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

Award Graciously Given

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let It Snow!

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

Surprises of Grace

Image by Erick Kamp

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