Category: Joy

  • Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

      Birthday Cake for Jesus
      Reading Christmas Story together

      MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS and Blessings from our home to yours,
      from Steve and Teresa and Skipper too

      Candles lit one by one
      Sacred moments
      Put aside exterior noise and commercial trappings
      Sit down to view birthday cake for Jesus
      One gold candle for the One to be crowned King.

      Focus as family take turns reading out loud verse by verse
      Oldest to youngest join in reciting the Christmas Story – the
      Birth announcement declared in Luke 2
      Rest of the world, life, put on hold
      Sets us back over 2,000 years ago to Bethlehem, the town of David in Judea.

      The angel speaks to Mary,
      Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.
      You will be with child and give birth to a son,
      And you are to give him the name Jesus.
      He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
      The LORD God will give him the throne of his father David,
      And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever;
      His kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:29-33)

      Let these sacred words sink in
      Find a place to rest, take hold, germinate, and flourish
      We sing together: “Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday to You, dear Jesus.”
      Thank you for coming to earth.
      Thank you for saving my soul and saving the world.

      Thoughts to ponder – think back to how it must have felt for:
      Zechariah and Elizabeth
      Mary and Joseph
      Shepherds watch their flock by night
      Simeon, the Temple priest
      Anna, prophetess, who never left the temple awaiting the Savior

      Emotions:
      Joy, fear, doubt, and elation
      Surprise, confirmation, thankfulness, and devotion
      Trust, praising God in the Highest, brokenness, and pain
      Amazement and relief
      Just to name a few

      ***

    • FootPrints

      Gull Foot Prints in Sand

      We all leave footprints. Heavier prints in mud or wet areas. Lighter, fainter ones in sand or drier surfaces. Some take time to disappear. Other footprints, such as those created in sand, take merely a wave and they’re gone for eternity.

      While etched on whatever surface they land on, they make an impression. Question is: will it be a good, bad, or neutral impression?

      Will people remember me and you as being a positive encourager? Or, a Debbie-Downer, talk about herself and her life, all the time?

      Do you see signs of pride or humility? Helpfulness or selfishness? I LOVE being around and talking to folks who don’t have to be center stage. Someone who shows they care by listening and not filling in all the blanks for me. (I’ll admit that I struggle with this concept. My brain tends to go forward and search for the next thing I plan to say.)

      I attended an event where the speaker had the privilege of working with Mr. Rogers, host and producer of the popular kid’s television show, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Earlier in life Fred Rogers studied for a pastoral ministry, but decided on a different career path. The lack of wholesome, educational television for our youth caused him to do something about what bothered him. He chose to devote his life’s work to creating wholesome, educational television programs for kids. What an impressive legacy he left behind!

      I learned from this event that everyone who came in contact with Mr. Rogers felt special. Young or old, able bodied, mentally or physically challenged, they were #1 in his book. He zeroed in on that one person—whomever was in front of him at that moment in time. Rogers possessed a gift. You felt you were the only one on Planet Earth. You mattered. Your thoughts, fears, dreams counted. Top Priority! Was he perfect? Of course not, and he’d be the first to admit his imperfections.

      At the symposium, the speaker highlighted a trailer scene where Mr. Rogers struggles to pitch a tent. He tried and tried to set the tent up properly. It turned out all wrong. The audience laughs and Rogers tries again to set it up, but it still doesn’t work. Rogers laughs along with the audience, admits defeat, and asks for help. He then patiently moves on to something else.

      We miss you, Mr. Rogers! Your positive influence, drive, concern for humankind will not be forgotten.

      He left a footprint wherever he walked, whenever he spoke. I came away from the event inspired and motivated to do better, be a better person, and be attentive to my neighbor. My neighbor is whomever God places on my path. Encourage, pray for, brighten the way for those in my sphere of influence.

      • What kind of footprint or mark do you want to leave for the ones you love?
      • Name some ways you plan to leave those kinds of footprints.

      ###

    • Touch

       

      Touch of a baby’s skin                                                  
      Touch and pet a cuddly puppy
      Flower’s soft petals
      Spring tree buds

      Heartfelt, warm hugs
      Wet grandchild kisses
      Connected – Respected – Loved
      Desiring human touch
      Natural; longed for
      Affirmation of love, desire, and presence

      Do you love me?
      Do you care?
      Do you notice?

      One whom I know always loves, always cares. He proclaims, “do not fear, for I am with you. Do  not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,” Isaiah 41:10.

      His touch is sufficient.

      *****

      Each week, I join Kate’s Five Minute Friday link – [P.S. I’m #42; page 2].  The rules remain the same, each week write for five minutes, using the prompt  Kate provides, no editing, no overthinking it, just write raw then link up to her blog.

       

    • Loved

      Loved

      This week’s Five Minute Friday writing prompt is: LOVED

    • Day #301 – Life Aboard a Boat – Part 2

      These skills will prove helpful:

      • Counselor (when the boat hits something in the water and it’s not your fault)
      • Party Planner (for the numerous potlucks, docktails, locktails (gathering together at or near the lock/canal waterways), spontaneous get together which Loopers are well known.)
      • Improvisor with little advance notice
      • Travel Agent (booking the next evening’s destination with a harbor master if you plan to dock at a marina)
      • A praying person (most helpful!) + having a network of praying people supporting you while you are out there.

      If you can handle the above (see Life on a Boat, Part 1), you are definitely in for the thrill of a lifetime. You will encounter many firsts on this trip with brand new sights, sounds, smells and people along the way. Walking through Arlington Cemetery and witnessing the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Washington DC with the White House, US Capitol building and Library of Congress, Times Square, being on The Today’s Show in downtown New York City … amazing, each one in their own way! What will be your next adventure?

      Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover, Mark Twain.

      xxxxx

       

       

    • Day #300 – Life Aboard a Boat, Part 1

      This is a momentous occasion—300 days on the trail, the waterway trail that is! I find this hard to believe unless I look at my journal or calendar and see verification for myself. 300 days, 4848 miles, 16 states + Canada, and too many waterways to mention. What a whirlwind experience (wild ride) we have had throughout the entire 300 days! Still seems impossible to believe that we are ¾ done with the trip. In some ways, it feels as though we have just begun, and in other ways, it feels like we’ve lived aboard Sanctuary for much longer.        

      I am working on a job description for First Mate. Requirements needed for this position is quite extensive so it may be awhile before the list is complete. Here are a few points to consider:

      • Strong physical endurance most helpful. Ability to withstand sweltering heat and humidity, pelting rain, storms and cool temperatures. May occur within the same day. A strong internal constitution when encounter foreign water and foods. Ability to walk a lot, coordination in riding a bicycle, climbing in and out of a dinghy, and stepping many steps, tying knots, lassoing cleats/posts/rings in anticipation of docking
      • Excellent balance and no fear of the water or motion sickness prone—a definite plus!
      • Ability to tolerate long periods without family or friends you left behind. The flip side: you will meet many wonderful people along the way who share your trip with you off and on during  the 6000+ miles.
      • Days of isolation in tight quarters; other days you’ll be overwhelmed by people everywhere with no where to retreat.
      • Every day is different for approximately the next 365 days. No two days are the same even if you remain in the same anchorage, marina, or mooring ball.

      Let’s pause for a moment.

      • Is God showing you a new door to open in your life today? Maybe an adventure in the making.
      • What do you suppose He is preparing you to encounter or withstand in the near future? Be brave and ask Him.

      In Part 2, we will consider useful skills to carry along for the trip ahead.

      xxxxx

       

    • Turbulent forecast ahead?

      Dark, ominous sky overhead         
      Warns of rain and inclement weather.
      Tempest clouds
      Speak of turbulent forecast.
      Yet, we are docked safe and secure
      Naught to worry or fear.

      Even though outside the
      Weather is frightful, I know
      He has this whole world in His hands.
      Deep within my soul
      I can truly say,
      It is well with my soul.      

       

       

       

       

      The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit, John 3:8.

      *****

       

    • There’s No Place Like Home

      There’s No Place Like Home                                                                                                                  

      Spring sprung while we were away.                       Red Dogwood at Home
      Jonquils pop tiny yellow & white heads.
      Trillium burst forth in uniform whites.
      Purplish buds appear from Red Bud tree.
      Pink-red colored Dogwood blossoms
      Surge out alive and well.

      To think I would have missed
      This grand display
      Had I not traveled this way!
      Iris whites shoot forth.
      Leafy rose leaves waking up.
      Assorted green tree buds say hello.
      Grass blades stand tall & proud.

      I’m so thankful for this chance     Trillum at Home
      To re-acquaint myself with
      My blessings I oft
      Forget amidst day-to-day routine.

      All shout Happy Spring
      Glad you are here now!

      Daffodils at Home

      Iris at home

    • Water Therapy

      beach at Wrightsville Beach Atlantic
      Atlantic Ocean – Wrightsville Beach

      Ocean waves thunder & roll
      Crashing unrepentant against the shore
      Greenish-blue water with froth on top
      Wind blasts sand on my skin
      Children chase seagulls
      Birds hover overhead
      Carried along with the breeze
      People play … enjoying life
      Others rest after a hectic week
      Some immersed in their favorite read
      Carefree feeling
      Place to unwind
      Absorb sun’s rays
      To just be!

      I stoop low
      Spying a smooth peculiar shell
      Purple hued edges
      Catch my eye
      I gather grains of polished sand
      As they trickle past my fingertips

      Praying
      May the wind smooth and polish
      My rough and jagged edges
      May I be beautiful and useful
      In Your sight
      For Your glory!

    • Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

      Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! We celebrate his birthday this month. Think about the poem below; I absolutely love it:

      Today
      You are
      You,
      that is truer than true.
      There is
      No One
      alive who is youer than
      You!

      by Dr. Seuss

      *****