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~

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

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