Sunday, October 5, 2014

Memories of My Dad and Outpatient Surgery

WOW! 
I can hardly believe it, but it will soon be 10 years since I lost my dad! He passed away, following surgery for his diabetes and Alzheimers disease on October 8, 2004. He was a faithful husband and father.
My parents, as newlyweds
A family portrait


My dad was the best father I could have ever had! We were a lot alike and enjoyed similar hobbies and interests. 
 Me and my dad loved to play tennis.
 My dad and I loved sailing

Family was truly important to him.
My dad and niece, who both shared a birthday on the same day.

As I think about all of the blessings in my life, there were many things about him that I am so glad I got to learn from him. Those things are what I miss the most!

Some things I loved about my dad:
  1. His quiet spirit
  2. His love for sailing his catamaran on the lake.
  3. His interest in computer programs and gaming.
  4. His love of staying active...especially playing tennis with me.
  5. His ability to tinker around the garage and do little projects.
  6. That he was such a peacemaker...wanting everyone to get along.
  7. His love of Sunday football games.
  8. That he would always root for the underdog team.
  9. That he took a great interest in our genealogy and made a family tree for us! (French/Canadian heritage)
  10. He loved to watch old movies on T.V.
  11. He was a great businessman, and ran his own furniture store for many years!
  12. He was a faithful and devoted husband.
  13. He was a loving, caring father.
  14. His interest in photography (when we were young, he had his own darkroom to develop his film)

Even though I would love to have had more time with my dad, I know He is enjoying eternity with his Heavenly Father and I will see him again one day!
Miss you dad!!!

Along with sharing what I'm grateful for, I also wanted to ask for your prayers. I am having outpatient surgery (female related) on Tuesday, Oct. 7. It is a pretty routine surgery, but I often don't respond well, when coming out of anesthesia. Pray all goes well and recovery is quick for me.  I will post my status, once I am able to get back onto my computer.
Thanks!
Have a blessed week!


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Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Autumn Blessings

About this time every year I am amazed at how quickly summer goes by. The change of seasons from summer to autumn always brings mixed emotions for me. That's because summer is my favorite time of the year. Not that autumn doesn't have its own set of wonderful things to enjoy, but I guess it's just a reminder to me that winter will soon follow, as our autumn season is usually very short-lived here in Indiana. 
But, it does look like summer is officially on it's way out, as autumn winds blow, the leaves are turning, and pumpkins are popping up everywhere. I decided, instead of mulling (just like cider) over the thought that summer is gone, I'm gonna try to think about all of the blessings of autumn. As I was reading different posts and pictures on my Facebook wall, I noticed some pretty awesome photos. They reminded me of all the true blessings we do receive this time year. So, I'm sharing some of my favorite pics from friends and family.
Hope you enjoy them as much as I have!

Linking over at "Multitudes on Mondays", as I  Dare to Share the blessings of the Lord!
1,803 - God's creativity in giving us so much color in our world to enjoy!
 (Brightly colored leaves)
1,804 - Going to the pumpkin farm to pick out the perfect pumpkin!!
(Shopping for a pumpkin)

1,805 - New life in Christ!!
 (Beauty in every life!)
1,806 - Fun times with friends, that make sweet memories.
 (More pumpkins and family fun!)
1,807 - Childhood memories of autumn activities and games we played.
(Playing in piles of leaves!)
 1,808 - We did this just this past weekend...I do love sitting by a warm fire in the fall, especially.
(Toasty campfires on cool evenings)

1,809 - Just starting to get my decor out...yes, I'm a bit behind. I do love fall colors and themes.
(Decorating in fall colors)
https://www.facebook.com/grandinroad?fref=nf
1,810 - Our mums are just starting to really bloom. (I do wish the flowers lasted longer!)
(Mums in bright colors)


1,811 - So many unique shapes, colors, and sizes. I love decorating with gourds!
(Piles of gourds and pumpkins)

1,812 - Fall sunsets are about the most beautiful ones there are!!
(These are pictures I took of a fall sunset, just a few days ago.)



What do you love about the fall season?

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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

His Mercies Are New Every Morning


The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” 

Lamentations 3:22-24



As I contemplate another week of my life, I am so thankful for all of God's mercies, which are truly new every morning!! I also look over my past week and know that, even though it was a rough start, as I got back into the routine of daily life (following our vacation), I can see all the blessings He has bestowed upon my life. Sharing those blessings, once again.

Linking over at "Multitudes on Mondays", as I  Dare to Share the blessings of the Lord!

1,796 - Cooler fall weather (even though I'm not ready for summer to end, yet.)

1,797 - Getting some cute nautical decor for my house. (I plan on sharing them soon on my other blog, "Cairn Cottage).

1,798 - Getting back out on the water (boating and fishing). It has been several weeks, since we were out.

1,799 - An eerie, dark sky - then came the rains.

1,800 - Seeing my good friend, Marg. It had been a few weeks. (Even though my "Bless Our Schools" meeting wasn't too successful, yet I know some of my Facebook friends were praying.)

1,801 - Meeting some other Christian moms at a "Moms In Prayer' meeting.

1,803 - Beautiful sunrise mornings

1,804 - Remembering that His mercies are truly new every morning! Thank You, Jesus!!

1,802 - Getting tickets to see Building 429 in concert, here in my hometown on October 23rd!

Have a blessed week!







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Saturday, September 20, 2014

Honey for the Heart: You Answer Me!!

"How sweet are your words to my taste, 
sweeter than honey to my mouth!"
Psalm 119:103

 Welcome to...
...where I share different verses from the Psalms!
 May you find truths about God, yourselves, and living life in the images and word pictures shared here! 

 Today, I'm sharing some very encouraging words from the Psalms. I'm SO thankful that we can go to the Lord in prayer! Hope this encourages you this weekend!!

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Sunday, September 14, 2014

Vacation Isn't Reality

Have you ever noticed that vacations are awesome, but ultimately they aren't reality?  Especially when they are over a week long. My hubby and I just returned from 2 weeks visiting the coast of Maine and it was INCREDIBLE!! Unfortunately, tomorrow, life goes back to how it was. Not that I don't love and appreciate my life, but after spending 2 weeks relaxing and taking in God's beautiful creation, I realize it is so much more attractive to me than being here! 

 Guess that's why they call it vacation....you actually vacate yourself from reality. The ups and downs of daily life. Already, I'm feeling the sting of reality. My son, making promises, then letting me down. The thought of having to plan some outpatient surgery in the next couple of weeks. Facing daily tasks...already I've done 3 loads of laundry from the trip and now am looking at a sink-ful of dishes that need to be done....these things were not on my list of activities, while on vacation. (We did do laundry once, out of a need for clean clothes). My hubby and I both agree with each other that we both just want to get in the car and head back to Maine! We did come home a few days to recupe. before Monday morning, but I'm not sure how much it has prepared us for it.

 This evening, I listened to a song by Building 429, called "Press On". It's in times like this that I'm reminded that I need to just press on for Him. Times are tough, things get us down, but God will always give us the strength to do what we must do.

Thankfully, I took LOTS of pictures and videos of our time in Maine. I've reviewed most of them and am planning on making a short video for Youtube, once I get some time to edit them. Until then, here are some of my favorites. As I share them, I am reminded how blessed I truly am. God is so good!!!

Linking over at "Multitudes on Mondays", as I  Dare to Share the blessings of the Lord!

 1,781 - Even though it may not be reality, a restful and fun vacation!
1,782 - The beauty, inspiration, and symbolism in lighthouses. God even speaks about this in the Bible.
1,783 - Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
and
          - John 12:46 - I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won’t have to stay any longer in the dark.
1,784 - Getting to watch the sunrise in the first place it is seen in the U.S. (on my birthday, to boot!)


1,785 - Getting blue skies and beautiful weather, for all but 1 day of our trip.

1,786 - Getting back to the basics by camping in a cabin. We had no t.v., my laptop stopped working, and for a few days, we had no cell phone service available.
1,787 - Getting to sail on a real Schooner ship! (and even getting to help hoist the sails!)
1,788 - Being with the love of my life on some fun and romantic stops along the way...like during the sunset on the schooner ship or at the top of Cadillac Mountain.

1,789 - The different landscapes of land and water at Acadia National Park. 
1,790 - Enjoying a carriage ride around Acadia National Park. The sound of horses trotting, as they pulled us along.
1,791 - Yummy seafood!
1,792 - Good eyes that are able to see all of the great beauty of God's creation!

1,793 - Good health and a strong body to hike the cliffs and shores! (And for God's protection from any serious injury. I fell a couple of times, but only ended up with skinned knees and elbows.)
1,794 - Finally, fitting in a stop at Niagara Falls...not planned for our trip beforehand. (Love these little unexpected surprises!) Notice the rainbow to the right of us.

1,795 - My big news!!
As  I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things, I realized that I had missed something very big while I was gone.

 I had mentioned (before going on vacation) that I would have a surprise to share. Well, it's a bit late(as I had internet issues while on vacation), but I still wanted to share it. I was a contributor, (not once, but twice) for the blog site "Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood" Jen Ferguson, writer for the site, asked if she could repost my post from August 12th, called "Straight From My Heart: Hurt, Heartbreak, Disappointment." (Posted on Sept. 10) I also had written a second part to this series on the subject of "Expectations" (posted on Sept 12). You can find them both at Jen's website. Please, stop on over and check them out!!
You can find those posts by clicking below:
Part 1
Part 2

Have a blessed week!


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