my mother

My Mother, you are a wonderful and lovely woman of God! I am blessed beyond measure to have been raised by someone as giving and gentle as you.  You were a calming voice in  the storms of life, a gentle hug to brighten my day, and a listening ear when I needed to vent or talk out my thoughts.  You are what I've always wanted to be, a mother, a wife, and follower of Christ. I love how  you loved us, your family.  You loved by action, not by words but by giving up your comfort and wants for us.  I will always and forever be grateful for your steadfast love in my life.  I love how you recorded every event in life on the calendar and the fact that you saved them... all of them!  I'm happy to have those now to remember you by.  I love how you took me shopping every time I came home to visit, not because you had to but because you wanted to.  I love your back scratches and back rubs more than anything, you had a gentle and loving touch that only a mother could have.  You were a wonderful cook, and I thank you for always making dinner every night so we could be together as a family.  Thank you for always praying for me and my future.  Thank you for always praying for my one day Husband, and I love how you made the family promise to continue praying for him. I am overjoyed at the thought of you being in Heaven with Jesus, fully alive and more complete than you have ever been.  I love you always, and I miss you more than I know to express, but I will see you again, My Lovely Mother.    

my favorite time of day...

The best part of the day according to me is right before sunset, when the sun turns it's deep golden color which then reflects off the trees causing the leaves to give off a vibrant color of green.  I can't help but be in awe of God and his amazing creativity.  He's truly the greatest artist of all time. He sure knows how to display his beauty in the simplest of ways, and I just love it!  I also love how you can't go through this life without seeing the fingerprint of God in everything.  I love that His creation is pure evidence of His existence and love for us.  

why i smile

The things God uses to paint a smile on my face, the things I love.

Jesus, He is the reason I get up in the morning, He is my life line, my everything.
Color, I love color especially green. I'm also quite fond of yellow and rust red, but green is by far my favorite.
Trees, tall trees, they are mysterious to me.
Serving people in whatever way I can, it brings me sheer joy.
I love walks!! ..walks in the park, walks in the rain and in the snow, especially at night.
Bike rides.
Swings.
Fireflies.
Rain and the way it smells.
Ice cream.
Milk.
Star gazing.
Flowers, there is nothing more beautiful.
Snow
Old photographs, when I look at them its as if I step into another time and place.
Laughing.
Country roads.. it's like going home.
Family!
Friends, my second family, a gift from God.
My Parents are my heroes.

photos of late

encouraging words

Daily you must trust Me, surrendering everything, including the blood in your veins and the breath in your lungs, for Me to do with as I see fit. If you want to join up with Me, you must let me lead. Luke 9:23 (paraphrase)

I love to this vers!