Rolling on the River

Our property is bordered on one side by a river. We often go and sit on the bank and watch it flow, look for fish, and last Fall, we saw beavers swimming in the river. But generally, we don't go IN the river.... But last week, when it was quite warm, the kids begged and begged to be allowed to swim in the river. Honestly, I was a little horrified. I mean, who knows what is in that water? But hubs reminded me that people have been swimming in rivers for years, and calmed my fears by pointing out that the river is down really low right now so it is very shallow. After eliciting promises from R&J to NOT SWALLOW THE WATER!, and to shower thoroughly after swimming, I relented. So we all headed down to the river...

I got a little bit distracted by the gorgeous leaves and flowers on this vine, which grows everywhere on anything that is standing still....

Here's the river...

Dogs like to swim too...

I think the dog is telling her "Come on in, the water's fine!"

In my prowling around my the bank, I found these! Wild blackberries! They are small, but the ripe ones are delicious!

More pretty flowers (weeds)...

The kids had a blast, and it was fun and relaxing to sit and watch the river flow.

Memory Verse - July 15th

Lately I have been praying up a storm with intercessory requests, and as far as I can tell, I don't see them being answered. I saw a cute little placard in a store recently that said "God has three answers to prayer: "Yes", "Not now", and "I have something better in mind". So I'm reminding myself to TRUST HIM, and that even when I don't see things happen, He is at work. So the verse I chose to memorize is:

"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things." Ecclesiastes 11:5, NIV

Top Ten Tuesday - the Bucket List

Jenni is hosting “Tuesday Top Ten” lists, and today’s top ten list is our “Bucket List”, things we’d like to accomplish before we depart this earth. Not something I think about often as I tend to focus too much on what I need to do this week, today, IN THE NEXT 10 MINUTES (shriek)!!!

But anyway, here’s my “Bucket List”, and you can check out Jenni’s here.

1. See my kids grow up

Yes, it’s painful at times, but after so many years of struggling with infertility, I have been richly blessed to be “Mom” to these two…. They are well on their way, and I want to see their journey unfold.

2. Fulfill my purpose

As corny as it may sound to some, I believe with all my heart that God DOES have a specific plan and purpose for my life, and I don’t want to leave this earth having missed it. I don’t think it is necessarily just one thing, or some grandiose task that He has planned for me, but perhaps, my purpose is fulfilled in millions of everyday moments. Whatever it is, I want to fulfill it.

3. See the Northern Lights

I’ve always been fascinated by the whole idea of the Aurora Borealis, and I even love how the name just rolls off the tongue. To me, it is God’s show of dancing, shimmering light, his version of a laser light show without the obnoxiously loud rock music and raucous fans…..

4. Make something beautiful (or many things beautiful!) in stained glass

Sunshine streaming through stained glass invokes such vivid colors, unlike anything that can be achieved on paper or canvas. And yet working in stained glass requires precision, math, and technical skill, which all appeals to the left-brain part of me. Artistry by engineering, if you will!


5. Learn to play the piano

I’m not interested in learning to play classical pieces for a recital, but would be thrilled to be able to bang out some chords and a recognizable melody. I can picture us now, all gathered around the piano like the Waltons, while mom (me) plays a hymn. Oh, I'm kidding... That is NOT my family at all...!


6. Plan and plant a gorgeous garden

I’d love to have massive beds with gorgeous shrubs, flowers and such and garden benches and a gazebo to make the garden an inviting place to just…be. And yes, I’d also like to have a great kitchen garden too, with fruits, veggies, and herbs. I enjoy all aspects of gardening EXCEPT the heavy digging needed to prepare the beds and soil, which is probably why this is nowhere close to a reality…

7. Leisurely travel

I’m not interested in the “see 7 cities in 7 days!” types of travel. Hubby and I like to be able to take our time and noodle through a place, with no agenda or time constraints. Some of the places I’d like to linger are Venice, Ireland, Australia, Scotland (my heritage), and Austria.

8. Take a balloon ride

Only because I am really afraid of heights, and I want to show myself that I can…..

9. Make amends and restore relationships

Honestly, I don’t want to be on my deathbed realizing I am leaving behind broken relationships. I’d love to leave with peace of mind and no regrets about the people I love.

OK, there you have it! Leave me a comment if you post your own list, as I’d love to hear yours.

Fireflies...

Stars on Earth

As daylight dims,
And darkness grows,
They rise on a whim,
Fireflies, aglow.

What great delight!
I watch them dance,
Sweet, sparkling lights,
I’m entranced!

Mimicking stars,
Cast in milky night skies,
The heavens on earth,
Twinkling fireflies.

In a time when it seems our country is becoming so politically divided over issues and actions, my prayer is that we, as a nation, will cry out to God, and that He will heal and restore us.

I became a US citizen in 1990, and I am so proud to call myself an American!