Woke up to this view

 out the back deck this morning

but the longer I am up the clearer it is becoming.

Sort of how I am feeling about some things in my life.

I am finding (recognizing I am slow learner) that

as I have stepped back the last few week,

that sometimes

to

and 

and 

is the best way to 

figure out where I am going

and what I need to be doing.

This past week has been good for me as I work on a majorly long 

and to find 

between 

work

me

friends

relationships

time in the Word

that I don't have to do everything in one day

and that it is perfectly okay to 

and to 

and

Thank you Lord for this time this morning

to reflect on you

and that in all things

I need to give thanks

and be content

wherever I am

and to choose

to live in

so 

How will you choose to live today?

Good morning.  Woke from a sound sleep, jumping out of bed remembering we have a guest coming into the cabin today and the linens were still sitting on the chair in our sun room...so quickly got up, got dressed and walked over to the cabin...what a beautiful sunrise so was glad I was up.  I really do like being up early but when I stay up late those early mornings are kind of hard.  But alas, it was beautiful this morning.  

Lots of stuff on our minds and hearts today.  Ron's cousin, Missy passed away yesterday morning after dealing with ovarian cancer for almost a year.  We are sad that she is no longer with us but rejoicing that she is now pain free and in the loving arms of Jesus.

We love you Missy!!!

After the beautiful sunrise this morning, dark clouds came rolling in and we had a downpour for about 10 minutes.  Then the weather radio went off saying we are under a Severe Thunderstorm warning for the rest of the day.  That got Ron scrambling to put the soft top on the Jeep...it has been nice to have it off for the past couple of days but since we have to go to Springfield to get Ron's new glasses this gal is not chancing getting caught in a downpour in the Jeep with no top on it :)

I began my quiet time in Habakkuk reading chapter 2, verse 4.

and I was reminded how important it is to remember the many trials and struggles I have faced and through it all how the Lord has been right here with me every step of the way.  And in looking back and seeing His handiwork and provision day after day, month after month and year after year I find hope in knowing that He will always provide and be with me.  And I am encouraged to pick up my Gratitude journal once again and start writing in it and recording God's awesome blessings.

Do you keep a Gratitude journal?  If not, I want to encourage you to find a little notebook or journal and begin writing down things you are thankful for each day.  I try to write down 3 things...sometimes they are big things that have gone on in my life that day but most of the time it is simply the simple things...like yesterday, one thing I wrote down was "I am thankful to have a day off to spend it with Ron just riding around enjoying God's artwork."

And then I turned to Job 7-14...

 

And this quote from Barbara Johnson "Suffering is good for us ~ it brings us closer to God, making us better people."

And I am reminded I am who I am today because of all the struggles, issues, sorrows and accomplishments, circumstances and joys that have been a part of my life.  

and

which fills my heart with 

Praying for a day of Joy for each of you reading this today.

Good morning.

First off ~

to our sweet daughter-in-love

Danalyn!!!

We love you and hope you have a great day!!!

This is what I saw first thing this morning.

These are taken from our deck looking out over Branson.  

Isn't God a beautiful master artist?

It was quiet and peaceful out on the deck with the birds chirping and making their own sweet music. So  that is where I decided to sit while I spent time in God's Word and pray for the stuff laying heavy on my heart and give thanks for the many blessings in my life.

What an encouraging verse this morning.  

What it reminded me of  is a Daddy's love for his child and the security and safety a child feels in the loving arms of their Daddy.

Here is Opal getting reassurance from her Daddy.

And Alexander with not a care in the world snuggled in his Grandpa's arms.

And I am reminded that no matter what is going on in my life

I can  crawl into the arms of Jesus

like this little girl

And HE will hold me close and comfort me.

Thank you Lord for your Word this morning that you are never too busy for me.

You are always right here, beside me, ready to take my hand or let me

climb up into your lap for a hug that no one can duplicate.

And that because God is Faithful, always Available

that I need to be faithful to Him

all the time!!!

And then I decided to read in Psalms

Psalms 16:2B

My goodness is nothing apart from You.

I am blessed beyond measure because of You.

and

and

And I am reminded that God provides for all my needs,

not my wants but my needs.

I need to remind myself that God 

has always provided for us,

sometimes in ways that we would never have imagined

and to be thankful each and every day 

for every blessing, big and small,

and most importantly

to remember 

foibles and all!!!!