Word-filled Wednesday

Our neighbors behind us decided to take out one of their trees and dumped most of it in our yard in the process.  There was some damage to our yard, but none to our house.  Thank God for His protection!

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you."  Psalm 5:11

Monday Musings

Out in my yard today...  32 degrees and snowing!  Springtime in Idaho where anything is possible.  I've lived here practically my whole life, so I shouldn't be surprised by this unpredictable weather.  Hopefully warm sunshine is on the way soon!

Underneath all of that cold white stuff there is a lot of life just starting to emerge from the ground.  Daffodils, tulips, irises, and wildflowers will be ready to bloom in the next couple of weeks.  "It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" ~Mark Twain

I'm grateful for... moments of quiet time filled with inspiration and peace.

One of my favorite things...  is this cute coffee mug that my honey fills with coffee just for me. 

This week I'm reading... The Happiness Project  Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean my Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin.  I discovered the author's blog about a year ago and I've been waiting for the paperback version of this book for several months now.  I really enjoy her transparency and insight.  I might just do my own happiness project in the future.
 
I'm looking forward to... not much this week, I must admit.  After spring break last week, a little down time is welcome. 
 
Simple life tip for the week... "If you judge people you have no time to love them." ~Mother Teresa     

Lately...

Lately I have been watching my girls deal with a lot of frustration and disappointment.  I feel helpless.

Lately my thoughts keep turning towards the people of Japan and my heart has been full of sorrow and compassion. 

Lately I have been reminded that God is the God of life.

Lately I have been missing my mom like crazy.  I've been desperately searching my heart for any words of comfort or wisdom that she might have planted there in my youth.

Lately I have noticed that I am very easily distracted.

Lately I have been reminded that my husband is incredibly sensitive, patient, and kind.

Lately I have had a tremendous desire to break into song at random times throughout the day.

Lately I have become obsessed with the idea of being in a flash mob.

Lately I haven't been sleeping very well.

Lately large cups of coffee and meditating on this verse have kept me going.   "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."   Romans 8:28

Lately I have been inspired while doing totally mundane tasks. 

Lately I have really been pursuing my purpose with intention and passion. 

Lately I have felt loved.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the friendships you make be those which endure

and all of your grey clouds be small ones for sure.

And trusting in Him to Whom we all pray,

may a song fill your heart every step of the way.

Word-filled Wednesday

"Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants." ~Deuteronomy 32:2

Monday Musings

Out in my yard today... a rainy day with a bit of a breeze, 53 degrees, and I can see that spring is coming! 

little crocus heads emerging

The yellow ones are opening!

Every year it seems like I wait and wait and wait for some sign that spring is near, and then surprise!  creation seems to suddenly awaken from it's winter slumber and there is work to be done in the yard.

I'm grateful for... the robin I saw in my yard last week- hope for the beginning of spring delivered on the wings of a fine feathered friend.  I'm also thankful to be celebrating seven years of living in our beautiful home.  Prior to the purchase of this home, we had moved 15 times in 15 years.   I was done with moving, to say the least!  As we were moving in to this place, I kept telling everyone that this was it, I would not be moving again.  My then 8-year-old daughter began referring to our new house as "Mommy's final resting place."  Classic.

One of my favorite things... for this week I actually have two. I have been wanting a shamrock plant for a while now.  So my husband bought me this beautiful one yesterday.

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day

I have also been enjoying this cute little ceramic rain boot full of springy flowers.  I smile everytime I see it!

   

This week I'm reading... The Rhythm of Life  Living Every Day with Passion & Purpose  by Matthew Kelly.  My friend Michelle blessed me with this book.  There are so many little nuggets of truth for me to use in my own life.

I'm looking forward to...  an orchestra concert tonight, a band concert tomorrow night, a recorder concert Wednesday evening, and then St. Patrick's Day on Thursday.  I absolutely adore the wearing o' the green!  Corned beef and cabbage, leprechauns, and a big pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  My celtic heart is bursting with joy and anticipation!

Simple life tip for the week...The future is not ours to know, and it may never be- so let us live and give our best and give it lavishly! ~Irish proverb 

Word-filled Wednesday

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."  ~Psalm 91:2