Starry Night

Life has been a little overwhelming lately.  My hubby was on the east coast last week for work, and when he did try to come home, his flights were very delayed due to weather.  He got home sixteen hours past when he was supposed to be home.  I am very thankful he made it home, and that he arrived before the earthquake, and now the hurricane hit the east coast.  


When he is away, my world spins extra fast. It goes fast enough on any regular day, so going on high speed spin cycle while he is away, makes me dizzy which is why I must fall down in bed at the end of those days and collapse.  Not only is there all the things to do around our home, yard, garden, dog walking, errands, appointments, and on and on with our life, but his mom has been having to go to a lot of doctor appointments, which I am her main chauffeur and note taker to what the doctor says.  I have great respect for full time caregivers.  I do it on a part time basis, even when hubby is home, and it is a lot of work.  My mom-in-law has MS, and has had for a number of years.  Lately though, the disease seems to be getting a bit more aggressive in some areas, which requires a few more doctor visits and tests, and some extra care.  I am thankful I am here to help her a couple days a week.


There have been a few other things in life that just have seemed to add to life on a crazy spin cycle lately, things that are tough just mentally to deal with, which I believe can be more exhausting than physical exhaustion.  There have been moments when I forget to hand it over to God and try to take things into my own hands, or worry about what's going to happen.  God's been trying to remind me that He has it all in control, I just need to give it to Him......and NOT take it back.  


Tonight as I went outside with my dog, I looked up at the sky.  The stars were amazing!  There are millions of them, and they are so beautiful.  I stood in awe for a few minutes, thanking God for always being there, and for showing me His handiwork.  I thanked Him for not giving up on me when I try to control my life, instead of letting Him do that for me.  I thanked Him that He is bigger than the earthly problems and that no matter what, He is in control.  


This song popped in my head as I stood in the darkness, staring up at the night sky.  Enjoy.

Wheat Field Sunset

A couple nights ago, I loaded up my dog and my camera and set out in search of a sunset.  I ended up at a wheat field, where I sat for a good half an hour.  Except for  a rare car driving by, it was quiet, really quiet.  I haven't had that type of quiet for awhile and it was nice to just sit in the silence and watch God's creation.  

Waiting Here For You

Powerful song for a beautiful Sunday!

Verses

Posting a few verses that have helped me out over the past week...

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." -Philippians 4:6

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me." -John 14:1.

For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.   2 Corinthians 4:17-18

"I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain." -Psalm 3:4

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing" Zeph 3:17

The Lord is my rock, my protection, my Savior. My God is my rock. I can run to him for safety. Ps 18:2a  

                               

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers. Philippians 4:6

 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1

Cherish Those in Your Life

One year ago today, my mom and I arrived in Iowa to visit family.  I hadn't been back to see family in twenty years.  We had great visits, although our time together was short.  We had a family gathering one afternoon with many of my mom's aunts, uncles, cousins, and their kids.  As I looked around the room, I thought of all who were not there, who had passed away, including my Gram.  I cherished the memory of every face as I took in each one, young or old, and wondered how long it would be before I would see them again.  Since I didn't know when I would be back to Iowa, I also wondered how many I would not see again, at least on this side of life. 


In the past year, three of those precious faces are no longer on this earth.  Two uncles, and one aunt have passed away, two of them just in the past three days.  They are all from my Gram's side of the family, one sister, one brother, and one brother in law.  The past three days contain a lot of grief for my family to process.  All of them lived wonderful lives, filled with loving family members, but they will be missed.  My prayers and thoughts are with my family in Iowa and Minnesota as they process the sadness, and celebrate the lives of two wonderful people this week.  


Life is precious and short.  Even if we live to be old, life is short.  Don't let a day go by without loving on your family, those who are important to you.  Speak words of love to them, as well.  Live each day without regrets, with nothing good left unsaid as far as love and appreciation to your family and close friends.  Don't hold grudges or keep records of wrong that have been done to you, but be kind and loving, offering forgiveness when needed, as well as saying you are sorry when needed.  Live each day intentionally.  Live each day as if it's your last and leave a loving, wonderful legacy.  Each day we are given is a gift, so live your life on purpose, don't waste your life or your time.  


If you spend more time on facebook, texting, on other social media, or watching television, than you do with people, you aren't living a legacy that others will remember.  Times that matter are times when we actually are with people, face to face, or actually speaking to them over the phone, not texting or messaging.  I text, facebook, and message, but nothing compares to face to face, or voice to voice interaction with others.  It seems actual, real life conversation is becoming a lost art in our society.  Invest your time in people and with God.  Live your life to make a difference.  Cherish those that have been placed in your life and don't take one moment of life for granted.  The book of James says life is like a mist, a vapor. I don't know if you have watched how long mists and vapors last, but it's not long, so don't waste what you are given.  Be a gift to those around you, and cherish your times together.  Intentionally make memories with your loved ones, laugh with one another, talk, play games, go outside and enjoy creation.  You won't regret a life lived to make a difference, a life lived intentionally, a life lived on purpose, as you love those around you!  

Double Dose

Come over  to Capturing LIfe Through My Lens and take a peek at my double dose of fawns I saw yesterday.  They are just adorable!  I was so thankful for the wonderful treat God provided for me to see, on a day when I really needed it.  

New Photo Venture

I have been thinking of ways to challenge my photography a bit.  I take a lot of pictures, which anyone who knows me can tell you!  I love photography, it's my stress reliever.  I have been thinking about doing something different, something intentional.  I decided to start another blog site and do a picture a day for a year.  I would love for you to join me in the journey and see what type of fun pictures we can capture, and what type of special memories we can create.  I think it will be fun to look back over a year of pictures.  If you can only do a picture a week, that's great, too, but at least you are creating some type of photo memory, or photo journal.


If you would like to join me, join at any time!  Please send me a link to  your blog, so we can create a network of photo blogs, and see what our photo journals show us throughout the year.  


I am going to post one theme a week, if you want to participate in that theme.  I will also post other meaningful things that help me to remember that week.  


My photo site is...  Capturing Life Through My Lens  Please visit, and if inclined, please make your own blog site, and join me.  I think it will be fun, challenging, and will help me to work on my photo skills as I stretch to capture something different than my normal pictures.