Good Morning

I missed getting a picture of that beautiful harvest moon last night. Coming home from the wedding we were attending, we caught glimpses of it between houses and tall trees and by the time I could actually get a good location shot, the clouds covered it up. It was the biggest when it was close to the horizon. Nevertheless, I saw it with my own eye and it is now a memory for me.  However, this morning, I was up early and the sky was clear and the sun was making a paint pot of colour. Blues and oranges, yellows, gold. You name it and it was there! Absolutely beautiful. I did get one of this...

What a Day!

What a beautiful day it is! You just can't get enough of that fresh morning air! Looks like it will be a hot one too! We are heading to a wedding today and I thought I knew what I was going to wear but oops...it did not fit. Guess I moved up a half size! Oh well, got the old standby. Who is looking at me anyway! It's the bride everyone focuses on and she will be gorgeous (as usual). What a wonderful day to begin on your life journey with the love of your life. Congratulations Karyssa & Cody!

Solomon's Song of Songs  3:4 ...I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go...

Struggles

Though God slay me....yet I'll trust Him....
I shall then.....come forth as gold.....
And I know...that He still liveth.....
For I feel....Him in my soul.......

I get a daily email from 100 Huntley Street. They are doing the bible in one year and I signed up to receive the daily devotional and I simply click on the designated link and I get the bible verses that he (David Mainse) is speaking about. I can even click on the link and it will read it to me as well. That helps when I can't read pronounce some of the words. Routine is good and so is a daily filling up of God's word. 

Anyway, this morning he referred to a song which was printed in 1949 (before I was born) and since we can goggle anything, I did. Jack Coe's "Job's God is True" is an interesting read. Since we are currently reading about Job's struggles in the bible (Job 22-23) it was an appropriate attachment. I have included a u-tube version which displays the words while a couple sings it. It is a bit 'old fashioned' in style but hey, it helps to hear the words and read them at the same time.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAIuwUVoAjE 

I share this because of a meeting I had last night with a friend who is struggling in her marriage. On the outside, you would never know but on the inside, there is so much strife. As a believer, she is praying to God for answers and obviously, a solution or resolution to her marital problems. Yet, when you think of Job's situation, you realize that sometimes God lets things happen to see our faith grow. Sounds like a nasty thing to do but like I said a few days ago... "we are not at our best when we are perched at the summit; we are at our best climbing - even when the way is steep."

As I look outside to see another glorious morning, I realize His blessings are 'new every morning'. We simply need to search them out. I could mention here about an email I was sent from a friend. It is for the purchase on Amazon of Ann Voskamp's book called 1000 Gifts - which for me was a difficult read but I appreciated her intent. I bought the book previously and gave it a try but have not been as successful as I would like. Maybe you can do better. If you are interested...check this out...I have copied and pasted, so not sure if it will work for you. If not, simply go to her site.

" Watch this FREE free session, then we invite you to join other participants in the challenge to start journaling your 1000 gifts from God. In the study guide there is journaling space in your book to make a list of gifts and respond to the study questions. We hope you are blessed by this study!

Ok, well, that was longer than I intended but hopefully, something in here has clicked with you but if not...well, that's fine too...it is my blog!

Friendship

I had a great visit with a friend I had not seen for some time. Both of us busy with other things and she in particular dealing with her health issues. It was good to sit on the deck and just talk. Before we knew it, the morning was gone and the afternoon had begun. A quick sandwich (cause we all have to eat) and some more conversation with lunch and it was time to say our goodbyes. We don't always take the time to just relax and enjoy each other's company without a bunch of schedules or appointments to rush off to. This was that kind of day. Relax, enjoy and be uplifted by friendship. Thanks. I needed that!

Update

Today, the perpetual calendar in my washroom reads as follows:

We are not at our best when we are perched at the summit; we are at our best climbing - even when the way is steep.
Lord, I know that the battles, the uphill climbs must be faced - Help me "Keep to the paths of the righteous". Amen (Prov. 2:20 NIV

A brief update of my sister-in-law indicates she is doing better. She was sitting up yesterday and talking and the general 'feel' is that she is improving. Of course her condition is still delicate but she currently is NOT at death's door - at least not this week. For that...well, we are happy. A change in lifestyle is in store for her. Things will not be the same as before. She needs care and it needs to be regular and maybe even professional. Whatever, she will be seeing some changes.

Getting old is definitely not easy. It is more challenging than when we started out on our own for our first job interview, our first job, our first date, or our first 'anything'. We had TIME on our side. As we get older, we head up the hill and when we reach the summit, well, enjoy, because there is only one way to go, and that is ...down. I'm not saying 'under' just down. 

Well, that's a whole different topic but I just wanted to say how happy we are that she is doing better. For now, we'll take it, one day at a time. 

Waiting

We are waiting for more news. My sister-in-law was taken to the hospital on Sat night with chest pains and general weakness. She is now in ICU. She is fragile. She has been that way for some time. The loss of her husband this past January after a long struggle with cancer put much stress on her as well. Her own health issues have always been there (high blood pressure, kidney problems, diabetes) but she has battled them for years and well, I guess we all just accept them as part of her life. And she did too. I spoke with her at length on Sat and she seemed well. Of course, things happen in an instant, don't they? One moment, all is fine... the next... the glass is shattered. 

Having just lost your dad and now maybe your mom .... How do you take all that in and remain focused, and strong? Our niece is taking 'one day at a time'. What else can you do?

I guess we pray...

2 Corinthians 12:9,10 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

http://christypovolish.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/when-i-am-weak-you-are-strong/

Enjoy the Moment

The perfect fire

We had a great time last night. About 27 C and it cooled off to about 20 C by the end of the evening. We had a campfire at our friends and the evening was absolutely b e a u t i f u l !!!! The night sky, the peaceful atmosphere, the smell of birch smoke (even this morning in my hair!) and good friends and conversation. Very nice. It's strange that you get some or all of those ingredients all summer long but then occasionally, they ALL seem to come together at one time! Sometimes, it is beautiful outside, but you have things to do inside, or you meet with friends (great) but the weather is not nice (ugh) or you have a fire (beautiful) but the wind is blowing (too smokey) and the bugs are out too! You know what I mean. Last night was PERFECT! 

Anyway, as I sit on my deck and look at our backyard, the cooler weather this morning and overcast sky has reminded me of what our backyard will look like in a few months...I'm just saying...

Brrrrrrrrrr