10 Things

10 things to say yes to:

sleep

laughter

chocolate

daughter time

granddaughter time

taking pictures

blogging

books

favorite tv shows

color

10 things to say no to:

stress

long telephone calls

chocolate (i know it's on both lists)

staying up late

guilt

negative words & thoughts

feeling old

interruptions to prayer time

gluten

old stuff

10 things that will make my life better:

getting in bed early

Kate & Leslie (my trainer & massage therapist - I know this sounds spoiled ...well, it's not)

space

an occasional prayer from a friend

daily walks with Jesus

a new laptop

keeping it simple

loving me

loving others

listening more

Post inspired by Cheryl Richardson

Resistance or Surrender

What would happen if the weather vane resisted the wind? Would it eventually break? Could it stand the stress?

Why is it so difficult to move with the wind of the Spirit in our lives even when it means a change in direction?

I have always loved autumn. I set goals, many times these are Christmas ideas I want to craft for my family.  I would also gear up for teaching a 10-week Bible Study and  a few home improvement ideas.

For two years now God has been restraining me from leading a Bible Study. Big CHANGE after 25 plus years.
I decided to keep the Christmas projects simpler  because I slightly overdid last year and got sick the day after. I was actually excited  because I wanted to work with some of my photos for this. Then my laptop crashed.

On top of it all, the company my hubby works with is making major changes, which I mentioned in a previous blog. There will be a training for me to learn how to do my end of this, which seems daunting.
Oh boy, CHANGE.
 I fought that one until all my options were exhausted and so was I.

There is a time in our lives for resistance and there is a time to surrender and pray for grace. I find I can't hear the voice of God when I am busy trying to figure everything out on my own.

A verse kept flitting through my mind for several days, but in all my reasonings and panic, I didnt stop to look it up. Yesterday as I was going through the mail, I opened some correspondence only to find that very verse right in front of me.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure everything out on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7 MSG

I circled it in red and tacked it up next to my desk.

P.S. I am posting from my hubby's laptop after fighting a losing battle with BlogPress on my iPad.

Weekend Recap

Chicken Barn

Playing Games While Waiting for Our Food @ Harbor View, Grille Bucksport, Me

- Delicious!

Leaving

What joy to be together!

Hopes, Wants & Possibilities

"Have you told him what you want?"

I told hubby what I don't want. With all these company changes, I don't want to be tied to an office all day."

That didn't go so well.

Bill Johnson says to never begin a conversation with a negative thought. So...

What is it that I want?

I want to sit with a book in the afternoon sun and read without interruption.

I want to have lunch with a friend and laugh.

I want to take a walk.

I want to go to a movie and eat popcorn freely.

I want to write poetry and letters and the book hidden within my heart.

I want to have the space to be spontaneous.

I want to take incredible pictures.

I want to spend time with my girls, unscheduled, unhurried.

I want to dream and know the possibility of it coming true.

I want to live life with joy.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Covered

A couple of days ago, I tucked myself into the corner of our front steps landing and hid out with my book. The sun warmed me from above and the old lilac bush provided a bit of shade and cover. I needed a nook for a few minutes. It was heavenly.

It's raining here today, which we desperately need. I am headed into the office to work on a new system the company we deal with is instituting. I hate these changes. Just yesterday I sat before the computer screen fighting intimidation from two documents that would not allow me to open them. Impatience from the sender resounded through her emails. On the verge of tears. I emailed a friend who has more experience than me with these things. She stopped by and guess what? She couldn't open them either.

What is it about simple validation that uplifts us?

Looking back on the covering of the leaves and a friend with gratitude as I summon the courage to tackle this problem with fresh eyes today.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Dissonance

Photo credit to Amy White

When my laptop crashed last week, I lost my blogging rhythm. Most of my photos were on there (although backed up) that I wanted to use for posting. Several days have passed since then with only one or two posts. As I was thinking about what to blog, the word "dissonance" kept coming to my mind.

In " The Divine Embrace" by Ken Gire, a whole chapter is devoted to this process.

" Whenever there is dissonance in music or in drama or in dancing, it is because certain rhythms need to be broken in order for new rhythms to be established...Dissonance is about transition."

I like routine and the security in setting goals and accomplishing them. My to-do list for summer got pushed back to fall because of a physical problem. As I tackled that list on Monday,I was feeling on top of the world. I shampooed my rug and gave my kitchen a touch-up paint.

Then Tuesday came and it all began to unravel. Wednesday I gave up and sat outside in the sun, writing in my journal and being quiet. The end of the week was a mad rush helping Mom at the Trash & Treasure show.

Today I awoke to the hum of a fresh morning filled with sunshine.
With my journal and Bible, I sank into my favorite spot and began to read in the Psalms. After praying over my family and a quick shower,I cleaned the house, tended my flowers and hummed a song of worship over their fading beauty. I even took a rag to a couple of dirty windows. Nothing hurried, no forcing myself to accomplish each task in order to reach the next. Simple movement. Breathing in the air of transition from summer to fall.
The world is in transition. The church is in transition. Sometimes that looks like chaos and strife and struggle. It seems difficult to strike a balance between the old and the new.

"I wanted to go new places on the dance floor but keep the old rhythms, the rhythms I knew, the rhythms I felt comfortable with, the rhythms I could dance to." Ken Gire

Unfamiliar spiritual strains ripple within me.My comfort zone shifts ever so slightly. A smile plays upon my lips. Rhythms, old and new, create a holy tension, vying for position.

I stifle the urge to look up the definition of dissonance for this post, letting it remain vague, even ethereal. Intentionally I move away from boxes, lists, and purpose for this moment and stand in the stillness of the breaking rhythm. Listening, waiting for the gentle pressure of the Spirit's hand, nudging me forward.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Picture Worth a Thousand Words

The Highlight of my day: My daughter sent this photo to me today of her daughter.

First time using Blogpress on my iPad. We'll see how it goes.

One of Those Days

Turning round and round, feeling dizzy, breathing deeply.

I started many things today only to turn in a different direction. Finally after several fits and failed starts, I took a book out on the front steps to sit in the sun.

An hour later,Hubby and I went down to help mom with a few things. On our way back, we encountered a lady whose car had broken down. We ended up driving an hour away to take her home. We stopped at one Subway, but a school bus full of kids got there first. After dropping off our passenger, we headed to another subway that had just closed. Subway closing at 7:00?

Ignoring my food allergies by 8:00p.m. we headed to McDonalds. Sigh.

An hour ride home.

Did I mention my laptop crashed today? Thus blogging from iPad which I hate to do.

Practicing eucharisteo, giving thanks.
Beautiful day, lovely evening, safe travels, and bedtime.
An ordinary day far removed from a world in upheaval.

Good Morning Rainbow

 Yesterday I shampooed my rug and changed the furniture around. When I got up this morning, rainbows greeted me.
God has always used rainbows in my life as a sign of hope and change of seasons. Thank you Lord.
I begin my day with a smile.

Raining Blessings

Rain disappointed our plans. (note: I had been praying for rain because the whole state has been so dry.)

Grampy bought a Dora bike for Lily and we were looking forward to seeing her ride it. The weather was not cooperating.

After about an hour in the camper, waiting it out, my daughter said, " I think I brought her raincoat."

The soggy landscape created a backdrop for joy as I watched Lily's wonder.

Lord, give me the eyes of a trusting child to see blessings in the rain.

She got that bike ride after all.

For more Lily Rain photos, hop on over to my Flickr.

Seawall Setting

Playing with my blog this morning, moving a few things around and posting more of my favorite pictures from Seawall photo shoot with Amber and  McKenna.

Click their names to see Amber's photos and their take on the experience.

Just having fun.

 Seawall is in Acadia National Park.

Mission Statement in Process

I loved August Break, simply post my favorite Photos and away we go. I have many more that I put off posting for just the right moment. Not today.

This week marks the start of a new course for me: Blogging from the Heart. (see button in sidebar)

I chose a journal my daughter bought me for my birthday to record my work. Today's assignment was to create a mission statement for my blog. Of course, Susannah walks us through several questions to get to that point.
Here is what I came up with after much crossing out:

"As I share my life in process, I want to help disencumber heart-weights we as women carry and be true to the 'original me' every day. "

Something about it didn't resonate right. I kept reading the top of my journal page that said,"what is calling you?"

Thoughts:
This is what I've always done and who I've always been.
Is it who I want to be?

I pondered and read and weighed the matter.
No, I have it backwards.

"I will be true to myself as I share my daily life in words and pictures; resting, stretching, dreaming and connecting with other women in process."

That feels right.

How about you? Why do you blog and where are you going?

Fair Viewpoints

Body Language

August Break is over but living in a camper for a weekend with lots of people doesn't leave much time for blogging so September will begin with mostly pics for me.