January 7, 2026

Yesterday I started off on the wrong note.

So I packed my book, journal and snacks, and 

went off grid.

This morning I felt great.

 I sat down at the table in the stream of sunshine,

with my coffee, and suddenly broke into tears.

I started writing, had a realization, a break-through,

and then a come-to-Jesus-moment.

I sat in stillness....chased off the stray cat in the backyard,

finished my coffee...then

put a loaf of sourdough into bake.

...those moments of clarity that come in the

seemingly mundane.

What if the moments we don't give a second thought to

were the moments that mattered most of all?

Journaling lately....

"Change the world from where you are, 

while your moving toward where you wish you were."

Start. Just take a step.

"Sometimes the 1st step isn't to fix the painful things in 

our lives or anyone else's

but to mourn them. It's an important 1st. step in our

own healing."

'Knowing who you are, what you want & what you love

will serve you faithfully.'

'Clear objectives is 1/2 the battle. 

If you can't see it in your mind,

or feel it in your heart,

it may not be your dream.'

"Be a practical dreamer backed by action."

~Bruce Lee~

Practical means you believe the dream is possible.

"If you think a thing is impossible,

it's impossible."

Stay present and aware.

You'll know when a certain path isn't working.'

Sometimes the harder action is making the first move.

Every moment is a new moment to start again.

We strengthen what we put our attention on.

"Keep your mind on the things you want

and off those you don't."

'You don't have to have all the answers to begin.

Just begin.

Sometimes you have to begin to find the answers

you were looking for.'

be well...

xoxo

💓

"Your daily habits literally

dictate where you will be in a few years.

You don't have to do anything 

extraordinary on a daily basis.

You just have to do a few ordinary

things that love you back,

consistently."

"Maturing is realizing you prefer a quiet life.

You don't chase after friendships or relationships,

your happy with the few friends you have,

no drama, just working on being the best version

of yourself, not comparing your life to others,

and learning to enjoy your own company

instead of relying on others to be happy."

~Dr. Will Cole~

 

January 5, 2025

Hubby called from the farm, "Look at the moon!"

I looked out the back door, 

had a thought...

then grabbed my keys & my coat and rushed down to watch it from the dock. 

I baked my 10th loaf of sourdough bread.

I also baked along with it, the lineage from my first loaf...

the starter.

I'm still mourning the loss.

I admit, I have some attachment issues.

I was uplifted by a text from my baking instructor.

She sent condolences, reassuring words,

and steps to help me move forward,

and today...

a new start is born.

"Life is a learn-as-you-go process.

As we learn we do better.

Acknowledging & accepting the error of your ways

will open new doors for you.

Life supplies an endless amount of do-overs."

"A present inconvenience may be necessary 

for a long term benefit."

"What makes faith fall apart isn't doubt.

It is being to certain of the wrong things."

'Peace isn't dependent on our circumstances

getting better.

Bringing better thoughts to your circumstances

is the best peace.'

Your attitude affects your situation- your attitude,

not others attitude about you.

"When you get to the point that you quit

defending yourself or attacking others,

you open a door for God to fight for you."

"When you're in trouble, God will reach into the mess

& pull you out.

However, you must be strong enough not to let

people drag you back into it."

Make your life about people.

You won't regret it.

"Plans work or they don't .

Love always works.

Go with the sure thing."

'Our heart is the place we are most ourself. 

It is the core of our being.

Silence and solitude are ways to get to the heart.

It is where God speaks to us.

Prayer and solitude are ways to listen to that voice.'

Discomfort awakens you from the slumber of routine.

'The life that comes out of you is unique to you & no one else.'

Our negative thought patterns tell people a lot about us.

Their negative thought patterns will also have a definite 

impact on us.

Figure out your own answers & 

figure out your own good life.

What gives it meaning?

What makes it worthwhile and valuable?

How important are experience, growth, and

fulfillment in your life?

What do money, fame, & personal accomplishments

have to do with a satisfying life?

How does your life relate to others?

You decide what you want life to be.

The only journey is the one within.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Perhaps the year ahead isn't about becoming anything 

at all.

Maybe instead, it's about slowly unbecoming all the things

which no longer align with you,

and finding peace in the quiet return to your authentic self."

"Don't leave anything for later.

Later, the coffee gets cold.

Later you lose interest.

Later, the day turns into night.

Later, people grow up.

Later, people grow old.

Later, life goes by.

Later, you regret not doing something

when you had the chance to."

~Toshikazu Kawaguchi~

Real Good Love

My life has felt like a big DIY project without the 

instruction manual.

I guess being directionally challenged has added a bit of difficulty,

and yet...

I've made it.

I know how.

In fact, I'm convinced.

I read over my journal from this week, and noticed there is a theme

of mindfulness and goals......

and also...

as it often happens, letters compiled from a collection of my notes taken from a variety of 

devotionals.

This is a compilation from the whole week...probably 6 different sources,

4 days, and in order. 

And as I sit here listening to the church bells ring through my open window,

I want to share with you.

A letter for us...

Beloved,(insert you here..)

Bring your mind back to Me for refreshment and renewal.

Let the light of My Presence soak into you,

as you focus your thoughts on me.

Do not skimp on our time together.

You can relax and & live more abundantly.

You don't have to perform well enough to earn my love,

or keep it.

Enjoy your life without worrying about what is on the road ahead.

When you go through tough times, I will help you, and strengthen you with

My Love.

Accept that you are My beloved child, unconditionally loved.

I set you free from your compulsion to prove yourself from the world.

Interacting with Me in a profoundly meaningful way

fulfills your deepest longings.

As I reveal Myself to you, you discover sincere contentment,

the reason for your existence, and hope for the future.

You do not have to understand everything that I have said;

you must simply believe that when I say I have a plan for you,

I do.

Trust how I lead you.

Let Me guide your life because I have the best plan.

Refresh yourself in Me.

I go before you to open up the way.

I am devoted to you.

Walk with a lightness in your step.

Do not be weighed down by problems and unresolved issues.

I am your burden bearer.

Don't let things get you down.

Sometimes I place you in humbling circumstances.

You feel held down, held back, and powerless to change things.

You long to break free & feel in control of your life.

This is a good place to be.

Allowing Me to lead you is a deliberate decision you must make

for yourself.

Following Me is always the right choice, even if it appears

contrary to your human reasoning.

I lead you in the best way possible.

I want you to learn a new habit.

Try saying "I trust You Jesus" in response to whatever happens to you.

Adverse circumstances become growth opportunities when you affirm

your trust in Me.

No matter what-

your continual assertion of trusting Me will strengthen 

our relationship & keep you close to Me.

When you trust Me, you take refuge in Me.

Trusting Me is more than  a matter of words,

it is a matter of your will.

Be watchful and alert.

Take refuge whenever you notice anxious feelings.

I provide protection.

A safe place.

I will help you and give you relief. 

I am with you at all times.

You are not what others, or even you, think about yourself.

I am using your circumstances to deepen your relationship with Me.

I promise to deliver you in My way & time.

Trust Me & surrender to My will.

Live a life of constant anticipation.

Trust Me.

Believe.

I am going to do awesome things in your life.

love,

~Jesus~

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Life is better with someone 

who makes you feel irreplaceable 

in a world filled with distractions."

'Maybe now is the time to allow lights interruption

to pour through the cracks of your walls,

reminding you of meaningful life on the other side.

When the walls come down, you will see a 

broken beautiful world around you.'

January 1, 2026

Sun shining, birds chirping, hens giggling,

the first sip of coffee,

the first journal page of the new year,

it all seemed extra special this morning.

Buddy

I'm mindful of what it takes to feel my best,

and discovering more as I go.

Zeroing in on my passions,

and continually releasing the non-essentials.

Being mindful. Bringing my full self to the moment.

They all add up.

Journal notes:

Welcome the New Year with confidence.

'God is not the author of fear. You are.'

"...there comes a point when we must simply admit

that what shows up in our lives is a function of our thoughts."

"Our efforts to construct an impressive facade 

distracts us from learning

and growing."

It takes time to recognize what is essential,

and what is trivial.

'Power is from God. Not us.'

The passage of time is an unstoppable force.

If your life is in total chaos,

now's a good time to set priorities.

Start with one area of your life.

Dedicate to staying on task on a daily basis.

Even when the process is messy,

trust that God is good.

There's no fast forward to change.

'God's plan for you is so awesome, so amazing,

that you have to get it in stages.

You get it in pieces to digest a bit at a time.'

Give yourself fully to the process of becoming.

Do not cling to old ways as you step into a new year.

"He wants us to live in grace and walk in love,

but at first it is a gangly, wobbly wreck."

"Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Romans 12:2

'We get in life that which we focus on.

continual focus on darkness leads us further into darkness.

Focus on the light brings us into the light.'

You are precious and wildly capable of amazing things.

'Get humble, be rooted, and get ready because

it's about to get good.'

"There is more to know and more to see,

And all of your life's most colorful stories

will prepare you for who you need to be."

"What do you plan to do with your one wild

and precious life?"

be well...

xoxo

💝

"You were put on earth to be a vibrant

disco ball of energy, not a dimmed light in the corner."

"The sixth love language is when someone 

takes candid photos of you 

without you needing to ask."

💖

"Did you know cuddling or being in a loving

relationship can literally change

your gene expression?

It activates repair genes and turns off

inflammation.

Love truly is medicine."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~