Peaceful

"You will keep him in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You."

Psalm 26:3

Thankful for these treasures. . .

316.  Getting in and out of a clothing store in under 20 minutes with 5 amazing bargains. (grin!)

317.  Adorable baby making eyes at me over Sunday lunch -- nothing beats a baby smiling at you.

318.  Delightful weekend with friends

319.  Kettle roasted jalapeno potato chips (addicting!)

320. Hearing my son's favorite new song -- and liking it too.

321. Planting flowers

322. Watching my kids play in the waves 

323.  Lying on the beach, being still, listening to waves, laughter and sea gulls

324.  Catching sight of a huge owl in my tree, then watching him fly gracefully into the night sky.

325.  Enjoying lunch at a bistro with 2 great friends and a rooster -- he even crowed for us!  (No, I wasn't eating any chicken but my friends were -- the nerve of them!)

Peace,

Adventurous

I love hiking through a forest (especially in the mountains.)  You never know what adventures and beauty may await around the next curve in the trail.  

If only I could bring that sense of adventure into my normal life.  Most days I'd like for life to stretch out like a hike through the desert or savannah - where you can see for miles ahead with few surprises.  But I suspect God knows that despite my tendency to play it safe, there is a little adventurer inside me that wants to come out.  She's the one who loves surprises and refused to sneak under the Christmas tree and shake the presents.

There are some bends approaching up the road.  I'm excited and scared at the same time.  God keeps reminding me that He only asks me to trust Him and live today.  And when those bends come, He'll be with me in the next adventure.  


Grateful for these gifts . . .

306.  Brazilian buffet and guarana
307.  Beginning a favorite Mary Stewart mystery
308.  Catching up with good friends I haven't seen in 7 years
309.  A lovely new quilt for my girl's bed
310.  Purple and white alstroemerias & tulips
311.  Getting my laptop back after a 2 day absence (smile)
312.  Nutella on a spoon
313.  A quiet morning spent contemplating
314.  The opportunity to go on a missions trip to Nicaragua (YES!)
315.  Kind words from a coworker


Enjoying the adventure,

Five Minute Friday - Favorite Things

I'm linking up with thegypsymama for her 5 Minute Fridays - where you write for 5 minutes without overthinking or editing -- just for fun and creativity.  This week's topic is Favorite Things. 

Here are few of mine. . .

GO

The smell of earth after a heavy rain.  

Quiet hush of foggy mornings.

Sharing laughter with kindred spirits.

Friendly customer service.

Driving with the windows down on a sunny spring day.

Trying out a new recipe and discovering we all love it!

Sitting in my green recliner early in the morning with a cup of hot something, listening to my Daddy tell me sweet things, leaning my heart on His and just breathing.

Lying on my beach mat, hearing my kids laughing in the waves, looking up into that blue, blue sky and letting my worries and fears drift out with the tide.

I could write more, but my timer went off.  Dang!  

Okay, now I want to go to the beach.  Maybe tomorrow. :)

It's your turn.  Come join in the fun!

TheGypsyMama.com

Shine

I heard this classic Phillips, Craig & Dean song on Pandora today.  Some things are timeless -- this is one of them.

This Moment

"Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings.  My soul clings to You; Your right hand holds me up." 
Psalm 63:7,8

Reading Ann's book has made me more aware of the moment.  I find myself stopping and just enjoying simple things, holding close that one moment and treasuring it as a gift.  

Praising Him for these gifts. . .

296.  Girl time with my sister
297.  Watching hilarious youtube videos with friends and laughing till we nearly cry
298.  Early morning walk seeing the sunrise
299.  Cardinal singing his lungs out at the top of a lamppost in the post office parking lot
300.  Lovely, fragrant gardenias (did I mention they're my favorite?)
301.  Seeing my son's heart touched by another boy's story of meeting Jesus
302.  Rides when my car is in the shop
303.  Hearing my kids tell me, "Mom, you're so cool!" =) 
          (They also tell me I'm weird, but I just agree.  Weird is fun!)
304.  A rainy day
305.  Mug of steamy spiced chai

Being the Beloved

 

"I forgot who I was, and found me in God, who seems to be quite literally giving me my desires back – maybe not to fulfill them, but to let me know I am still capable of desiring, instead of living in the cautious netherworld I chose to be safe." - Kelly@{A Restless Heart}

"I kept running around in large or small circles, always looking for someone or something able to convince me of my Belovedness.
Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the "Beloved". Being the Beloved expresses the core truth of our existence."- Henri Nouwen

"As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love" 

- Jesus, John 15: 9

I'm not sure how this all fits together.  Just some words I've been pondering lately and asking God about.  

I'm beginning to see that living fully alive means not putting up barriers between me and God.  It's risky to stand in open-hearted vulnerability and receive His love.  To let Him show me my "Beloved-ness". 

I think it's easier to go seeking love and acceptance somewhere else, because then I can feel like I've earned it.  Or at least control it in some way.  

But not with God.  There is no taming His wild heart.  And I'm glad -- even if it scares me too.

What would it look like to own my heart's desires, to trust Him, to receive His affection and live in the reality that I am His Beloved?

Counting...

Reading Ann Voskamp's book "One Thousand Gifts." 

I love it!!!

I joined her Gratitude Community in June, 2009, and began counting gifts every week. 

This counting changes me. Changes my attitude, changes my focus, changes my heart.

#286  Birds soaring in the blue

#287 Looking up into radiance

#288  I never tire of seeing this

#289 Brother and sister, best friends

#290 Making music

#291 Tiny flowers in the yard

#292  Plenty of paper and ink

#293 My small group - such wonderful friends. Love them!!

#294 Knowing the Father is always holding my hand.

#295 Chocolate in all its luscious forms. :)

"The LORD has done great things for us and we are filled with joy."

Psalm 126:3