Hope

‘Hope like the sun,
when we journey toward it,
casts the shadow of our burden behind us.’
- Samuel Smiles -

All Who Are Thirsty

All who are thirsty,
All who are weak,
Come to the fountain,
Dip your heart in the stream of life.
Let the pain the the sorrow
Be washed away
In the waves of His mercy
As deep cries out to deep
We sing -
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Song: ‘All Who Are Thirsty’
Brenton Brown and Glenn Robertson
Vineyard Songs

Change Is In The Air

The days have begun to have that ‘feel’ of Fall in the air – and there are other changes around here! I have changed my blog to a private domain. Over the next three days everything from my blog will be redirected to my new blog address:

www.withagratefulheart.com

You may want to change your blog readers or your Favorites list. I’ll still be here – and I hope more often! This is a change I’ve thought about for a long time and I decided it was time – time to make a change.

There are other changes in my life and I can’t wait to share them with you soon. Don’t worry – they are good changes. Exciting changes that are making a big difference for me! (Not to worry, my sweetheart is still here!)

Please contact me if you have any problems accessing my blog. I’ve been assured the transition will be smooth. We shall see!

Two Loves: The Piano and A Cat

I saw this on someone’s Face Book page and I just couldn’t help myself – I had to share it with you! If you’ve been following my blog for awhile you know I love, love, love the piano – and I love cats! Maybe you don’t know that I used to teach piano lessons. I think that’s why this video tickles my funny bone so much because, if you watch closely, you will see that the lady of this house is a piano teacher. (I was not blessed with side-by-side grand pianos, however!) I can’t for the life of me imagine how this talented cat came by her ‘ear’ for music. Scroll down and turn off the music on my PlayList, sit back, watch and enjoy!

And if that's not enough - here's the sequel - her encore!

Filled To Overflowing

My cup overflows with blessings.
Psalm 23:5
New Living Translation

The overflowing cup was a powerful symbol in the days of David. Hosts in the ancient East used it to send a message to the guest. As long as the cup was kept full, the guest knew he was welcome. But when the cup sat empty, the host was hinting that the hour was late. On those occasions, however, when the host really enjoyed the company of the person, he filled the cup to overflowing. He didn’t stop when the wine reached the rim; he kept pouring until the liquid ran over the edge of the cup and down on the table.

Have you noticed how wet your table is? God wants you to stay. Your cup overflows with joy. Overflows with grace.

You have a place at God’s table. And he is filling your cup to overflowing.

from 'Traveling Light’
by Max Lucado

A Blissful Gift and A Dream House

Awhile ago I won a give-away from Shari at My Cottage of Bliss. Shari gave me a choice of gift cards from several great places and I chose a three-in-one gift card from HomeGoods, TJ Maxx or Marshall’s. I was thrilled and excited and couldn’t wait to find something very special. Since it’s a bit of a drive from my little community in the suburbs to any of these places I had to wait a bit longer than planned before I could ‘spend’ my gift card. But, oh, was it worth the wait! I think I saw nearly everything in HomeGoods before I rounded a corner and – there it was! Oh, the house of my dreams – my little cottage of bliss! Just waiting for me.

My dear cousin was with me when I found it and she agreed with me – this little house ‘looked just like me’! It was perfect. Exactly the kind of house I would love to have in real life. If were a little birdie I would move in right now!

And if I lived here, you could come knock on my door and we could sit on the porch, share a pot of tea and have a l-o-n-g chat.

This little house thrills my heart every time I see it. My sweetheart asked if I plan to hang it outside so the bird can enjoy it. I told him I didn’t want the birds messing up my new house!

Can’t you just imagine the ‘dreamy’ little bedroom under the eaves?

I’m sure this little cottage would be perfectly cozy all year round. Imagine enjoying Spring and Summer breezes blowing gently through the open windows. Or, how comfy we could be sipping hot chocolate beside the fire on a cold, winter day.

Maybe I should paint my house to match my new little birdhouse! Oh, but then I would need to add a porch and railing, an upstairs and a balcony. So I think I’ll just sit and enjoy this little cottage – and dream of the possibilities.

(Thank you, Shari, for your wonderful gift to me – I think of you and your real-life Cottage of Bliss every time I see it. If you haven’t met Shari, be sure to stop by and visit her blog and see the wonderful new place they are renovating so they can move in soon.)

Peeking In At A Party

Last week I celebrated my birthday. The daytime hours were like most any day – the morning hours were spent in my chaplain ministry and during the afternoon I ‘puttered’ around the house, doing things that needed to be done. But late in the afternoon everything changed! My sweetheart had planned and organized a family barbecue – exactly what I wanted. I wanted time with my family gathered together! He outdid himself. I was very proud of him and the way he had each of the gals (my dear little mother, our daughter, daughter-in-law and my cousin) participate. Before most of the crowd arrived my cousin and her hubby came and were busy with assigned tasks. Whenever I wandered into the kitchen or outside to the patio I was told to go relax, put up my feet and get ready for a party! The dining room table was decorated, as were two tables on the patio. My sweetheart bought potted plants for centerpieces on each table. Is it any surprise that the blooms on the plants were yellow?

Tiny pots of little cactus were added to the floral centerpieces – chosen by my sweetheart so I could plant a little cactus garden later.

My sweetheart reigned over the grill – the aroma of chicken filled the air.

Soon my family began to arrive. Everyone had such a good time together. My dear mother and our granddaughter, Miss E. . .

Two of our grandsons – Mr. G. and Mr. C. enjoyed being together again. . .

And our youngest granddaughter, Miss H., arrived in her party dress. She and her aunt, our daughter-in-law, Mrs. K, seemed to enjoy spending time together.

Mr. R., our oldest grandson, is growing up so fast. He recently broke his collarbone in a skateboarding accident so he has to wear a backpack-style brace for a few weeks.

After the festivities began to slow down a bit, Miss E. read Winnie the Pooh to Mr. H. He snuggled up next to her and listened intently – and then, as his body began to relax, his thumb went into his mouth and it was obvious sleep would overtake him if he sat still much longer.

But it wasn’t long and he was up and going again! He couldn’t wait to hold his new cousin, 'Bebe H.' (supervised, of course, by her mommy, our daughter, Mrs. M.).

Miss H. was the ‘new kid on the block’ and everyone wanted time to hold her. Mr. J., our son enjoyed spending time with his new niece. He held her for a long time so her mommy could eat and enjoy time with the family.

It was fun to see our oldest grandson and our youngest granddaughter together. (Oh, Grandma, that light is so bright!)

My sweetheart bought a beautiful birthday cake for me – complete with yellow roses. Of course you know yellow roses are my favorite!

The evening went too fast but it was filled with love and laughter and lots of smiles.

Much too soon it was time to give hugs and kisses and say goodbye. . .

And it seems there’s always time for one more picture of someone ‘hanging’ from a branch in the big tree by Grandma’s front door!

(Pictures of some family members are missing: my sweet cousin and her hubby - and our oldest granddaughter who requested that I not share the photos I took of her. This grandma loves the fun photos that show her ‘cuteness’ but I have chosen to respect her wishes. Of course I am always the one behind the camera so you will just have to believe me that I did attend the party!)

Unfailing Love

‘Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you
will not be shaken
or my covenant of peace
be removed,’
says the Lord,
who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

A Day To Retreat

Yesterday I joined a special group of friends as we travelled a ways through the Columbia River Gorge to spend time enjoying our friendship and relaxing in a wonderful place on the Washington side of the Columbia River.

We are all on the board of Friend To Friend, a once-a-month women’s ministry in the Portland area. This was our first board ‘retreat’ – a fun day away together to relax, renew our friendships, have lunch together and discuss the coming year (September to May). We drove east on the Oregon side of the Gorge, crossed over into Washington on the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks. . .

And soon arrived at Bonneville Hot Springs Resort.

As soon as we walked inside we were amazed at the beauty of this place. (I was too busy to take photos – these are ‘borrowed’ from the website. Sorry they are so small!)

We had reservations to be pampered. We each relaxed in a private mineral bath. . .

And then an herbal linen wrap. Oh, so relaxing. And refreshing. And soothing. You can see incredible photos and read all about the resort and the spa experiences here.

Lunch together was fun. We shared about recent vacations and updates about our families and lots of girl-talk. We spent time talking about and finalizing plans for the coming months of Friend To Friend.

After lunch we had to visit the gift shop – a great place! There were so many lovely things. Soon it was time to say goodbye and head home. We had such a good time – and we want to return again sometime. It was a wonderful way to spend time together with dear friends. A refreshing break in our busy lives – a retreat that refreshed the body. And the soul!

Glory and Majesty

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
I Chronicles 29:11