Overwhelmed

It's that time of year where I start to have panic attacks, especially this week after Thanksgiving. I think of all that needs done for Christmas, how I don't have the house decorated, the cards that need written and sent, the packages that need wrapped and sent. I feel overwhelmed that I have so much to do, and all I want to do is have the house decorated and sit back and enjoy, and focus on true meaning of Christmas, a babe in a manger, Jesus. I don't know why I put myself through this every year, but I do. I don't know why I get overwhelmed, but I do. I want things to be 'perfect' in my home as we celebrate our Savior's birth. It's quite dumb on ny part, actually. It's self-inflicted hysteria that I bring upon myself. All my Savior wants from me is me. He doesn't care how big the tree is and if all the ornaments are perfect, he doesn't care if I have everything perfect in my home with all the decorations, or if the outside of the house is lit up better than or equal to the neighbors. He just wants me, my full heart, to focus on Him. He wants all of me. As this week moves on, I am going to try to bring that focus daily, sometimes, minute by minute to be on Him and the real, the true reason for this time of year, which is CHRISTMAS, Christ's birth. I pray that your hearts are calm as well, and not overwhelmed by what WE have made this season. Come before Him as we celebrate his birth with peace, and focus on His gift for all of us, His birth which led to His death for each of our sins.

Peace-Filled Drive

Today I am thankful that my computer is finally working, again. I got up to a computer that was not working correctly, so I went off to my appointment, then went for a drive. Most of the area was socked in with fog, but our area, and an area lake were not, so I decided to take in the sunshine, and runaway to do for a bit from the Thanksgiving prep and house cleaning that I need to finish . I'm glad I did. The temperature hit 50 while I was at the lake. Like I have stated before, I relax at the lake and seem to forget about all the stuff going on in life while I take in the beauty of the water, the wildlife, and all God's creation, along with the quiet. Today's drive reminded me to be thankful for the little things, and to see beauty in all things. I was reminded that God is in the small stuff, as well as the big stuff going on in my life, and the lives of those I care about, and that He never leaves our sides. I was reminded how I need those quiet times, as well.



I had my faithful companion, my dog, with me, and she enjoyed the drive as much as I did.





I am thankful for the pocket of sunshine, amidst the fog today. I am thankful for the quiet time I had at the lake. I am thankful for the beauty in all I saw. I am thankful I have a car to take on a drive. I am thankful for times to rejuvenate my soul. I am thankful for the ducks and geese I saw. I am thankful for the houseful of company we are going to have tomorrow.


















I thought these turkeys were pretty brave to be running around in the open the day before Thanksgiving! There was a total of 16 in this bunch.

Gratitude and Thanks

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~ Melody Beattie

Thankful list:

Photo albums filled with memories. Memories of my grandparents who are not on this earth any longer. Memories of childhood laughter with my sister. Memories of neighborhood friends. Memories of simpler times when all I needed was mom & dad, my dog, and a bike or a Barbie and life seemed complete. Memories of my early married life, where we didn't have much in the way of material things, but we had a lot of happiness and love, and we grew in love with each other each day, and continue to do so to this day.

Cards, emails, texts or facebook postings from friends. Their words and thoughts bless my heart.

Listening to my 5 & 6 year old nieces sing. God has given them amazing talent already at their age, and I pray they keep growing that talent.

Going for a walk with my hubby and my dog, especially when we walk along Coeur d'Alene Lake drive. It's such a beautiful spot, and we all love to walk there.

Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus! Christmas lights, that to me, show light and hope to the world because of a Savior's birth.

Journals where I can freely pour out my thoughts. There is a lot of 'therapy' in writing for me.

Popcorn, air popped, with a light sprinkling of sea salt...one of my favorite snacks!

Movie and Rude Ladies

Yesterday we went to see the movie The Blind Side. It was a great movie, based on the life of football player Michael Ohre. I highly recommend the movie! There are a lot of great life lessons throughout the movie, and it leaves you with some hope. What did not leave me feeling good were two ladies in their late 60's who were just rude. One came into the row we were sitting in. The theater was packed at this showing. She wanted our seats, and was very loud about it. She says in a very loud voice, 'if these people would just move down, we could all sit together. I don't understand why you come in and take a seat in the middle of the aisle." I wanted to say because it's where we choose to sit, because we got here early enough to pick our seats, but I didn't. She continued ranting and raving, never talking directly to us, but kept going on about how we should move down to accommodate her and her loud self. The row was full, so there was only one seat that we could have moved down by the time she finished her rant. Again, she never asked just thought half the row of seated people should move because she was throwing a fit and scowling at everyone around her.

We went through the movie, which is around two and a half hours long. Enjoyed it, and were getting ready to leave. I had to stop by the ladies room, since I had three glasses of iced tea before we went to the movie (note to self, don't do that again!) and there was along line waiting. I had two ladies step in line behind me. A girl, probably around 12, walked past our line into the restroom. You could tell by looking at her she was a nice girl, probably very quiet and shy. I figured she was waiting for her mom, which turned out to be right. The lady behind my starts yelling in my ear in a snotty tone, "Excuse me, excuse me little girl. Oh little girl, HEY LITTLE GIRL, excuse me! We are all in line. See this line, yes you little girl, this is the line, and you can't just walk by us and think you are going to cut in line ahead of us. We were all here before you, little girl." The poor girl was so embarrassed once she figured out the mean lady was talking to her. In a couple seconds time, that mean lady brought down the self esteem of that preteen in a heart beat, made her turn ten shades of red, and feel like hiding. I could tell when her momma emerged because, although she looked sweet and kind, she had a fire in her eyes as she scanned the line of ladies waiting. As I was leaving the restroom, this same loud lady was mad and cussing because she had to dry her hands using an air dryer. She was going on to her friend about how she paid $9 to see a movie and now had to use an air dryer on her hands. I just rolled my eyes and wanted to tell her if she wants the ritzy lifestyle she was portraying from her snobbery, North Idaho probably isn't where she should live and she should probably move back to where she came from. Instead, I left shaking my head and grateful that I am not like either one of those woman, both of which seem to have a deep root of anger and bitterness in their hearts and they take it out on all around them, and for all to hear. It seems they are the type that put others down to make themselves feel better. I felt sorry for the girl who was assaulted in her heart by the mean lady in line. I hope her mom helped to heal those wounds. Heart wounds are the worst, and that girl was embarrassed in front of a group of 10-20 woman, for no reason.

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Continuing on with my Thankful list:

Canadian Geese, I love to watch them and listen to them

Hummingbirds, so small, delicate, and beautiful

The four seasons, even if winter does get a bit long where I live

New buds on plants that emerge in Spring and bring with them hope

Snow-covered mountains that sparkle as the sun hits them

I am thankful for teachers such as Max Lucado, Beth Moore, and John & Stasi Eldridge, and for my youth pastor when I was in high school who taught me so much and never gave up hope in me

A hot bath on a cold night

God's Word which is filled with promises to fill me with hope in the dark times of life, the hard time of life. God's Word which fills me with hope in the good times of life, the times filled with joy.

Knowing that JOY is in the heart, not based on circumstances of things that make us happy or make us feel good, but deep JOY always helps our hearts to feel peace and contentment in knowing the love our Heavenly Father

For my husband's job, which provides for our needs. A year ago, he was without a job, and times were a bit stressful in our home. Although we had a deep peace that God would provide, it was just a matter of when. I am thankful HE provided a better job for my husband than what he had to start with, and that we only had to go about eight weeks without a paycheck. I am thankful for the great job he has now, and for the company he works for who takes great care of their employees.

I have a house full of family visiting, so today's post will be quick. I just want to continue with my thankful list.

Today I am thankful for:

The safe return of Allie to her home! All who banded together and prayed for her, and searched for her.

Hot tea that warms a cold body on a very cold night last night

Bright, shiny, twinkling stars

Looking at life through the wonder of a 5 & 6 year olds eyes

Missing Girl, Please Help!

UPDATE: She was found this afternoon! She is safe.








This is our friend's daughter. Her name is Allie. She is thirteen. She ran away from home on Sunday afternoon, on her bike, in the Post Falls area. She has not made any contact with anyone since Sunday night.

Please look at her picture. If you see her call 911 and report it. Please feel free to spread the word - especially the Post Falls middle school. She is an 8th grader at PFMS.

Please pray for her and for their family! There is a reward for information leading to her return home, so if you know anything, please contact the police or sheriff immediately.

Health Soapbox

I read an article last night that still has me upset this morning. The government is now recommending the woman do not need mammograms or an MRI for breast cancer exams, until age 50, and that "the task force recommends against instructing women how to do self-exams." What??? This same group also says "cancer is rare in younger women." Really, because I have three cousins who were diagnosed with breast cancer in their early 30's, and one friend who got breast cancer in her 20's and died from the disease in her early 30's. I know of several other woman who have breast cancer in their 30's. Am I a proponent of radiation being put in your body, no! However, MRI's supposedly don't put radiation in our bodies, and more than any of that, WHAT IS WRONG WITH SELF EXAMS? On the other hand, this same government is the same one filling the shelves of grocery stores with genetically modified foods, filled with hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners which all are detrimental to our health. The government pushes foods that give us cancer but don't want us to be screened for cancer. The food that the FDA approves is not the pure, organic food that was made as God intended food to be. I have been saying for the past couple years that our government is trying to kill us off. I stand beside that comment. I am not trying to be an extremist, but how can a government tell woman not to do self breast exams?? How can they say to not get checked for cancer, whether it be through MRI or mammogram? WE need to be in charge of our health! The government is obviously trying to take that away, through the foods that contaminate our stores, the prescription drugs that have been made for everything, and through their 'health care' plan. Yes, I know that some prescription drugs are needed and help people and I am not against that. I am against the 'take a pill for everything, and here's another pill to take to counteract the pill you are taking' mentality. All you have to do is watch commercials to see the evidence of pill pushing. We as American people need to stand up and say enough is enough and be in charge of our own health and the decisions made. We need to tell the government that we are in charge of the decisions we make for our bodies, not them. We need to eat better as well, and think of the ingredients we are putting in our body. Stand up for your health, and do it now!



Thankful list today:

I am thankful that three years ago I started to understand the dangers of genetically modified foods, high fructose corn syrups, and artificial sweeteners and have taken them out of my diet, and now eat whole foods, and organic whenever I can, food the way God created it be! I feel much better eating this way, and as a benefit, have lost 65 pounds.

For my friend over at Simple Raw Health who has helped me along the way, although I am not a raw foodist like she is, I love her ideas and her advice, and she has taught me a lot.

For my medical doctor and my naturalpath, who both have taught me a lot about eating healthy and the dangers in our foods.

For Pilgrim's Market, Fred Meyer, and Huckleberries Market, where I buy whole foods.

Home

Continuing with my days of gratitude, today I am thankful for:

A house that is a home.

Wood heat that warms us in our home

Food and water to provide for our needs

Little things that were our grandparents, that have no earthly value but a lot of heart value to both of us

A bed to lay my head and rest

A yard to grow flowers, berries, and garden crops in, as well as to sit and relax and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors

Books, of which I have plenty, that line a couple walls in my home. Somehow, I find comfort in books and in the knowledge they possess within

"Where is home? Home is where the heart can laugh without shyness. Home is where the heart's tears can dry at their own pace." ~Vernon G Baker

""A True Home - A roof to keep out the rain. Four walls to keep out the wind. Floors to keep out the cold. Yes, but home is more than that. It is warmth of loving hearts, light from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship. Where you go for comfort when you are hurt or sick, and where joy is shared and sorrow eased. Where all are respected and loved. Where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned. Where money is not so important as loving-kindness. Where even the teakettle sings from happiness. That is home."" ~ Ernestine Schumann-Heink

Snow

Yesterday brought a nice lunch with my husband at the Coeur d'Alene Resort. It's rare that he is in the area for the day, but he was part of yesterday, so we met to enjoy a meal together. As we were eating, an eagle flew right by the windows and we watched his grace and beauty as he went along down the lake. After lunch, my hubby went back to work, and I went for a drive down Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive to see if I could spot some eagles, since I know they start to come back this time of year. I was fortunate to see seven eagles, numerous loons, and a few western grebes. The snow started to lightly fall as I was watching the eagles glide above the lake. I must admit, I am still like a little kid with the first snow fall. Yesterday, as much as I'm not ready for winter to begin, I felt this excitement inside as I watched large flakes drift down from the sky. The large flakes started to come down heavier, and the wind picked up and it was suddenly like a mini blizzard outside, but it was so pretty. I felt like I was inside a snow globe, minus the turning upside down, and the water. We have about an inch snow on the ground, and it is pretty out. The trees are flocked with snow, the fence posts all have little caps, and everything looks clean and bright. Right now, the sun is breaking through the clouds, and everything is sparkling like little diamonds and it's very pretty.



Thankful list:
First snow and feeling like a kid again
Getting to see the loons, eagles, and grebes yesterday, as I sat in the silence on the shoreline
The gift of sight
Fresh starts
My camera, which helps me capture the beauty I am surrounded by each day

Thankful for Creation

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:13

My thankful list for today all have to do with God, the artist and creator:

Sunsets, each one is uniquely designed and beautiful

The powerful beauty in waterfalls

The grace and elegance of butterflies

The power and majesty of eagles

Dragonflies..the intricate details in something so small...

The amazing beauty of living in north Idaho

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. Romans 1:20-21

Worry and Fear

I am inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear is not my native land; faith is. I am so made that worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil. I live better by faith and confidence than by fear, doubt and anxiety. In anxiety and worry, my being is gasping for breath - these are not my native air. But in faith and confidence, I breathe freely - these are my native air. A John Hopkins University doctor says, "We do not know why it is that worriers die sooner than the non-worriers, but that is a fact." But I, who am simple of mind, think I know; We are inwardly constructed in nerve and tissue, brain cell and soul, for faith and not for fear. God made us that way. To live by worry is to live against reality. ~Eli E. Stanley Jones

Wow and ouch...that's much easier to say, and read, than it is to live for me. I am a type A personality, and worry seems to come whether I want it to or not. Of course the more I try not to worry, the more I worry about worrying! =) It is definitely something I need to work on. I know worry affects health because I know how it can affect mine, and I've seen it affect others. It seems I hand my worry, troubles, to God, then I take them back. I lay them at the foot of the cross, and run back and take grab them for myself to carry, to trudge along with a heavy load, when God is right there waiting to take them and to help me be free from worry. I need to leave them with God. I need to really work on that this month.

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:25-34


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Thankful list:

The group of ladies at my Tuesday night Captivating study...a couple months ago we were strangers, now we are friends. We have developed an amazing bond and I am so thankful for each one of them being in my life. Each woman brings a special piece into my life, and I am definitely blessed.

Hugs

The ability to feel/touch

Authentic friends, of which I have two that are extra blessings from God...one I have met only once in person, but we communicate via email and blogs, but she's always honest with me, and prays for me, as I pray for her. We seem to think a lot a like, and she has helped me a lot in many areas of my life. One moved a little further away a couple months ago, but we talk a couple times a week, and stay in touch as best we can. God seems to share situations and thoughts in our lives, so we usually know what the other is struggling with or needs prayer for, just because over the past six years, that's the way our friendship has developed. We also share a lot of laughs together. I am grateful for both these ladies, as I am other friends who are there for me when I need them or when I just want to talk, or cry, or laugh.

Veteran's Day

Thank you Veterans! Your service to our country is greatly appreciated and we offer our deepest thanks for all you sacrificed to keep our freedoms alive in this country. Thank you seems like such a meager offering, but it is extended with deepest gratitude.






(47 seconds into this video is a picture of our niece, quite a surprise, and honor, to see as I was watching this video.)


If you appreciate living in a free country, speak up and stand up, America! It's time to be heard and be noticed. Freedom is precious, and it can slip away very quickly. Don't be idle, protect your freedoms. Too many men and woman have died to protect this country and it's freedom for us to not fight for that freedom within our country every day. Get some pride back in being an American, and fight!

Thank you to all Veterans! We honor and appreciate you!


Today, I am thankful for:

The Flag..red is for the blood, blue is for the bruise, white is for the eyes that fought for me and you
All those who serve and have served our country
Those who gave the greatest sacrifice by laying down their lives for this country and our freedoms
Freedoms, even though they are slipping away
The forefathers of this country, who helped to shape it into a place where those living in it could be free

The List Continues

"Every moment in time is a gift and a blessing."

Things I am thankful for:

My parents
My sister
Nieces, and their hugs
Family
Sitting by a lake, which brings me peace
Music
The ability to hear
Laughter
Giggling so hard, your stomach hurts
My dog, even when she eats all the carrots of of my garden. She is a faithful companion and shows true unconditional love.
Electricity
Indoor plumbing

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.1 Chronicles 16:34

Thankful

As Thanksgiving draws close, I hope that everyone reading this actually remembers to be thankful. It's easy to get so busy that we forget to take time to give thanks. Starting today, I am going to post a few things each day I am thankful for throughout the rest of the month, along with my regular posts. I challenge you to do the same, whether it's on a blog, facebook, or writing them down on a piece of paper that you add to each day, just make sure to keep it visible so you remember to think of what you are thankful for throughout the day. If you are down, that is a good time to write out things you are thankful for in your life, because it will help you to see the good things.

Things I am thankful for:
The soldiers who serve, and fight for, our country
Jesus dying for me on the cross, to free me from my sins
The Bible
The ability to read and write
My husband, who loves me through the good times and the not so good times
The Oregon coast

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT

Birthday Wishes

Today, our youngest niece turns 5, wow, time goes so fast! We are blessed to have her in our lives, and we are extra blessed by her giggle, her hugs and kisses, and her love. Today, everything is about pink and princesses as she celebrates her birthday! She is the one who has always says she can do it, no matter how small she is, and she has a very inquisitive side to her!

Happy birthday! We love you!

Rude Awakening

The state of being sound asleep, and the darkness of the middle of the night, was suddenly interrupted by our dog barking ferociously and running downstairs. My husband and I in our sleepy states, both flew out of bed, without really knowing what we were doing until we reached the bottom of the stairs. Our dog was still barking up a storm and growling, as she stood at the front door. I peered through our blinds on the big front window and thought I saw a light, but was not sure as the blinds distorted things. My husband stood by the door, still mostly asleep. I went over to a little window and looked out and saw someone standing in the middle of our yard, waving a flashlight across the grass, as if they were looking for night crawlers or something, but it was much too cold for that activity in the early morning hours this morning. I went down on my knees, and was heading to a phone, as I reported to my husband what was going on in our front yard. He flicked on all our the outside lights and opened the door. Personally, I would have opened the door, then flicked on the lights just to try to see who it was before startling them, but we think different in that area. I am trying to hear the conversation in case I need to call the police, and though I cannot make out what they are saying, I could tell the tone was not a threatening one. My husband came back in for a moment to get some shoes on and said it was the police. Seems one of our neighbors had already called him in as a prowler in our neighborhood, and I had about done the same. The officer was laughing about it, at least.

My husband came back in and reported that they had caught someone a couple blocks away with a lot of stolen goods, and they think he had run through our yard, and they were trying to get conclusive evidence. The officer thought there was some incriminating evidence on one of our vehicles so was attending to that as well.

I am not sure what it is about our house, but seems those running from the law love to hit our yard. This is the fourth time in two years we have been woke up because a police officer is chasing someone through our yard, or looking for someone in our yard. I wonder if it's because we live on a corner, or what is so attractive about it, because we certainly don't have any trees to hide behind or under. I told my husband as we climbed back in bed that I am either moving or building a ten foot cement fence around our entire place. At our last place we lived, we were there for 17 years and I only remember being woke up by the police once. It may be a difference in police forces, or it may just be our new place is an attractant for criminals. However, at our last place, we had two well known meth houses on our block, but very little police activity. We also had a yard full of trees and bushes that would have made great hiding places. I am not aware of any meth houses in our little suburbia one block radius in our neighborhood. However, we are at the back of the subdivision, without many homes in two directions so maybe that is why we have become a favorite place for criminals who are breaking into cars and garages. I don't know, but after the last incidence in August where several cars were burglarized, gas stolen, and garages broken in to, many in the neighborhood spoke of starting a watch program. It kind of fell to the side as summer wound down and kids were going back to school, but after our neighborhood was hit again last night, maybe it's worth bring up again and putting in place. It's very unnerving to know that all of our property and belongings continue to be violated by someone. It's even more worrisome to know that there are several small kids in this one block radius.

It took awhile to calm myself back down as I laid and watched the clock turn to 2:30 am. I wondered if someone was in our fenced backyard hiding, or if anything we had outside had been stolen by someone who invaded our property. Were our cars safe? Were we safe? I started to pray for peace and protection, and drifted back to sleep. I cannot say I feel 100% safe but I am thankful for the police officer who visits our home often in the middle of the night, to know he is out trying his best to protect us and our neighbors.

Election Day

On this election day, I urge you to get out and exercise your RIGHT to vote. Who knows how long we will be allowed the freedom to vote others into office, so get out and vote today. But, before you do that, think. Really think. Pray. Pray for direction in which name you choose as you vote. Pray for this country. Take a stand. Don't be silent! Great countries and freedoms are lost because too many good people sit by and watch as their rights and freedoms slipped away. Don't sit by and be passive, get active in local, state, and national politics! There is a lot at stake in our country, and with our troops. Stand up and be heard as an American while you still can and before it's too late!

Thought for the Day

Teach me, O God, to use all the circumstances of my life today that they may bring forth in me the fruits of holiness rather than the fruits of sin. Let me use disappointment as material for patience: Let me use success as material for thankfulness: Let me use suspence as material for perseverance: Let me use danger as material for courage: Let me use reproach as material for trouble: Let me use praise as material for humility: Let me use pleasures as material for self restraint: Let me use pains as material for endurance. ~John Baillie