God Is Your Home

God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
John 4:24

Don’t think you are separated from God, he at the top end of a great ladder, you at the other. Dismiss any thought that God is on Venus while you are on earth. Since God is Spirit (John 4:23), he is next to you: God himself is our roof. God himself is our wall. And God himself is our foundation.

Moses knew this, “Lord,” he prayed, “you have been our home since the beginning (Psalm 90:1). What a powerful thought: God as your home. Your home is the place where you can kick off your shoes and eat pickles and crackers and not worry about what people think when they see you in your bathrobe.

Your home is familiar to you. No one has to tell you how to locate your bedroom. . .God can be equally familiar to you. With time you can learn where to go for nourishment, where to hide for protection, where to turn for guidance. Just as your earthly house is a place of refuge, so God’s house is a place of peace. God’s house has never been plundered, his walls have never been breached.

from ‘The Great House of God’
written by Max Lucado
artwork: ‘Victorian Spring ‘
artist: Susan Tolle Mcclure
available through art.com

What Color Is Autumn?

What color is Autumn?
I really can’t tell -
Sometimes it is golden,
I know it so well,
And then very suddenly
To my surprise,
It changes to auburn
In front of my eyes.
What color is nature
This late Autumn day?
There’s a whirlwind of orange
In the leaves as they play,
But no – some are brown
Or a crimson would seem,
But there in the valley,
A trace still of green.
What color October?
My dear, can’t you tell,
’Tis a rainbow of beauty
Where Autumn doth dwell.
The green and the golden,
The crimson and brown. . .
You’ll find Autumn's colors
In leaves falling down.

- Garnett Ann Schultz -

Where Joy And Sorrow Meet

There’s a place of quiet stillness
‘Tween the light and shadows reach
Where the hurting and the hopeless
Seek everlasting peace
Words of men and songs of angels
Whisper comfort bittersweet
Mending grief and life eternal
Where joy and sorrow meet

There is a place where hope remains
In crowns of thorns and crimson stains
And tears that fall on Jesus’ feet
Where joy and sorrow meet

There’s a place the lost surrender
And the weary will retreat
Full of grace and mercy tender
In times of unbelief
For the wounded there is healing
Strength is given to the weak
Broken hearts find love redeeming
Where joy and sorrow meet

There is a place where hope remains
In crowns of thorns and crimson stains
And tears that fall on Jesus’ feet
Where joy and sorrow meet

There’s a place of thirst and hunger
Where the roots of faith grow deep
And there is rain and rolling thunder
When the road is rough and steep
There is hope in desperation
There is victory in defeat
At the cross of restoration
Where joy and sorrow meet

There is a place where hope remains
In crowns of thorns and crimson stains
And tears that fall on Jesus’ feet
Where joy and sorrow meet

(Sung yesterday at the memorial service for a dear friend – I will miss you much, Mrs. N. – you fought hard and long and, in the end, you WON – our loss, your gain! I will see you in that place where joy and sorrow meet.)

Song: ‘Where Joy and Sorrow Meet’
Written and recorded by: Avalon

The Enchanted Forest

If you live near my home in Oregon you may think I’m going to tell you a tale of fun and children's’ play at The Enchanted Forest amusement park. I’d love to tell you all about it but that would mean I need to visit there again to see all the fun things they’ve done there since my last visit with one of my grandchildren. No, I’m going to tell you about the amazing, enchanting long weekend we spent in the forest of Eastern Oregon! There were unexpected adventures and the hoped-for prize at the end of the hunt!

My sweetheart and I, along with Joey (my puppy) headed east from our home, across the Cascade Mountain Range and farther east to the place where we met some of his family and friends who always hunt together. This spot in the eastern forest is a cherished, much-loved hunting area that has been part of his family’s life for many years. Anticipation grew as we approached the turn-off and headed up onto the mountainside. Not long afterwards we were face-to-face with family who had reserved just the perfect place for our little cabin-on-wheels. We were at the back of the camping spot, surrounded by trees and an open area that was the perfect place for Joey and I to walk. After we had settled in and eaten a simple supper we joined family around a big campfire and, oh, did we enjoy our time together. Tales were told and plans were made for the hunting expedition the next morning on opening day of hunting season. Everyone ‘turned in’ to their beds fairly early because the hunters were planning a very early start – before daybreak they planned to drive up the mountain to be at the appointed spot at first light, the time hunting season officially began.

My sweetheart was up and out very early and Joey and I decided to snuggle down in the warm covers and sleep a bit more. Some time later I woke and peeked out the window – and what to my wondering eyes should appear? SNOW!! It was snowing!

I was so excited that I jumped out of bed, grabbed my warm clothes and my camera and scooted outside to take photos. If the snow stopped, I wanted to have photos to show the beauty that was happening all around us.

I didn’t need to worry that the snow would stop and melt too soon – it kept coming down.

It snowed. . .

And snowed. . .

And snowed some more!

The hunters returned and gathered around the campfire to share tales of their adventures on the mountain.

Nearby, our nephew’s young son began to make a snowman!

Over the next two days the snow melted a bit at times and then began again.

I found myself singing ‘Winter Wonderland’ and ‘Let It Snow’ - ‘Oh, the weather outside is frightful but the fire is trailer’s so delightful. . .’

Joey had never seen snow before and I wondered what he would think when he first stepped outside. He didn’t seem to be upset – in fact, he was a bit curious.

He found that he could walk and find his way in spite of the silly stuff that tickled his tummy!

High overhead a gorgeous mountain rock formation towered above our campsite.

It caught my imagination and I often walked up the road to catch a different view and to capture the colors and textures and shadows with my camera.

The snow didn’t dampen our spirits, nor did it take away the enjoyment of time together with our family and friends. It did remind us of the incredible beauty of the world around us – the world we often take for granted until we slow down a bit and really see what is right in front of us.

(Soon I will tell you the results of the hunt and share more Oregon beauty seen as we traveled home.)

The Path Of Life

You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11

Going Away!!

I will be away for a few days, but I’ll be back soon! My sweetheart and I are leaving town this morning – going hunting. Well, he is going hunting. I’m going along to rest, relax, read, do a project or two and kept the stewpot stirred and ready when my hungry hunter returns from the woods each day. I haven’t gone hunting with my sweetheart since our now-grown children were very young. I didn’t plan to go this year because our son and oldest grandson were going to go and share our little cabin-on-wheels with my sweetie! A few days ago our son called to say he would not be able to go this year – and then my sweetheart asked if I would go with him. After some thought – and rearranging some plans – I decided that my little dog, Joey, and I would be able to join my sweetheart, some of his family and friends who hunt together each year. I’m excited about the chance to get away but most of all, I’m looking forward to some unplanned quiet time with a good book or two, a couple of projects that may or may not get done, my camera – but most of all with my sweetheart, the man-of-my-dreams! Oh, yes, we hope he gets a BIG deer this year!

A Faire To Remember – Part 1

As promised, I have so much to share about the recent Antique Faire at Deepwood Estate. More photos than there is room to show – and more to tell than time allows. But I just don’t want to miss the chance for you to see what a wonderful group of people I met that day and the incredible things they offered for sale. Today I’ll share a few more scenes and the many treasures found that day. In a few days I will share the talents and artistry of vendors you may recognize from the world of blog.

Remember this little darling? She belongs to the gal who had a wonderful booth filled with lovelies that were hard to leave there. I think I easily could have filled my car with her wares!

Such sweet things displayed so well.

And an old, iron crib that really wanted to come home with me, but didn't!

Would you believe she made the most delicious, delightful, delectable, rich chocolate cupcakes you can imagine? And they were free!

Nearby, a booth of vintage clothing captured my heart. There was a wedding gown with a tiny waist and a train attached to the over-jacket.

And a mourning hat and veil from Victorian days.

My favorites – vintage children's clothing! A precious little coat and bonnet and sweet little dresses nearby.

There were booths filled with old linens and furniture. . .

Kitchen gadgets of all kinds. . .

Old Silver and china. . .

Petticoats. . .

And treasures galore.

There was more – so much more! Please come back soon and meet some vendors whose work you may recognize. I can’t wait to share some special people whose artistry and talent often graces our lives in the wonderful world of blog. Oh-oh, I see something in the photos that I didn’t see up close. Wonder if the vendor still has it! Now, wouldn’t it be fun to find her and see?