Welcome

Why a blog from me, someone who has never been a writer, someone who has never been articulate or had a solid grasp of the grammar world. Because God told me to write. Several years ago a life storm invaded my family. God kept telling me to write it all down. I argued, but He would not let up. This went on every day for a couple of weeks until one day out of frustration, (I'd like to say it was out of obedience), I picked up a pen and paper and wrote for 7 hours straight! Do you think maybe I needed therapy and God knew it?

I've been writing ever since and have learned to love it! I started out sharing my stories with friends and family. I've now been published in a Nashville church paper, Our Daily Journey (a devotional site of RBC Ministries), PCCWeb Daily Devotional, Ruby for Women Ezine Magazine, and I am a contributor in the book Alabaster Jars, Life in Abundance Collection 2.

Why Ponderings? During this life storm, God led me to a pond in the woods behind my home. There He met me each time, teaching new lessons, reminding me of old ones, showing His presence and allowing me to feel His love through the surroundings of that pond. I found myself returning over and over to ponder, pray and praise. A healing of my heart took place and out of the experience came my first book, Ponderings From the Pond, then a second book, Ponderings From My Porch, and now a third book is in the works along with a memoir about my storm.

Why am I making myself so vulnerable? Because God has done so much that I cannot keep quiet. I have to share. Jesus's last words to his desciples were, "Go,tell." We are his disciples too and this is just one of my ways of telling.

I'm no scholar but I have heard God's voice in my spirit, experience His love daily, and have a desire for others to experience this also. I would love to share with all who visit and I would love to hear from you. If my sharing gets just one to ponder, to be quiet with the Father, to see and hear from Him or to be reminded of something from Him, then this is worth my vulnerability.

As you visit me, sometimes we will be at the pond, sometimes we will move to the front porch, and sometimes we will just be here, there, and yonder. Thank you for coming and please feel free to come back anytime, you are always welcome here.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

*****EXCITING NEWS*****

My first book, Ya Know What I'm Say'n, has been released.


Ponderings

Ponderings

Monday, May 16, 2011

Multitudes on Monday/The Gifts

Joining with Ann Vosckamp and others over at




Remember how when we girls were little, we would pick a flower and pull the petals one by one saying,  "He loves me, he loves me not." ?

Remember the line from a famous poem that reads, "How do I love thee, let me count the ways?"

 Well, God is always showing us His love in so many different ways, we don't ever have to wonder if He doesn't and I believe He loves it when we do the counting.  I believe He smiles when He sees us recognizing them and listing them and enjoying them and sharing them from a very grateful heart. As Ann Voskamp says in her book, 1000 gifts, "naming (counting) offers the gift of recognition, the naming of moments is truly a holy work."
SO. . . 
 here I go continuing the counting ~


441.  volunteering at a girls conference and seeing all the girls having a good time, learning and praising
442.  making a new friend
443.  watching my son volunteer
444.  hot rooms and yoga stretches for sore muscles and stiff body
445.  praise and worship bands
446.  old hymns
447.  safety of car sitting only inches away from ALL the garage shelves full of stuff that came tumbling down in the night
448.  all the glass jars, glass containers, glass coffe pot and so much other breakables on those shelves with nothing breaking or even chipping
449.  listening to beautiful piano music with second born son
450.  second born 18 year old coming home from school and telling me all about his classes
451.  hearing baby robbins from their nest inside my plum tree

452.  seeing momma robin in her nest (babies underneath her)

453.  perfect raindrops on leaves


454.  the smell of honeysuckle


455. my second born's artistic ability


456.  sharing mocha frappes with first born son
457.  watching my husband and son go happily off to enjoy a movie together
458.  quite time alone to reflect

459.  funny cards

460.  goofy times with loved ones


461.  piggy back rides with second born 


462.   being serenaded by first born on the ukulele


463.  our dog Sadie, a part of the family, goes wherever I go


464.  my sweet, wonderful husband, who takes care of the onery neighbors (just kidding!)


465.  son following in his dad's footsteps (just shooting at pop cans)


466.  wonderful smell of smoke from the fire pit where hot dogs were roasted


467.  beautiful blue skies for Mother's Day


468.  first glimpse at new life (can you see the 3 beaks?)


469.  hearing robin babies calling for their momma


470.  witnessing momma taking care of her babies


471.  knowing that the God who cares for the birds cares also for me
472.  beautiful poetry written and shared with me by a lovely woman
473.  after homeschooling my second born for 10 years, watching him go through high school, to see him walk through our door today holding his cap and gown

(guess what pictures you will be seeing in the next several weeks?)

May you all have a blessed week. 
"Every good and perfect gift is from above. . ."
James 1:17

Scroll all the way down if you haven't seen it yet and see how my husband shows the gifts...video and photography by Keith Bridgman











9 comments:

Stacie, A Firefighter's Wife said...

Oooo, I love that. Naming God's blessings is holy work!

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

Honeysuckle! That is one fragrance that I just love --- probably my favorite. I let it get out of bounds, though. That is tough stuff!!! And the robin's nest. What a sweet, sweet picture. But the Mother's Day card ---- my favorite today. There's a guy who apreciates
EVERYTHING!!!!!

Your comment at the beginning, "He smiles when we count. . ." ---- I'll be thinking about that this week --- a lot. Thank you for that as I just needed a reminder of His smiling face!

Unknown said...

So many wonderful blessings to be thankful for. Love your list. :)

Deborah Carr said...

Thank you for reminding me of the wonderful summer things I have to look forward to...baby robins, honeysuckle, sunshine slanting just so, trees full...these days here in the north, we've had our fill of perfect raindrops on leaves.
Have a lovely week...

Lisa Maria said...

Love the pictures... especially the ones of your family. Love the goofing off! You all look so relaxed and happy.. a blessing in itself! Always love reading your list.

Love & Blessings!

Anonymous said...

Kristen,

You always share such wonderful blessings. I had a few chuckles on your "silly card," tee hee. :)

Have a wonderful day!

-L. Rose

Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama said...

I am a mama of teen boys as well...and it is so bittersweet...I cherish the moments because I know they are growing up so fast. What a sweet and funny card ;)

Unknown said...

Hi Kristen,
Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Love your list of blessings. My favorites are the ones about fathers and theirs sons. Going to movies and learning how to shoot all good things. You are blessed indeed!
Have a great week!

Kim Turnage said...

What beautifully illustrated thankfuls, Kristen! Thanks for popping in at my place this week. Hope to see you again soon.