Today

I woke up irritable today.

I think my heart was beating just a tad bit faster than ususal.

I snapped at my son.

He left for school.

I cried.

I watched the tail end of a fairy tale wedding.

I cried some more.

Today a test is being done at a medical clinic.

My mate didn't think I needed to go.

I stayed home alone.

I read my devotionals, I went into the Psalms.

I'm not alone.

And my mate is not alone.

Our Lord is with us both.

I reached up for His right hand.

Peace came in.

I opened the windows, fresh breeze blew in on me.

The sun is shining.

The birds are singing.

My heart is beating normal again.

I will apologize to my son.

I will text him, "I love you".

My mate will come home.

And no matter what,

All will be right with the world.

Delete Buttons

            As I was typing one morning, I looked up at the screen and realized by all the scrambled letters, my hands had not been in the right position.  I hit the delete button and all the mess disappeared and I began again.

            I pondered on this.  Wouldn’t it be great if life had a delete button?  I didn’t like what happened last year, DELETE.  I didn’t like what she said, DELETE.  My childhood years were the pits, DELETE.  I don’t like what my children are doing, DELETE.  I don’t like all the sadness in the world, DELETE.

            But upon further pondering, I came to the conclusion there is a reason God didn’t give us a delete button for our lives.  What kind of relationship would we have with Him if we could always delete everything we didn’t like?

            How would we know joy if there were no sorrow?  How would we experience becoming strong if nothing made us weak?  How would we understand forgiveness if there were never anything to forgive?  How would we know victory if we never had anything to claim victory of?  What would make us run to the Father and seek Him if there were nothing to run to Him for?  How would we understand and appreciate the unconditional love from our Lord if we never experienced the other.  Would we even acknowledge Him as Lord?

            I think a relationship with the Father would be pretty emotionless, pretty lifeless, pretty pitiful if we owned a delete button to hit whenever we wanted.  Would there even be a relationship?

            When I think of my love for the Lord, I think of how He has rescued me, saved me, given me courage and boldness, restored and healed, infused me with His peace and joy, given me reasons for real praise.  This all came about because of experiencing those time I would like to have had deleted.

            Our relationship with Him, if any, would be very bland indeed.  If there were no struggles, no pain, why would we even run to Him?  Why would we seek Him out?  How would we grow?

            No, I believe He knew what He was doing when He didn’t make us a “life” delete button.  God had something much better in mind for us than a cold, hard button.  He gave us a warm, loving Savior.

“I have told you these things so you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

P.S. I sent this to my mom and she added to the devotional. Here is what she said:

For those of you who look at a keyboard all day and sometimes just need a break, want a devotional but don’t have one there at your desk, just look down at your keyboard.  See the Pause/Break button?  When you know Satan is attacking you and you’re upset, just Pause and ask God to Break Satan’s scheme.

See the Shift and Enter buttons?  Sometimes we need to Shift our attitudes and Enter into God’s presence for renewal.

See the Escape button.  Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we have a way of Escaping the punishment we deserve.

And see the Home and End buttons.  When our life Ends, we’ll be going Home.  Halleluhah!

Thanks Mom!  You all have just had your devotion for this moment.



A Bed Time Story

 

            Once upon a time, on a glorious spring day, nine little chicks met for lunch.  Eight of the nine knew each other as they had attended the same church at one time or another.  The ninth little chickie only knew them through the blog they shared.  How fun it was for little chickie, who had been blogging with these chickens for a year and only knew their names, to finally meet them face to face and witness each wonderful, individual personality.  There was the baby chick (although already very mature and wise), the momma chicks, and some grandma chicks.  All were interesting, wise, humble, funny and very much in love with the Lord.  What an awesome gift to have met eight wonderful new chicks all in one day! 

            In this world where so much hen-pecking goes on, it was refreshing to meet these lovely chicks, who discussed favorite scriptures, songs, and good advice handed down through the years. These were not hen-pecking chicks, these were praising the Father kind of chicks.   Because they were obviously mature, outstanding, wise women, this little chickie about lost her feathers when she sat at this table and also heard stories about Viagra, bras, and slurpie drinks.  She laughed so hard she thought she was going to lay an egg!

            There are some funny creatures out in the world who think “the believers” are boring, have no fun, and are just plain ol’ fuddy duddies.  Well, they certainly have not met little chickies eight new friends…nothing boring or stodgy there!

            Although little chickie had just met these chicks face to face this day, she felt loved and protected within this flock.  It reminded her of someone else she knew who loves her and protects her with His wings.  She read in her Bible Psalm 17:8 which says,  “Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.”  This verse is talking about the wings of her God, her Savior.  She doesn’t think He literally has wings, but believes His all encompassing holy power and love covers her as a momma bird’s wings cover her children and protects them. This makes little chickie feel protected and loved, and feels like she will always be ok, because her God will always be there for her.  And how awesome that He sends little flocks with real wings, (arms), to come around to praise with you, to hug you, and give a little piece of himself to you through those with skin on.

            Little chickie observed the head chick at the table give a book titled, “Whispers of Encouragement for Moms” to their waitress.  She was very good at her job, but chickie noticed she looked tired and thought she saw a sadness in her eyes.  When asked if she was a mom, she replied yes, but that it can be really hard at times.  She did not look joyful. Little Chickie felt for this woman and wished she had got up and given her a hug.  Why didn’t she?  Little chickie prayed for this waitress later, praying she would find encouragement through the book given to her, and also from our smiles and politeness to her during their lunch.  And if she doesn’t know about the abundant life offered, someone would share with her.  It also made little chickie realize to be more ready when opportunities arise.  She was so thankful that the head chick was more on the ball! 

 

            This little chickie clucked all the way home praising and thanking her Heavenly Father for these real feathered friends. That evening as she fluffed up her feathers and settled into her nest for the night and said her prayers, she saw a yellow sticky note pad on her nightstand and cackled herself to sleep.  (You had to be there)

            If there is any moral to this story, it might be to step out and always be willing to make new friends.  You just never know who God wants you to meet.  The other is more a reminder that as long as you stay under God’s protective covering, we need never be afraid, life never need be boring, and to go out and share His love with others; especially the unbelievers.  Introduce them to this Savior who saves and protects, teaches and grows and loves with a love like they have never known.  Tell them about the abundant life He offers.  You just might need to take them to lunch and have a cackling session.  Wouldn’t it be awesome to witness a new bird entering into the flock! 

                          

OH…and if the ol’ rooster at home asks what chicks talk about over lunch, just casually mention Viagra, bras, and slurpy drinking.  You’ll fall over with laughter from the puzzled look he gives you.   (Who says believer chicks don’t know how to have fun?! J )

                                                The End

This bed-time tale is dedicated to…Teresa, Ruth , Lynnmarie, Becky, Amy, Betty, Molly, and Amanda.

Multitudes on Monday

Every good and perfect gift is from above.

James 1:17

Embracing my gifts. . .

368.  daily manna

369.  Calvary's Hill

370.  His uncompromising obedience

371.  His quiet love

372.  the wooden cross

373.  torn veil

374.  victories

375.  jobs finished

376.  empty tomb

377.  freedom

378.  security

379.  salvation

380.  my very grateful, saved heart

381.  medicines to fight internal bugs

382.  juice with vitamins

383.  cool washclothes for fevered foreheads

384.  sweet, personal messages

385.  tea~hot, cold, flavored or not, sweet or un~it's all good

386.  first hummingbird of Spring spotted on deck feeder

387.  my dog Sadie, who always seems so happy to see me and sits with me wherever I am

388.  waterproof mascara

389.  hearing my mother list her blessings, unwrapping her gifts

390.  wonderful news from cousin that cancer is all gone

391.  healings

392.  for strength that God gives in the battles

393.  for having my God to go to, to praise and give thanks

394.  secret church

395.  hearing 6 straight hours of awesome teachings on the cross

396.  being invited by two lovely women to go on their vacation with them

397.  walking down isles

398.  grasping hands

399.  knees kneeling

400.  prayers raised in unison

401.  looking into another's eyes

402.  hearing whispered, "I love you Mom"

403.  new restaurants

404.  tacos with white cheese

405.  efficient, friendly waitresses

406.  my big boys in the back seat

407.  "see ya later" hugs

408.  a field of a million, yellow buttercups

May you have a blessed week!

A Quiet Love

Sshhh. . .read this in your mind as a whisper. . .ssshhh. . .

My brother is nine years older than me, my sister 5 years older.  Yep, that makes me the baby. The three of us are different from each other in many ways, yet we have one thing in common.  We are people of few words.  None of us are big talkers, yet we show our love in quiet ways.

When I was little, our parents divorced.  My sister and I stayed with mom.  We had very little money and shopping for new clothes did not happen very often.  My sister was skilled with the sewing machine and reading patterns and she sewed me new outfits every now and then.  A new top, a new dress made me feel special and I would be on top of the world.  Her quiet love came through.

My brother, a master carpenter, made me 6 ½ ft. x 5 ½ ft. bookshelves for my 16^th birthday present.  He built four drawers at the bottom. It was beautiful to me and I loved it. This went into my bedroom at the time to hold all my teenage treasures.  His quiet love came through.

As I ponder on this, another powerful quiet love comes to my mind…Jesus love.  When Jesus was being tortured and mocked, how did He respond?  With quiet love.  When the people sneered at him, spit at him and made fun of Him for saying He was the Son of God, how did He respond?  With quiet love.  When they drove the nails into His hands and feet and hung Him up on the cross, how did He respond?  With quiet love.

Imagine the noise coming from the crowds accusing Him, demanding He be crucified.  Imagine the noise coming from the ones administering the torture, and the crowds growing louder and louder.  What did Jesus do?  He remained quiet.  Why?  Because He was doing the Fathers will.  Why?  Because He loved the Father and He loved you and me so much that there were no more words for Him to speak.  He spoke the loudest with no words through His blood being spilt, carrying that heavy, wooden cross, and hanging on that cross suffering physically until God received His spirit.

His quiet love was so powerful that it touched one of thieves to his side and made this thief realize that Jesus was who He said He was and the thief wanted to be remembered by Him.

Such powerful, amazing love came through the quietness of this man, Jesus, through the most brutal of events towards Him.

I can’t leave the story here though.  You know how it ends.  He was raised three days later.  Was there a parade?  Was there fanfare?  No…just a quiet entrance back into the presence of His disciples, and then 40 days later, a quiet ascension back to Heaven. There is something to be said for quiet.  It’s in the quiet that we hear our Saviors voice the loudest.  In our quiet times, let Him hear our voice telling Him how much we love Him, and then when we are out in the noise of the world, show Him our love by our actions, however quiet they may be.

 My Lord shows His quiet love every single minute of every single day.  He is always there by my side helping me through every moment, blessing me every which way, guiding me to see all the gifts He is giving.   My bookshelves from my brother now proudly sit in my dining room, holding books written by ones who love the Lord, and with loved ones pictures in their frames.  I feel my brothers love through this masterfully crafted piece.  My sister shows her quiet love now through the many prayers she offers up for me and my family. My siblings live over 700 miles away from me now, but every once in awhile, they call me to see how I’m doing.  The quiet love flows through the telephone lines and makes me smile.  I think they are smiling too…in their own quiet way.

May you all be blessed as you ponder this week about the death, buriel and resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

sshhhh. . .do you hear the quiet love?

linking with

Multitudes. . .untying the bows

On the road again. . .to counting my gifts.  It's not always an easy road but ALWAYS a rewarding one!  This world seems so full of whining and complaints and bad news.  It's easy to get caught up in it but it's not a pleasing sound to the Lord's ears.  Yes, he wants to hear our hearts, even the hurts and the ugly, but He doesn't want us to stay there.  Sometimes we get stuck here and don't move on.  That's where looking for the gifts come in. 
I don't want my lips to just whine and complain.  I want my lips to praise the Father, thanking Him for all the gifts he lays in my path. Even on the rocky ones, there are gifts ~ stepping stones to lead you over the muck and mire.  When you do fall and get dirty, the showers of grace that cleanse.  When your knees get scraped or your heart ~ the healing touch of the Father.
All you have to do is look up and around . . .focus your vision and recognize the gifts. . .and even when you're down...look around...He's so good, he even has gifts down there too. . .untie those bows. . .

339.  fresh cut grass and the scent of it

340.  mower that starts

341.  wonderful walk and talk in the park with a dear friend

342.  Easter bonnets and a sweet pea

343.  stepping stones

344.  being able to hear beautiful music

345.  people who can make me laugh

346.  firewood for firepit

347.   the pond~where all this writing began

348.  God bringing people into my life walking the same road

349.  God bringing people into my life walking a different road

350.  sharing common ground of faith with both

351.  my five year old dogwood finally blooming

352.  discovering a new blue bird's nest

353.  being able to open the hands

354.  moon light

355.  star lights

356.  the calm after the storm

357.  being asked to pray for others loved ones

358.  birds singing me a song

359.  lunch out with one of the sweetest girls I know

360.  lovely chat in church office with two lovely women

361.  more blankets for blanket ministry

362.  someone thinking I am qualified to mentor a high school girl or two. . .OH Boy! . . .or should I say OH Girls! . . .(help)

363.  for a  God who knows my fears, knows my desires, open the doors, and lovingly pushes (guides) me through :)

364.  getting 2nd born enrolled into college

365. serving a mighty God who I know will help us get 2nd born through college

Are you ready for yours?  Grab the bows and start unwrapping. . .what did you get?

Simply Saturday/Easter Bonnets and a Sweet Pea

(I'm going to be gone all day tomorrow, so I'm going ahead and posting Simply Saturday this evening)

I'm no photographer but as I get into blogging and with a husband who is a photographer on the side, the photo bug has bitten.  I want to learn.  If I'm really truthful here, I just want to play and see what I can capture.  I'm always looking for subjects to photograph.  I had the perfect model next door.  You just can't go wrong with a face like this. . . . .

A true Sweet Pea! Simply beautiful!  :)

linking with Jenn over at

Remind Me Again. . .

(sometimes with all that life throws at us, it's sometimes easy to lose our sence of humor.  I love humor.  I love to laugh.  I didn't laugh much 4 and 5 years ago.  But God healed my heart, and the laughter came back.  More on that later.  All I have to do is look at myself and I can get a good laugh . . .   :)

Remind Me Again

Short term memory…remembering things from not long ago.  Mine is getting worse as I get older and I’m only 49.  It can be a little worrisome.  Just the other day, a friend came up to me at church (this is Sunday) and asked how Wednesday went the week before.  I stared at her with a blank look and asked “What was last Wednesday?” 

She gave me that “Are you crazy?” look and reminded me that I had asked for an important prayer plea for a friend and me.  As soon as she started talking about it, I was like, “Oh yes!”  It seems the more days that go by, the more blank stares I give people which is somewhat disturbing.

            I’ll be getting ready for the day in my bathroom and think about what I need to do in the kitchen.  Before I can even get in there, I forget why I was going.  I turn around to go back into the bathroom and when I get there, I remember what it was I was going to do.  Can you see me repeating, repeating, repeating to myself as I walk back to the kitchen so I won’t forget?  And then there is the time I was talking on the cell phone to my mother and I noticed by the clock I had to leave soon for an appointment.  I always take my phone with me when I leave the house, so I’m searching all over the house and getting frustrated because I cannot find my phone.  I told my mother and she asked what I was talking into?  I caught myself in the mirror and saw a blank stare staring back at me, and then a ridiculous face rolling her eyes.

            Am I not exercising enough? (I do fairly well.)  Am I not eating healthy enough?  (I do eat healthy foods, although I do a chaser of chocolates and other sweet treats after a good meal.)  Am I not sleeping enough?  (We have new mattresses and I am sleeping wonderfully now.)  Could it be…my brain is just aging?

            I always said I hoped I would age gracefully.  I was talking about the old body though, not giving a thought to my brain.  How do you grow old gracefully when you can’t remember what you did last week, or even yesterday?  My first thought is to just use humor and laugh it off.  Those crazy stares I get from people are pretty funny!

            Maybe this is why God told me to write so I could go back over past writings and say, “Oh yes, that was a good day, or that was a good lesson.”  My writing may be for my own memory’s sake.

            My short term memory is something I’m going to start praying about.  If you want to pray for it too, please do!  And if you come up and ask me about it or anything else and I give you one of those blank stares, just pat my arm and say, “It's Ok honey…”

            Now back to my story. . .I did start a story didn’t I. . .what was I thinking about. . .

CAN YOU TELL ME?

Confession (It's good for the soul, right?)

When my husband came home after a long, busy day at work, I wanted to visit. . .chatter was more like it.  This was Tuesday, my day to be alone with the Lord and pray and fast.  So when my husband came home I couldn’t wait to tell him all about my day, what the Lord had said to me, what I read, thoughts and scriptures that came to mind for certain people.  I chattered and chattered and chattered and noticing he was looking at me through glazed eyes, not giving me the response I would have liked.  Hhhmmmpphh!

Now I know better.  I learned a long time ago, that when your husband gets home, it is a good idea to let him chill out and do his own thing to wind down for at least 30 minutes if not an hour.  Then have your ‘together time”. 

So here I go.  I’m going to become vulnerable here once again and confess. . .I can be selfish.  I felt so bad. . .later.  The first line in a book I really liked says, “It’s not about you”.  I know that so well and yet on this day, OUCH!  I got bit by the selfish bug. 

I want you to know though, my sweet husband, even though he told me he was tired, and it was obvious through his eyes, he kept sitting there in the chair with me while I tried to lovingly shove all my words at him.  He could have gotten up to do other things.  He could have told me to “shut up”.  (He would never nor has he ever said that though).  He could have gone up and sat on the roof.  But he didn’t.  He just kept looking at me with those glazed eyes.  When I got done with all my chattering, he politely got up and found a movie in the hutch and put it in to watch.  Again, I went off with a silent hhhmmmpphhh!

I went and found my own movie to watch.  His was done before mine so he came into where I was and I didn’t want him to bother me because I was in the middle of my movie. Again, selfish!  He politely left.  When my movie was over I went into the living room and sat with him.  Hours had gone by now since he came home from work and he was feeling better and ready to visit.  I was tired and couldn’t think of anything to say.  I hope this is sounding comical to you, because if it isn’t, you are going to think badly of me. 

Why is it that I desire to be a godly woman but then there are times I act like a booger?  Because I am still in this earthly flesh.  My spirit is entwined with the Holy Spirit which doesn’t make me perfect but convicts me when I am wrong. I’m so thankful for this.  I’m sure my husband is too.  I tell the Lord and I am sorry.  I deserved a kick in the pants, but I walked away forgiven. And I go on, refreshed, because I know that when Jesus died on that cross, it all was finished. The penalty for my sins was paid. All I had to do was to accept the wonderful gift of salvation and accept Jesus into my heart.  I did just that when I was 12 years old.  A decision I have never regretted! 

I will be better now. I have a Heavenly Father who is always there to listen to me when I want to visit.  He does not ever need to have down time.  I will respect my husbands down time and I will apologize to him.  And I know him so well.  I should after 29 years.  He will just smile that funny smile and put his arms around me and say, ‘that’s ok”.

Only because of grace and forgiveness can a marriage last so long.  Thank you Father, for giving me a husband who is so full of both.  Oh, and humor doesn’t hurt either.

I stand a few feet from a mirror and see the face of a (woman) who failed....who faild her Maker.  Again.  I promised I wouldn't, but I did....If this were the first time, it would be different.  But it isn't....Your eyes look in the mirror and see a sinner, a failure, a promise breaker.  But by faith you look in the mirror and see a robed prodigal bearing the ring of grace on your finger and the kiss of your Father on your face.   (from Max Lucado)

Thank you Father!

Remember, as the bumper sticker says, Christians are not perfect, just forgiven.

Please tell me I am not the only one who falls off her horse from time to time ;)

Multitudes on Monday

Today I am linking up with Ann Voskamp over at 



She wrote a book that will always be on my bookshelf, one I will always recommend, and give as a gift.

Here it is. . .

She dares us to live fully right where we are. . .opening the hand to recieve the moments. . .to unwrap our gifts from the Lord.

She writes. . ."naming offers the gift of recognition.  The naming of moments is truly a holy work."

There is SO much more than this, but you will just have to read it  :)

The greatest blessings in life have Jesus woven into the heart of them.

291. first outdoor grilled hamburgers of the year

292.  husband finishing up a job for me when I ran out of steam

293.  on this extremely windy day, not caring about my hair

294.  2nd born passing on-line math test to get into WKU

295.  jacuzzi bubbles

296.  time with friend on porch swing

297.  time with husband in hammock

298.  spring break

299.  eating lunch out with 2nd born ~ Kyotos ~ a place he introduced me to

300.  left-overs

301.  powerful ant spray~sent those little boogers to ant heaven

302.  cheerful spring colors

303.  husband~always full of grace

304.  newly filled bird feeders

305.  naps

306.  new growth

307.  country roads

308.  little girl squeals from next door

309.  a God who repeats over and over until I get it

310.  watching a squirrel carry something in it's mouth as it runs across the road

311.  a son who so willingly and cheerfully hopped out of the car in the middle of the road, in the rain, to set up someone's fallen over trash can

312.  husband's massages on sore neck muscles

313.  promptings

314.  the smell of dirt and mulch

315.  a God and a husband who loves me in all seasons

316.  the smell of rain

317.  seeing rabbits running across the back yard

318.  seeing red cardinal, blue birds, and yellow finches enjoying their seed

319.  sharing banana smoothies

320.  hearing husband laughing after a long day at work

321.  finding a "thank-you" note in the mail box

322.  son who ALWAYS says "thank you"

323.  turning page after page of delight~another new book

324.  human touch

325.  sincere smiles

326.  clear, clean water

327.  tall, dark postman who visits with me whcn I come in for stamps

328.  laughing with my mother

329.  the rising of the sun

330.  walking into my son's room thinking he is sleeping late, and finding him reading his Bible

331.  lovely time on deck listening to the Heartland Bible Conference on dvd's

332.  being able to set the table for 4 instead of 3

333.  seeing both boys of mine driving up the driveway

334.  sharing pizza, laughter, and movies

335.  sitting outside in the dark watching the stars

336.  hugs in the driveway

337.  watching cat play on the porch and dog contentedly chewing bone in the yard

338.  good-night kisses

When I give thanks for the seemingly microscopic, I make a place for God to grow within me.  This makes me full, and I "magnify Him with thanksgiving." (Psalms 69:30)

(from one thousand gifts)

(Be sure and scroll all the way down if you haven't already and see the thankful video my husband made with his photography)

Simply Saturday - Jeans

Saturdays are for wearing my favorite jeans.  That doesn't mean they are new or designer or anything fancy.  That means they have been around a long time, have learned to shape to my body and have become soft and movable over the years.  The problem with this is...holes developed in the legs.  That may be ok for teens but I felt I should do something to cover them.  With what?  I didn't want the typical jean patch.  I started searching around the house, looking into hutch drawers, and found something.  I think my son thinks I should have left the holes.  My mother would say they are ready for the trash can.  What do you think?

I didn't want to waste the other side of the hankie I cut up so added it to the back. . .

My momma told me to never waste anything!

Linking up with Jenn over at

Hit this button over on the right and hop on over to see other Simple Saturdays ideas.

May you be comfortable on your Saturdays:) 

Only From Him

(I plan out my stories to post a week, sometimes 2 weeks in advance.  I had a different story for today, but God stepped in and said, "I have a different one for you today."  I'm so glad He did!  All because of Him)




My sweet first born. 

He became a prodigal 5 years ago.  Taking roads I never thought in a million years he would take.  He left, came back, left, came back, and left again with so much in between.  I started to write a book just to process it all in my mind.  So I won’t go into it all here, too much, not enough space for now.

But we received a letter from him last week pretty much saying he was tired of all the voices and was getting alone to think, to break some addictions, and to figure things out, just him and God. 

This past Saturday was a good day.  A beautiful day.  A day filled with grace, unconditional love, and all things good.  It’s just a start, but then, all good things start somewhere.

Someone said I looked peaceful here.  John 14:27 came to mind. . ."Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you."   (only from Him, only from Him!)

The fact that this picture could be taken. . .grace and unconditional love. . .(only from Him, only from Him!)

He played for us on the porch.  He won many awards and trophies on college campuses when he was a young boy playing in piano competitions before judges.  He never walked away from the music.  He has talent. . .(only from Him, only from Him!)

I taught him to play the piano for the first 4 years.  Now he tries to teach me on strings, but I don't do as well.  The fact that he is on my porch with our hands like this. . .(only from Him, only from Him!)

These big feet walked away for the first time 5 years ago. Saturday they walked back up the driveway and next to his momma. They were different this time.  (only from Him, only from Him!)

My heart is grateful.  My heart is full.

Only from Him!

(If you're wondering where my husband, Tim's dad was, he's the one standing behind the camera shooting and smiling from ear to ear)

275.  finding beautiful Psalms that fit the situations

276.  gorgeous cherry trees in bloom all over town

277.  fresh flowers for inside the house

278.  hearing someone whistle while they work

279.  hand-written letter from my Mom

280.  paychecks

281.  provisions

282.  receiving a birthday present. . .20 days after my birthday

283.  guitar music on the front porch

284.  talk and laughter with my three guys over Arby sandwiches and fries

285.  younger son always opening the door for me

286.  first born whispering "thank you" and "I love you Mom" in my ear

287.  photos to capture "the moments"

288.  amazing grace

289.  the ability to see all my gifts from the One and Only, my Heavenly Father

P.S. Tomorrow is my Tuesdays for Tim where I pray and fast all day.  Please get past the sound of the holiness of this.  I am far from this. I wanted to get down low as I could to raise him up as much as I could.  There are now 21 others I lift up also.  If I could raise up one or more of your loved ones, or a situation, please share with me, I would be honored to do so.