The Rain & the Rainbows

There are those times when we really think the rain is never going to end. There is so much gloom - outside, inside, within us, and around us. Even the air we breathe is heavy and labors us. Problems are heavy. Our shoulders are heavy and can't bear any more gloom. We are just too tired of it all. It would be nice to go to bed under a weight of warm covers and there hide until the sun comes out, which at this moment we believe, truly believe, that it can't happen. The blankets hold us, secure us, warm us, and provide shelter from the rain, from life, from having to think. Sleep over-comes us, and in that we can be happy. But REALITY is, that the sun does come out. It shines big in the sky, glorious and bright and new days begin every day. A new dawn is there for all of us. What we need to do is want it, invite it, accept it, and rejoice in it. There will always be challenges, and there will always be rain, but there are also beautiful rainbows and warmth from the sun. The earth, and all it's inhabitants, need all of this, the dirt, the rain, the rainbows, the sunshine. If there wasn't dirt, things couldn't grow. If we didn't have rain we couldn't thrive. If we didn't have sunshine we couldn't mature. If you have dirt in your life learn from it, let it feed you. Stand up in the rain and drink it in, let it wash you. Face the sunshine and grow, let it nurture you.

See the rain drop - it isn't really so big. Speak to the storm. See the ladybug - she is so small, but she keeps on keepin' on. She sits in the sunshine.

Be a light in the darkness

I am determined to be a light in the darkness. You and I both know there is a lot of darkness in the world. I am not able to heal the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the unclothed, stop the war, speak to presidents and rulers, or take care of a multitude of problems the world faces. One thing I can do - I can be a light in the darkness. I can smile in the face of adversity because I know it will get better. I can encourage where there is depression and discouragement. I can hug and hold a hand when there is despair. I can hold onto hope for the hopeless. I can show faith where there is no faith. I can say yes when someone comes my way and needs help that I can provide. I can give of myself, my energies, my time, and my love. I can be a comfort. I can be a great listener. I can be strong (not by my strength but by His), I can be gentle (let your gentleness be evident to all the Lord is near - Philippians 4:5). I can love deeply (Above all, love each other deeply -1 Peter 4:8). The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer; my God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge (Psalm 18:2).

I can do this because I have been in that darkness. I lived there for a long time. It is a very difficult place to get out of. Perservere, never give up, look to the light. It is the only way. Have faith. Keep your hope. Pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances. You will not be given more than you can handle, and God will walk you through it. Seek Him always.

Mother

Being a mother is a lot like being the head of a corporation - making decisions, planning, dedication, foresight, discipline, strategy, organization, tending the flock. I could go on, but we all understand already what it takes to be a mother, at least all the mothers understand. It takes one to know one, right? I really miss my mother. She passed away when I was 25. I never really became an adult, I don't think anyway, until I was 25. It isn't until then that we actually begin to grow up. I lost my Mom right when I finally grew up and could have begun to have real honest conversations with her. Up to that point I pretty much didn't know how to communicate well or to identify with her. Sadly, I regret not having a tight beautiful loving and understanding relationship with my mother. I love her, I always have, but it was me who didn't know how to receive that, and now it is too late.

There were four of us kids, a managerie of pets, and my mom worked full time to help make ends meet. There wasn't time for much special close bonding. We were all so busy, homework, friends, tending pets, working in the vegetable garden and picking fruit in the orchard, riding the horse, adventures and play. There is always so much to do. I can say that I cannot ever remember being bored. It never dawned on me that I needed to say I love you more often, I needed to give hugs and smiles and cheerfulness. I didn't realize it and I didn't do it, and now I am sorry. Teenagers have their own world to live in. We all know that's the way it is. I was like that, struggling to find my way, trying to find a place I fit in and peers who liked me for me, and ideas to accomplish and goals to try to become. Like all teenagers, I saw my life in my way, and I didn't reach out to get any help in it, I plugged away at what I thought was the right things for me to do, and many of them weren't. I kept my mouth shut and I continued to plug away, to struggle, to become frustrated and angry, and to hate myself at times. There is no way that I would ever EVER want to live through my teen years again.

I am a mother. I try to always keep an open conversation with all of our children (5). There are no subjects we won't talk about. I want to be the best listener there ever was, always give encouragement, strive for integrity at all times, set the best example that I am able to, teach by doing and by being (to walk the walk). I strive to keep my temper no matter what, and speak with an even tone. I try to think about what I am going to say before I let it leave my mouth (that's a hard one). I love unconditionally and continually and let love shine. I hug, I kiss, I speak love at every opportunity. I will give my life for my kids. That is love.

I miss my mother very much. I want to tell her I love her. I want to yell it from the roof tops. MOM I LOVE YOU! Don't let another moment go by - tell your Mom you love her. Even if you haven't spoken to her in years, even if you are mad at her, no reason is important enough. Let go of that pain and that nagging stupid resentment and free yourself. Do it for you and for her. DO IT. Life is way too valuable for you to let this opportunity go by.

I placed three scrap-pages I made for my mother here, hope you enjoy and pray you are inspired.

A Garden

A garden is a delight to the eye and a solace for the soul. Yesterday one of my daughters came by for a long visit and brought my grandson. The day was beautiful and sunny without being too warm. We enjoyed many outdoor hours. She is a photographer and brought her camera. We took photos of everything in our path; close-ups of bird nests, bees on flowers, tree bark, the branches against the bright sky, playing with our dog, Quinn blowing dandelions, each other blowing dandelionse etc. We even took photos of each of us taking photos of each of us. We had an outdoor picnic, the first of many I'm sure, as we progress through spring and summer. We laughed a lot and truly enjoyed our day. The backyard and garden need a lot of tending as winter has passed and spring has sprung. It is nice to take photos of a landscaped and manicured garden, but there are times when I prefer to shoot the clutter, to capture the natural and untouched, to just let the pixels lay where they fall. I hope you enjoy this page I made with my beautiful butterfly photos from my 'organic' backyard.

National Day of Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer. In some ways this is my favorite day of the year, over all other days. It gives us a time to speak to God, to open our hearts to Him, to share our joys and our woes, a time to ask for His grace and mercy on our lives and on those in our family, in our community, our nation, and our world. I prayed today. First I prayed with a television ministry, John Hagee Today, a very powerful ministry where I go to continue to be fed God's word. I got on my knees and I raised my hands and I prayed and rejoiced.

Then I prayed at my desk. It is where I am most of every day, working away at all that I desire to do and to prosper, and I came to God right where I sat. I prayed for every member of my family and extended family. I prayed for many things for them. I prayed for Israel and the protection of that nation and it's people. I prayed for America and the healing of this nation, and forgiveness for all our sins, and for cleansing of America and Americans. We are still a land as One Nation Under God and we must remain as that. We must honor those who came to this country and made us a nation and all that they brought and purposed to this nation and intended for us to carry forward. In God We Trust and must continue to do if we are to be protected, to prosper, to be fed, and to be saved. I prayed my heart out to my Father and I hope you do too. God bless you and yours this day and every day. Today is an awesome day!