Remove the pressure...

....for something amazing to happen.

'It might, but we know pressure kills,

and childlike wonder opens up so many

possibilities.

view out my window

This is a beautiful process if you simply allow it

to unfold.'

notes...

treating Mom to a weekend birthday celebration

whimsical ducks for entertainment this morning

as I sip my coffee 

chilly and sunshiny 

dining out for lunch

pizza last night

whatever goes...

it's her 84th.

~

your grateful attitude will bless you immeasurably

unburden yourself

your body and soul cannot rest until

your mind settles down

live your life as a "thank you" to God

you can have peace in the midst of a whirlwind

He is in full control over the circumstances in your life

it is His nature to put things together with

intricate beauty and order

you don't have to dissect everything in order to experience it,

benefit from it

He comes in different ways

He brings you many delightful things

He can come to you in any way He likes,

but He will usually come to you in ways

that fit your heart

He loves to speak to you in your heart.

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Let mine be a merry, all-receiving heart.

But make it whole, with light in every part."

"Do not let your hearts be weighed down

by the cares in life."

Live in awareness....

....of His presence and it will 

change your life.

notes...

'...there is a God

He is in charge

and He knows what He's doing

everywhere is in His presence

He is a God of love, goodness, mercy

and you don't want Him in your life?

why would you not?

He is here whether you are aware of Him or not

it's awareness of His presence that He wants you to understand

He's continually in your thoughts

view everything in the light of His presence

you will have peace in the midst of the storms

His word brings you back into awareness of Him

He will assume responsibility for bringing

to your mind

things that you need to remember

you will have joy in your heart

live with your tentacles out

continue to have hope even when things look hopeless

the more you are aware of His presence

the less you will be tempted by anything

it's the lack of awareness than makes the difference

the wonderful things God provides 

depends on where you look

when you become aware of His presence in your life

He changes your viewpoint

and you see everything in His light

you are safe

He will work things out.'

be well

xoxo

💗

"God became man to turn creatures into sons:

not simply to produce better men of the old kind

but to produce a new kind of man.

It is not like teaching a horse to jump better

and better but like turning a horse

into a winged creature."

~C. S. Lewis~

"There is only one soul in the whole creation

you do know:

and it is the only one whose fate is placed in your hands."

~C. S. Lewis~

 

Life is full....

....of different roads.

Detours and dead ends make up a lot of this journey

we call life.

Stop for a spontaneous photo shoot, or grab a coffee

at the tiny coffee shop on the corner.

road trip with Capt. America & my nephew ...

Enjoy the route.

Don't be so worried about the destination,

that you lose sight of what is around you.

Pause. Breathe. Focus.

Take in the moment, experience the joy,

happiness & adventure.

note...

it's cold this morning,

the chickadee (gram) is all puffed out sitting on the feeder.

Cozy in my sweats...staying in today.

Listening to the howl of the wind, and the cat skidding across the floor

with the zoomies.

A fresh cup of hot tea in hand

and a hefty C.S Lewis book resting on my lap...

appreciating the slow today...

~

often it is the little things that get us to the big things

tune out the world around you and tune into your heart

remember the world of wonders

good things have been planned

trust in the rightness & the timing

you have no option other than to take

responsibility for your own happiness

happiness has to be cultivated from the inside out

live a happy life

~

"It is God who does everything. 

We at most, allow it to be done to us."

~ C.S. Lewis~

 

See everything...

...as a gift

and open your eyes to the wonder

all around.

...there is no fear in perfect love...go and be loved.💖

notes...

my nephew...

seconds from missing his connecting flight, 

hard workout to hoof it to the gate

and sweat-stained cap...

 made it before the door closed...

 home safe...

brother and girlfriend making the long trip home

him in pain 

an emergency room visit first thing for my brother 

  a torn ACL...

home with crutches

dad and stepmom...

safely making there long journey back east...

hoping to arrive at little brother's this evening for a rest

....still on the road

my 2 kiddo's catching their breath

enjoying some time to settle in at home

 before they take their honeymoon later this month

....starting a new chapter

grateful for

grace, strength, provision and protection...

& loads & loads of Love.

back home this morning with all the emotions...

happiness mixed with a sense of longing...

deep breath in...

deep breath out....

my heart is full...

  with a bit of a leak...

hopeful and grateful...

 and very blessed.

Love us God with all you've got-

that's what I'm depending on.

xo

~

stay the course

endless opportunities are available to you

'sometimes life looks like a big jigsaw puzzle

without the box of what it looks like completed.

assemble it as best you can.'

breathe slowly & deeply

His peace is an inner treasure

growing as you trust

depend on God

He is everything you need

thank Him for His marvelous 

Love

He sets up a circle of protection around you 

while you pray

He keeps His eyes on you

He listens to you and hears you

He blesses those who run to Him

He rescues you

He opens the doors

to all His goodness

He'll help you catch your breath

He is ever present

everywhere

at all times

He has a fantastic plan for you in your life

He has your very best in mind for you always

focus on the abundance around you

He demonstrates His infinite Love

in fresh new ways

each day offers moments of awe

don't miss a moment of the blessings 

He promised

be kind an patient to yourself

allow yourself time to grow

everything is going to be okay

listen to your heart song

keep going

you're doing amazing things

be well...

xoxo

💖

'The more you include Me, the better your life will be.

My stockpiles of loyal Love are immense!

I take no pleasure in making life hard,

in throwing roadblocks in the way.

I'm gracious to you.

I take the time to do everything right-

everything.

I give you abundant life here and now-

overflowing with every good blessing

so you can accomplish all that I have called you to do.

I supply your needs.

I provide for My people.

My resources are unlimited.

I will not fail you.

I work through everything that touches your life

for your good.

See Me shining brightly on your future.

Remain in My Love.'

~Jesus~

~

'Through all that is changing,

there are practices we must hold on to:

wisdom, love, gratitude.

Gratefulness for how life shaped us,

no matter where the journey takes us,

we know we never go alone.'

 

Intentionally choose...

...to live in love.

To be rooted and grounded in love.

Nephew on Team J. Christ


notes....

....time went by fast, and we packed as much as we could in
our short visit.
My family all tucked together in the same town...
most of us under one roof.
A quaint historical village, charming buildings & a stunning venue nestled in the woods.
My kiddo and his bestest of best friends joining together as Mr. & Mrs.💝

A deer walking past as I write in my journal,
I feel like it's a little parting gift.
Family is now home or on their way.
A perfect couple, a fabulous wedding,
amazing family and friends,
lovely weather
and hearts filled with Love, laughter and gratitude.
~

Love is available today

give love more room to operate in your life

God works in the power of unified relationships

what you focus on and how you focus on it
 is key

you are an average of all the main relationships you cultivate

you need people that encourage, respect, and empower and mature
with you in love

be intentional

be patient

take refuge in His Love

remain in His Love

love and accept yourself fully

give yourself a big hug
take time to be still
to look in the mirror and like what you see
take time to care for yourself

focus your thoughts on His Love for you

His Love is made complete in us

make a way for Love to have it's fullest 
effect on your life

live love fully

the powers of darkness become disempowered
when exposed to the light of Love

accept love from people

'relationships are the laboratory 
for opportunities to grow in what love means'

make efforts to connect

sometimes all it takes is a hug
or an embrace that's pure

sometimes it takes someone looking you in the eyes
and speaking Love over you.

Remember your somebody who belongs.
It's like vitamins for the soul.


deer :grace, gentleness, intuition, spiritual guidance, and renewal
 
be well...
xoxo
💖

"My love language is when peoples words
align with their actions."

"Your not selfish for wanting the same
energy and love you give."

"Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails."

~1Corinthisans 13~

"Beauty doesn't come from physical perfection.
It comes from the light in our eyes,
the spark in our hearts,
and the radiance we exude when we're 
comfortable enough in our skin
to focus less on how we look
and more on how we love."

 

Loosen your grip....

He's got something better.

notes...

'You're holding on to something He doesn't want you to hold on to. 

...be transformed by the renewal of your heart.

You may be absolutely surprised at what God will

do in your life.

A storm in your life can destroy you or

it can develop you.

It depends on how you respond.

Your response is how you view God.

We need an anchor.

It's natural and normal for us to drift.

Storms are inevitable.

Our anchor is immovable.

If you don't understand who He is

the anchor doesn't work.

He can quiet the your stormy heart

and give you peace in the midst of the storm.

He knows all about our storms,

and He comforts, assures us and 

understands.

If you don't start the day with Him

then you have to start in your own strength.

Meditate on His word day and night.

He is a compass to us.

No compass

you don't know where you are.

He will keep you in the right direction.

Whatever the storm is 

He's at work.

Read the word.

Meditate on it.

Believe it.

Apply it.

It doesn't happen by osmosis.

be well...

xoxo

💝

 

Our life comes...

...."to us moment by moment.

One moment disappears before the next comes along:

and there's room for very little in each.

That is what time is like."

notes....

up very early to get some quality Jesus time

car half packed

blogging while eating a bowl of oatmeal

& admiring my freshly polished nails

 (Thank you M. xo)

my heart is racing

I get to see my family today

it's been way too long

running on coffee and excitement

~

God is good- always good

God is loving- always, entirely loving

God is always involved in the cares of your life

God is in control

do the best you can do

it's not all up to you

believe in the kind of Love that is true

Love will not give up on you

journey through the wild of where you are

Celebrate the life unfolding before your eyes

pay attention to the stories

listen

keep an open heart

breathe

"Love goes deeper than what you can see

it rattles the soul."

~

'Live fully in the present, depending on Me each moment.

Train your mind to seek Me continuously.

Rely and lean on Me in every situation.

This will enable you to enjoy life more

& face the day confidently.

You are never working alone.

Include Me in more and more of your moments

See me shining brightly on your future.

Focus on the abundance around you.

Love and be loved.'

~Jesus

 

Life is a story...

...and you can have a beautiful 

love story.

Remember the root command:

Love one another.

notes...

up early

my brother & his girlfriend in town

frosting for cake...decided

suitcases semi packed

gifts wrapped & bows tied

a bit of wonk that tries to steal my joy

standing steadfast, but feeling the weight

of the wonk

friends that have my back

and some empowering words from sister A...

"I love you ! You've got this-

you're "unf--kwithable"

Things is, with God on my side...

...I believe her.

the Blue Jay keeps squawking in the tree...

so I finally look it up...

'communication, protection, and a push to speak your truth'

...and then... silence

~

What is the story you are living in?

Is it the story God is telling?

Who is the bad guy?

Who is the Hero?

Who or what are you looking to to save the day?

Where does hope lie?

Is Jesus central in your story?

say a quiet "yes" to God

get serious

really serious

get down on your knees

it's the only way you'll get on your feet

in silence you can hear your intuition speak

in stillness you find your balance

wait...

...however many times you banged your head against the wall

time is a valuable thing

trust that all is on schedule

something is being worked out

direct your attention elsewhere

practice acceptance and gratitude 

deal with your frustration and impatience

focus on the power available to you

you do have a life to live while you're waiting

go about living it

~

'I understand the stresses and strains that have afflicted you.

You can vent safely to Me.

I will put My thoughts in your mind and My song in your heart.

Be sensitive to Me.

I am closer than the air you breathe.

I am constantly available to you.

Awareness of My abiding Presence will protect you.

My knowledge of you is picture perfect and it 

is framed in unconditional Love.

I will fill you with Life to the Full.

I am your Peace-

there is no need to live in fear.

I will deliver you.

Remember, you didn't choose Me;

I chose you. 

Get your directions from Me &

I will enable you to produce fruit.

Don't try to make sense of the ongoing confusion.

Think of all the beautiful things taking place right now.'

~Jesus

(sources: Jesus Calling, Jesus Today, Charles Stanley devo. & Journal of Letting Go)

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Our feelings come and go.

His love for us does not.

When the most important things in our life happen

we often do not know, at the moment, 

what is going on."

C.S. Lewis

"I'll refresh tired bodies.

I'll restore tired souls."

~Jeremiah 31:25

"To trust means, of course, trying to do all He says.

There would be no sense in saying you trusted

a person if you would not take his advice."

C. S. Lewis

 

Mental health is...

....vital to your happiness

as it goes with your thought life,

so it goes with your joy, hope, peace,

and perspective on all things.

You don't want your thoughts just wandering here,

there, and everywhere.

notes....

very heady this morning

longer than usual Jesus time

determined to seek His face unhindered

yet speculation, worry & playing

out scenarios are mentally, emotionally

and spiritually wreaking havoc

Allowing His Spirit to anchor me in the beauty

of what is true...

has been quite challenging today.

~

you live in a battle for the truth

who gets to determine the narrative for you?

Give God your thoughts

focus, attention, imagination, memory 

and interpretation of events...

fix your thoughts on what is true about God

and yourself

believe it

hold fast to it

take a break from those things that fragment your attention

direct and redirect your mind to Him

entrust to Him everything that concerns you

the mind governed by the Spirit is life & peace

pay attention to where your thoughts start to wander

your sense of true north is off

leading you to winding trails that lead nowhere

reach for what fills your soul

release feelings of guilt or judgement

allow your soul to speak its truth

allow your Spirit to be your guide

~

'It is vital that you pace yourself according to My timing:

neither dashing ahead or lagging behind.

I will help you in these matters.

The more you seek Me the better your life will be.

Get quiet.

Release distraction.

Turn your attention inward to love Me

who lives in you.

Awareness of My presence strengthens you 

as you receive & respond to My Love.

Let My love flow into you continually.

Your need for Me is as constant 

as the outflow of My love for you.

Look beyond the flux of circumstances,

and discover Me gazing lovingly back at you.

Trust that I will see you through.'

~Jesus

(Sources: Jesus Calling, Jesus Lives, Charles Stanley devo. God Loves Me by Mark Dejesus)

be well...

xoxo

💖

"If you could sense how important you are to the lives

of those you meet.

How important you can be to people you may never

even dream of.

There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting

with another person."

~Fred Rogers~

 

Refuge is something....

.... you choose-

something you enter into.

"On the whole,

God's love for us is a much safer subject

to think about

then our love for Him."

~C.S. Lewis~

notes....

loving these chilly mornings and warm afternoons

it reminds me of back home.

hubby led me to the back yard to show me the Moon & Jupiter

hanging out together

*sweet*

"occultation"

he said...."whatever that means?"

and we both shrugged and laughed

my neighbor delivered cake samples yesterday

with her daughter, and Ellie (goat)

American butter cream

Ermine

Italian meringue

and Swiss meringue

cake and coffee for breakfast

listening to the men cut up a tree on the next block

laughing and whooping as they work

good vibes in the hood 

~

refuge is the souls deepest need

refuge is not merely a state of mind

an assurance of the heart

it is reality

palpable

take a simple step of choosing 

this moment to return to

the shelter of God's presence

don't wait

He is as tender toward you

 as a Shepherd is to his sheep

be willing to follow Him wholeheartedly

wherever He leads

with glad anticipation

where there are gaps in your life

let God be God

leave the how and when in His hands

and acknowledge they are

His responsibility

it's what we trust in but don't see

that keeps us going

(2Corin. 5: 7 MSG)

He guards even the smallest details

of your life

depend on Him for everything you need

(Psalm 33:20 MSG)

be well...

xoxo

💖

Though you don't know what lies ahead

I know; and that's enough.

Some of my richest blessings are just right around

the bend: out of sight, but nonetheless

very real.

Anticipate blessings as we travel together.

I never fail to hear your prayers

& answer them wisely.

If My will differs from your request,

simply thank Me.

This will draw you closer to Me in the disappointment.

I assure you My ways are good.

I reserve My best for those who are willing to wait on Me

in faith-

even when they see nothing happening.

Stay close to Me and wait.

I am working things in your life

you could never do for yourself.

You won't be disappointed.

I'll Love you with all I got!

~Jesus~

(source: Message Bible, Charles Stanley Devo. Jesus Lives)

 

Learn to let go....

....into the wild of things,

learn to grow as things unfold.

sign: transformation, strength in adversity, personal growth
and evolution

The natural world's saturated with beauty,

and beauty nourishes the soul.

 

A fuzzy caterpillar with sixteen legs

goes into a chrysalis & emerges as a beautiful

winged butterfly that knows it's way to Mexico.

'The way you come alive in this world 

might not look like everyone else's,

and that's okay.'

~

notes....

Spirit will come to you in ways you will receive Him

learn to let yourself be guided in truth

allow yourself to have your own process

you will discover your truths at the right time

as you grow

your experiences will expand in new ways

lay down the skeptic

take a few deep breaths

you don't see the oxygen but it's keeping you alive

 love keeps you alive

you don't see it 

but it surrounds you 

you can't force things

remain open

don't close your mind

take steps necessary to develop

self-mastery

you have the capacity to shed your

old self and embrace new beginnings

emerging stronger, wiser and more beautiful

than before

use your time wisely

a thankful attitude is helpful

overcome life's challenges with grace

and fortitude

be well....

xoxo

💝

'Your pursuit of Me is actually a response

to my ardent pursuit of you.

You don't have to batter down doors between us.

Just open the door of your heart to Me.

I've already thrown open My door to you.

I want you to realize how utterly safe you are-

in My perfect persistent Love.

Bask in your life of praise.

Be more receptive to My blessings.

In faith, be on the lookout for good things

great and small.

At the end of the day 

take time to ponder what you have learned &

to savor the gifts you have found.

Love and be loved.'

~Jesus~

(sources: Message Bible, Jesus Today, Jesus Calling)

~

"The wind carries things away and brings other things closer.

It doesn't think about the destination;

it just blows where the current takes it.

As the wind travels, it picks things up

 only to set them down in a new location.

The wind doesn't hold on tight,

because it knows that nothing is permanent.

The spirit of wind is letting go.

Be like the wind, releasing and receiving as needed.

Be fluid, given that nothing in life is permanent."

~Sunrise Gratitude~