May Immanuel, God is with us, fill your heart to overflowing with joy, love, and healing.
Merry Christmas

God texted me the coolest text today...it just jumped out at me.
I have THE most distracted mind when I pray. My thoughts jump about every 10 seconds.
So He says,
"Be clear-minded and self-controlled, so you can pray".
If you let go of all "that stuff", and keep bringing your mind back to God, you can pray.
I like it...I'm trying it.

One of my pet peeves is people misunderstanding me or others. You say A and they take it as Z, and you are misunderstood and they are upset at something you are not even thinking much less saying. So, these two quotes were fascinating to me.

"It's not the words themselves, but the thought you take of the words which creates..."

And Oswald.."Don't say, 'I must explain myself,'or 'I must get people to understand'. Jesus didn't explain anything--He left the misunderstandings or misconceptions of others to correct themselves. Pray as St. Augustine 'Oh God, deliver me from this lust of always vindicating myself.'"
Food for thought.

This picture makes my heart happy! Happy Sabbath!
Rest....

God texted me a couple of days ago...awesome encouragement in Ps. 94:19.

"When anxiety was great within me, Your comforts brought joy to my soul."
Let Him do it.

I am reading a book on reverence. To really see the magnificence even in a small thing. To be in awe of another human. To be entirely captured by the present moment for once...not looking through things, or around them, or toward the the next thing. To really see the beauty, and specialness of what is in front of you. It is opening my eyes. Try it.

I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by His glory....
Oh how He loves us!


I listened to this song on my walk...so powerful!

So amazed with God's painting ability....last night!

Spent most of the day sitting with God...sheer bliss!
Here is one thing He said...
Do your loving just to love..
Not for approval, or from my own neediness.
BUT out of a pure love coming from the center of who I am.
To love freely, motivated by God's Spirit within my soul.

When I start to rush or want to do something to get approval;
I can go to that Center..of His Presence, of real love and Love from there!
..a deep reservoir of peace and joy in my heart.
Then I will love with presence.
Seek the Center of Real Love deep in your soul. Sweet!

Having a blast in Africa. Love these girls!

Amy in Ethiopia with sweet new friends!

My free-spirit sister and I at the top!!

Sue, Rick and I went on a GORGEOUS hike today to the top of a mountain overlooking Priest Lake. I was on Nature High!! Unbelievable beauty.

My goal this week is to "live above the mundane". Instead of focusing on what I have to do next or tomorrow--I will live free. To really be. So that those sweet little bundles of joy burst open and warm my insides. My creative self feels alive. I am excited to live like this!

As I sat by the river catching a few sun rays peeking through the clouds, I caught a "wheel turning" insight about my life. I had had a full week...
When I push too many things into my life..I am not able to BE. I lose touch with my center, and I become a robot...only doing, not being in my soul. When I slow down, I live in my soul....seeing the beauty, bathed in the happiness, and peace of the moment. My creative soul lives alive.

Awesome post on humblepie.blogspot.com.
Go check it out!! It'll make your day.

I am so glad it is Sabbath...to rest, be restored, filled up. To be still and know that He is God. So glad He is my Friend!!

Reading my Bible by the river, God sent this "text" to me. I am praying this for Amy and her friends who are trying to find their niche in Ethiopia. I love this text cuz it shows the power of God..to Work!! Watch Him Go!!
"I will go before you, and level the mountains,
I will break down the gates of bronze, and cut through bars of iron.
I will give you the treasures of darkness (discernment),
riches stored in secret places.
SO that you will know that I am God who summons you by name!!

One last photo--the Dress!!

Eric and the bride...

Fun at the reception

Bridesmen and women

Just had the most fun time at my Niece Becca's wedding. She looked gorgeous, and her dress was incredible. A few pics....

Amy and her friends arrived in Addis Ababa last night about 10:30. I was so excited they made the long journey with no plane issues or delays. I haven't talked to her cuz her iphone has no service!!! But have gotten texts that she is ok (from Mike, their SM contact). I miss her!!!!!
I am praying ALOT!! Makes you pray more earnestly and frequently...

Creativity

After my long blog silence, I am going wild. Thought I'd share a picture of an art collage I am making. I have had so much fun making this. Almost finished...

Shannon's gorgeous fruit kabob's

More FUN!

Family Time

Had a Wonderful family weekend at Hayden Lake. Did it all. Rode in the boat watching all the kids (and Randy) wakeboard or airchair. Played 5 Crowns. Ate amazingly delicious food. Laughed. Had a deep, rich conversation. Just relaxed and talked. We have a good family.

Just spent a wonderful 4 days with my husband relaxing at a hot springs. Sooo peaceful. We hiked, took hot and cold baths, ate yummy food, laid in the sun and read, had massage, and talked...good times!
I got a sweet new motto. It's an acronym to help me remember to live less seriously, more freely, and lightly. BALL.

B--Be
A-Accept what is
L-Let it goooooo!
L-Laugh

So now when I start to stress or worry, I repeat (with intention) these four. By the time I hit the last L...I have a smile on my face and in my belly! ha.

Sometimes I feel so driven by time. My to-do-list feels like the groceries on the conveyor belt at the grocery store. And the belt doesn't stop and the boxes, and bags pile up and up; tumbling all over each other. None of them really going anywhere. And I believe I will never get them all done.
But I decided, as i pondered this picture in my head, I need to stop the conveyor belt (my mind). And not think I have to do them all at once. They are only stressful as I THINK about all of them. They can all sit on the belt quietly waiting their turn. (like good little groceries...:)

Just couldn't resist another picture of Sierra. God has given her the gift of joy!! I miss her.

Had an AMAZING week. Had a blast at Mivoden just talking with some special people. Had some quiet time each day by the river. God teaches me so much when I sit there. Got in a cleaning craving and cleaned the pantry, bathroom cupboards, closet drawers...etc. It feels good to go in to get something and find such organization! Had a great meeting with some WWVA student leaders. WOW, I was impressed with their splendid ideas, passion for giving to others, creativity, and ability to create new ideas, videos so quickly. It was fun!
I've been pondering this quote:
You literally choose by the way you attend to things, what sort of world you live in.(or think you live in.)
So I chose; by how i think, decide to do or not do (or say) something, the peace or misery I live in.
Have a peaceful Sabbath..enjoy the gift.

My new great-niece. She is one of the happiest, smiling babies ever. Loves to look at you and talk and smile!! What a delightful little person. Sierra.

Just bought a new book of quotes, call Love Life.
Try this one on!
Normal Day, Let me be aware of the treasure you are.
Let me learn from you, love you.
Bless you before you depart.
Let me not pass you by in the quest for some rare and perfect tomorrow.

Just came back from a 2 day solitude/God retreat. God gave me awesome insights, truths to live by....I am soooo peaceful inside!! Sweet!!
2 thoughts:
He told me I am kinda a time addict (He gets bold sometimes!!)
And the way I am overcoming it is:: I choose if I am stressed, too much to do, too many thoughts in my head of things to do!! So today I choose to Live Each Moment Intentionally.
Then an acronym for better relationships.
S--- See the person; really perceive them.
U---Understand what they are really trying to say, their perspective (not just judge
them and defend yourself).
D---Discern with your heart. See beyond their words and body language.
S---Speak words of love and truth.
These 4 represent our eyes, our ears, our heart, and our tongue.

I LOVE collecting heart rocks, and on top of the mountain at Priest Lake I found my biggest one ever!! Nice one! (I left it there..ha!)

TURN THE WHEEL

My new mantra. I have been doing some of the same old things...old patterns of thinking and being. There comes a point where you must decide to just turn the wheel if you are going to change..if it's going to be different...if you don't want to keep feeling guilty or anxious about something....if you want to relate differently (better) with someone...if you want to change something that has been bugging you.
Turning the wheel is hard...for me. But when you just decide now is the time or it may never change..it feels really good. And you must keep on turning.
Today I will turn the wheel...the other way...to a new and better place....

Today at the bookstore I came upon this beautiful inspiring magazine!

I lived up to my blog name yesterday. I had the most free spirited day. I had nothing planned. I spontaneously headed to the Farmer's Market. Got some cherries, a falafel, and a wonderful massage. (by the way, Elvis was singing.hee hee).
Then I spent all afternoon listening to the sounds of the river surrounded by beauty and sunshine. I was cocooned by blackberry bushes and tall lush trees. Three little darling muskrats playfully swam a few feet from me. I sat with God, actually reached a meditative state, read a great chapter in a book on Prayer about not being controlled by time. Also read a story about the joys a family of 5 experienced when they adopted a 4-year-old Vietnamese orphan girl. She was a loving, exuberant delight in their family. I felt no rush, nowhere to go, just peaceful bliss. I really felt like I sat with God.

Had a beautiful wedding in our backyard today. It was a lot of fun. Including a picture of the bride and groom.

Read a powerful text today.
Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
Don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
He's the one who will keep you on track!

This makes my heart feel content...

Napa FLowers

My sister and her husband and I went to a beautiful outdoor restaurant in Napa. Here are the welcoming flowers at the entrance and my salad! YUM.

I was about ready to fall asleep a few nights ago and I had this wonderful, thought-provoking question pop into my mind.
What makes you love someone? What is it about them that makes you love them?
Think about someone you love deeply. Why? What is it about them (or you) that makes you love them.
One wise young person said...because I trust them.
I would love to hear your thoughts...
I will share some ideas later....

I am with my little sister in California. I know I love her.

Rough River Draft

I was sitting by "my" river today...started thinking about freedom of spirit and what keeps us from being free..so this is a rough draft of getting to liberation of spirit.

Wake up—Be aware
Be discerning.
Let go of control (of the outcome you want, of being perfect, of
wanting someone to be a certain way, of things that are out
of your control. Stop anticipating that it will have to look
like you want it to.)
Stop judging…yourself and others. See judgment thoughts flitting away.
Be still…
Just be…you. Let go of the false self.
Be Free

The Beach

Went to the beach at Bainbridge Island this weekend with Kim. So relaxing. Beautiful. God came and sat with me on the beach and told me so many wonderful truths. It was great just to BE. I found many heart and cross rocks. They're what I collect.

I received some glorious spring flowers from Kimberly and Danielle. I had fun trying to capture their vivid beauty. Enjoy!

Heard Tony Campolo this Sabbath. WOW. He told us to risk bigger to love more. If we are willing to take risks even in the little things, the world will change. And we will feel the exhilaration and joy of the risk. So this week, I want to take one big risk towards loving well..deeper..with meaning. Let's GO!

Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed.

Thinking....

If you were to spend 15 minutes a day just "thinking" as a way to make you emotionally stronger, what would you concentrate your thoughts on?
I am thinking...

Jill Hanson and her friend Marie made a beautiful table....

Tea Party

12 young ladies came to my house for an Easter Tea Party. We cleansed with oatmeal masques, soothed with avacado masques, put make-up on each other, had tea and cookies, took lots of pictures, talked and laughed. We were beautiful women!

Being Free

Sitting out in the sun, enjoying the daffodils, loving the feeling of Sabbath rest!
Decided to share my musings about being free, carpe diem, becoming the real person God made me to be.
I don't want to live with mold on the floorboards of my soul anymore..cleaning "house", and looking to shed the things that keep my spirit from being free..that steal my joy.
looking forward to this!!