If I didn't know better I would stop writing this post right now and get my camera to snap a picture of what I see outside the window. But I know that if I did that I would get distracted and not get back to my point. I'm looking at my favorite tree in my whole yard. We have a lot of trees, but this particular evergreen has always been my favorite. Right now it has a vine wrapped around it and they have been known to choke and kill many trees. They are pretty to look at, but I know what they can do. I should stop writing and get outside to cut them so I don't lose the tree, but I won't, because what I have to say is a lot more important; or is it?? ;)
I knew something was wrong a few weeks ago when I was trying to sort it out with a friend of mine. We were talking about "shallowness." I did a terrible job trying to explain and long story short, it could have cost me the friendship. I totally missed it, got discouraged and decided to do what my dad always said to do: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." For me, that's where satan does his best work; when I don't say anything at all. My problem was that I couldn't explain it well, so I gave up trying and it got confusing for all parties. I wanted to quit (and I'm sure the other person did as well!).
I did the same thing with blogging. My thought is that if I can't articulate perfectly, I shouldn't write at all.
Lately I have been a bad friend to many instead of a good friend to few. I've spread myself thinly and have not nurtured the deep relationships I care about most. God spoke to me through a few different people these past few days who encouraged me to get back to it. This is the longest span of time that I haven't blogged since I first started writing here in 2007. As I opened His Word early this morning (first time in a long time!)I went to the first book of the Bible i ever read: Matthew, chapter 5 where Jesus taught about Salt and Light...
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? ..."
"You are the light of the world... Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Lord, l believe You when You say that I am the salt of the earth. Help me to be like seasoning and bring out the best in those around me. Lord, light my fire again. I want them to see your light in my eyes and know that I don't just blend in, but I am different because of You. Thank You for Your Word and for the freedom I have in You and the ability to share what you teach me with others. Don't ever let me be quiet when I should speak (or write) and don't let my light go dim. Thank you for those who have encouraged me to keep writing this blog.
7.12.2012
East Coast Road Trip 11th Anniversary
Finally taking a moment to Thank God for Blessing us.
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| "May You Never Take One Single Breath For Granted." |
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| Rabbit Hill Inn, Lower Waterford, Vermont. |
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| A picnic lunch for our "tasting" tour. |
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| Most beautiful picnic spot. |
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| Goodrich Maple Syrup. |
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| 300 year-old maple tree. |
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| Cabot cheese factory. |
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| Our drive to the winery. |
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| Fruit wine. |
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| Apparently naps are mandatory there. ;) |
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| We discovered Stave puzzles. Tempted to buy $$$$. |
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| Just one of the many beautiful views. |
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| Next stop Camden, Maine |
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| Love |
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| Lighthouse tour |
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| Beautiful flowers! |
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| 7/8 mile walk out to the lighthouse. |
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| I felt a lot better walking back from this one. |
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| Lunch at Millers on the dock for fresh lobster. |
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| Anniversary lunch. Note to self: Very messy! |
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| "Run, Forest, Run"... Where Forest Gump was filmed. |
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| Niagara Falls view from our room at The Raddison. |
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| Trespassing on "private" property. |
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| Burlington, Vermont on 4th of July. |
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| Thankful for God's beautiful artwork. |
Love,
A. & L.
6.27.2012
In Preparation
My son showed me this awesome quote to pump him up! I loved it!
"We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: victory; victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. Let that be realized; no survival for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for, no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that mankind will move forward towards its goal. But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, "Come then, let us go forward together with our united strength."
Winston Churchill - May 13, 1940
6.24.2012
"Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.
They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord." (Psalm 112:6-7)
You may or may not have noticed I've been away from here for awhile. My sweet sister reminds me from time to time. For some reason she enjoys this blog more than me these days. I'm writing this post because maybe you've been where I am and maybe you'll find comfort knowing you are not alone.
As I write this today I have to start out by telling you something embarrassing, but true. My Bible is sitting on the floor of my car, face-down behind the passenger seat. I don't even want to tell you how long it's been there.
Something hit me the other day when my fairly new friend was helping me work on our website and my iphoto issues. She asked me a question that stopped us both in our tracks and I can't get it out of my mind. It was just a simple question about my very unorganized pictures: "What are you going to do with your pictures?" Without hesitation I answered her by telling her they are just sitting there ready for "the board." To our family, "the board" is a poster board for a funeral. She looked at me with amazement. I think I freaked her out. I sort of laughed after it slipped out. I was telling her the honest to God's truth. Sad, isn't it?
It occurred to me that sometimes fear and grief (I don't even like to use that word since it feels like it's so over-used; kind of like, "abused.") can make us do some crazy things. It can make us snap at those closest to us. It can make us try to feel better by stuffing anything and everything in our mouths to ease that feeling in the pit of our stomachs. It can make us fake smile and skip workouts. It can make us hyper, running around a hundred miles an hour; living each day as if it's our last. It can make us impatient when people want to have shallow conversations. It can make us protect our hearts by rejecting deep friendships with people who care. It causes us to want to isolate. It can make us reject God and miss church week after week. It can make us feel like someone is standing on our chests. It can make us wonder who will be next? It can make us ungrateful and selfish. It can make us focus on the negative instead of those precious gifts God gives us every day. It causes us to make bad decisions, like leaving our Bible in the backseat of our car.
This morning I'm reminded of three things: God knows, God cares and He wants us to keep trusting Him.
He also cares about my dear friend whose son recently took his life. I honestly don't know how she puts one foot in front of the other. It's time for me to go outside to get my Bible so I can find a Word to encourage her and God knows I need one for myself. Please pray for J. and G. and his sister, N. Thank you!
I better run and get ready for church. I hear it's going to be stormy today. It's the perfect day to organize photos and perhaps make a coffee table book!
Can you relate on any level?
they will be remembered forever.
They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord." (Psalm 112:6-7)
You may or may not have noticed I've been away from here for awhile. My sweet sister reminds me from time to time. For some reason she enjoys this blog more than me these days. I'm writing this post because maybe you've been where I am and maybe you'll find comfort knowing you are not alone.
As I write this today I have to start out by telling you something embarrassing, but true. My Bible is sitting on the floor of my car, face-down behind the passenger seat. I don't even want to tell you how long it's been there.
Something hit me the other day when my fairly new friend was helping me work on our website and my iphoto issues. She asked me a question that stopped us both in our tracks and I can't get it out of my mind. It was just a simple question about my very unorganized pictures: "What are you going to do with your pictures?" Without hesitation I answered her by telling her they are just sitting there ready for "the board." To our family, "the board" is a poster board for a funeral. She looked at me with amazement. I think I freaked her out. I sort of laughed after it slipped out. I was telling her the honest to God's truth. Sad, isn't it?
It occurred to me that sometimes fear and grief (I don't even like to use that word since it feels like it's so over-used; kind of like, "abused.") can make us do some crazy things. It can make us snap at those closest to us. It can make us try to feel better by stuffing anything and everything in our mouths to ease that feeling in the pit of our stomachs. It can make us fake smile and skip workouts. It can make us hyper, running around a hundred miles an hour; living each day as if it's our last. It can make us impatient when people want to have shallow conversations. It can make us protect our hearts by rejecting deep friendships with people who care. It causes us to want to isolate. It can make us reject God and miss church week after week. It can make us feel like someone is standing on our chests. It can make us wonder who will be next? It can make us ungrateful and selfish. It can make us focus on the negative instead of those precious gifts God gives us every day. It causes us to make bad decisions, like leaving our Bible in the backseat of our car.
This morning I'm reminded of three things: God knows, God cares and He wants us to keep trusting Him.
He also cares about my dear friend whose son recently took his life. I honestly don't know how she puts one foot in front of the other. It's time for me to go outside to get my Bible so I can find a Word to encourage her and God knows I need one for myself. Please pray for J. and G. and his sister, N. Thank you!
I better run and get ready for church. I hear it's going to be stormy today. It's the perfect day to organize photos and perhaps make a coffee table book!
Can you relate on any level?
6.10.2012
daughter
"So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." ~Luke 11:20
This early, beautiful, sunny, warm, Summer Sunday morning I'm thanking God for loving and accepting me when I'm "still a long way off."
His daughter,
A.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." ~Luke 11:20
This early, beautiful, sunny, warm, Summer Sunday morning I'm thanking God for loving and accepting me when I'm "still a long way off."
His daughter,
A.
6.05.2012
Sailing.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~Mark Twain
When are you going to _____?
When are you going to _____?
6.04.2012
On heart transplants
"Awake My Soul"
I love love love the lyrics to this song about hearts.
"Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” ~Matthew 19:26
Happy Monday, friends!
Angie xx
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