Honeysuckle morning: a Happy New Year Blessing!

Happy New Year! May God fill your year with hope and the sure knowledge He is for you not against you. God loves you with an everlasting love. He delights in you and will be your strength.

Mountain reflections: what do you mirror?

Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable, excellent and praiseworthy think on THESE things. Philippians 4:8

People have commented that I am always smiling. Always happy. The last time was just last week. I responded it was because I loved Jesus and Jesus is in my heart. Sometimes He’s really deep down inside my heart meaning I don’t always reflect my joy but He’s always there. Why don’t I always reflect my joy? I think I wobble a bit and lose my moorings when I lose sight of the good God has poured into my life and cease to be grateful. There are plenty of things in the news that are alarming, distressing, infuriating, dismaying. But God says don’t be preoccupied with those things that strike your heart with fear and rage. God is bigger than your worst fears. He says don’t be afraid. Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.

Peek a bud

Is she shy or needing protection?

I have never noticed a bud sheltering under a more mature rose like this before.

Drought friendly and beautiful

Planting for drought. Who would have thought hardy could look so sweet and dainty?

Art in stages part 3: Toddler in Crib

Well, what do you think? I feel pretty much done with this project but after all this I am surprised how much I like it.

Art in stages part 1: toddler in crib

I really want to learn to paint people well but I don’t want to take classes; though I’m sure I would benefit from it, because I just don’t want to hassel trucking supplies, driving to and from then spending a couple hours. It represents a chunk of time I feel guilty taking when my help is needed elsewhere. So I found lovely paintings in a calender and have begun to try my

hand at copying the style. This first picture shows my start on the left and the calendar painting on the right. Isn’t it just too precious?!

There are those days:who says the dentist isn’t fun?

Yikes! Honestly I was a good sport but in my mind I had to fight off a panic attack. I salivate like a saint bernard and my jaws were never meant to open that wide. With all that, I feel like I can’t swallow enough and am near drowning on my back with both of the dentist’s hands in my mouth. Top that off with a nerve that refuses to numb despite repeated shots and you have a drilling torture chamber. His final words were “Just hang in there. I’ll be done soon.” This nighmare took 2 hours and 20 minutes of my precious time off. Boohoo! Sigh. But on the bright side, because I knew I was going to be a hot mess I minimized the misery by telling the dentist I needed a bite block to rest my jaws and I wanted to hold the suction so I wouldnt feel like I was drowning. This is what they brought out: an “isolight” that comes with a silicone bite guard so I can swallow, a flange that shields the back of my mouth from the shrapnel when he drills, built in suction and a light. I was not in dental heaven but it was a definite upgrade from hell to purgatory.

http://bible.com/8/luk1.4

You have a photo album for God.

How many pictures are in your wallet?
http://bible.com/8/psa98.1

In everything I do or see God shows me another glimpse of His character and face. How I interpret the picture says more about me and my heart than about the mind and heart of God. If my heart is dark, confused, disillusioned, resentful then my mind will hear accusations, recriminations, and be closed to hearing messages of hope and joy and peace. I pray for God’s peace. I pray for God’s light and the ability to correctly appraise my circumstances and those about me. I want to be whole as God defines whole. I want to have eyes that see God moving, redeeming, healing and lifting us out of our prisons.

Who is Jesus:Hebrews 1:1-3 (Amplified Bible)

IN MANY separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets, [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order]. He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high,
Bible.com/app

When my days are hectic and I feel confused, anxious, irritable or sad I find turning to God puts everything into perspective. When I fail to see God in the storms of my life I loose my moorings. It is a relief to know I am not expected to know all the answes as long as I am depending on the One who does.

Happy Sunday! Happy SON day!