7eventh Time Down- Just Say Jesus (Official Lyric Video)

The past few weeks have had some difficult times.  There has been a lot going on.  The weight of the burdens can get heavy.  We have someone we can call out to during tough times.....Jesus.  

The View From My Front (and back) Porch

 Stages of the sunset from my front porch a couple nights ago.  

This is the view from the back porch...

Thank you, God, Creator, for the beautiful gift you provided for a weary soul, to remind me Who You are, and of Your deep love for us.  

Musings From My Front Porch

This week, I have only had a couple minutes to visit my front porch. I have been volunteering at a sports camp as basketball coach all week. My nieces, however, took some time before camp one day to enjoy the hot summer sun, play with their Barbies, run through the sprinklers, and enjoy some ice cream.  

Take some time to invest in someone this  week. It is well worth your time, maybe even sore muscles like I have, as you make a difference in someone's life. Sometimes it is as easy as taking time to listen. Really listen.  Be available and look for opportunities to invest in someone. 

More Musings From My Front Porch

I was wanting to do a Summer on the Front Porch weekly posting, which I began in early June, but then vacation happened and it was busy so I will pick up my Summer Porch musings today.

As I sip on my iced coffee this morning, the neighborhood is very quiet.  I can hear birds chirping, an eagle calling, and doves cooing.  The flowers have beautiful butterflies fluttering around, taking a sip of their nectar.  My fountain is nearly lulling me to sleep.  Sleep was hard to come by last night as I have a pretty good sunburn from spending hours on the lake on a 90 degree day.  I believe a nap may be in store later today.  

My flowers are in full bloom today.  They will be fighting against near and over 100 degree temps the next few days, so I am trying to keep them very well hydrated.  

My front porch (and my doorbell)  has been a little lonely lately.  The eight year old neighbor boy who would visit my front porch, flowers, and me several times a day, moved out to the country.  We would have long conversations about bugs, animals, bb guns, snakes, his bike, church, God, flowers and gardening, and his adventures for each day.  I am sure he's more than busy with his brothers, catching bugs and snakes on their property this summer.  

It's very hard to believe it's already the week of July 4th.  I sit here and think of how fast time is going by and get dizzy!  Enjoy each moment of every day you are given, time goes by quickly and each day is a precious gift.  Spend some time on your front porch, or back deck, and just listen to the sounds, see the beauty, take in life.  

Boat Trip on Pend Oreille Lake

We took a six hour boat cruise in our little boat from Farragut State Park to Clark Fork to Hope, back to Farragut (follow the arrows.)  We have never been up the Clark Fork Delta...beautiful!  Saw several eagles, osprey, deer, ducks, and a lot of people. Had a fun time!  

   

We had a hitchhiker in our boat for a few miles down the lake!

This is roughly our trip.  I didn't add arrows in where we zig zagged across the lake, in and out of bays, up and over tall waves, the areas we swerved to miss driftwood and debris left by the storm the day before.  But, it's close to our voyage. 

Anniversary

Today is my 26th wedding anniversary. I am blessed to be married to a loving man.  We share a life of faith, love, and adventures. We have stood together through some very challenging times, and we have celebrated times of joy. I deeply cherish our life together. 

Take some time today to be with those you love. Tell them why you love them. Have some fun together. Be grateful for the gift of each moment you are given. Celebrate love and life. 

Unplug and Slow Down

Take some time this weekend to relax, slow down, enjoy the sights and sounds of Summer.  When is the last time you were quiet enough to hear the birds sing? I am listening to several right now.  Stop and look at some flowers and see the intricate details woven through their petals and leaves.  Creation is filled with many wonderful gifts, open them up and enjoy the gifts you have been given.  

Yesterday, I enjoyed a slower day than what my schedule usually allows.  I thoroughly enjoyed sitting on my front porch, listening to water flow through our fountain, reading a book, sipping iced coffee, petting my dog, and looking at the flowers.  We all need to take some down time in our week and just soak life in.  Busyness tends to rob us of the simple gifts that surround us.  Taking time to unplug and unwind can calm our hearts, and help us to find joy in the simple things.  Take some time to put technology aside this weekend, and unplug.  Listen.  Relax.  See the beauty that surrounds you. Be intentional about enjoying the little things in life.  

The Legacy of A Friend

Five years ago today, a friend of mine lost her battle with cancer.  She was only in her early 30's, so her life, as we expect it to be anyway, was cut very short.  My friend taught me some amazing lessons as she fought the disease for six years.  

Don't live in the past, it's over, so let it be.  Don't live in the future because you aren't guaranteed anything more than today.  Live fully in today.  Don't waste the moments you are given, because each is precious.  Love those around.    Smile.  Even if you are struggling, care deeply about other people because everyone goes through rough patches in life.  Be an encouragement in the life you live, the words you say.  Love deeply.  Spend time with those you love and make beautiful memories, even in the simple, every day moments.  Cherish the people in your life.  Don't let tasks come before spending time with those you care about.  Tasks are just tasks, loving people is what truly matters.  Love and trust God.  Fall in love with all He is, and know He will take care of you because He loves you.  Deeply cherish your family. Speak kind and encouraging words.  Say I love you's, I appreciate you, you matter to me, and live that out. Words are just words if they are not followed by actions. Live a simple, quiet life.  Show people respect. Make sure to tell people how much they mean to you because tomorrow may be too late.  Look around you, and see the beauty of each day.  See the gifts God placed in your day, and enjoy them.  Creation is filled with His gifts.  

She didn't live like she was dying.  Cancer wasn't her focus, life was her focus.  Her family was her focus.  Living a life pleasing to God was her focus.  Encouraging and loving others was her focus.  Even though there were days that overwhelmed her with sickness and pain, she lived with a deep joy.  Her quiet life touched so many.  She is deeply missed and loved, but she left an amazing legacy in each life she touched.  We all should strive to be a little more like her, because the world would be a much better place if we lived life as she did.  

Remember

With deepest honor, gratitude, and respect, we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend freedom for each one of us. I am very thankful for those who have served, and currently are serving, our country. Remember them this Memorial Day and say thank you! 

Absence

Please forgive my absence of posts.  My computer fried.  Toast.  Gone. The good news as of today is that after being nice, but persistent, we are getting it replaced!  So very thankful for God answering that prayer!! 

May Day

When I was a little kid, we used to leave May baskets hanging on our neighbors door knobs on May 1st, May Day.  Those baskets would usually be handmade construction paper cones that we had colored and decorated, with a pipe cleaner for a handle.  I remember we also used paper cups and old cans and decorated them up so they were pretty.  We would fill them with flowers and handmade small treats.  It was always something my sister and I looked forward to doing.  When we were finished, mom would take us around to friends and neighbors homes, where we would quietly run up to their doors, drape the basket over the door handles, and hurry away before we were caught leaving our gifts.  

It was a fun tradition.  It not only brightened our day to make them and give them away, but it brightened the day of the recipients.  

Maybe you know someone who could use a bright spot in their day today.  Make up a quick May basket and leave it on their door!  If you need more inspiration, Pinterest has a lot of ideas! The ideas I put above, remind me of the ones we made when I was a little girl.  

Since I cannot run around to all of your doors today, I will leave you with these flowers.