Happily Exhausted

We are home again....after traveling 1800 miles across five states in eight days. I took care of all of the things I needed to do, and then we flew to Utah to begin a tour of the north-west. It was everything we had hoped and more than we could have imagined. My little head is fairly bursting with all the beautiful sights and incredible things we experienced.

There are literally hundreds of pictures to organize and a journal, of sorts, to flesh out - not to mention all the dirty laundry we brought home with us. I feel as though I just have to quietly let it all settle into my heart and mind.

For now, I just wanted to say it's good to be home. I know I won't really be able to catch up with everyone, but I will join you right where you are.

We have so much to be thankful for:

safety in our travels
beautiful weather every single day
new friends
experiencing the miraculous wonder of the
Father's creation
the Father's tender care of our loved ones

I missed you.

Blessings,
Linda

Time Out

It is time to take a little break. Life is rather busy right now - good things, lovely things - and I need to give them my full attention. I'll be back in a week or two. Perhaps I'll even have some interesting and worthwhile things to write about. It could happen!

In the meantime, I will miss you, pray for you and keep you in my thoughts.

Blessings,
Linda

Multitude Monday

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought,
and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder."
Gilbert Keith Chesterton


Sometimes, when Monday rolls around, I think "I don't have anything special to add to my list this week, so I won't participate in the Gratitude Community this time." I walk around and feel a bit uncomfortable as a little voice prods me with memories of all that He has done:

- a birthday celebration for my Mom - 87 years of blessing to everyone who has had the joy of knowing her

- protection for my son - when he got a nasty shock while doing some electrical work

- safe travels for my daughter

- a night of incredible ministry

- volunteer work

- an afternoon shower

- the joy that comes from doing the thing I love to do, and encouraging words from friends

- delicious corn on the cob (with lots of butter!)

- a great sale on things we needed

- the underlying current of mercy, grace and love that flows through my life because of Jesus

Blessings,
Linda

Solace

Several years ago, I went through a very difficult time. Bad news had left me feeling bereft.

My Mom, knowing that there really was nothing to be said or done to make things better, picked up this little guy for me. Somehow, this grown up Grandmother found solace in this warm, furry little body.




for more photographs on "solace" please visit 3 From Here and There.



Blessings,
Linda

I'm Guest Posting!

I discovered Emily's blog several months ago and have come to love visiting her. She is delightful, inspiring and a great writer. I am so honored to have written a guest post for her. Please join me at Chatting at the Sky on Saturday.





Before we can even get the car doors open they are there, spilling out of the house with cries of “Papa! Grandma!” I bend over to grab a little one in my arms, reach up for a hug from a grandson who seems to have grown six inches in the past few weeks, and caress the cheeks of a beautiful granddaughter. Everyone is talking at once as we make our way into the house. There is so much they all want to share.
I feel like the most loved, important person in the world......
(Continued at Emily's)

Blessings,
Linda

But God

Last summer the earth baked under relentless sun and cloudless sky. This summer we have had abundant rain. However as July slipped into August, the weather "fortune tellers" predicted a return to hot, dry weather for - a long spell. One scorching day followed another until it looked like their words would come true. The earth cracked, flowers drooped and the grass began to turn brown.

But God...







I am participating in Emily's imperfect prose - please join me there.



Blessings,
Linda

Change

“Everything changes
but change.”*
I cling to
same
fearing what
I cannot see;
finding comfort
in my
normal.

Hanging on,
with tight-fisted grip,
feigning control.
Still it comes,
Ripping world apart,
and I crumble
under weight I
cannot bear.

He is in the change
holding it in
unseen hands,
allowing it access
into my life.
Peace comes as,
with open hands,
I surrender to
change
and learn to trust.

*from the song "I wish You Enough" by Janet Paschal and Joel Lindsey

This is my contribution to One-Stop Poetry One Shot Wednesday.

Blessings,
Linda