Gardener knows what He's doing.

Love~Sharon

Oh So Happy and Excited(Autumn Blessings)

2009-09-05T16:38:00.001-07:00

My sister Sandy on the right and half-sister Melanie on the left!

The photo above is of my 2 younger sisters.They both live down in California.And they are making plans to come visit us here in Oregon in mid-October!I have not been able to see them in person since our mom died in January 2001 as life took a huge downturn along with our health and finances in 2002.To say I am looking forward to this is a huge understatement for sure!It's been so very long since I have truly had something to look forward to that I can hardly believe this is to happen.But plans are being made by them and we talk several times a week about their trip up here.I assure them of the ease of the trip for it is a simple one from where they will be coming from to where we are here.I am filled with such gratitude to God that He has inspired them to make such a trip to see us for I have missed my younger sisters immensely.I have 3 older half sisters as well.2 in California and one out here.And a half brother in California.And a deceased half brother who lived out here.So much family and so little money.But God is bringing some of them to me.And I cannot wait to see their smiling faces.Speaking of smiling faces,after a cold,rainy morning we are being smiled upon by the Mr. sun right now.:-)I did enjoy the rainy day though as it was a nice change from the heat of summer.I welcome Autumn's arrival with open arms as evidenced by the changes to my blog theme.:-)I consider Autumn to be "my season"for I was born in late Autumn(November 30)and the"Color Me Beautiful"book of so long ago declared me to be an Autumn by my complexion and coloring!No wonder I am so very fond of all that pertains to this gentle, golden season.Pumpkins,apples,harvest moons,and crisp air punctuated with curls of chimney smoke to ward off the first chill.Leaves crunching underfoot,and brisk winds that cause my cheeks to get even rosier.Back to school sales and earlier sunsets and yellow school buses winding their way through town.A wonderful time to reflect.And clean.Which is what we did this week.We cleared off our patio.It did not take much for it is small.We put away a couple of extra fans from our bedroom.We may have to take them out again at some point due to the schizophrenic Oregon weather but for now they are safely tucked away till next summer.We also put up our small BBQ,a table top model that resembles a smoker!We swept the ground and trimmed plants and dusted and just tidied up for the new season yet to come.It looks really good out there now.And,as our annual housing inspection is coming up so very soon it's a really good thing.And speaking of good things,my book arrived from Thomas Nelson Publishers late last evening.I cannot wait to read"Called to Worship"by Vernon Whaley and then write up a review.I hope all of you have a great weekend.
Blessings~Sharon

Amusing Alcott Quote

2009-08-29T08:31:00.001-07:00

The Library
by
Felix Vallotton

~She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain.~
Louisa May Alcott

I can completely relate to the first part of this quote and my husband Steve would totally concur on the second part!Oh,just to let everyone know,I was approved to be a book reviewer by Thomas Nelson publishers and am awaiting the arrival of my first book!I just love the smell of new books,don't you?:-)
Have a blessed weekend.
Sharon

I'm So Sorry...

2009-08-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

~Rejoice with those who rejoice,and weep with those who weep.~
Romans 12:15 NKJV

The call came in at about 9 this morning.I was preparing my morning oatmeal and the caller ID said it was my youngest sister,Melanie Clark, calling me from Sacramento.She's 41 and just married for the first time on August 15th.I'm glad I took the call instead of letting it go to voice mail.I answered the phone as I usually do and she asked how I was.I said okay and proceeded to ask her the same.Her voice broke into tears as she proceeded to tell me that her father in law passed away unexpectedly this morning.He was simply showering and passed away into eternity.I guess his wife had tried CPR on him after getting him out of the shower but to no avail.My sister is heartbroken that this wonderful man who helped his wife bake her wedding cake is now gone from their lives and so unexpectedly.All I could say to my sister was "I'm so sorry,I'll pray for you guys"and weep along with her.I wanted to be able to gather her in my arms and let her cry out her grief on my shoulders.She's my youngest sister and I love her.But I am 550 miles away and so must pray for her and weep for her from a distance.My heart is broken for her for I know what it feels like to lose my husband's father(he passed in 1997).And she and I shared in the grief over our mother's passing in 2001.There's no way around it.Death stinks.It bites.But none of us get out of this life alive and we will all face the passing of loved ones.The best we can do is trust God completely and follow His word.And share His heart with those who are grieving by weeping alongside those who are weeping even if from a distance.Please keep the Clark family in your prayers.Many,many thanks.
Love and Blessings~Sharon

I Did It...finally :-)

2009-08-22T10:47:00.000-07:00

Read the Classics I

After giving it much thought I have filled out an application to be a book reviewer for Thomas Nelson Publishers.I am awaiting their approval or declining of my application.I am hopeful they accept me for I love to read and I love to write and I get to keep what I review!It's a win/win situation.:-)And with Autumn coming on there will be more indoor time here once the rain comes.And speaking of Autumn...our weather beginning today and lasting all next week is to be very Autumnal.Mild days and chilly nights are forecast!Just what I am longing for as these so very hot days and nights as of late have been a real challenge here in this hot apartment.Fans do indeed help however they are not as helpful as an AC or a brisk Autumn wind.:-)We are watching an ill granddaughter today till about 2:30.I do not like watching sick people which is probably why I have no interest in nursing on any level.:-)There was a time in my youth when I considered it but I now see that it was merely due to the fact that I grew up having to care for my younger siblings and my mentally ill mother.I did not see any other choice.It was all I knew so could not see any other life for myself.If given the chance or choice now I would go to school and learn all I could about the writing and publishing industry.That's the one constant that has never changed in my life since childhood...my love of words...well crafted words on a page inspire and excite me like nothing else(unless I am in worship and really feeling God's presence or out in His creation and filled with awe by it's beauty).And speaking of books I have 2 more waiting for me at our local library.Both by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann I think.They are non-fiction(Fleeced!and Outrage!) and I look forward to reading their insightful(I am sure they will be insightful)views on a variety of topics from illegal immigrants to the current administration.And speaking of this current administration I am very concerned about this whole socialized medicine issue.I know several people who would be adversely impacted by it including my husband and I.What are your thoughts?

Blessings~Sharon

Thankful

2009-08-17T16:27:00.001-07:00

I am so very thankful as I type this.We thought we were going to have to take my husband to the ER today as he was having chest pains.But they're gone now.The nitroglycerine's did their job.Of course we prayed as well as having him take his pill(s).So thankful we have a loving Father who watches over us all.Perhaps God knew we needed a break from babysitting our granddaughter for the pains started just as were to be"on duty."Daughter called in to work and said she would not be in.After awhile the pains just vanished and a bit of lunch took away the nausea.So we are enjoying the unexpected day off from watching granddaughter.We need a break like that from time to time as life can be quite stressful for us without it.Perhaps it would be easier if our apartment was not so small and we both had better healtth,etc.Things like this affect all of us as our granddaughter has to play outside or at her friend's places when we watch her as our place just cannot accomodate Steve and I,a variety of loud children and our cat Shadow(who dislikes loud children immensely.:-) ).Oh, I am also thankful my new issue of"Victoria Magazine"arrived this week!It's the issue dedicated to all things British!And it's one of the few splurges I now have living on a fixed income as we do.Though I wish the cover had something other than food on it I was so glad to see it's arrival in our mailbox this week.I believe one needs beauty as well as bread in life.One feeds the body and one feeds the soul.I love to sit and peruse it's lovely pages and just relax and calm down from the stressors that life hands me at times(like a bank statement that refuses to balance even though I am extremely particular about it's upkeep as well as that of our checkbook).:-)How are things in your part of the world?What are you thankful for today?
Blessings~Sharon

From a Friend:Words of Encouragement and Wisdom

2009-08-12T10:07:00.001-07:00

The following was sent to me by a friend.I thought it worth sharing here so I copied and pasted it.Have a blessed day everyone!
Much Love~Sharon

Good Morning, I woke up at 2 am feeling the need to write this email

I need to address the FEAR that is running rampid across not only America but most of the northern hemisphere.

As I write this, I know there are repercussions that may come against me. Several years back each time I was on the phone, there was a beeping sound every few seconds, and my mail for the past several years has already been opened. Each time I receive a package it has been clumsily re-taped closed. Including a family cookbook sent to me had a stamp on the package saying it had been inspected. However, I am not afraid; I only fear missing what the Lord tells me to do. When we are in His will then we have nothing to fear.

I suppose this “62 yr old, devout Christian great-grandmother” is a real threat in some way. Many of us are on a list to be watched for being a threat to our country. So much for freedom of speech!

I know it must be a terrible thing to be out of work with nothing in sight, and children to house and feed. If you are in this place, you must fight against the rabid fear trying to choke out your faith in God. In spite of what our eyes tell us we must trust the Lord to provide our basic needs.

It was over thirty years ago, when we went through an extremely rough time. I had in my purse $10 to last two weeks. While in church, I heard the Lord say, “Give the $10 in the offering”. I whispered to my husband in hopes he would say that cannot be God. However, Dave told me to give it to the church. Therefore, I did with a sinking feeling. The next day I discovered $20 in the sofa, and then I found food in the back of our cupboards I had no idea was there. One time a stewed chicken and veggies lasted us a full week with out adding water, and it did not spoil or lose its flavor in any way, the bowl stayed full. Glory to God and His provision!

Our walk in the Lord has been a faith walk for the past thirty-two years. It has been rough at times, but we have learned through it. The Lord has never left us alone, not once!

Phil 4:14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. ²⁰To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

As we walk close to the Lord, He will meet our every need, not our wants, but our needs. Give where you can and what you can. It may be giving of your time helping others, whatever the Lord lies on your heart to do, do it cheerfully.

Praise the Lord for what you have; a family that loves you is a great blessing. Strong legs and good health is an awesome blessing.

I have spoken often of the time coming when we will need to share our home with others, we are seeing this happen today. The important thing is not to give up trying and trusting the Lord.

Romans 8: 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

³¹What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

36 As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

I want to encourage each of you to stand up for what is right. This “health insurance plan” being shoved down our throats, will destroy most of us! Senior citizens as well as the very young needing medical help will be denied for a beginner. The government will decide who is to live and who is to die.

We are seeing the death of the America we love. We are witnessing the emergence of the “One World Government” breathing down our backs, which is “Fascist” replacing our Constitution.

HOWEVER, if anyone tells you to take up arms please discourage this; for this is not the answer … the answer is fasting and prayer!

I need to encourage each of you to begin building a food, medical and basic needs supply if you have not already. The day is but a shadow away when we will have need of this. As the Lord told Joseph to store up for the drought coming to Egypt , so He is telling us to do the same.

Again, I want to say, prayer and fasting is the answer to our needs being met. Jesus while in the Garden asked His disciples to pray with Him through the night. They kept falling asleep. We do not want to be remiss in this. Too much is at stake here. Not only our freedom, but also our very lives and souls are at stake! We must be alert to what is happening around us as well as listening for the Lords directions. If we are asleep spiritually when the Holy Spirits tells us to get up and leave, we will miss the protection of our Lord.

We must stay focused on our Lord and not man and his evil plans. It does not matter whether we are Republican or Democrat we need to fight for our freedom in God’s way and follow His leading not our own. My husband and I watch Glenn Beck on Fox news as well as Hannity. These men keep us abreast of what is happening they need to be prayed for daily.

We have never seen such an evil regime in the White house, stay alert dear ones and fear not, for we are not alone, the Lord is near us and ready to care for us each step of the way.

Isaiah 25:2 You have made the city a heap of rubble, the fortified town a ruin, the foreigners' stronghold a city no more; it will never be rebuilt. 3 Therefore strong peoples will honor you; cities of ruthless nations will revere you. 4 You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall 5 and like the heat of the desert. You silence the uproar of foreigners; as heat is reduced by the shadow of a cloud, so the song of the ruthless is stilled.

Matthew 6:²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I am holding each of you in prayer as I ask you to pray for me and mine. We need each other as never before.

May our Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless each of you as you walk in His light.

Jesus loves You & so do I,
Carol Psalm 91
http://www.abbalovesus.com

We Made It There Finally

2009-08-08T09:39:00.001-07:00

Twilight view of Pacific Ocean
from Oregon Coast

We were able to take a much needed break this week and make it over to the Oregon Coast for a few hours on Tuesday!The drive over was lovely.Newly paved road most of the way thanks to ODOT(Oregon Department of Transportation)!The weather was cool and cloudy but after the recent heat wave we welcomed the cool and clouds.We made it to Lincoln City without incident and decided to hit the Tanger Outlet Stores Mall first.They have a Christian book store there called Tree of Life that I like to visit when we make it over there.They have a discounted book section in the back that I like to peruse.3 books for $5.97 is a deal I cannot miss looking at!Once again they did not disappoint.I found a book by Brian Flynnn called"Running Against the Wind."He's a former new age medium who offers a dire warning to the church about the new age practices that are making their way into modern day mainline churches!I also found 2 other non-fiction books by Jennifer Sands.She is a widow due to the 911 disaster.One book is called"A Tempered Faith" and the other is called "A Teachable Faith."I look forward to delving into both as soon as I finish my 2 library books and another stack of books I have markers in.:-)It was a good thing I found stuff pretty quickly for the mall started to get really busy and we hate crowds so we left as quickly as possible.Wanted some lunch but did not know where to go.Steve then said he wanted to splurge and drive to Depoe Bay for lunch at Gracie's Sea Hag.So off we went.The drive down Highway 101 was lovely.We saw bits of the ocean and the bay as we drove south and found much to comment on.Huge waves.The odd blue heron here and there.Bits of driftwood that resembled animals while in their natural,uncut forms!So much to ooh and aah over.And much laughter too which is such a great stress reducer.We made it to Depoe Bay and even found parking in close proximity to the restaurant.One of the perks if you will of my husband's having COPD is his disabled placard.We almost never run out of places to park when desiring to go somewhere.As we walked up to the restaurant we noticed a Swarovski Crystal shop right next to Gracie's Sea Hag.It's sparkly color drew in my beauty loving eyes but our growly stomachs decided to eat first.If,like us,you love fish and chips then we recommend Gracie's.They have both cod or halibut and it is served piping hot and in generous portions!I actually took some home with us.:-)Our stomachs full we then"waddled" :-) over to the crystal shop next door.I love sparkly and I love color.My eyes could not take stuff in fast enough.We spent several minutes in there and even Steve was really enjoying all the color and sparkle.One of the clerks even took some stuff out of the display cases and showed us stuff up close and explained what were observing.There were glass paperweights,crystal flowers and jewelry of all kinds;some even made with Oregon Sunstone!Simply beautiful.Though life on a fixed income does not allow us to purchase things like that we did enjoy"window shopping"immensely.A few minutes in such a pretty place does wonders even if one cannot afford to buy.We exited the shop and decided to head north again to find a quiet spot to look at the water.Once again we were able to see the majestic Pacific Ocean as we drove along.We also enjoyed the many kites and wind socks flying in front of local businesses.Loads of color and movement due to the perpetual coastal breezes that blew.:-)Made me feel like a kid.We ended up at Roads End State Park.There were too many there for a quiet spot but we did find a place to park and look at the water from up top.We enjoyed people watching as well as dog watching.We both love watching dogs at play,especially at the beach.We laughed at 2 young girls who would chase the waves as they went back out to sean and then come back in running being chased by those same waves.Hopefully those girls will remember such things for a life time.I don't have any such memories.We then decided to head back to Salem even though we knew it would be much warmer.But we came back a little refreshed and thankful to God for just a few hours respite.
Blessings~Sharon

Overwhelmed Overload

2009-08-03T16:54:00.000-07:00

Grand Teton

Hear my cry ,O God:
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will
cry to You.
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is
higher than I.
~Psalm 61:1-2~

A request from a senior neighbor made me crabby.I did not want to return her phone call which I knew was a request for assistance of some kind.Word from a friend about news of her husband's return of prostate cancer made me cry.A call from a family member found me muttering under my breath "leave us alone" from another room I assumed they too were wanting something from us..My flesh,my humanity,was all too apparent in the last few days.I was on emotional overload.Overwhelmed by life.Inundated by a plethora of prayer needs for people needing healing had left me with a broken heart for these suffering souls.Add to that the recent heatwave and subsequent loss of sleep and you have prime breeding ground for emotional and physical exhaustion.I felt I had not a thing left to give.Nothing.Empty.Out of gas.And in the midst of all this a reminder to go the Rock that is higher than I for refreshing.For healing.Run to Jesus with my all too human frame.Run to Him for healing and renewal.Go to Him for rest.For peace.And if needed,escape for a day.Which is what we hope to do tomorrow.We hope to run to the coast for the day.To escape the stress and monotony of a life lived on a fixed income which carries with it it's own monthly challenges and stresses.We hope to stare at the water and let His waves have their healing and restorative way in us.We hope to have a cheap meal somewhere and just enjoy each other and His creation with out a jangling phone or cell phone!Our way of running to the Rock that is higher and bigger and more powerful than we could ever imagine.A way to let my overwhelmed and overloaded heart catch a break and perhaps heal a little.
God bless all~Sharon:-)

Cooler Weather and Grape Britain!

2009-07-31T12:10:00.000-07:00

We are heaving a collective sigh of relief here in the Willamette Valley as cooler weather has moved in and we can now get out and about without fear of melting or worse.We had some errands to run yesterday so we left early.I had not left the apartment in days as it was too hot to wear real clothes.Too hot to be out in the sun.Too hot to do much of anything with highs above 105 for a few days there.I needed to have a pro-times blood draw for the blood thinner I take for atrial fibrillation,pick up 2 books on hold for myself at the library and drop stuff off at a local thrift store.So off Steve and I went.We took my favorite route over to the lab for the blood draw.This route takes us through a part of downtown Salem with some older homes of various architectural styles.Victorian homes,bungalows,hacienda styled homes and various other styles are present.As we passed by a small,pink hacienda styled home Steve commented that he liked it.I said that I did not as I have never cared for that style very much.I then asked him why he liked it's little pink self.He said it reminded him of those pink,sugar wafer cookies!I laughed heartily and thought I should have fed us both breakfast before we left.:-)I then made a mental note to purchase some of these little treats when he gets his disability check on Monday!I wonder if they come in an all strawberry package?I guess we shall find out!As we continued on I began to eagerly scan the right side of this lovely tree lined street for my favorite home on this path through downtown.There she was!Still lovely and tall in all her purple Victorian glory!A real painted lady in the heart of downtown Salem!!The house is a pale,lavender gray color with dark plum and dark,blue gray trim and a purple front door for impact!I squealed with delight as if seeing her for the first time.Her beauty never fades to me.She's the prettiest home I've seen in Salem I think.Just on the heels of our sugar wafer conversation I asked Steve"I wonder what my love of this purple house says about me?!Quick as can be he shot back"it's reflective of your love of Grape Britain!"(He knows of my long held affinity for all things British.:-))I asked him to repeat as I was not sure I heard him correctly!Did you say Grape Britain?That's what he'd said alright.He never fails to amaze and amuse me.In times like these a little humor goes a long way!

God bless and keep each of you~
Sharon

How Did I Survive California?

2009-07-28T16:54:00.001-07:00

Havin a Heat Wave
by
Shirley Novak

It's 108 degrees here in the Willamette Valley as I type this at nearly 5 pm.Previous records are dropping like too ripe fruit in an unkempt orchard.It's been a year of extremes of weather here and that seldom happens.Generally speaking we're not prepared for these types of extremes in this gentle clime.It makes me ponder the first 30 or so years of my life spent growing up in Sacramento,CA.And it makes me wonder how I ever survived the heat there?And then I recall a childhod spent under shade trees and swamp coolers.And I recall a young adulthood spent working in air conditioned offices and coming home to apartments with central heat and air and shaded swimming pools.And I know that's how I survived.Would I want to go back to that life again?No way.I have learned too much about God,life and myself since following His clarion call to Oregon in 1991.And one of the many things I have learned is how to survive the heat waves that come into my life unbidden in this normally temperate place I now call home.Hope all of you are staying cool where you are.
Blessings~Sharon

Oh So Hot :-)

2009-07-17T12:01:00.001-07:00

We're in the midst of a summer heat wave here.It's been in the 90's for about 3 days now.Last night as I went to bed it was still 89 degrees outside at about 9 pm.So glad we have purchased several stand fans and window fans over the last few years as we have seen them at garage sales.They are really helping to keep us and our cat Shadow nice and cool.We have no AC's in this complex so we do what we can.We nap in the afternoons.I think siesta is such a great"invention!"We stay well hydrated with plenty of water(avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages as they will only dehydrate you more).We close up our patio door and bedroom window(s)before the heat really hits(here that is about 5 pm).And we close our bedroom mini blinds and patio door's vertical blind so we do not get glare from the sun shining on vehicles parked outside.We take our walks EARLY;like about 7 am.If possible I would go at 6 but Steve thinks 7 is even too early!:-) I use baby powder liberally after my shower(Johnson&Johnson Lavender&Chamomile;purchased brand new at a garage sale awhile back for only 50 cents and it's a big container!Thank you Jesus!).I keep fruit and flower scented body sprays and splashes in one of my vegetable drawers for a quick cooling squirt when needed.I cannot believe I just confessed to that.LOL :-) Oh well.I have done this since I lived in California and find it really helps!All these things combined help us(me)stay cool here when the heat is on.Thankfully these heat waves do not last long generally.However,they are talking about triple digits in about a week here so I am glad my arsenal is well stocked and ready!And remember,God is always good even when the heat is on in our lives and in our locales.:-)
Blessings~Sharon

Bookish Thoughts and Such

2009-07-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

Book Shop by Sung Kim

~Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore.~
Henry Ward Beecher

This quote was on an Incredimail stat sent to me by a friend this morning.Oh my,she does know me well.The stat had a wonderful image in the background of a bookstore.I immediately saved it for I know I will use it and hopefully often!I have loved all things bookish since childhood.As I grew up poor I did not travel or have much adventure in my life.But in the pages of books I could visit distant lands if only in my imagination.And visit these far away places I did.I have often told my husband (as we passed by the local Borders Bookstore usually)that if money were not an issue in our life I could probably get in a fair amount of trouble in bookstores.:-) LOL So I shop for books at thrift shops(only rarely)and garage sales(quite often when possible!)and on occasion I have bought new(for the lowest price I could find)when it was a book I really wanted and knew my chances were oh-so-slim of finding said book at a garage sale or thrift shop.I have also availed myself of our local library on many occasions.I can look at their catalog online and then log in and request the books I want.They notify me via e-mail when they are ready for pick up!And speaking of books,I spoke with one of my older sisters over the weekend.She had a birthday so I called to wish her well on her day.As we chatted we somehow got on the subject of books and she proceeded to tell me she helps keep Barnes and Noble in business and will often buy books 4 at a time!Though we grew up somewhat together I just did not know there was another bookworm in my family(or writer of poetry like myself!).:-)That kind of thing often happens in families riddled with divorce like mine was.Add to the fact that she is 10 years older and had a different dad and well...you get the picture.I must call her again.Our chat ended before I could find out what books she bought recently.I am currently reading Vinita Hampton Wright's"The Soul Tells a Story."And I am re-reading a book by Ken Gire called"Windows of the Soul."And an e-book called"The Divine Artist"by Stephen Bennett."All great reads and wonderful writers.And speaking of writing...I had some thoughts while writing in my journal this morning.I was pondering my journal keeping history and how I had attempted a diary in childhood and a journal in my 20's.My 30's were my lean years as far as writing was concerned.I seldom did it.And when I attempted these past journal keeping endeavors my journals were filled with so much anger and hatred and other dreadful(to me) things that I did eventually throw away said journals.And with their removal much of the toxic emotions began to leave as well.Hallelujah!I am now nearing the end of my 40's(November 30 I will turn 48)and I have been regularly keeping a journal for a few years now.And it's been a joy.Life's trials have smoothed off many of the rough edges both without and within.Many journal pages now resound with praise to the only One who could make such a change within my soul.And I rejoice in Him and know that as life continues on within the pages of my journal that He will continue to give me cause to write down His praises for that is the kind of God we serve and love.
Blessings~Sharon

Sigh...

2009-07-11T15:43:00.001-07:00

I appreciate having a roof over our head(I really do).I even love our 658 square foot apartment.Though small it has many nice features.A ceiling fan for one thing.It also has a small patio out back and a laundry room within it's small walls which houses our second hand laundry set.I love not having to go to a laundromat.But one of the huge pitfalls we've discovered since living here for a year and a half is the neighbors.There many rude neighbors.Sad but true.People who are well old enough to know better have littered our front door area with their dropped cigarette butts;they have even dropped them from the floors above onto our daughter's head and left burn marks in the rug we use to wipe our feet before entering what should be our refuge.Then there are the neighbors just to the west of us who play their stereo so loud at all hours our bedroom walls vibrate with the sound of their"rap **ap."It would bother me if it was country or heavy metal as well.The point is not the type of music but the volume level at which they play it and the time frames.I do not think they work so it is not an issue of them getting off work and unwinding at 2 AM!But early this morning(sometime after 1 AM)really won the rudeness prize.I was awakened from a sound sleep to the sound of my husband having to shout(and shine a flashlight at 3 small children out in the night playing in the sprinklers just outside our bedroom window.They were all about 10-12 years old.No adults in sight and they were laughing and shouting and generally making a huge racket.He shouted more than once for them to go away and they finally did.Sadly in the time we have lived here I have had to e-mail the office's on-site management far more often than I felt I should have to.We have even had to call the police a few times.And then are the times we have close up all our windows on even nice days like today as the neighbors are all out smoking and I am coughing like crazy which annoys my husband.It's times like this I wish we were living our dream of life in the country away from neighbors of any kind.And in a place with enough land to grow some fruits and veggies.Nothing like apartment life with rude neighbors to turn us into a couple of misanthropes.:-)We both long to live in a place where all we hear at night is the sounds of crickets.Sounds nice,doesn't it?Makes me sigh with longing.Perhaps one day God will grant us the desires of our heart on this.:-)Until then I shall continue to be grateful I have a roof over my head.
Blessings~Sharon

So Funny

2009-07-10T09:15:00.001-07:00

My husband and I(seen above on the day of my complete Mary Kay makeover given by daughter April)have been walking in the early morning hours(7 is early for Steve :-)).We both want to do what we can to lose weight and reduce the stress that comes from living life here on this earth.So we walk.Some days are good days and we walk with few breaks at all.Other days(not today ironically) we have to stop a few times(he has COPD and I have atrial fibrillation).One of the things I love about Steve is his joy in life and his well honed sense of humor.As we walked today and enjoyed the morning his humor was ever present.We had just walked past a vehicle that had some type of sticker on it.He said we should place it on our/my back.What did the sticker say you ask?This is priceless...It said"Caution!Makes frequent stops!I told you he was a funny guy.:-)It's one of the many reasons I married him and why we've been married for over 16 years.

Blessings~Sharon

Prayer Needed for My MIL Evelyn

2009-07-09T11:17:00.000-07:00

My mother in law Evelyn was just diagnosed with skin cancer today.She is scheduled to have it removed on August 5th at 8:15 AM.She is 80 years old and I know would appreciate prayers on her behalf.Thank you all so very much.
Blessings~Sharon

Happy Independence Day!

2009-07-03T17:41:00.001-07:00

Independence Day Fireworks

on barge in Willamette River

Portland,Oregon

Wishing each of you a wonderful day of celebration tomorrow as we celebrate our nation's freedom and independence.It's so much more than a day for feasting and fireworks although it is often celebrated in such a manner by most of us.:-)People fought and bled and died to gain us the freedoms we enjoy as a nation(no matter how often it seems they are being taken away we still enjoy more freedom,I think,than many nations around the globe).So have a blessed time tomorrow as you enjoy time spent with friends and family.And remember to be safe as you do.

Love and Blessings~Sharon

Wordless Poetry

2009-06-30T15:05:00.000-07:00

There is something almost poetic about a clear summer sky above a canopy of green trees,isn't there?A sight very much like this arrested me and captured my eyes and made me smile in delight and wonder upon our walk through the complex very early this morning.It's medium is not words,but color,and texture and form,splashed around this part of our world,upon this planet we call earth.It caused praise to flow forth to the One who created such lovliness for us to enjoy.

**********************************************************************

For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

From the hymn

"For the Beauty of the Earth"

by Folliot S. Pierpoint

Blessings~Sharon

Prayer Needed for a Friend

2009-06-29T19:49:00.000-07:00

Please keep my deasrest friend Susan in your prayers.I just found out this past weekend she had a stroke about a month ago.Her husband could not find her address book so that is why he did not call me.I had been thinking about her really strongly and so I called them and discovered what had happened.She and I met at work 20 years ago when I was single and in Sacramento.She and I became fast friends and kindred spirits.She knows Jesus so has a lot of people praying I am sure but extra prayer is always helpful.She is in a nursing home till September.She is 65 years old I think.She is slowly gaining strength and speech back.Thank you for praying this dear woman and friend of mine.

Blessings~Sharon

Oh Be Ye Glad

2009-06-27T10:07:00.001-07:00

The following lyrics were going through my head as I awoke this morning from a sad dream involving my mother,who has been gone since January of 2001.In this dream I was doing whatever I could to avoid being near her in a large church.In reality much of my life was spent doing just that as I was weary of her ways.It was later on in life I discovered she had schizophrenia and probably had for much of my life.So much I did not understand as a child.So much pain and confusion and blank pages where there should have been a mother's love.I awoke from this dream saddened and somewhat riddled with guilt.Had I done enough for her in her later years?Had she felt my love and forgiveness on earth before being ushered into the presence of her Savior?And then came the lyrics of this song into my questioning mind and saddened heart.A whisper of His love to soothe this tumultuous soul.Thank You Jesus.
Blessings~Sharon

BE YE GLAD

Words and Music by M.K.Blanchard
© Gotz Music/Benson

In these days of confused situations.
In these nights of a restless remorse,
When the heart and the soul of the nation,
lay wounded and cold as a corpse.
From the grave of the innocent Adam,
comes a song bringing joy to the sad.
Oh your cry has been heard and the ransom,
has been paid up in full, Be Ye Glad.

(Chorus)

Oh, Be Ye Glad, Be Ye Glad,
Every debt that you ever had
Has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord,
Be Ye Glad, Be Ye Glad, Be Ye Glad.

From the dungeon a rumor is stirring.
You have heard it again and again.
But this time the cell keys are turning,
and outside there are faces of friends.
And though your body lay weary from wasting,
and your eyes show the sorrow they've had.
Oh the love that your heart is now tasting
has opened the gate, Be Ye Glad.

(Chorus)

So be like lights on the rim of the water,
giving hope in a storm sea of night.
Be a refuge amidst the slaughter,
for these fugitives in their flight.
For you are timeless and part of a puzzle.
You are winsome and young as a lad.
And there is no disease or no struggle,
that can pull you from God, Be Ye Glad.

(Chorus)

A Bit of Good News

2009-06-26T16:25:00.001-07:00

We saw our sleep apnea doctor yesterday.It was for our 6 month follow-up.I am so glad they called the day before to remind us of it for I had completely forgotten about it.No doubt due to a middle-aged moment.:-)They took our vitals and discussed our sleep apnea machines and masks and how we were both sleeping.I was so happy to discover that we both had great blood pressure.Mine was 118/72 without medication and Steve's was 124/72 with medication!We find news like that very good indeed!They tweaked the numbers on my Bi-Pap and Steve's C-Pap and sent us on our merry way rejoicing.They said they'd send us a post card in a year for our next appointment.God is so good.When in the midst of the battle He sometimes grants us a little hope.A little bit of good news to brighten our countenance and give us something to be happy about!What a good God we have.

Blessings~Sharon

Most Beautiful

2009-06-24T16:33:00.000-07:00

Summer Afternoon
by
Kay Grant

"Summer afternoon,summer afternoon;to me those have always been the most beautiful words in the English language."
~Henry James~

It is a gorgeous afternoon here in Salem.Warm,windy and sunny.Though rain is to move in we are enjoying the nicer weather while we have it.We had a productive day here of grocery shopping,cleaning and napping.Such a thrilling life we lead. LOL Quiet but most of the time fulfilling.God has been weaving His mind and attitude into the fabric of my heart and mind this week and for that I am grateful.On occasion he grants me a glimpse of what I am like on my own without Him and it is not a pretty picture.Which is why I am in such need of and so thankful for His grace.His never failing,always abundant grace.New every morning.Indeed every moment when we turn away from our flesh and turn to His spirit,His presence in our lives.His grace and favor,always abundant,and fully realized on this most beautiful of summer afternoons.
Blessings~Sharon

What He Revealed

2009-06-21T09:17:00.000-07:00

I'd been in a bit of a funk lately.Okay it was a full on funk. LOL And I was not sure why.I tend to be fairly optimistic but not lately.As I went about my daily life and wrote things in my journal I came to the realization,with God's help,that I was in a place of grieving again.Grieving losses we have faced in the last few years.And feeling there was not much to look forward to in the future as well.What losses you may ask?Husband and I have faced loss of health,finances,possessions as well as friends and family members in death.And it was so overwhelming for me as things happened so fast and in rapid succession at times I could not completely deal with said losses at that time.I was on overload and overwhelmed.So,I did not have a proper time of grieving.A time to get past one storm or trial before the next one hit in one form or another.It left me feeling like something that had been dredged up from deep within the ocean's depth and unceremoniously spit up on shore somewhere.Have you been there?Has life left you feeling ragged?Weary?Unable to function in a normal capacity?For me this was a huge wake up call once again.It heralded my need to get back to my heavenly Father.To once again build up my hope in Him.And dare I say it,to forgive God for allowing such tumultuous times in our lives?Granted some of these things we dealt with are common to all men and merely part of life.Other things we faced were not something everyone faces such as bouts with cancer and heart trouble that leave you staring death directly in the face and hoping that you will win the battle.I had slowly allowed my trust in God's goodness for the future to begin to erode as I harbored these painful experiences within.It impacted all of my life as times spent with Him were less and less and I just felt like I could not be real with Him any longer.I was merely going through the motions.Life and it's trials had won.But then a friend sent me something via e-mail that began to realign my life and thought processes once again.It talked about how some things we face in life will not be explained to us and we just have to trust God and press on not knowing why.In addition to grief I was stuck in "why" mode.Though it is common to deal with this I do not recommend a person stays there long for the secret things do belong to the Lord and He is God and we are not.I read this and the tears begn to flow and as they did my hope began to once again be renewed.Oh,the grief may come again but as I allow it to do it's work and continue to release it to God healing,total and complete healing will come.And for that I am thankful.

Blessings~Sharon

This Day Called Sabbath

2009-06-14T16:32:00.000-07:00

A Time To Rest
by Dwayne Warwick

Do not let Sunday be taken from you.If your soul has no Sunday,it becomes an orphan.
~Albert Schweitzer~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So then,there is still awaiting a full and complete Sabbath rest reserved for the[true]people of God.
~Hebrews 4:9~
*******************
Sunday.Day of rest.Sabbath.Rest.A cessation of labors.A ceasing of work.Time set apart.To reflect.Ponder.To muse.To concentrate on God.To focus on Him who created this day of rest and reflection.A time of peace.Hopefully a time of peace.Inward stillness borne from immeasurable trust in the One who created all things including this day of rest.A season set apart to reflect upon His goodness and His beauty.We can have that Sabbath rest continually in our hearts.Even as we labor mid-week we can know His peace.Peace with God and peace with man.When a man's ways please the Lord he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.(Proverbs 16:7)Peace that passes all understanding.A heart at rest.Sabbath rest.Eternal issues in a secure and safe place with Him.Hidden in Him.Hidden with God in Christ Jesus our Lord.Hidden with Him in that Sabbath place.His heart's desire for all of His creation.That place of rest and eternal security.Blessings upon each of you on this nearly over Sabbath Day.
~Sharon~

Find Some Suffering...

2009-06-07T17:58:00.000-07:00

Bathing a child suffering from protein deficiency disease.

...and do something about it.That was what our pastor Lanny spoke on in church this morning.Look around you for hurting souls and help them.Pray for them.Love them like Jesus would.Easy?No way.Worthwhile?Definitely, according to a gal in our church family who has opened up the front porch of her home to the local homeless population in her neighborhood.For myself much of the service was spent really listening and fighting back tears.Occasionally they slipped out with utter abandon.:-)And what about the poor and suffering beyond our own community,our own nation?I believe the next Sunday or two is going to focus on Compassion International,a ministry that helps many of the world's poorest children.I look forward to this as I have had a heart for this particular ministry for a long time and hope that perhaps we may sponsor a child.We'll see.If I was a single woman and had the funds I definitely would.Being married one must consider the spouse and make this a matter of prayer that involves both people.Oddly enough,over the years I have had more of a heart for the suffering of those living abroad.Not that I am calloused to those here.I just see what appears to be greater needs beyond our own backyard.And I am determined to somehow put feet to prayers prayed.:-)It was good to gather at church today.We'd missed much church recently due to illness and other issues.And therefore I am glad to be well and gathering with this local body of believers once again.
Blessings~Sharon

Perfect Storm

2009-06-06T16:53:00.000-07:00

Highway to the Stormy Horizon
Oregon's Willamette Valley is home to many people for many reasons.One of the biggest ones,I think,is it's natural beauty and generally mild climate.We seldom have extremes of weather here.Our water is too cold for hurricanes for instance.Thursday of this week past surprised us all.We'd had a week of cloudy,humid weather.Wednesday evening a very brief thunderstorm came through.2 peals of thunder,2 lightning flashes and it was gone.But Thursday,now Thursday had a storm.Steve and I had taken off to a local Albertson's store to buy some meat marinade.He loves Adolph's and they are the only ones to sell it.As we left our apartment and headed toward I-5 we both noticed some ominous clouds to the southeast of us.Dark and foreboding they were.I innocently commented that I would not be surprised if the heavens dumped on us soon.:-)We arrived at the store with a jangling cell phone to herald our arrival.It was our daughter April.Our very excited daughter.Seems she had the news on and they had just announced tornado warnings for a town in the foothills east of us called Lyons!And severe thunderstorm warnings for our area.It felt more like we lived in the Midwest at this point!Though we'd seen some lightning and heard some thunder by now it was not much.We hurried into the store with the thought that it was not really going to be much of a storm.Most of them fizzle out quickly and with little damage here.Still we felt the need to get in and out as fast as possible.Flickering store lights encouraged us in this endeavor.We found what we came for and prepared to exit the store quickly.Ha.We reached the exit only to be impeded by many shoppers huddled in front of us looking out at the now drenching rains pouring forth from above.There was so much rain coming down it looked as if a dark grey fog had descended upon the parking lot.We debated.we could see our van parked in the disabled spot(Steve has a placard due to COPD and heart trouble,etc.)just a few feet in front of us.But it was pouring.So we decided to go for it.Neither of us were prepared to be soaked to the skin but we were.The parking lot was beginning to flood as overworked drains struggled to keep up with the deluge.The winds were wild and the sky was dark as night almost in some places.We drove out onto the road and watched as cars drove through now flooding streets in an attempt to get home.They had been dry only moments before.We slowed to a crawl as the rains and wind assaulted our van and the lightning and thunder tore open the skies above.We had to slow way down at various points as we could not see to drive.Our wipers did not have warp speed on them.:-)We finally made it back to our complex though it took some time.Branches and leaves littered the driveways as if a tornado had gone through.Some of the branches were as big as trees themselves!It turns out there were peak gusts of nearly 75 miles an hour here in town!We finally reached our carport and were greeted with mud and pebbles rolling down the sidewalks in small rivulets from some sloped landscaping near the stairs.We reached our apartment's safe warmth to learn we had not lost power.We were thankful.Thankful too that our cat was only slightly freaked out.Though it continued to rain and we still saw and heard thunder and lightning we bbq'd on our covered patio.We had witnessed some of the wildest weather this are has seen and lived to tell about it!God is good!And it really was a perfect storm.:-)
Blessings all~Sharon

Liquid Grace

2009-06-01T20:43:00.000-07:00

After the Rain
by
Alan Stephenson

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rain is grace.Rain is the sky condescending to the earth;Without rain there would be no life
~John Updike~

Liquid grace is falling from our leaden skies this evening.It's fragrant refreshment will cause deep and peaceful slumber to arrest us this night.And this blesses me immensely.For it reminds me that He is as faithful as the rain that pours forth from the heavens above.Have a wonderful night all.
Blessings~Sharon

So Excited!!! :-)

2009-05-31T09:49:00.000-07:00

I just had to share my discovery this morning!But first let me back up a little.A couple of weeks ago we went to the annual Keizer,Oregon Iris Festival's parade.We had great weather and great fun this day.One of the things that we enjoy about it is the free gifts and such that local businesses toss to the eager crowd.That day we received a coupon to get a free packet of lettuce seeds and a CocoLite Brick from a local plant nursery.Apparently the brick is a growing medium made from coconut husks.We took these items home and soaked the brick in water overnight.This made it expand to about 3 times it's normal size or more and made it pliable so we could break it up into"soil."We then planted the Romaine Lettuce seeds.I am so happy to report that we have little green slivers of new life peeking up through the"soil"this morning!!This excites me for so many reasons.I have always loved plants and flowers and gardening.But due to the turn our life took in the last few years I have had to give up one of the things I loved due to loss of funds/income,health and space to garden.There was not even funds to container garden which often happens when one has to live on disability.One often has to merely provide the necessities of life and often those things that bring us joy and excitement have to go.Or so I thought.:-)We now have loads of tiny lettuce plants growing inside a white dish pan on our impossibly small apartment patio!I love to see new life and green things growing in a formerly barren place.If all goes well we will have loads of lovely Romaine Lettuce in a few weeks time.:-)Well,loads of it by our standards anyhow.Fresh produce is often in short supply here due to the financial issue.Praise God for summer time and it's abundance of produce and you- pick places.This all has inspired me to maybe try more container gardening as God provides the"stuff."My husband Steve has said he wants to try and get some plants and flowers for the patio come this next week when he gets his disability check.Yippee!:-)I love color and have missed having it right in my own"backyard."I am grateful to be able to see it in others yards but there is nothing like being able to see it right where you dwell.Amen?It's been hard on me being in this place of lack by American standards.Not having some things of beauty to lift one's heart and spirit is sheer drudgery to me as I love beauty and always have.It is food,sustenance for this oft weary soul.:-)So,I praise God for this little ray of light in the form of little green shoots.
Blessings~Sharon

Voice of Truth

2009-05-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

Content?

2009-05-27T09:51:00.001-07:00

Clouds of Contentment
by
Katherina Schotter

Christian contentment is that sweet,inward,quiet,gracious frame of spirit,which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.
~Jeremiah Burroughs~

````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

I don't know about you,but if you are at all like me,you still need work in this area.A lack of contentment can creep in so quietly.Under cover.And before we know it's ugly talons have a strangle hold on our hearts.For me it's an issue of trust.Will I trust Him and be content in the little annoyances that cross my path.Will I trust Him and be content with the big things?The huge crises that He allows in my life?His word says that godliness with contentment is great gain.I think that we all gain.God is glorified when we are content in Him.We gain by having a deep peace that comes from an unruffled spirit.And those around us gain as they observe and learn from watching us what He can do in and with a life lived in full trust and contentment in God.Often it draws them to the only One who offers true contentment.Father God.may we all,as Your children,be content with where we are and what we have at this time in our lives.And may we honor and bless you as we live this out in our daily lives.
Amen.

Blessings~Sharon

Welcoming Summer's Unofficial Arrival

2009-05-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

To see the summer sky is poetry;
Though never in a book it lie;
True poems flee.
~Emily Dickinson~

Image:Blue Sky in Summer with Clouds over Wheat Field.
Momatiuk&Eastcott
allposters

Blessings all~Sharon

The Price of Freedom

2009-05-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

Freedom has never really been free,has it?It has always cost somebody,somewhere,something.To those of you who have paid the price I want to say thank you.You may have lost family,friends or even limbs.Thank you for sacrificing what you did so that we may enjoy what we do.It is my prayer that each of you have a most blessed Memorial Day.
Love~Sharon
Image from allposters

Worth a Thousand Words

2009-05-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

I am sure we've all heard it said that a picture is worth a thousand words.If that is truly the case(and I think it is)then the image above speaks volumes about what I have been doing much of this week.I have been resting and sleeping for much of the week.My husband loves to share and he shared his awful cold with me.And it's truly awful.Which is why I have been MIA.Again.Though I am hopeful to be on the mend soon I am not yet there.Just now as I typed a fit of coughing seized me by the throat begging for release.Sadly I had to oblige.Colds at 47 seem so much worse than they did say at 7 or even 27.And we've had all the symptoms.Sneezing,coughing,runny nose,etc.I have not even felt like writing in my journal or leaving the apartment in spite of the absolutely gorgeous weather we have been having.Today I did get out a bit with Steve to grab some dinner(we had coupons for Aiberto's, a local Mexican Restaurant that has to go or dine in food.)We opted for to go.But oh did I enjoy the drive.It was sunny.It was warm.And it was breezy.And after nearly a week spent mostly indoors feeling as if a fleet of trucks had run me over,I loved the outing.I needed the outing.I needed just a little time spent in the land of the living.I needed to feel the sun on my face and the wind in my hair.I needed to see the colorful flowers and shrubs in bloom.And this outing did not disappoint.His grace was there today as it has been all week.And it will be again tomorrow as we have to watch Granddaughter Hope for about 10 hours while her mother works!Yikes!That all being said I will close for now dear readers.It's rapidly heading toward 9:00 PM and I know that 6:30 AM will arrive quickly and on time as it always does each day.That's when we begin to babysit as I recall.Have a lovely weekend wherever you are and whatever you do.And don't forget to take some time and ponder the meaning of what this Memorial Day weekend is truly all about.It's time well spent I think.
Blessings and Love~Sharon
Image courtesy of allposters.

It Started Early

2009-05-18T08:57:00.001-07:00

This is yours truly in about the 3rd grade I think.I am in the school library doing what I still love to do.Don't you just love the poncho and knee socks??? LOL Gotta love the late 1960's!So, as you can see,my love of books started early.And it continues to this day.Now if I could just find the time.:-)
Blessings~Sharon

Closed Door

2009-05-16T07:00:00.001-07:00

Our daughter recently found out that she was not to be chosen to work at T-Mobile.For reasons known only to God at this time.Oddly enough I seem more disappointed than she is.But I must remember God sees the big picture and to be honest my"sight"can be so very limited at times.It can be too earth bound.Too much like a horse wearing blinders.I can focus with so much longing at the closed door.I can get trapped in all the questions related to why something so desired did not happen.It can blast the faith right out of a person.So I'm thankful that God reminds me that He is sovereign.That He can see the beginning from the end.And that we,as His children,do have a delightful inheritance(see Psalm 16:5-6).That He has good plans for us,plans to prosper and not to harm us(see Jeremiah 29:11).Our part is simply to trust Him.Trust Him when we don't get that desired job.Or when our life is at stake due to a bad diagnosis from the doctor.Simply trust Him for all things.
Blessings~Sharon

To Moms(and all who nurture or train)

2009-05-09T08:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!
Wishing all of you women out there a most blessed day tomorrow.This includes those of you whose mothers have passed on,those of you whose mothers would never win an award,and those of you who may have never had children or children of your own anyhow.I have walked all those roads myself.And,that being said,I know from experience how difficult Mother's day can be.It can be lonely when you are physically barren.It can be painful when your own mother has passed on.And it can be tragic when your own mother has been, in many ways,taken from you by mental illness at a young age.But,whatever your situation,know that,as a woman,you may be responsible for training and nurturing others in so many ways.And that makes you a mother in a sense.A positive influence in the life of another.Maybe not a mother in the traditional sense of the word but that's alright.You too are worthy of some pampering and blessing tomorrow even if you have to do it yourself.So,to all who read this,I pray you are blessed this weekend,no matter where you are,what you do or what your situation in life is.
Have a blessed weekend.
Love~Sharon

A Note and A Quote

2009-05-04T12:06:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we left for church late which left me more than a little stressed out.I have a thing about being on time generally but especially for church.I want to arrive early and spend a few moments in quiet reflection or at least not rushing to find a seat.When I knew that was not to be my mood sunk some.But a kind word from our granddaughter Hope written out in the backseat of the van on the way to church cheered my heart immensely.It read:"Dear Grandma,Don't you just love flowers?Flowers are so beautiful,just like you.You and flowers are in common because you are both beautiful."How could I remain in a funk about our late arrival when I had just been compared to a flower?Smile.She might as well have compared me to a summer's day my mood brightened that much.Even bigger smile here.Thank you Jesus for the gift of godly 8 year old girls.And in keeping with the theme of beauty I read the following oh-so-beautiful quote from Ann here:

It says:
"Measure your health by your sympathy with morning and spring.If there is no response in you to the awakening of nature-if the prospect of an early morning walk does not banish sleep,if the warble of the first bluebird does not thrill you-know that the morning and the spring of your life are past.Thus may you feel your pulse."
~Thoreau~

This quote tells me I have the pulse of a child!Smile.At 47 I still feel a thrill when I see the first daffodils of spring or see the first robin after a long gray winter.I marvel at the breakneck pace that folks drive while we slowly meander through lush green countryside and wonder when it all ceased to amaze these other drivers.When did the glorious become commonplace for them?Even non existent as they barrel through the landscape outside their windows.Perhaps they need to slow down and check their pulse.

Blessings~Sharon

Been Reading...

2009-04-29T16:04:00.001-07:00

...the Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.Our pastor had recommended it to all of us at church and had a few copies available.We purchased one.I had heard about it for years but had never read it for one reason or another.I have been enjoying it.I read a portion of it today that was a tremendous blessing and encouragement to me and wanted to share it with you.It is the first paragraph of the seventh letter and it says:

Dear friend,
We have a God who is infinitely good and who knows what He is doing.He will come and deliver you from your present trouble in His perfect time and when you may least expect it.Hope in Him more than ever.Thank Him for the strength and patience He is giving you,even in the midst of this trial,for it is an evident mark of His concern for you.Encourage yourself with His love and thank Him for everything.

I found this so very encouraging.We are not really enduring any new storms here which I am grateful for.It is the sameness that I often find so wearisome.The business as usual that creeps about our life.That is what burdens me at times.And I see the parallel between the ever present potential for rain here in Oregon and the ever present sameness in our lives.Now God's constancy is one thing that stays the same and for that I am thankful.But the same issues health and financially speaking are the ones that tend to wear on me at times.And the rainy weather this week did not help.Big grin.I long for physical sunshine which changes the look of the land as much as I long for a change in the overall landscape that is our lives here on earth.To feel the warmth of His smile in the sunshine that warms the earth.To see Him move these ever present mountains that cast shadows over our lives.That is what I long for.Brother Lawrence reminds me that He has a timing for all things in our lives.And perhaps we are still to be in what at times feels like perpetual winter.Spring will arrive just as it does each year.And soon,hopefully,the weather will reflect it.And God will one day remove these shadowy times in our lives.These are not eternal.But He is.His love is.And so are His grace and strength.And so I offer a whispered prayer of thanks and praise to the One who is Himself both sunshine and shadow.Thank You Father for Your constant presence in the lives of Your children.Thank You that with You we have hope.That things will not always be the same.That we will eventually be set free from all that is burdensome to us.And that until then we must come to You regularly,our burden bearer.Thank You that You are good and You are present.Even in the troublesome times.Amen.
Blessings~Sharon

Update on our daughter's job interview(s)

2009-04-24T16:41:00.000-07:00

We are rejoicing here and continuing in prayer here.Our daughter had her first interview with T-Mobile yesterday and her phone interview today!Next Wednesday she gets to tour the call center from 4:00-5:30 in the evening.Though no official offer of employment has been made we are continuing to pray and are continuing to be hopeful as she has passed her first two interviews.We can see the potential for God to really bless our daughter with a full time position at T-Mobile.It was His doing that she happened to meet a T-Mobile employee at a recent meeting.She has been trying to get work there for a long time now and later found out that they tend to hire those who know someone who works there!So please continue to lift her before the Father.She's a single parent who really needs this job.We are once again enjoying some lovely spring weather here.Steve and I went for a much needed drive in the country today.Since his health issues forced us to live on his disability checks this has been our occasional"splurge."Spring time in Oregon is a true thing of beauty.Loads of color abounds.Clear blue skies dotted with huge,white,cotton ball clouds preside over the verdant hillsides.An abundance of newly born farm animals greet us from roadsides all over.I commented to my husband today as we drove about that I find it hard to believe there are those who cannot appreciate such artistic beauty.I have known such people over the course of my life time and am still dumbfounded by them.Huge grin.God's creativity and sheer beauty as expressed in the beauty of nature never gets old for me and I love that!Have a blessed weekend wherever you are and whatever you do.
Blessings~Sharon

A Couple of Prayer Requests

2009-04-22T08:38:00.000-07:00

Seek My Face

I am asking for prayer for the following 2 needs:

1.)My older brother Chuck was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer.It is slow growing but he and his wife Faith need prayer.I do not know where they stand spiritually.

2.)Our daughter April may be getting to interview with T-Mobile soon for a full time customer service job.She has been trying to get a job with them for awhile now.Please pray for God's favor and blessing in this way as she needs the full time work.And please pray God blesses her new p/t job as a Mary Kay beauty consultant.

It's another pretty day here in Salem and I feel so blessed by the sun's presence.Though it is to be cooler and a wee bit more cloudy for the next few days it is still going to partly sunny.And that's such a good thing for which I am so very thankful!Once the holidays are past I am ready for spring sunshine and warmer weather!:-)I am hoping to finish up some cleaning projects here today that we began on Monday!I never know what a week will bring and this one was no exception.Which makes me so glad for the Lord's presence and grace in such times.He sees me through all the messes life can bring.The unexpected interruptions and chaos that can throw me off balance somehow always work out when I just simply rely on His grace.:-)
Blessings and Love~Sharon

Beautiful Spring

2009-04-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in His heaven -
All's right with the world!
~Robert Browning

We are enjoying a brief season of absolutely gorgeous weather here in Salem right now.Sunny with highs in the low 80's.The pink,flowering plum outside our bedroom window is in full bloom right now.The birds serenade us with their lovely songs each day from dawn till dusk.Our community is awash in a riot of color right now.Tulips,daffodils,crocus.All displaying their spring glory given to them by God!All is truly right with the world right now.
Blessings all~Sharon

Happy Resurrection Day!

2009-04-12T08:06:00.001-07:00

The Resurrection of Jesus

I want to wish each of you a blessed Resurrection Day!It is my hope that you will enjoy time with family and friends and that you will be filled with the hope of His resurrection in your heart!Because He lives we can have His hope and His life!
Blessings all~Sharon

How Could You Say No?

2009-04-10T09:15:00.001-07:00

The Crucifixion
by
Peter Paul Rubens

Thorns on His head, Spear in His side
Yet it was a heartache that made Him cry
He gave His life, so you would understand
Is there any way you could say no to this Man

If Christ Himself were standing here
Face full of glory, and eyes full of tears
And He held out His arms and His nail-printed hands
Is there any way you could say no to this Man

How could you look in His tear stained eyes
Knowing it's you He's thinking of
Could you tell Him you're not ready to give Him your life
Could you say you don't think you need His love

Jesus is here, with His arms open wide
You can see Him with your heart if you'll stop looking with your eyes
He's left it up to you, He's done all that He can
Is there any way you could say no to this Man

How could you look in His tear stained eyes
Knowing it's you He's thinking of
Could you tell Him you're not ready to give Him your life
Could you say you don't think you need His love

Thorns on His head, your life in His hand
Is there any way you could say no to this Man

Is there any way you could say no to this Man

As I pondered what exactly to post today,Good Friday,the lyrics to this song from years ago came flooding back into my mind.They say it all.He paid the ultimate price for us.Dying a horrendous death upon the Cross to purchase our pardon for sin.His love held Him there.Love for His often rebellious and wayward children.His ultimate creation,created in His image.That great love held Him to the cross.He could have left that cross at any time.But He did not.He stayed and suffered and died.For you.For me.How can we say no to such love?
Blessings~Sharon

PS~Does anyone remember or know who wrote and sang this song from the late 1980's or early 1990's?I am thinking it was Billy Sprague but could not find out for sure.I want to give proper credit here so as not to have any problems.Thanks so much dear readers.

A Fish Tale

2009-04-08T09:37:00.001-07:00

When they got out on land(the beach)they saw a fire of coals there and fish lying on it(cooking),and bread.
John 21:9
The Amplified Bible

I have a culinary confession to make today.Though I am a fairly good cook I cannot cook fish.My husband and I love to eat fish but it has been the one food that has challenged my cooking skills the most over the years.It seldom turns out well when I attempt to cook it.At least until last night that is.As I said we love fish here in our home.Back before my husband's heart trouble which caused a dramatic financial change we used to even go catch our own freshwater fish.Trout were always great fun and we enjoyed eating them later on that day.Halibut was and still is a favorite saltwater fish.But their hefty price now prevents us from buying either them or even fishing licenses to fish for trout.So,when a local grocery store had Dover Sole on sale for $1.28 a pound in 10 pound packages we bought some(had to buy it in that amount to get that great price;thankfully it freezes well.).We thawed some out yesterday and come dinner time I was getting just a little nervous.I wanted to make a tasty meal for husband Steve and I but those prior fish fiascoes kept coming to mind.So,I did what any woman would do.I asked for divine help.I prayed to God and asked for His help in cooking the fish.I figured He and the disciples ate it a lot when alive on this earth so I could not go wrong asking the One who created fish to help me cook the critters.And you know what,He did.I listened to the Lord's still,small voice as I prepared the fish.He even graciously gave me step by step instructions.The fish turned out great!Fried to golden perfection and we feasted on fish and bread last night.Now please do not think I am a crazy woman.I am not .But I am a woman who believes in and loves God.I am also a woman who believes that God is intimately connected to the lives of His beloved children and that nothing is too small and insignificant to Him.Nothing.And I believe He still speaks to His children in countless ways each and every day.And I,I am learning to listen.
Blessings abundant~Sharon

Dover Sole image courtesy of All Posters

So Good!

2009-04-06T09:47:00.001-07:00

It's been a good week here.A happy week.A blessed week.We've finally gotten some sunny and warm weather here.We've seen God answering some prayers.Our van was making a weird noise last Sunday and as we sat there after church with our granddaughter eating lunch we thanked God for the food and we prayed for our van.This was outside a local Mc Donald's as we sat eating grilled chicken sandwiches and such.God blessed our food and healed our van of it's most strange noise!He's a great mechanic too!Then just this past Saturday night He healed my body.I had awakened in the night to my husband having one of his very physical dreams.He has these"fighting"type dreams from time to time.He accidentally kicked me in the back of my right leg as he slept.It threw my right hip and low back out of whack.I discovered this at about 4 AM yesterday as I attempted to get out of bed and head to the bathroom.I did not want to miss church again as I love where we now attend.So Steve got me a glass of milk,a small banana and an Ibupfofen 800 and I consumed them and we prayed.I awoke about 7 completely pain free and able to move.We were able to make it to church as a family and that was a huge blessing!Our granddaughter loves church and was missing it a lot due to illness and her mom's work schedule.Our daughter has now changed her schedule so we can go to church both Sundays as well as Wednesdays too.God is good all the time and he is always present but occasionally He really shines and His presence and care for us is seen in abundant and dramatic ways.And for that I am thankful!I hope all of you are well this Monday morning.
Blessings all~Sharon

Well Once Again

2009-03-30T16:41:00.001-07:00

Many thanks to all who prayed.I am now well once again and have been since Saturday.Steve and I along with granddaughter Hope even managed to make it to church Sunday and were very happy about that!We had missed weeks due to illness and that was no fun at all.It took us so long to find a place we wanted to attend and now that we have we have missed much due to illness.But we're back now and so thankful.We had sunshine yesterday which was an added blessing as this March has been mostly rainy,cold and windy.I am longing for the sun's warmth to remove winter's chill but the weather men here in the Willamette Valley just keep forecasting more valley rain and mountain snow.Arizona and Florida are both looking real good to Steve and I right now. LOL Guess we're pretty typical Oregonians as far as that goes.Many of us love this state we call home but the gray skies and rain can begin to wear down even the hardiest of souls.We live for summer here. LOL Anyhow,thank you to all who prayed for us doing this most recent round of illness.It is much appreciated dear friends.
Blessings all~Sharon

Sniffling,Sneezing,Coughing,Oh My!

2009-03-23T09:51:00.000-07:00

Woman Lies Sick in Bed

I tried.I really tried.I did everything that I could think of and I still got my husband's cold.The woman above is not me.Actually,she looks better than I do at present.I found her here.In addition to sneezing,sniffling and coughing at times I have a watery left eye and nostril and my back teeth on the left side hurt.With my sweetie Steve it was the right side.That amused us greatly as I told him this last night as we sat on the couch together watching HGTV together.We have been opposites on many things at times so why should a cold be any different(she smiles in amusement).Steve's been a real help since this came on Saturday.He bought burgers from a local fast food place for dinner last night so I would not have to cook(NOT from McDonalds thankfully).We have to babysit again 4 days this week as spring break commenced last Thursday.Not an easy task when we are well but even harder when we are not well.I made up spaghetti while I felt better earlier this morning.Steve very kindly took my soon to be due library stuff back to the library for me a few minutes ago so I would not have to babysit alone in a few minutes.He's such a sweetheart of a guy.Thankfully I slept okay last night.Having my Bi-Pap machine and extra oxygen through an oxygen concentrator help.Steve has sleep apnea as well but his is mild and mine was diagnosed as severe so I am never without the machines at night(or when I nap during the day with Steve and our cat Shadow).Steve was able to sleep without his during his cold which is nearly gone now.Thank you Jesus!It's cold and windy but partly sunny here today so I will focus on the sun(the Son!)and try to ignore the longing for warmer temps and the sometimes painful face. :-)As always,prayer is appreciated.
Blessings to all~Sharon

Happy First Day of Spring

2009-03-20T15:31:00.000-07:00

Happy first day of spring everyone!
Blessings all~Sharon

Been Awhile

2009-03-18T08:00:00.001-07:00

It has been over 2 weeks since I posted anything here and for good reason.I have been somewhat overwhelmed at times with life recently.Our granddaughter has been ill once again and we have had to watch her at times as she stayed home from school.She had a bout with strep again and a bout with stomach flu all within about a 2-3 week period of time.Dealing with ill people drains me emotionally and otherwise.Unless you have dealt with your own medical issues and also had to care for someone else during these times you will not understand.Be thankful.:-)Now my husband is having a cold or allergy thing going on as well.It never seems to end at times.I have had many opportunities for prayer during this time.Both for others such as Hope and Steve as well as myself.Now that can be a good thing.Anything that draws me to the Father is always a good thing even if it comes in a not so pretty package.I have also been on a computer fast of sorts.I am on here but in a very limited capacity.I needed time to reconnect with real people and read real books and get some spring cleaning done here in our tiny apartment.It's been good.During all this we got word that my brother in law(Dave) needs prayer.They found a gray spot on an MRI of his prostate.It is either cancer or an infection.He goes for an actual biopsy later on this month.My youngest sister(Melanie) in California phoned me yesterday.She had just gotten out of hospital.Dehydration,pneumonia,stomach flu as well as pleurisy.She's always been one of these type A people who does not know when to slow down.These are just some of the prayer needs that have come across my path in recent days.So many needs and it seems so little time and energy.But God has been faithful.And I will endure this time as well.I can do all things through Him who gives me the strength.

I look to the hills!

Where will I find help?

It will come from the LORD,

who created the heavens

and the earth.

Psalm 121:1-2(Contemporary English Version)

Blessings~Sharon

10:37

2009-03-01T08:22:00.001-08:00

The Good Samaritan

...and Jesus said"Go and do the same."
Luke 10:37
The Message Bible

Recently Steve and I were in downtown Salem.We shop at garage sales and thrift stores often to try and stretch his disability checks.It works well for us and we just love saving money in this way.We came across a newly opened thrift store on Commercial Street called the Project 10:37 thrift shop.It was small.Crowded.But this afforded us the opportunity to speak with the proprietor that day.He had a story to tell.They opened this shop to try and help the local homeless population.There are many homeless in Salem.We were told that proceeds from the store go to help the homeless and pay to rent the movie theater downtown that doubles as a church on Sunday mornings.Turns out that they lost about 75 % of their funds and about 80 members of the congregation when the homeless began to attend this church.The people that left were the ones who had jobs and income.I never cease to be saddened by the behavior of those who call themselves by the name"Christian."But that's another story.They could not handle being around people who had fallen on really hard times and were in need of many things so they left instead of sharing what they had.Sad.Because without God's grace and favor in our lives any one of us could be that homeless person in need.Any one of us could be cold or hungry or dwelling under a bridge night after night.So,to make up for this dramatic loss of income the pastor and some volunteers have opened up this thrift shop.And they based it's name on the passage in Luke 10 about the Good Samaritan.I could not help but notice the parallel between this story and what this church has experienced.It was the religious that passed by on the other side leaving that man alone in his suffering.It was the religious who left this church instead of staying to help and share what they had.How this must grieve the heart of God.For He has much to say in His word about how the poor among us are treated.So we stayed and heard this man's story and were spurred to action.Just when we thought we had nothing left to give ourselves we found some items we could donate to help this store out.And if time and health permits we may go and help organize their shop.:-)It really takes so little to help a ministry like this.They will gladly accept help of just about any kind.Donated items.Volunteers to help organize and sort items.Monetary donations.Please consider helping them out if you are in the Salem area.Or if you come here from time to time check them out.We found some things we could use for a very reasonable price.And if you are in another state or too far away to shop or help here consider your own local community.Perhaps there are similar ministries that could use your help.And you will bless them and bless God by being a modern day Good Samaritan.
Love and Blessings~Sharon

Drawing Near

2009-02-20T06:44:00.000-08:00

Springtime is drawing near here in the Willamette Valley.The signs are everywhere.The weather is improving.We had 3 days of sun so far this week.The birds awaken us each morning with their lovely songs.And I see signs of tulips and daffodils aching to bloom as they send their slender green stalks heavenward through dark earth.Yes,spring is drawing near and I am rejoicing.For it's arrival gives me hope of better days to come.It reminds me of rebirth and resurrection.It warms my spirit even as it's arrival begins to slowly warm the earth around me.It is as if all of heaven and earth celebrates at this time of year.What a lovely gift from God.

"See!The winter is past;the rains are over and gone.Flowers appear on the earth;the season of singing has come..."
~Song of Solomon 2:11-12 NIV ~

Blessings abundant~Sharon

Divine Declaration

2009-02-08T16:44:00.000-08:00

The Pleiades

He who made the Pleiades and Orion,who turns blackness into dawn and darkens day into night,who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land-the Lord is his name...
Amos 5:9 NIV

When I was a girl I used to gaze up at the inky,black expanse of nightfall and watch a million twinkling jewels with rapt attention.And I would imagine.I would imagine that this ebony sky was a dark blanket cast over the earth.And that the glittering,dancing stars were but tiny openings,pin holes in the finely woven fabric of this blanket of darkness.And I would imagine that if I could fly,I would fly right up there and peer through one of them.And there I would see all the beauty,all the glory,all the incandescence that is heaven!The Bible says that"the heavens declare the glory of God(Psalm 19:1).They shout to us His existence,His presence,His faithfulness and His beauty.God Himself is woven into the very fabric of all He created.From the tiniest single celled organism to the vastness of His heavens.From the highest mountain peaks to the deepest ocean's caverns His presence is there.David,in Psalm 139:7-10 says"Where can I go from your spirit,where can I flee from your presence?If I go up to the heavens you are there;if I make my bed in the depths,you are there.If I rise on the wings of the dawn(I think that's a lovely word picture);if I settle on the far side of the sea,your right hand will hold me fast."There is no place where we can go that does not pulsate with His presence,His reality,His life.And that encourages me for it lets me know that no matter what I face in this mortal life and no matter where I go His presence is there.Watching over me,a part of His glorious creation as well.And,it's the same for you as well,dear reader.You too are a part of His glorious creation.And He watches over you too.No matter what.No matter where.He is there.His very creation,us included,is a divine declaration.A declaration of His presence,His power,His glory and His love for you,His child.Be encouraged child of God.
Blessings~Sharon

Award Graciously Given

2009-01-25T11:34:00.001-08:00

Bren,a sister in Christ and fellow blogger,has graciously given me this award.Thank you Bren.I am somewhat uncomfortable accepting an award for something I just love to do,which is write,but thank you anyhow Bren.We stayed home from church today.Husband's back went out again and we are to babysit long hours later.So he is resting his back and I am finishing laundry here and posting on my blog once again.We had some snow flurries here earlier.Surprised me as I forgot the weather man said we may see a flake today.Glad it was not the human variety.It's a cold and damp 34 degrees here.Though we both love spring's arrival my husband longs for it even more than I do.I blame it on all the years he lived in Southern California.A place where they don't really have winter.Or a real spring for that matter in my opinion.That combined with his dislike of early sunsets and awakening in the dark make winter a difficult season for him.I on the other hand see the beauty in each season.I do not mind winter as much as my dear husband.Viva la difference'!I welcome the snow.Dark awakenings are commonplace for me as I get up early to write and pray and start my day off in a calm and peaceful way.Sets the tone for the rest of my day.Most of the time anyhow.Yesterday was one of those days.I was frustrated that his back and hip were in pain again.If you live with chronic pain and/or illness or know someone who does it can wear on you at times.It's hard to watch someone in pain when you love them.You long for them to be well.You pray to that effect.And sometimes God heals instantly.And sometimes you must wait.And wait.And for me,it gets frustrating.As I prayed yesterday I knew I was praying out of frustration and not faith.It was the kind of plea uttered by a whining child who is lacking in patience at that given moment.And God immediately brought that to mind.He reminded me of the importance of praying in faith and not in frustration.He reminded me of how it's so important to pray from our spirits and not our flesh.How it's harder to pray that way but it's well worth it because without faith it's impossible to please God.And really when we get down to it,that's our main goal and desire as Christians,is'nt it?Pleasing God.Loving Him.Drawing others to Him.I for one am thankful he takes the time to remind me of these things.It tells me He loves me and we all need to be reminded of that from time to time.

Blessings~Sharon

Answered Prayer

2009-01-22T15:39:00.000-08:00

Thank you to those who prayed for my husband's hip.He's moving about the apartment quite nicely today!God is so very good!!I also want to publicly thank God for another answered prayer.We have found a church home.A place to gather with other saints regularly to worship the One who created us,Who loves us and Who died for us.It took some time but He is always faithful.I prayed and asked the Father to show us where we were to go and felt compelled to try a church in West Salem.It's called Salem Vineyard.And it's a perfect fit for us.The right size and filled with His presence and Holy Spirit.The people are friendly and the atmosphere is casual but not casual in the pursuit of God and His call on each of our lives.It's casual in dress and we love that.The worship is lively,upbeat and powerful.And I am not sure but it seems the pastor has the ability to read my journals while miles away.Big grin.I talk to God in them and pray about things.The pastor ends up speaking about these very things the next time we are at church.How good God is!I asked Him to make things very clear as to His leading us to a place to worship.He surely did just that.We've been out of church so long due to illness and financial woes that it feels really good to be back at a place of fellowship.To gather with some of His other children to show our love to Him and to each other is a blessed thing.Our spirits get revived.Renewed.And we get to grow deeper and stronger as believers.This church where we gather is very focused on maturing the saints.Not letting us merely be chair warmers but finding out how God has gifted us and then putting us"to work."I like that.For too many years I attended churches that were only concerned about maintaining"status quo."No maturing there.Stagnant.Dying.I cannot live that way any longer.And have not been able to for years.Once he opened my eyes to a different way of seeing things I was unable to go back to business as usual.And for that I am immensely grateful.Thank You Jesus,

Blessings all~Sharon

Home Days

2009-01-20T15:09:00.001-08:00

Don't have anything real exciting or even real spiritual to share today.It's been a quiet day here at our apartment.Steve has done something to his left hip so has been resting for much of the day.We all need those quiet days I think.Even if not due to injury or illness.Days to simply be at home.To rest,reflect and relax.We've been enjoying days of sunshine here.Not a common sight here in the northwest in the middle of winter.Consequently I have thrown the curtains wide open to let in the delicious and oh so warm light.It makes me so grateful that God has created light and sun and warmth.Which reminds me of something.I have never really been a"tropical"person.I don't like excessive heat or high humidity and am not even overly fond of palm trees.I have always been more of a mountain lover myself.But lately I have been watching shows here and there on HGTV or the Travel Channel that have shown people buying homes in places such as Panama and Honduras.And I have been almost captivated by the warm,sunny climes and persistent tropical breezes blowing in off the ocean.I find myself wondering what it would be like to dwell in such a place.Which is odd for me but maybe not.The prayer most often on my lips and in my heart for myself this new year has been"Lord,change me."Perhaps He is.Just not in the way I thought He would.Just kidding.Please keep my husband in your prayers as his hip is rather painful.Thanks so much.

Blessings~Sharon

So Dramatic

2009-01-14T17:56:00.000-08:00

To begin this post I must clarify something.The image you see here is an exact replica of our cat Shadow that I found on the web.This is not our Shadow but was found under black cats here.Our cat Shadow differs in the collar color(emerald green to bring out his dramatic eyes) but is the same in every other way.I do not know how to use our scanner yet so cannot download images of our sweet boy.That being said I am constantly amused by his feline antics.He has been a continual source of fun and joy.He's also quite dramatic at times.Like today.Picture with me, if you will, a man.Any man.This man has been in the desert for weeks.Okay maybe days.He's hungry.Covered in desert dust.Parched,cracked skin is stretched over bones.His mouth is dry.He sees an oasis in the distance."Oh,if only I can make it to that place of sustenance,"he thinks to himself."With the last bit of energy and vitality left within his weakened body he crawls his way to the shade of a palm.He is half crawling,half laying on his side.He's so weary.Exhausted.With one arm,he reaches toward an inviting pool of water and some fruit scattered on the ground,just out of reach.He collapses there,and stays that way for several minutes,left arm outstretched toward the life giving water and food.Now picture that man about the size of your average house cat,covered in black fur with green-gold eyes and a long black tail,body mere inches from food and water bowls,paw extended dramatically and you have a very accurate picture of the drama played out in our apartment this morning by our cat Shadow.Can you picture this in your mind?Got the image?Good,now enjoy it!Have a good laugh.I know we did.Have a blessed night dear friends.
Sharon

What To Do

2009-01-11T20:19:00.001-08:00

I really like this picture.I can identify with it.This gal looks just slightly overwhelmed.I too get that way from time to time.The time I want to give to those things I am passionate about such as reading or writing get swallowed up by more mundane tasks such as cooking.Or cleaning.Now,Martha Stewart I am not.But neither am I Mary of Bethany.I am somewhere in between and I long to be both at any given time.I think that a worthwhile goal for 2009 for me would to be to find more balance in my life.To somehow restructure my life and reorganize my time so that I may do those things I have to do such as laundry and bill paying and to also do those things that I truly love to do,those things I believe God is speaking to me about doing.Like perhaps writing a devotional book.I am still praying on this.And honestly I do not know how to accomplish such a task both time wise as well as knowledge wise.Hence I am praying.Seeking Him earnestly.And wondering how some people seem to do it all.I don't know about you,my dear readers but I often get frustrated over such things.And then I once again, have to give it all,frustration included,back to the Father,as an offering of sorts.He is the only One I know who can take the tangled skein of yarn that is often my life and turn it into a thing of beauty.Say,a lovely afghan.Smile.What to do,what to do.I think for me,at this point,it is prudent to simply continue in prayer to the Father.Continue to ask Him about the meaning of a dream He gave me at night recently,while I slept.And make loads of time to listen.Also,to do what I can in the natural,physical realm to get,and stay organized.To guard my time so that life runs as much like a well oiled machine as is possible.To not waste this gift of 24 hours each day that He has given.Perhaps that is truly all any of us can do really.What say you,dear readers?
Blessings all,Sharon

Arctic Memories

2008-12-28T18:53:00.001-08:00

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!

2008-12-18T16:54:00.000-08:00

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