Gearing Up for Retirement

The Mr. is planning (once again;) to retire (for good) at the end of 2013.  That gives us one year to adjust our budget (and attitudes) for life on his pension(s) and what savings we've squirreled away.  He deserves to hang up his badge after 25+ years of community service.  We have plans .. and then the Lord has plans .. hopefully some will be the same.

You can bet (Lord willing) we won't be sitting around (much).  We have fire wood to gather this summer, mini vacations to take (Glacier National Park), family to visit (us), and odd home repairs not to put off. Grandchildren to fuss over.

We've worked like dawgs paying off debt the past few years (knock on wood .. ) and have learned to be content not needing the latest or greatest gadgets; this all on one income.

We won't be jet setters or pet sitters.  We have a special needs son, Nathan, that will keep us young at heart and close to home; he's a blessing.

So with the New Year about to begin, may the good Lord prepare our hearts, minds AND finances to be adequate and sustaining.  May He give us peace and servant's hearts to give of our time and help to others.  Welcome 2013

Thunder STRUCK

I LOVE a good thunder storm.  Trouble is .. my dawg is a weenie and freaks out.  Tonight one such storm rolled through.  I have resorted to parking my truck on the driveway and tying up the dawg in the empty garage .. away from anything she can topple over.

Several weeks ago a magnificent storm rolled through.  We had company staying in the guest room above our garage .. and didn't want her to wake them up with barking .. so she was kept on a short leash in the dining room.  At 3 AM I awoke to what I thought was a burglar .. only to find out the dog had toppled some plants, books and mail off the bakers rack, tipped over her water and proceeded to tromp around creating a BIG MESS.  

Now the storm is passing.  Nathan has gone back to bed after spending an hour in the 'safe room' (interior bathroom) ....  all is well. 

Thank you Lord for sending the rain and for shaking up the heavens to remind us of your presence.

Winter-scapes

Ann enjoying a bleak winter day

Finding beauty in bleakness .. it takes just a little imagination to develop this sense.  Living in a winter scape affords a person the ability to eventually see summer in technicolor.  Never one for wasting a good day, I try to find the beauty within each one.

Bleak .. cold ..

snowy .. sunny .. in-between .. leafless

emerging .. emerald .. first leaf .. first bloom ..

scents .. fruit of the vine .. harvest ..

swirling leaves ..

naked sentry trees .. wind .. ice ..

cold .. bleak. 

As each day unfolds, there is a beauty to behold.  Even on the bleakest day of winter, somewhere in the landscape .. beauty is waiting to be discovered.  No special glasses required .. just open eyes to pinpoint the God given abundance that is ours to discover .. if we just  observe His ever changing landscape.

You will go out in joy and be  

led forth in peace; 

the mountains and hills

will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field 

will clap their hands.

Isaiah 55:12

Yes, I'm Still On Vacation

... with family (at home;) ... but I had the best epiphany last night and woke up so peaceful and rested in spite of not getting much sleep.  It had to do with dogs, kids, marriage, and life passing quickly.   All this from playing with an adorable puppy and being aware of God's stirring during the night to abide in Him. 

Pic:  my newest 'granddaughter' Daisy Mae

Church 'For' The Birds

Another Sunday rolls around and I'm home bound .. alone with Nathan.  He does not 'do' church well (period).  Today's Bible lesson was one that was observed from the comfort of my backyard perch wicker chair.  A pair of binoculars and a Western Bird field guide ... along with scripture were my instruments for learning.  God often speaks to me when I'm in the back woods observing His creation.  Today at the feeder I spied a red headed 'purple' finch.  The description in the field guide informs that this (male) bird appears to have been dipped in raspberry juice :)  I wonder why he's called 'purple'?  Anyway ... being in the presence of God's creation is very fulfilling.  The scripture says... Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky ... (Gen. 1:20).  Some days I envision all of man's devices for following God null and void.  When you strip all but the very basic form of worship .. you have communion with Him that has set the stars in place.  Just think how blessed we are to have written scripture and the ability to read.  Even so, without these abilities, we should still know that God is the creator of the universe.  He has left enough finger and foot prints for us to follow.  Have a blessed day.

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."    Romans 1:18-20 (NIV)

copyright free image from here

A Question For God

Dear Lord,

I'm confused. I hope you can help me understand something that has been bothering me. Here goes:

Why do some people who defend the rights of pre-born children and approve of forceful/sanctioned methods used against t^^rorists in an attempt to further thwart said people causing hateful/evil destruction against your creation get 'trashed' by the news media and politicians? and ...

Why do some people pamper and cater to t^^rorists yet do everything in their power to have laws passed approving the termination of innocent pre-born life get promoted as a 'side' for the so called more 'enlightened', people?

When Grandpa Got Saved

My maternal grandfather was a late bloomer ... that is with his walk with the Lord. I've heard statistics through the years about how few older people make a decision for Christ ... he was in his late 70's before his "rebirth." His one liner as I was growing up was, "I'm going to get to heaven on Grandma's credit card." Even as a child, I knew this was not possible ... so why did he have to always say that? In 1986 I got up the courage to just present the Gospel to Grandpa. He lived in Northern California near my mom at the time ... and they would both be visiting for a few days. The night prior to his arrival, I had a very strange dream ... and in this dream, Mom called to tell me that she couldn't come down to visit because Grandpa had just died of a heart attack. As soon as she told this to me (in my dream), I immediately saw where his spirit was going ... and let's just say, folks, that it was not to heaven. Do you think this little revelation gave me the extra courage to witness? (YES) His first night staying at my home, he was presented with God's word and accepted Christ as his personal savior. The very next day, while visiting with a friend, he had a major heart attack (I kid you not)! He "just so happened" to be about a mile from a well renowned heart hospital ... and his doctor was a believer too. (Now, if this had happened at his home in the mountains, he'd not have made it.) Needless to say, Grandpa pulled through and lived another 14 years.

Photo of Grandpa Bob about age 10 (1918)