Vacation Time.......................

This is the little trailer I will be living in for the next few weeks. We have nice weather ordered and are looking to have a lot of fun with family and friends. I will miss hearing from you. Take care of yourself and don't forget me.
Peace within makes beauty without. (English Proverb)

Thought for Thursday

A smile costs nothing but gives much. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

Praise Him always?

His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Ps. 34:1)

Does that mean I should praise you even when I don't want to, when praise seems unmerited or out of place? Sometimes praising God seems more than I can do!
I don't feel full of praise when the dentist is drilling or the doctor is probing; when there's been an accident or the washer overflows or the TV goes out after a storm or my head is pounding....Screaming? Yes. Crying? Maybe. But PRAISING?
But are those the very times I should praise you? Would praise put the incident in perspective and free my mind to hear you speak?
Don't let me wait until I understand.........Just help me praise and learn later.

Beautiful day!

Some days, it is enough encouragement just to watch the clouds break up and disappear, leaving behind a blue patch of sky and bright sunshine that is so warm upon my face. It's a glimpse of divinity; a kiss from heaven. Five days until vacation.

How did this happen?

Sunday evening around 6:30 we had a bad storm come through our area. We had been with family at Upper Silver Lake all afternoon and when we were coming home we saw several trees and tree limbs down along the highway. In fact, it took us a while to get home because we would have to wait for the road to be cleared. When we got to our road there was a firetruck and flashers going. A large tree had become uprooted and had fallen on the electrical wires. The tree was burning. Later on Consumers came to cut the wires. We, of course, were without electricity through the night. Electric came back on at 12 noon today.
We take all our comforts for granted (electricity, air-conditioning, water, able to flush our toilets, etc....) and it isn't until we are without them that we appreciate what we have. Maybe that is why God sends us these storms to remind us of our blessings, ya think?

Giving out food & hope

My husband and I helped out at the 2nd Harvest Gleaners give-away again today.

We had a lot of people come to help out.

There was alot of good food to distribute.

Also many who needed food and hope.

This day reminded of a quote I saw awhile ago which goes like this -

"The miracle is this---the more we share, the more we have."

Tomorrow is the Lord's Day - Enjoy your worship!

Can't count?

Did anyone notice my error? If you look at my red birdhouse and count the holes you will see I counted wrong. I have a 6 story birdhouse, not 5. Also we put it up higher as was suggested by my new friends. I think it looks better this way.
I went to a one-room school years ago but I did have good teachers who taught me to count. (I'm so embarrassed.) Anyway my birds have one more place to stay. Hope they come soon.

My five-story birdhouse

Do you see my five-story birdhouse. My brother built this for me. He is the one selling his cottage because he can't maintain it anymore. I'm hoping for a little bird to come stay in it yet this summer. I think it has class! (The picture doesn't do it justice.) Isn't this weather beautiful?

Interesting Day

It was Ladies Day at the CRC Conference Grounds today.
It was a beautiful day.
We listened to a lady tell about her past life without the Lord.
For many years she endured much persecuetion from her family.
She finally found her way to Christ and now is speaking out to
warn the church what may be coming in the future.
I don't want to say to much about her life because
she is being watched and there are those who are trying
to stop her from telling her story.
She is really being put to the test.
It made me wonder - would I have that kind of faith?
Is Jesus so important to me that I would put my life
on the line for Him?
She gave us much to ponder over...................

I love trees

God also must love trees. He made so many of them. Where would we be without trees? They provide us with wood, fruits and nuts. They're home for birds, squirrels, and other animals. Children like to climb them, build "houses" in them or hang a swing from one of its limbs.
Trees help keep homes cooler, lowering the airconditioning bill. They fight global warming, add nutrients to the soil, and help clean our streams and rivers.
They're God's gift to us and they bless us in more ways than we can imagine. Just think: Where would Zaachaeus have been without a tree? I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful "summer" days.

My Daily Survival Kit

Items Needed:

TOOTHPICK - to remind me to pick out the good qualities in others.

RUBBER BAND - to remind me to be flexible. Things might not always go the way I want them to.

BAND-AID - to remind me to heal hurt feelings, mine or someone elses.

PENCIL - to remind me to list my blessings every day.

ERASER - to remind me that everyone makes mistakes, and it's okay.

CHEWING GUM - to remind me to stick to it, and I can accomplish many things.

MINT - to remind me that I am worth a "mint".

CANDY KISS - to remind me that everyone needs a hug or a kiss every day.

TEA BAG - to remind me to relax daily and go over my list of blessings.

Would you want a survival kit too?

Happiness is................

Happiness is something we create in our mind,

It's not something you search for and so seldom find.

It's just waking up and beginning the day

by counting our blessings and kneeling to pray --

It's giving up thoughts that breed discontent

and accepting what comes as a "gift heaven-sent".

It's giving up wishing for things we have not

and making the best of whatever we've got -

It's knowing that life is determined for us,

and pursuing our tasks without fret, fume, or fuss -

For it's by completing what God gives us to do,

That we find real contentment and happiness, too.

Happiness is................