Bookish Thoughts and Such

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...

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

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

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!

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

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.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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~

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So then,there is still awaiting a full and complete Sabbath rest reserved for the[true]people of God.
~Hebrews 4:9~
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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...

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

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

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!!! :-)

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

Content?

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~

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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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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...

...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)

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

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

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!

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?

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

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!

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

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!

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

Happy first day of spring everyone!
Blessings all~Sharon

Been Awhile

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

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

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

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