Day 23 - shoes

 These are my relatively new hiking shoes.  I've been breaking them in this winter to ready them and my feet for my hiking goals for 2015.  Today has been a difficult day and thinking of the times that I will be able to don these beauties, get outside in the fresh air, walk a few miles and clear my head sounds heavenly at this moment!  It's time to think spring and get those hiking goals on the calendar.

Day 13 - blue

Today is something blue and I chose my favorite blanket. I purchased this on my last cruise to Alaska. It's a snugly, heavy jersey and it is the perfect cover to ward off the winter chill.  It also reminds me of my friend Kathy. I have taken so many trips with her and have seen many sites because of her generosity.  She is one of those people with whom I enjoy traveling because she goes with the flow and we can find much to laugh about in the ordinary.  I am über blessed with a good group of forever friends that have literally traveled many roads with me.

Day 12- inside the closet

Thoughts on a closet:

1. This is ridiculous... I shouldn't have this much product for a hobby that I don't do that much anymore.  Time to purge or participate!

2.  Closets often hide things we don't want everyone to see.  Kind of like the closets of my heart...those weaknesses, sins, character flaws that I don't want everyone to see.

3.  I have a closet that is the size of a small room.  Yes, I am a diva.

Day 11 - Something that makes me happy

I decided to record what made me happy throughout the day. I found out that several things made me happy. It was a normal, nondescript Wednesday yet when I concentrated on what made me happy, it became clear that it's the little things

My favorite breakfast smoothie

A really good cup of coffee

A warm towel fresh from the dryer

Sunshine and blue skies

4:00 and knowing I have tomorrow off

Coffee mugs and  K cups after prayer night with the girls 

Day 10 - Self Portrait

Self portrait, or in common nomenclature, a "selfie".  Seems we have become quite adept at them.  I had taken two for this that looked truly weird to me.  I look, well, not like me! So I decided that the above captures who I am.  I have been told my eyes are a dead give away for the emotion brewing under the surface.  They will dance when I am happy, sparkle when I am up to something ornery, narrow fiercely when I am angry, unable to always look another in the eye when I have to deliver difficult words or am feeling self conscious and fill with tears when sad.  They have witnessed many beautiful sights, as well as their share of heartbreaking moments.  The corner of my right eye has a scar that reminds me of how good God has been to me and how He faithfully listens to the petitions of believers.  The crinkles along the edges and the wrinkles underneath are badges of honor to a life that has been less than perfect, but has had abundant joy and reasons to smile perfectly woven all through it. I am me and I praise Him because I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14).

Day 9 - Front door

This is one of my two front doors.  Since I used the other for the last photo blog in '12, this was my choice for today.  This door says  much about the inhabitants of this home.  First, we obviously dig magnets!  These used to be housed on the fridge, but since getting a stainless steel beauty, we moved the magnets to the door to reduce scratching.  Second, this is a house that is kid friendly.  While I don't have any children, I do adore several that I know!  The roomie is a teacher so the letters are her contribution to the cause.  Many visiting wee ones have played with those letters over the past 10+ years.  Everything from showing us random letters for words they made up, or the first letter of their name to correctly spelled real words.  Rarely does a time go by that a child using the letters isn't encouraged by the resident educator to find a word that rhymes or some other learning mechanism. Third, the adults aren't left out!  There are various sayings displayed that make them chuckle.  The baggy hanging from the magnetized clip has a plethora of words that have been used to have poetry contests between big kids on occasion. Third, I love pictures! It makes my heart happy to walk by and catch a glimpse of my two nieces as babies, or to see a couple of missionaries and it spurs me to pray for them.  There is the one in the upper left corner... a picture of three of us who worked a our youth camp in 2010.  I learned so much about myself at that camp and I love to think about how far I have come...not to mention that Catie and Ana are still among my dearest friends! Finally, there is a magnet of a chocolate lab that looks a lot like my beloved Coco.  It was this door that reminds me of one of my favorite Coco stories.  When she was about 6 months old, she went out back through her dog door and then proceeded to dig under the fence to make a get away.  I got up the next morning and couldn't find her anywhere.  As I went into the dining room, I could hear wimpering and howling.  I opened this door and there she stood.  I don't think I ever recall her being quite so happy to see me!  She never did that again.  Boy, I miss my girl!  Happy Monday, friends!

Day 8 - Sun

This morning I got up to take a photo because I knew it was set to be an overcast day. This was the interesting result.  It fits the morning I experienced at church.  We have had a tragic week in our community and specifically in our church family. One of our families had a house fire and lost their 9 year old granddaughter. It's something that one just cannot wrap their mind around. So many more questions than answers. This morning there was a pervasive heaviness in the morning service, much like the darkness in the photo. Overwhelming hurt for those who have lost so much was present in every pew.  Then it happened. Our pastor shepherded the flock through the feelings. With emotion flowing, as a congregation we faced the heaviness. We were able to come around this deeply hurting family, to cry with them, and to pray for them. So very cathartic and very wise of our pastor to lead us to truth - that Jesus Christ is our anchoring hope.  So like the sun piercing through this morning, the Son pierced through with what we needed. No, I can't answer so many questions, but I belong to the One who knows all. Clinging to that hope today.

Day 7 - Button

Today's photo subject didn't thrill me. I have thought on it off and on all day with little creativity flowing. So here is the result:

If you've visited my home, invariably you would see this if you used my bathroom. I have an old lock on the door that sticks and has held many a visitor captive over the years. The record is 5 people on one evening. No not all at the same time! One of these days I will get it replaced...

Day 6 - Dinner

Dinner was good,  but not spectacular. I found enough time to wolf down these:

Yep...steak tacos from Los Ranchitos.  The reason for the quick dinner is because I had to get ready for this:

These women are incredible and I am so fortunate to count them as friends! There were even more that came after my photo ops...sorry I didn't get you all in! Just know you are all the reason for this smile tonight:

Thanks for such encouragement tonight!

Day 5 - 10 a.m.

Yep...this was my 10 a.m. photo.  So much in this picture makes me smile.  Coffee... Pike's Place from Starbuck's is a new fav  - thank you Women's Retreat Team (most likely Jackie Jenks!) for this new addiction!  The Keurig... this has been a well used addition to our kitchen area at work.  This can be an early morning "water cooler" of sorts for our crew as we get caught up on the happenings in each other's lives while we wait for our java.  The mug...this was a gift from one of my 'other' moms, Caroline Ault.  I LOVE it and it kinda scares me that she knows me this well! Mickey and animal print.  It reminds me of the MANY travels I have had with the Ault/Ewing crew to Disney with a few Andersons, a Farr, a Sparks and an Avalos sprinkled in the mix!

It's a good day.

Day 4 - Strangers

This was admittedly a difficult photo subject.  I wouldn't ever feel comfortable taking picture of a random stranger.  So I decided to think outside of the box on this one and it came to me after a conversation today.  This week has been an emotionally rough one.  Two families in my church have been dealing with some difficult and tragic events over the past couple of days.  The types of things that leave you going to your knees in intercession for those who are hurting deeply.  Just a week that has left me dragging, and it's only Wednesday!

Today I was running some errands over my lunch break and stopped in to pick up a gift for a little boy who is part of one of the aforementioned families. I was in search of a horse for my buddy, Keith, and I stopped in a local farm supply store because they carry some very cool toys that would appeal to him,  I found the perfect draft horse that I imagine K will clutch in his little hands and was headed to the checkout when one of the store proprietors, Drue, greeted me in her usual upbeat manner.  Have I mentioned lately how much I enjoy working in the community that I do?  It's people like Drue that are the reason for that enjoyment!  As we bantered back and forth about winter and snow, the conversation turned to the reason for my purchase.  I shared the story and immediately Drue asked for a name so that she could pray.  I then shared the other news and she pulled out a piece of paper, wrote all of these heart hurting burdens and said she would pray.  Don't you just love that?  These people are strangers to her and she doesn't know them at all, but she knows Jesus and that's all she needed to know.

It's true that we all begin as strangers, but with Jesus we become family.

Day 3 - Hands

While I did not take this photo today, it is so appropriate for not only the assignment for today, but also for the heaviness of my heart.  Last night I got one of those text messages that I hate getting.  It was a prayer request for a child of some sweet friends who is experiencing some undetermined health issues.  As is typical for me, I want to rush into fix it mode for them but there is absolutely nothing I can do to make this all better...except pray.  So, I am joining hands with others who love this family and we are praying without ceasing.  I am hoping to go see them at the hospital tomorrow and hold my friend, Kelli's hand to let her know that I care about her mommy heart and how it must be hurting. My hands will deliver a gift to my buddy Keith to cheer him up.  Friends, will you please join me in praying for Tyler, Kelli and Keith as they travel this path? Thanks.

Day two: Words

Words. As Maria would sing...these are a few of my favorite things! I enjoy learning new words, doing word studies to understand nuances of their meaning, and almost of all how they can change me. The above set of words are taped into the inside cover of my Bible. They were said to me by someone who isn't given to speaking many words, so they have held a special place because I know he meant every one that he scribed. They have been a good reminder to be careful with over using words that could come across as flattery and they have cheered me on when I believed that I was worthless.  As one whose love language is words of affirmation, they have spoken the gift of agape love to my heart over the years. They are taped into my Bible because it is there that I find the best words of all... Words that give life, that correct my thinking when the Accuser whispers lies to me, and give direction to keep me walking on the correct path.  

Proverbs 15:23 - A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth and a word spoken in due season how good is it!

Day One: My View Today

My friend, Missy, has again issued a challenge for a photo a day during the month of February.  I have been inspired by another friend, Jackie, and her photos and decided to combine a photo and writing.  It would have been very easy to take a picture of the weather as we had a gorgeous snowfall overnight and it was what I was going to do. However, I got to church and immediately changed my mind. This morning was abuzz with activity. This is not unusual. There are parents shuttling kids to children's church, teachers welcoming those children into a well prepared classroom with a game or discussion, and adults in the coffee shop enjoying coffee and conversation. Today's view was a snapshot of what we do and the extent to which we go to draw others in. It's all about relationship. We have a yearly Super Bowl party for the Monmouth College Football Team. The coffee shop is turned into a football field where the game will be shown on a large screen and a ton of food served. There will be prizes given away and hopefully the players will feel that they matter. The other view is of two of our women getting into character to sign up ladies for the Hearts at Home conference. They make it fun and inviting! Yep, it's all about relationship and not about religion. It's about relationship with Jesus, not about traditions that have no saving power. It's about deepening relationships with each other. Sometimes it's messy. Sometimes it's hard. Sometimes it hurts. That's because it's a group of fallible humans. But in the end, it's a most wonderful place because He is a the center of it all! I love my Church family!