Choices

Okay...I'm a thief. I was looking at blogs and somehow found one and loved this picture!

Tonight I was wondering what expressions to order from Uppercase Living and I think this phrase was meant for me. I need reminders all over to keep my heart where it should be.

As the writer brought to the attention of the reader, the key word isn't "JOY"  the key word is 

"CHOOSE". Wow, that kicked me.

So what brings joy? Do you wait for it or decide to find it where you are?

When I lived in the country I found joy everywhere! I loved the ground cover that wouldn't allow grass to grow. I loved the open night sky, the howl of coyotes, the smell of hay or skunks or cow manure; it didn't matter, it was the country and I loved it!

Moving to town has been such a challenge even after a year and it has only been lately that God has said to me, 

"What gifts do you see here?"  Well, I can tell you I have to think a bit, it doesn't flow from me so liberally or easily... I figure it's because I'm not choosing.

When was the last time you slowed down enough to think what brings you joy?

And what does? I think a lot of your character is shown in what makes you laugh and it kind of makes sense to say it shows in what brings you joy....

1. The last few days birds have been chirping outside my dining room window.I especially missed my little Cardinal in Tigertown...now I have a few. 

Thank you Lord for little bits of red.

2. I had a sick child at home today. I found joy in serving him and fixing his plate. he's so old he rarely needs me...but today, he did! 

Thank you Lord that my boys are still home.

3. I found joy when I walked from room to room and it was warm inside; freezing out. 

Thank you Lord that I am provided for.

4. Today I have only done 3 loads of laundry...

Thank you Lord that my family is near.

The list can go on...maybe it needs to.

if like me, you need to plaster it all over your house...on your mirror, in your kitchen, on your computer (cause I know you're there ; )

I'll set you up with some Uppercase Living expressions. We'll be inspired together!

As unto the Lord...

"As unto the Lord" has taken on a deeper meaning. Last night a friend and I dropped by the pastor's house to see if we could be of comfort or help during a difficult time. As Grammie was in the hospital and it was looking like she would not return to us, we began to do a few things to help prepare the house for family to arrive in the event that she would pass. 

When Grammie was still living in Ca. we stayed with her and I began to immediately notice how incredibly particular she was. She wasn't satisfied with clean...it had to be super duper clean and scrubbed. Sheets needed to be tucked and smoothed straight; the edges turned back to show the pretty edging. She lived the way we think we'd like to live if we had time for particulars.

When she moved here, I cleaned house for her for a few months. It was always a joy and I knew what she expected. I always felt a sense of accomplishment and she was so appreciative of the details.  Every week I cleaned all the window sills and baseboards and last night I was blessed to clean those baseboards one more time, one last time. It was out of love, out of thankfulness. I dusted one last time the dressers, the pictures, etc... I smelled the smell of Grammie in her little room. It was with saddness that I turned out the light and shut the door knowing this was the last time be among her things as she had left them...

the dishes in the sink, the CD where she'd left it, the cards on the table and her Bibles.

So, as I cleaned for her in her passing...it was as unto the Lord. It is deeply satisfying & comforting. I love and thank God for my every remembrance of her sweet life for now she is healed and walks on streets of gold, is united with Poppa and her beloved Jesus. 

Capernaum, The Town of Jesus

The town...village...now ruins

Below is Peter's house. This is a church built on top and part of the floors allow you to see below. Many Biblical sites have Catholic style churches or shrines built on top of them or around them. While I prefer the natural state the structures have also protected the sites.

The synagogue

My clothes are still dry so this is before my baptism.

Carol was a great tour guide and anything we might not hear from her... 

we learned from Jeff.

Baptism in Capernaum

When we left the retreat center we travelled to the Mount of Beautitudes and then to Capernaum. It is a lovely place with the ruins of Peter's house and the synagogue that Jesus taught in. It overlooks the Sea of Galilee which was sparkling magnificently when we went to see the view. We were on a hill and there are large rocks going to the water's edge. I followed Randy around the corner and we all met for a few quiet moments to once again, contemplate where we actually were and discuss what must it have been like when Jesus walked these hills.

And this is where we were sitting when I knew I wanted to get baptized. No one was around, it was just our little group and I wanted Randy to baptize me in a place that was special to me and in the land he loves so much. My few witnesses are precious friends. So, I just got in the water hoping no one else would see me. The "no swimming" signs concerned me but Jeff just prayed the eyes of the guards would be blinded from the dripping wet woman and we walked right past them to an area I could access my luggage for a change.

 Thanks Carol who took several shots knowing how much I like pictures! 

Okay, that was fun. I wondered how I could send Christmas pictures to Candace and make it fun and it was (for me). Hope you like it too, Candace. It kind of re-caps the holidays.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook