Now to Him Who is able...

It really made no sense based on present circumstances.

There's nothing dire or dreadful going on.

But that morning, my first waking thoughts were thoughts of despair and hopelessness.

I remembered, after the fact, hearing Joyce Meyer say that satan will try to set a negative tone for our day by capturing our first thoughts of the morning.

Now, I recognize that was just what was happening.

However, seconds after those gloomy thoughts, God spoke to my heart as clear as I've ever heard Him.

He spoke the words of Ephesians 3:20, and the words "Now to Him Who is able..." 

seemed to be highlighted in bold print.

I was honest when I said there's nothing dire or dreadful going on,

but there are a couple of prayers I've been praying for an awfully long time.

Top of the list type prayer requests,

prayers for those I love.

In both instances, it has appeared that the answer was so very close,

and then it just didn't happen the way it appeared it was going to.

I got disheartened.

Maybe even a bit upset at God about it.

So, He highlighted the words I needed to hear.

The words that addressed some despair and hopelessness I didn't even know was growing in my heart.

He reminded me that He is, indeed, able to take care of these two top of my list prayer requests.

He is able to take care of those I love.

He is able.

still following,

                               

                    

Flowers in the house...

An elegant bouquet in a chippy old enamelware pitcher is perfect in my book.

The sophisticated flowers juxtaposed against a simple, well used, homey container makes me smile.

A mixed bouquet from the Hubs withered away, all except these hearty mums.

I just trimmed them up and made a small arrangement in an old spice jar.

It adds some sunny, yellow cheer next to the kitchen sink.

We had a barbecue at our house this weekend.

Some queen anne's lace and some daisies in blue canning jars 

were the centerpieces on our outdoor tables.

It only takes a few gerber daisies to brighten up the room.

Hoping these photos bring some cheer to your day, 

like flowers in the house do to mine.

still following,

The blessings of growing older...

This week we'll turn the page on our calendars and another month of summer will have come and gone.

Me, I'll be celebrating my birthday the very next day after the month changes.

Zoom!  Another month gone and summer days will turn to autumn before we know it.

Zip!  Another year of my life has passed, lightning quick.

If I wasn't noticing, watching, counting, writing down my blessings,

it would be easy to mourn the swiftly passing days, weeks, months, seasons, years.

But in the counting, comes the realization that each season brings with it its own unique blessings.

I'm planning on savoring these last weeks of summer 2013 

and I'm planning to savor my days as I grow older.

As long as I'm living and breathing, God still has a good plan and purpose for me.

As long as I'm living and breathing, His goodness and mercy will be with me.

I plan to notice, to savor, to treasure each and every one of His gifts, His blessings.

And so I count...

****************

In 2012 I followed the prompts in Ann Voskamp's Joy Dare in counting my thanks.

In 2013 I'm going back to the way I did it in the beginning,

just noticing and recording the many extraordinary blessings in my ordinary life.

And so I continue to count my thanks

piling up gratitude day by day

in my little black journal.

(and capturing some of them via my camera or iPhone)

#3589-#3610-

7-22-13-

-a morning to catch up on things after being gone to our family reunion

-a visit from a blog friend

-skyping with our two youngest grand babies, 

(though they live only 20 minutes away they were on vacation

so we hadn't seen them in over a week)

-the Hubs and I going grocery shopping together after he got home from the office

7-23-13-

-God's faithful provision 

-texts that say "I love you"

-a good book to read and my favorite tea to drink

-a phone call from a prodigal spiritual daughter in the Lord saying she's ready to come home!

7-24-13-

-thrifty finds

-walking around a local fitness trail with the grand babies

-taking them for a swim afterwards

7-25-13-

-waking up with the words of Ephesians 3:20 on my mind

-errands to buy supplies for a bbq we're having on Sunday done

-a really great prayer time at church

7-26-13-

-brunch at a new to us french cafe with the Hubs on our Friday date day

-going to oldest daughter's house for dinner

7-27-13-

-starting a very full day by taking time for devotions,

(I wish I could say I do this every time I have a very busy day!)

-help from my friend to get some deep cleaning done

-ending our work with a fun bike ride

7/28/13-

-a great time at church today, God is working in us and through us

-a Sunday afternoon BBQ at our house

-relaxing after all the company went home

gratefully yours,

     

Proverbs 3:17...

One of the most common comments I get when I post pictures of my home is that it seems so peaceful.

I love that.

I pray that it's not only visually peaceful and calming,

but that it's full of the peace of God.

This verse in Proverbs is referring to wisdom.

The ways of wisdom are pleasant and her paths are full of peace.

If I want my home to be peaceful, I must be peaceful.

If I want to be a pleasant person, a person of peace, 

then I must seek to have God's wisdom and live in God's ways.

I'm so thankful that God promises to give wisdom to those who ask for it.

I want God's wisdom.

I want my ways to be pleasant.

I want my paths to be full of God's peace.

still following,

    

                                                                     

                                                                    

Friday's Favs....Thrifting treasures-1885 set of Dickens books and Pottery Barn tray

The newest Goodwill is right near my bank and the grocery store we shop at,

so it's very "convenient" to pop in for a few minutes while I'm out running errands.

This week I popped in and spotted this 8 book set of Dickens, dated 1885.

They were $1.99 each.

I wasn't too sure if I should get them or not, so I left them there.

When I told my Hubs about them, he said to go back a.s.a.p. and get them.

So, being the submissive wife that I am, I did! 

Aren't they lovely?

And, YAY!, no smokey or musty smell like many old books can have.

The drawings inside are amazing.

You'll also notice another little french mustard jar has been added to my collection.

I found it at an antique store we stopped at on our way home from the coast last weekend.

This silver plated tray is from Pottery Barn, 

but I found it at the Goodwill when I went to pick up the Dickens books.

It was half off, so I got it for $3.50.

I am not fond of super ornate things,

so this tray with it's simple engraving is perfect to me.

When I went to check out at the Goodwill, 

the checker asked if I qualified for the senior discount.

Since I'm 55, I do, so the Dickens books and the Pottery Barn tray together cost me just a bit over $16.

Hurray for beautiful bargains!

Well, it's almost Friday, friends.

Have a HAPPY, HAPPY Friday 

and 

a BLESSED Saturday!

              

                                                      

                              

              Also linking to Jennifer Rizzo's Fabulously Creative Friday