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Looking Up

Posted in life, Nature/Creation, WONDER, tagged #iliftmyeyesup, #lookingup, goddoesntsleep, Hope, sunrise on October 24, 2017| Leave a Comment »

Lift-Up-Your-Eyes-Blog-sm

It was Monday … morning.

My wonder dog had had me up in the middle of the night in gastric distress (sigh … I wonder what he ate now).

I was bone tired and just didn’t feel I was bringing my best to work.

As I drove East I reached the first point in my drive to work when I could see Mt. Baker and the mountains of the North Cascades.

My jaw dropped, and my eyes popped.

I wish I could have pulled over to take a picture of the sunrise, the light peeking through the clouds and the shadows on the mountains had a spectacular visual effect.

Wide-eyed, for the fist time that Monday morning, I smiled broadly … and felt a lightness begin to grow within me.

I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?

I smiled all the way to work.

Devotions in first block were done by a student, a student who exceeds in joy, in love, in tenderness and care to all who cross her path.

She nourished us, treated us with foods to nibble and a message of hope.

The message that I received, visually, while driving to work, after a night of poor sleep.

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.”

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Wise Words for Your Birthday

Posted in FAMILY, GOD, life, WONDER, tagged #, #authenticity, #empowerment, #growingup, #hotmess, #livingwithintention, #quartercentury, #quotestoencourage, #stealingyourhashtags, #vulnerability, #wisewordsforyourbirthday on October 22, 2017| Leave a Comment »

Happy Birthday tomorrow …

To my Jane Austen loving, swim coaching, stationary-loving, legging-wearing, justice-seeking, change-resisting, verbal-processing, feminism-spouting, recovery house working, Naloxone-carrying, self-advocating, gluten and dairy and soy avoiding, blog writing, sibling nurturing, “dark and twistie” tackling, ever-evolving oldest daughter …

There is so much I could say to you, but I am choosing to speak to you through the lips of some of the women who speak to you.

Change; we don’t like it, we fear it, but we can’t stop it from coming. We either adapt to change, or we get left behind. It hurts to grow, anybody who tells you it doesn’t is lying. But here’s the truth: Sometimes the more things change, the more they stay the same. And sometimes, oh, sometimes change is good. Sometimes change is… everything.

Meredith Grey

You and your addiction to Grey’s Anatomy (sorry, but without Derek …). You and your struggle with change. But you are not alone, for we all struggle with the realities of the shifting sands in our life. And change can be difficult, but change is not always a bad thing, and often it is the catalyst to the greatest growth.

Giving you quotes just wouldn’t be complete without Ms. Brown! It is hard to be one who struggles to be perfect and vulnerable at the same time. You have a light within that begs to be released … be vulnerable and turn those lights on full!

As if on cue … (you’d think I had planned to insert Emily Ley now). It’s all grace!

Peace-begins-with-a-smile-Mother-Teresa-vinyl-wall-design

Sometimes it’s the simplest actions that can make the biggest difference to others … and you. Sometimes the authenticity of a smile comes after, not before it appears on ones face.

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Hey, it’s true! And it makes you smile!

Believe in the miraculous … life itself is miraculous! Seek the wonderful, the wonder-filled. Believe in the unbelievable.

The moments of your life are for which you have been created … good and bad, simple and struggle, blessing and curse. The example of Esther is the wisdom of knowing when to speak, when to be silent, the wisdom of being brave, the wisdom of knowing you have nothing of value that you can truly lose when you trust in the God of your people.

Ok, so maybe Ann Voskamp speaks more to me than to you … If I can use her words to share a truth that life has taught me, then the words above speak truth. Life is hard … and then it gets harder. We humans are not guaranteed anything different (“in this world you will have troubles, struggles, difficulties, heartbreaks …” John 16:33). But we are guaranteed that we will never be left alone in it …

“Be strong and courageous (aka brave). Do not be afraid or terrified … for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

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Stronger than Fear

Posted in GOD, life, WONDER, tagged #grippedbyfear, #hopeisstronger, #strongerthanfear, anxious on October 18, 2017| 1 Comment »

hope

My eyes popped open with that distantly familiar feeling in my body and mind. My heart was racing. My body filling with an adrenaline rush of energy.

I looked at the clock … 4:09am.

Perhaps it was a forgotten dream, my mind dealing with stress of the day or an unwise bedtime snack … perhaps, but I will probably never know for certain what sent my body and mind into the flight or fight reaction.

I tried getting up to use the bathroom, hoping that would readjust my inner responses. I tried focusing my attention on deep and slow breathing (a trick I had learned years ago, when frustrated by insomnia), but nothing seemed to steady my heart.

Fear,

known or unknown, valid or absent, self-induced or left in our hands

can become our only focus,

robbing us of peace, of confidence, of joy … of hope.

The Bible offers us hope in times of fear:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you,’ declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 41:13-14

Though a Bible verse is more of a bandaid than a cure (especially if the fear is connected to anxiety or depression), it is the bandaid of hope … than you and I are not alone.

As Corrie ten Boom said, “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.”

And that love of God is the hope that is stronger than fear.

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The Sweet Life

Posted in life, women, WONDER, tagged #carolynpeeler, #creativeretreat, #ileftmyheartintuscany, #iloveitaly, #ladolcevita, #ladolcevitaretreat, #thesweetlife, #womentogether on October 16, 2017| Leave a Comment »

It started as a gift,

No …

it started as a surprise,

No …

it started as a wish,

No …

it started as a dream that I failed to have the imagination to dream.

As I boarded the Europe-bound airliner, I was steeping off of North American soil for the first time. My final destination, Florence, Italy, for La Dolce Vita Creative (Women’s) Retreat.

Hubby had surprised me, at Christmas, with this amazing trip, but he was not alone, for the brilliant mind behind La Dolce Vita Creative Lifestyle Retreats also happens to be my sweet friend, Carolyn Peeler.

Carolyn is a most humble, capable and creative woman, with a confident gentleness that warms the cockles of ones heart, when in her presence.

So, in May of this year, I landed in Florence, checked into my accommodation, and entered into the most delightful adventure of my life.

What followed was beauty, the freshest of food flavours, welcoming people, history to see and touch and walk upon, unique items to purchase, classes to attend, and the most beautiful group of creative, welcoming, helpful and unforgettable women.

We were taught, nourished, entertained and our cups were ever-full (in every way).

We shopped at the market in Lucca, walked the streets of Siena, were given a cooking class and meal prepared by a Michelin chef, in the castle of a Count, we slept in the estate of a Renaissance-era home, with family ties to a Catholic Cardinal of the past. We toured churches, aged streets, arched alleyways, and met gifted artisans.

But, it was the individuals who attended the retreat which made it truly memorable.

It is just our unique and beautiful group who shared life in Tuscany for that week. We awoke each morning and complimented each other’s outfit for the day. Were enjoyed entertainment by our California-duo, who made us laugh ’til tears flowed down our cheeks. We shared in affection for the animals that lived on the estate. We worried for our friend who lost her purse, with many offering practical helps. We struggled to find the grid on our camera phones, create floral arrangements, and pick glass that broke in the swimming pool. We slowed our pace when walking with some, or availed our shoulder when a bus ride was long. We took pictures of each other, with each other. We shared bottles of local wine, and rushed excitedly to our rooms to see what treasures were left on our beds while we dined on local foods over a leisurely dinner. We supported each other when our back hurt, our head hurt or our heart ached. We hung our undies on the same clotheslines and saw that, in Italy, if you want to take a donkey home, there is no delay in it’s creation.

Returning home we were happy to reunite with those we love, but, like the finish of a dear novel, when it was over a part of us longed for the characters who we had so grown to care for, to love.

It was a divine appointment that we would all be there, together, for a week of wonder.

As the plane began to rise toward the sky, leaving Florence behind me, my eyes began to overflow, with longing for more, with longing to return to this place, and the magic that was created by Carolyn Peeler:

“I was dreaming about organizing and hosting my own international retreat. Each week has been different from the one before because of how attendees interact with each other, the special guests, and the experiences I have organized. It has been a blessing to meet women from around the world who show up with their hearts wide open to accept new friends, opportunities and challenges in the most wonderful way. This is what makes La Dolce Vita special… the women who set out on an adventure ready to embrace all that it is. For this, I am thankful – together we have made some lifelong memories!”

Today, at 9am PST, registration for La Dolce Vita Creative Lifestyle Retreat opens. May I recommend this retreat to you, from one creative soul to another. May I let you know that you will be so well cared for, so well loved.

But, may I warn you, it will change you.

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Good Morning Florence

Posted in WONDER on October 15, 2017| Leave a Comment »

In anticipation of a post coming tomorrow morning, I am reposting this one.

I have to admit that re-reading this, and other, posts from my trip to Italy, last May, is creating a longing, a wanderlust unlike anything I have known before.

I am remembering the golden sunrises, the freshness of the food and air, the warmth of the people, the history that can be seen, touched and walked upon. I am remembering the laughter, the joy, the beautiful people who I met in that beautiful land.

I really must start saving for the next trip, for I am realizing that one trip does not satisfy the travel-bug, it simply feeds it.

Enjoy … and don’t forget to read tomorrow’s post! It might just change your life!

Carole
I awoke this morning eager to see what only illuminated my imagination last evening, when I arrived at my accommodation in the dark.

The image, above, of the Meseo Nazionale del Bargello (in Florence, Italy) did not disappoint.

Pigeons cooing outside my windows, as thy sunned themselves on the warm tile rooftops only added to my feeling that I was not awake, but still dreaming. Of course a nine hour time change, and about eighteen hours of airplanes and airports also contributed to the feeling that I was not awake.

This pinch me, am I really in Italy? trip was the brainchild of my good friend (who also happens to host the retreat) and the hubby (who really just wanted to get rid of me so he could have a week of burgers and pizza).

As one who had never been outside of North America this destination was not even one that I could realistically have said that I even dreamed of taking. As a matter of fact, just last week my son asked if this was a dream come true trip, to which I replied,

I just don’t dream this big.

And yet, though a trip to Italy has never graced my still-to-start-filling bucket list, I am inhaling each and every view, every delicious morsel and find myself continually sighing at everything in view, with delight (and there is so much to be delighted with).

I anticipate the themes of this week to be food, visual delights and sighing.

When one is in a beautiful place, a desired place, an anticipated place, light or dark, beauty can and will be seen.

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He is Never Far

Posted in GOD, life, Walking with God, WONDER, tagged #godisthere, #hardshipsandheartaches, #heisneverfar, #reachupforhelp on October 12, 2017| Leave a Comment »

The image (below) grabbed my attention.

Two hands, one reaching down, the other reaching up.

Screen Shot 2017-10-11 at 9.21.33 PM

In the image I could see the multitude of times that I reached up for the security of the hand of the Father, Creator and Redeemer of my soul.

I remembered the tears falling down my cheeks, the throbbing of my head with worry, and the rapid heartbeat in a desperate state of fear. These were not one memory, one experience, but numerous ones, over the years of my life. Moments that could have been defined as desperate, hopeless, fretful or in despair.

These are normative experiences of any life. They are what we share in our human existence of life. Some days and seasons leave you breathless, lifeless and hopeless. The light at the end of the tunnel seems extinguished, or, at the very least, hidden from sight.

When we reach the point of total desperation, it is often then that we have the strength and wisdom to lift our eyes, our hand to the one who can save us … even if, when we raise our hand, it is in the form of a fist.

Acts 17:27 tells us:

“they might look for God,
somehow reach for him,
and find him.
Of course,
he is never far from any one of us.”

His hand is always waiting for us to raise ours. He already knows our heartache, our hardship … yet we need to raise our hand to receive the love, the support and, perhaps, even the resolution or redemption, that he holds out to us.

May we life our hand, accepting his in ours, for “he is never far from any one of us.”

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Life-long Treasure Hunt

Posted in FAMILY, GOD, life, Walking with God, WONDER, tagged #happybirthdayson, #lifelongtreasurehunt, #parableofthetalents, #treasurehunt, #treasureyourtime on October 10, 2017| Leave a Comment »

Sign on sand

Happy birthday, bearded baby boy!

When you were a little boy you loved treasure hunts. One memory of such is the Easter egg hunts with your sisters. While they were racing to find (the most) eggs, you were slowly, methodically adding them to you basket, while stopping and pondering where you would look next.

The treasure hunts don’t end with the end of childhood.

As you get older what you treasure becomes the direction of and how you live your life. So, you need to realize what it is, why, and the consequences (both good and bad) of pursuing such treasure.

Every hour of our days is a gift, and it is up to us to use that time as we choose. That is the freedom in the gift. As with anything else in our lives, the freedom in the gift also comes with consequence, both good and bad.

The Bible tells us over and over about the use of our time.

Ecclesiastes 3 is probably the most familiar to believers and non-believers alike, as it offers a myriad of ways that we can use our gift of time.

Matthew 6:33 tells us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.”

Galatians 6:10 encourages us to use our time for the benefit of others, “as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone.”

Psalm 39:4, reminds us our lives are short, “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered–how fleeting my life is.”

But it is the Parable of the Talents that I offer to you in this usage of the gift of time.

As with all the Parables (meaning to throw alongside) that Jesus shared, this is a story which is parallel to another.

According to Matthew Henry’s Commentary, the master in the story is believed to represent Christ. The servants are (big surprise) those of us who follow him. We receive all that we have from him, and he gives generously. But, what he gives, we owe him.

Now this Master had (has) left us in charge of the gifts he has given to us. He has trusted us with his best. He has also taken our abilities into consideration, and has given us only what we are able to care for. Some take those treasures, and invest them for long term returns. Others, fearing that they might lose what they have been given, hide the treasures given to them (as if ‘under a bushel’). The Master returns (as he will), and praises those who have shared the riches that they have been given. They are blessed with the words of their Master, “well done good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master” (v. 21 & 23).

The best measure of what you truly treasure is how you spend (invest) your hours. Take a look at your days, your week, and see where you invest your time. The activities that you truly treasure are the ones that you are investing the majority of your time.

Do those activities lead toward seeking the kingdom? Do they indicate that you place that time in the hands of God? Are those activities helping you to do good to everyone? Do they indicate that you know how fleeting life is?

Matthew 6:21 reminds us,

“Your heart will always pursue what you treasure.”

May you live your life’s days as an offering back to God, of this good gift He has given.

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Thankful for the Harvest

Posted in life, Love, WONDER, tagged #beyourself, #lovemore, #loveothers, #thankfulfortheharvest, Thanksgiving on October 8, 2017| Leave a Comment »

harvest

The celebration of Thanksgiving, in many countries, around the world, share the origin of giving thanks for the harvest, after the growing season.

The past few days I have been thinking of how thankful I am for one of my grandmothers. The mother of my father, but not a blood grandmother, for I am a child adopted into her family.

She taught me two important things, for which I am so thankful.

The first is something she told me, the second is something she showed me.

Once, when I was facing a new and challenging experience, I called her. She had the uncanny ability to read into how I was feeling without me sharing all of the details. After I mentioned the upcoming experience, she replied, “just be yourself.”
just be

Her words have returned to my memory frequently.

Then there is what she showed me … every day of her life. Though this lesson wasn’t one she shared verbally, she shared it with every action, every fibre of her being.

As a child adopted into her family, she adopted me fully. I cannot fathom feeling more loved by a grandmother by blood.

My memory of her is that she would do anything for those she loved. She baked bread, and pies, and meals. She invited people over, she went to their homes. She bought gifts, made phone calls and attended every concert her grandkids performed.

She didn’t wait to be loved, before she gave love, before she showed love.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
not looking to your own interests
but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Philippians 2:3-4

It didn’t matter if her family no longer visited as in the past, or if we called her as often. For her, love was in the selfless giving, not because it was deserved, but because she choose to always communicate love.
there-is-no-remedy-for-love-but-to-love-more19

Today, technology has allowed for the growing season, and harvest, year round in heated greenhouses in even the coldest temperatures. As such we should give thanks year round as well.

When I look at the legacy that my grandmother left, her building of confidence to be oneself and the gift of modelling selfless love, I hope that I can continue planting seeds as she did. I hope that they will reap an amazing harvest too.

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No Greater Love

Posted in GOD, life, WONDER, tagged #lasvegasheros, #lasvegasshooting, #loveisgreaterthanhate, #nogreaterlove, #sacrificiallove on October 5, 2017| Leave a Comment »

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The tragedy in Las Vegas this week makes our knees shake, our throats constrict and our hearts break.

We watch the news and are left whispering,

“why?”

There is no answer that consoles, no response that heals our broken hearts, or returns humans back to life.

But, I did discover something the other day that surprised me in the most beautiful way.

Though the sensationalized news is hopeless and fearful, people are starting to share stories of those at the event, in Las Vegas, who were the heroes in that dark night.

There were the numerous individuals who covered the body of their wife, their girlfriend, their friend, the stranger standing beside them. And many stories of those protectors dying in the process of saving the lives of others.

John 15:13 tells us what Jesus said about this kind of heroism:

“Greater love has no one than this,
that he lay down his life for his friends.”

There truly is no greater love.

This selfless, heroic love … it makes our knees shake, and we are still asking “why”, but this time we are also in awe, for this is the action of a fellow human being that we can aspire to become.

May they rest in peace, and may their loved ones receive comfort knowing that their lives, altered by hate, were ended in love.

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You are Loved

Posted in GOD, life, WONDER, tagged #dontfgiveup, #godlovesyou, #youareloved on October 3, 2017| Leave a Comment »

Some days are hard, or sad, or frustrating, or disappointing, or full of grief. This is a reality of real life.

We do not live our days on mountaintops, with beautiful vistas, the sun always shining, and things always going our way.

When the days are full of shadows, we sometimes need to be reminded that we are loved.

When just getting out of bed takes all that is within (and more), to choose to throw off the covers and emerge from your place of rest.

When your world seems to be full of bad news.

When it seems that you do not fit in, that you are not enough. That there is rejection of you from all around.

When you just hurt … your body, your mind, your heart.

When life is hard, when it is more difficult to do life, when the news is bad, and when it seems that there is nothing and no one to live for or with …