Happy New Year!

Wishing all of you a blessed New Year!
Linda

Family

The house is quiet. The house is neat and orderly. The laundry is folded and put away. The cookie tins are empty. They are on their way home. I miss them so much already.

We have had a memory-making few days. For the first time in a long time the whole family (except our sweet daughter who is in Paris) was together in one place. We gathered at Mom and Dad's - four generations of us. As my Dad told his dialysis nurse, "There were fifteen people in my tiny living room, and it didn't seem a bit crowded".

How the Lord blesses. Forty-two years ago, we celebrated our first Christmas together - never dreaming of the precious lives that would fill ours with so much love and joy.












The kids received all of the newest "techno" toys, but the amazing thing was that it was the simple toys they enjoyed the most. This little game, made up only of wooden sticks, was the favorite.
From Great-grandpa;



to Papa;



to Daddy (to some), Uncle Todd (to others);


to grandson. They played for hours. We are nothing if not competitive!


And a coloring book and colors for the two littlest ones.



My heart is full to the brim and running over. I think of all that the world has made of Christmas and realize anew that it is the people - the "more precious than gold" people the Father places in our lives that matter most. We are rich beyond measure because each of these dear hearts belongs to Him. If I had all the money in the world, I would not be able to buy a greater gift than that.

Thank You Father.

Blessings,
Linda

Dream

Dream

A dream set in motion
by heavenly word
A child to be born
she would one day call Lord.
A dream that invited
her heart to take wing,
Seeing the time all would
see Him as King.

Did she see in her dreams
from her small, humble home
A day when this Son would
stake claim to the throne?
Did she even imagine
the way of the cross,
The pain and the heartache,
the deep sense of loss?

Though it seemed like her dreams
had just slipped through her hands,
The Maker of dreams
had a far greater plan.
A dream far more glorious
than any she'd known,
A dream for the ages
to take us all Home.

I, too, have dreamed dreams
that I thought were His will,
And I've stood in the ruins,
shattered and still.
Yet He comes to assure me
that His dream is best
He asks, as He asked her,
to trust Him and rest.

This is my poem for the poetry prompt at L.L. Barkat's blog. Please visit her. She is amazing!

Blessings,
Linda

The Dallas contingent arrives tomorrow. I'll be busy for a few days. What fun! See you soon.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing each of you a Christmas filled with every perfect gift in Jesus. May His presence fill your hearts with joy and peace.

With love,
Linda

"Stand Back"

The days are passing so swiftly. About this time I begin to wish that I could somehow extend this season - lengthen the days - slow down time. I love everything about the Advent season, and I especially love the music.

There is a song we sing at our church that I want to share with you. It was written by one of the most gifted singer/songwriters I know. She is on staff at our church. She blesses me more than I can say. She wrote this song several years ago. I pray the words will minister to you as deeply as they minister to me (I wish you could hear her sing them.):

Stand Back

Some see a baby in a manger, but I see the perfect Lamb of God.
Some see shepherds and wise men, but I see worship from their hearts.
Some see angels in the highest, but I see a symphony of praise.
Some see a star above a stable, but I see radiance and grace.

Stand back, I want to see the Child, the One who'll take my sins away
and make a way to heaven.
Reach out, I want to touch the hands sent to heal my broken heart
and all of my diseases.
Listen, I want to sing a song, "Glory in the highest"
along with the angels.
Stand back I've come to worship Him, I've brought an offering of praise.
This child He is the Lamb.

Some see a man who healed the crippled, but I see the One who heals the world.
Some see a man who was a martyr, but I see the plan of God unfurled.
Some see a fairy tale of heaven, but i see the King of kings in my eternal home.
Some see a God who is distant, but I can see Him seated on His throne.
This child He is the Lamb.

These are the hands that will be nailed upon the tree.
There is the head to wear a crown of thorns for me.
There flows the blood that will be shed to set me free.
I've come to worship Christ the Son.
I've come to worship Christ the Holy Child who brings new life to me!

Stand back I want to see the child, the One who'll take my sins away,
and make a way to heaven.
Reach out, I want to touch the hands sent to heal my broken heart
and all of my diseases.
Listen I want to sing a song, "Glory in the highest"
along with the angels.
Stand back, I've come to worship Him, I've brought an offering of praise.
This Child, He is the Lamb.
Jesus, You are the Lamb.

words and music by Amanda Singer

Blessings,
Linda

Multitude Monday

"And the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'"
Luke 2: 10,11

I find my heart filled with that great joy as I walk through these days of Advent - joy and gratitude. I have finally learned that this kind of joy has nothing to do with the circumstances I am walking through - whether they are all I had hoped they would be or my worst fears come to pass. It has everything to do with the earth-shattering message delivered by heavenly messengers to the humblest of men.

Four hundred years of silence ended with a tiny baby's cry. The Messiah had come - the Father's gift to a dying world. I am so very thankful He included me.

I am thankful for:

- answered prayer - so unexpected - so humbling - so miraculous.

- seeing my Dad begin to rally and the light return to my Mom's eyes

- my husband who works tirelessly to help my parents without ever being asked

- little granddaughters' welcoming hugs

- the celebrations of Christmas: the music, the Word, the remembering

- watching the heartwarming trend toward giving more of ourselves and less to ourselves

- sharing a cup of tea and Christmas goodies with family and friends

- the strains of "Silent Night" filling the aisles of the grocery store - trying to hide the tears that would come

- kindred hearts warming and encouraging one another - using technology to share the Good News


To join the Gratitude Community just hop on over to Ann's. There is a lovely guest writer there today. You will be blessed.

Christmas Blessings,
Linda

Seeing Christ in Christmas

This week Ann has suggested we share a glimpse of where we've seen Jesus this Season. Our church Christmas Program was this past weekend, and surely I saw Jesus there. I saw Him in the faces of those who sang, danced, played instruments and shared the message of the Savior's birth. He was there as His Spirit filled that place, inhabiting the praises of His people.

However, the place where I have seen Jesus most vividly this Christmas Season is in the lives He has touched with the gift of His own life. I see Him in my husband, delivered from alcoholism and drugs many years ago, face radiating the joy and peace of His presence.

He is there in the lives of those whose testimonies cause the tears to course down our cheeks - lives changed in dramatic ways. The chains of bondage have been broken, and they walk in the freedom of forgiven sin.

I see him in the face of a friend who suffered abuse at the hands of a broken father - a face filled with the love that comes from knowing He is loved by a Father who will never hurt him in any way. His life changed dramatically from one of bitterness and isolation to one of gentle compassion and giving heart.

I see him in the life of a young man saved while serving time in prison - now serving as the Pastor of a little church. His passion for the Savior pouring out in grateful service.

The One whose birth we celebrate knew before the beginning of time itself that He would one day leave heaven to come and rescue us. He saw each life, each desperate heart, and deemed them worthy of the sacrifice He was willing to make on their behalf. I see Him, the glorious Lord of lords, in the face of that tiny baby cradled in the arms of a young girl. I see Him as a young man, as He stepped into earthly time and announced His ministry:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord."
Luke 4:18,19

He came so that we might live - and live an abundant life in Him. Thank You blessed Jesus.



Please visit Holy Experience to read more about seeing Christ in the Season.

Blessings,
Linda

Christmas Tour of Homes & Multitude Monday

Merry Christmas! Welcome to my blog and my home. I am taking part in the Christmas Tour of Homes this year. It is being hosted by The Nester this year.

This is also my gratitude post for Monday Multitude at Ann's. I am deeply thankful for this home and for the hands that so lovingly fashioned it (my husband built our home) and the dear decorations and furnishings we have grown to love.


Our decorations are very simple. Every year I decide that I am going to go out and by lots of new Christmas decorations, and every year walk away from the stores empty-handed. I just can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for. So we lovingly put out all the old favorites - most of them handmade and many of them over twenty-five years old.

I made this wreath when my children were little. They have children of their own now. This is the first thing you see when you walk in the front door. Welcome!

We have "down-sized" our tree. It is just the two of us here now, so a little one seemed nice.

A few years ago I tatted lots of little ornaments for the Christmas tree.


One year I got together with friends and learned to make a little quilt.




My Mom made this little family.



This is the dining room. My friend Mary made me the table runner for my birthday.




My Dad made this hutch. It had been in the family since I was a little girl


He also made the little Christmas tree.



This little angel came courtesy of my sister. She keeps watch at the kitchen window every Christmas.

My Dad also made the towel rack. It is a handy place for colorful towels and Christmas cards.


He also made the what-not shelf. The year we all discovered the "Little House" books he made one each for my Mom, my sister and me. The snowman and Christmas tree are my Mom's handiwork.




Thank you for visiting. I wish for you a blessed Christmas, filled with the joy and peace of His presence.

Linda

P.S. If you scroll down to the next post you will see my devotional poem for Laced With Grace. It was my turn to write there today too!

The Gift

On Monday I will be here - at Laced With Grace.




The Gift

The baby born that cloudless night
slept in a bed of hay;
The One for whom a thousand years
is but a single day.
The One who hung the stars in space
and formed us from the dust;
The Lord of all creation
had come to dwell with us.

His mother watched each tiny breath
with eyes of wondrous love;
Another watched with yearning heart
from heaven up above.
His mother dreamed of royal robes
and kingly crown one day;
The Other knew that pain and suffering
marked the baby's way.

It was a deep, miraculous love
that filled that tiny place;
Trusting hearts, a baby's gift
and a Father's perfect grace.
He looked through time and saw
each soul His precious Son would save;
With open hands and longing heart
the priceless gift He gave.

Blessings,
Linda

Blessing

I have taken my current memory verses from Mary's "Magnificat":

"For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name.
And His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who fear Him."
Luke 1:49-50

I have thought a lot about this humble young girl as I've worked on committing her words, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to memory. I have been thinking about gratitude, obedience and trust.

Surely Mary was blessed among women - chosen to be the mother of the Redeemer of the world. The blessing, however, didn't come without its share of suffering. Loss of reputation and trust, causing, for a time, great hurt to one she loved and was going to marry, and the possibility of stoning were all a part of the cost of obedience to the will of God for her life.

Yet she chose obedience despite the cost, gratitude for the blessing, and trust in a God she knew was faithful and good.

God has promised each of us who love Him that He will never leave or forsake us. He has told us that He has a plan to prosper and not to harm us. Over and over again in His word He has shown us how He blesses those who walk in obedience to His word.

In spite of the suffering, Mary was part of a perfect plan whose blessing simply cannot be measured. There were many more days of suffering ahead for Mary, but the day came when she saw this beloved Son become her Redeemer and Lord.

As we walk through days of difficulty, as inevitably we will, we can know that all will be well. He has promised - and His promises never fail. This special season reminds us over and over again that He has come to save and to give life abundant. For the Mighty One has done great things for us!

Blessings,
Linda

Honey For My Heart

There are some books you just know you have to not just read but own. A few weeks ago, Sarah mentioned just such a book in her blog post on "Recent Reads." It is "Honey For A Woman's Heart" by Gladys Hunt.

My daughter discovered books when she was just a little girl. At bedtime, I would sit in bed with her and read aloud all the books I had loved. Those were precious times and continued even after she could read the words all by herself. However, she loved reading on her own too. I still have a mental picture of her curled up on a chair on the front porch, her cat sitting in her lap as she devoured book after book.

She read so many books so quickly, I was hard pressed to keep her supplied. My biggest concern was finding books that would nourish her intellectually and spiritually. A friend recommended "Honey For a Child's Heart" - also by Gladys Hunt.

It was a wonderful resource for good books for all the different age groups. We brought it with us when we went to the library or book store. As the months and years passed the pages were worn and filled with check marks as she read through all the wonderful books. I discovered some that I had somehow missed in my own growing up years. Imagine never having read "Anne of Green Gables"! I was thankful over and over again for Mrs. Hunts' invaluable guide.

My order was in today, and I have "Honey For A Woman's Heart" in my hands right now. I have only had time to browse through it quickly, but it makes my little heart go "pitty-pat" just looking at all the books waiting for me to discover. It is much more than just a list of books though. Mrs. Hunt has written about writing and reading, and it is inspiring. She writes:

"A literary work is part of God's created order. It is written because people have been gifted to write, to sub-create; and when we say, 'What a fine book this is!' we are praising the Creator for making these gifts part of the human experience. We are delighting in the gift of our fellow human beings. We appreciate the beautiful language and the emotion of a poem or narrative passage, and in doing so we proclaim 'This is good!'

I cannot wait to read this book, to make it worn with usage and filled with check marks. I love to read!

Blessings,
Linda

Multitude Monday

Tis the season......How I love this time of year. I love it in a different way now that I am all grown up and a Grandma. When I was a little girl, there were "visions of sugar plums dancing in my head." These days I simply long to see with His eyes the things He longs to impart to my spirit.

I think, since He tells me to "give thanks in all circumstances...", the lenses He wants to use to give me that vision are those comprised of gratitude. And so the list continues:

I am thankful for:

- grown children who take the time to visit their elderly grandparents; the joy it brings is immeasurable

- the smell of apple pies baking in the oven

- a day to spend with family and friends - a day of abundant provision and gratitude

- pretty pansies brightening the front porch

- a beautiful bouquet from my husband "just because"

- crisp, cold air and a brief moment of snow flakes

- the pleasure of friends - those in my "real life" and those whose necks I have never hugged but who are every bit as dear

- the joy in the anticipation of His birthday

- decorating the house for His birthday

- Christmas music - some of the lyrics just give me goose bumps and eyes that water*

- The Gift - who am I that He should send His beloved Son to die that I might live? Simply thanks seem so inadequate. I must give Him my heart.

Please visit the Gratitude Community at Ann's. It will lift your spirits and fill you with joy.



Blessing and wishes for a joyous Advent Season,
Linda

picture: the little tatted ornaments I made a few years ago gracing our Christmas tree

* This is one of the songs our choir is singing this weekend for our Christmas program. Breath-taking!

Christmas Bingo Party

The forecast for snow was a tad optimistic - at least for our part of Texas. The air filled with tiny flakes as I made my way to the door of Mary's house, but if you blinked you missed it! Nevertheless, Christmas was alive and well indoors. The house is always decorated beautifully, just in time for the big party!


The beautifully set table - waiting for the meal to begin. The menu is always the same because we unanimously agree that there is nothing better than Mary's Chicken Pasta Salad!


The desert table - yummy!



Here are just a few of the prices awaiting us. When you get Bingo - you get to choose a prize. There is always a lot of good natured teasing about who is going to get to go first.



Here we are - sisters of the heart!



It was a wonderful time; it always is. We've decided that, really, we have to get together more often.

Blessings,
Linda

This Too Is Christmas

The weather people are predicting snow for us tomorrow. SNOW!! I lived up north for the first thirty-six years of my life. When we moved to Texas I considered the possibility that I would never see snow again. After thinking about it for about thirty seconds I decided I was fine with that. So under ordinary circumstances my plan for tomorrow would be to stay strictly indoors, dress warmly and drink lots of hot tea.

However, tomorrow is not an ordinary day. Tomorrow is the day of our annual Christmas Bingo Party. After hearing the forecast I thought perhaps I shouldn't go. After all, Mary's house is a forty minute drive from mine. If the snow should actually amount to something, it could be a very exciting ride home indeed. I sat myself down and had a little talk with....well you know....me. "Linda," I said, "this is the Christmas you've been thinking and praying about. It is spending time with those who are dear to us - giving, not things, but something from the heart."

These women have been a part of my life since the first small group Bible study we attended more years ago than I can count. We are no longer together in that group. Our lives have gone in different directions as our children have gotten older, but on this day every year we gather together.

After the hugs and greetings, the conversation flows as though we had seen each other only a day or so ago. These are friendships built on the foundation of our shared faith. We have laughed, cried and prayed together as we've walked through the best and worst of times. These precious women are my sisters.

So I will venture forth! Actually....knowing how precious this time is for us, my husband has offered to drive me there and my friend's husband also offered to take the day off from work and pick up every one of us and deliver us back home.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Blessings,
Linda

Moving Slowly Through Advent

Monday was a dark, cold, rainy day here. We ventured out to do the grocery shopping - dashing from the car to the store in the wet chill. When we got home, the little head cold I had been brewing made me just a bit weary so I decided to give myself the afternoon off.

The darkness of the cloudy day permeated the house. I slipped into the living room and knelt in front of my little bookcase to choose a movie. For some reason I didn't pick one of the Christmas DVDs - instead I found my hand reaching for "To Kill A Mockingbird". It is one of my all time favorite books and movies. Harper Lee is a master story teller.

Within a few minutes I was lost in the story - for truly it is a gripping one. When it was all over I found myself thinking not so much of the story itself but of the atmosphere of the time and place - the scenes on the front porch in particular.

In the peaceful quietness of a summer evening Atticus sat on the front porch listening to the voices of his children as they talked to one another from their beds. He wasn't busy with anything; he simply sat rocking in the old rocking chair.
On another occasion, he sat with his little girl as she told him what was troubling her.

The whole rhythm of that time was slower. There was no hurry to run to the store or get the children to practice of one sort or another, no rushing off to a meeting or out for a quick bite to eat. The pace was slow and peaceful - time to simply sit and perhaps talk over the day.




I have purposed to make this Advent Season a step back in time. We have pared down the gift-giving this year - less frantic looking for something we don't already have. The calendar has only a few important dates marked off. I want to walk slowly through this time becoming more mindful of what this miraculous season is really all about.

I don't want to miss what He wants to whisper into my heart.


Please visit Ann to read more about seeking Christ this Christmas Season.

Blessings,
Linda

If you haven't visited the Christmas Change blog yet, you really should. You will be abundantly blessed.

One Last Look Back

Before my heart dances into the Advent Season, I want to cherish one last look at fall. She comes slowly to South Texas, quietly making her way among the cedar trees and live oak. The Master Artist has saved just enough paint on His palette to dab His breath-taking colors onto this vast green canvas.

Whenever we have friends or family come for a first time visit from the north, they are always astounded that we aren't set in the middle of desert country with cactus and tumble weed our only vegetation. If that is your image of South Texas, I want to give you just a glimpse of what it is really like.



This is our very own little red oak. We guard her carefully, knowing the reward she brings us in the fall.






















Blessings,
Linda

Walk With Him Wednesday

Ann has suggested that we write a Psalm of Praise for Thanksgiving.


"To be grateful is to recognize God's hand on everything that touches your life. Every breath you draw is a gift of His love; every moment of existence is a gift of grace..."
James MacDonald



Grateful Praise

Father in heaven, we lift our hearts to You in praise.
You are high and lifted up and Your glory fills the heavens.
You are righteous and perfect in all your ways - never changing.
Your wisdom is beyond our understanding; Your power beyond our imagining,
And yet You are mindful of us.

You hear us when we pray, bending low to listen.
You answer every prayer according to Your perfect will,
A will that seeks only to do us good.

In times of difficulty, You are there - measuring grace sufficient.
In sorrow, Your tears are mingled with our own,
Bringing comfort and peace beyond understanding.

In times of happiness, You rejoice with us - pouring out Your love.
You dance over us with radiant joy,
And cover us with Your wings.

It was Your love that drew us - a love that held nothing back.
It is Your love that holds us - though we may wander now and then.
With hearts filled with love we praise You and give thanks
For all that You are.


Happy Thanksgiving. I pray your day is filled with love and warmth.
Linda

Thanks to God

Thanks to God

Thanks to God for my Redeemer, Thanks for all Thous dost provide.
Thanks for times now but a mem'ry, Thanks for Jesus by my side.
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime, Thanks for dark and dreary fall.
Thanks for tears by now forgotten, Thanks for peace within my soul.

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered, Thanks for what Thou dost deny.
Thanks for storms that I have weathered, Thanks for all Thou dost supply.
Thanks for pain and thanks for pleasure, Thanks for comfort in despair.
Thanks for grace that none can measure, Thanks for love beyond compare.

Thanks for roses by the way-side, Thanks for thorns their stems contain.
Thanks for home and thanks for fire-side, Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain.
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow, Thanks for heav'nly peace with Thee.
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow, thanks thro' all eternity.

(an anonymous Swedish hymn)
picture: Norman Rockwell

Blessed Thanksgiving,
Linda

Multitude Monday

"O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting."
I Chron. 16:34

Yesterday a portion of our church choir and orchestra gathered in the parking lot of our church. Within a few minutes the three buses cruised slowly down the hill and came to a stop. Like a bunch of excited high school kids going to the "big game" we climbed aboard.

Once everyone was seated and accounted for, the buses began the journey to a little town about an hour and a half north of us. We were on our way to an event we had been anticipating for months. The congregation in this little town had just moved into their brand new church building and invited us to sing during their evening service.

The people were waiting for us when we arrived. They had prepared a meal that was absolutely amazing. It was a complete Thanksgiving Dinner! The tables were just groaning under the weight of turkey, ham and all the sides you can imagine. And the deserts!!! I could hardly make a choice.

We were served first and then the rest of the church family joined us. I have always loved fact that when people have Jesus "in common" - there is an immediate connection. We may not know each other well, but we know the One who has given us everything and it binds us together. I am a naturally shy person, but that commonality puts me at my ease.

I am thankful for the unity we have in Jesus. I am thankful that no matter what our life story, when He is the common thread we are family. It fills my heart to see the difference He makes in a life. It is, for me, the greatest testimony to the truth of the Gospel.

It is not a set of beliefs that binds our hearts together. It is not a philosophy or a new way of looking at things. It is a relationship with the great God of creation. It is that which gives hope and joy and meaning and purpose to life. It is that which takes a life that was full of despair and pain and turns it around. It is the true and living God whose lovingkindness is everlasting."

An elderly gentlemen closed in prayer when we were finished singing. My heart overflowed as I listened to his voice, a little weak with age but strong in the faith of a lifetime. Nothing speaks more eloquently than a life lived for Jesus.

I am so thankful.
Linda

Please visit Ann's and become part of the Gratitude Community.

Burdens

I am here, but I am weary. There are lots of things running around my little mind, but I find I just don't have the energy to get them out and onto paper. I'm not sure what it is. I certainly haven't been over-doing things in the physical department. It is just a sort of "mind weariness."

I have been carrying the cure around with me - written out on an index card in a little spiral notebook. Matthew 11:28-30 were my very first memory verses for this year. I believe, without realizing it, I have been carrying burdens around which were never meant for my feeble shoulders. Whenever I have recited these verses, I have felt the tears starting. It is time to let the words do their heart-work; time to let Him carry the burdens.

It is one thing to bring the burdens to Him; it is quite another to leave them there and not pick them back up. It is even possible, I have found, to think you have not done that - but the heart knows better. It feels the weight and grows weary.

So once again I come, sit at His feet and lay it all down. I feel the stirring of joy, of hope. I find Him faithful - always faithful.

Blessings,
Linda

Multitude Monday

I am thankful for:


Autumn decorations that brighten our home...



The delicious smells that fill the house as I prepare supper...


A hearty soup on a crisp, cool day...


The sweet little face of a brand new pansy...






The tiny beginnings of life - miraculous....


A surprise in the flower bed - a flower dug up and thrown away long ago makes a reappearance after the rains....


The poignant reminder in front of the school on our street....



Beautiful, wonderful clouds...


A birthday bouquet....


A handmade present from my Mom....


Praise and Thanksgiving

"O My God,

Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects, my heart admires, adores, loves Thee,
for my little vessel is as full as it can be,
and I would pour out all that fullness before Thee in ceaseless flow.

When I think upon and converse with Thee
ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up,
ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed,
ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart,
crowding into every moment of happiness.

I bless Thee for the soul Thou hast created,
for adorning it, sanctifying it,
though it is fixed in barren soil;
for the body Thou hast given me,
for preserving its strength and vigour,
for providing senses to enjoy delights,
for the ease and freedom of my limbs,
for hands, eyes, ears that to Thy bidding;
for Thy royal bounty providing my daily support,
for a full table and overflowing cup,
for appetite, taste, sweetness,
for social joys of relatives and friends,
for the ability to serve others,
for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,
for a mind to care for my fellow-men,
for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
for loved ones in the joys of heaven,
for my own expectation of seeing Thee clearly.

I love Thee above the powers of language to express,
for what Thou art to Thy creatures.

Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity."

from "The Valley of Vision"

Join the others at Ann's to take part in the Gratitude Community.

Blessings,
Linda