I 'borrowed' this quote from a friend's blog (www.reefsharkreporter.blogspot.com Thanks, Tamara!). 

It is so true, isn't it? Life can have much to endure. But typically each trial has its beginning and its end. And even in the midst of the storm we have brief moments of calm to come up for air. It seems to me, the trick is to get through one day at a time, enjoy life's little victories and pleasures, and not to worry about things too far down the road. With each wave of life, learn and move on an improved person. I'm just so thankful that anything endured now is temporary at best. Muster up strength, sprint through your challenges for this day. Then do your best to get up and do it all again tomorrow. Soon you will look back and smile. We'll all look back the receding storm clouds and be so glad we made it to the other side of the storm.

Sounds like good advice to me!

Birds truly are resilient little critters, hunkering down in a storm and celebrating the blue skies while the storm clouds are yet still receding.  It's as if they are announcing that all is well. All is new. The world is making a fresh start. No matter how many tree limbs are down, or how ruffled and wet their feathers are they cheerfully sing their song and get right to work in their busy little purpose. I've always loved birds, and through this quote, I love them more. I can certainly learn a thing or two from them...

My tip of the day: No matter how crazy or hard things get, always find a way to laugh. Always keep your sense of humor. And surround yourself with people who will help you to do so. It's amazing how that can change your whole world!

The love in my home is something I thank Jehovah for every day. But this quote also reminded me of all those in special full-time service, who some would say are 'far from home'. It also reminds me of those who, like mom and I, are different from a traditional 'family'. Even those in a divided household who have made the congregation their 'home'. Home is where the love is. In whatever land we serve in and in whatever situation we find ourselves in, with the love of Jehovah and his people, we are always at home!

We had a great Circuit Assembly today! I loved this point from the Dedication and Baptism talk. It is so true! We have amazing things to look forward to. But if we only serve for a reward we won't endure, we won't be serving for the right reasons, and we will miss the joys and blessings we have right now.

Okay. So I'm still learning watercolor. I'm not even that good with acrylics. Be forgiving. It's been so gray here today, I just had to try to create a little blue sky. Oh and by the way, that's me on the swing, in the new system. Because that's what one does when they don't have a care in the world...Swing! Right? You can imagine that's you too, if you like. I'll share my super awesome tree swing. See how much I love you? :-)

Sounds wonderful to me! Thanks to my friend Tamara for the great quote. :-)

Yes, what is that feeling called? Winnie the Pooh can really be quite profound. And very charming! Pooh has a point! Anticipation of lovely things can be almost more lovely than the lovely things themselves. What a splendid thing that we have so much to look forward to!

 We enjoyed a cozy, snowy day today. Baked some Spicy Oatmeal Cranberry Walnut Cookies. Rearranged some furniture. And we look forward to our family worship night. I love what my mom said about a snowy day... "It's like a clean slate,  a day with an excuse to change your plans and do something special, even if it's still indoors. A free day." Who has those anymore?

This is just beautiful...

This is certainly easier said than done! But very wise words, nonetheless. There's a bit of grieving involved in anything lost. But it's so reassuring to remember that any loss now is temporary, no matter how very permanent it feels at the moment. I try to remember that Jehovah will more than make up for anything lost now. No matter how much suffering Jehovah sees, and has seen, he still describes himself as "the happy God". I can't help but wonder of this is partly because He is always moving forward, actively working toward the solution, absolutely confident of the happiness He will bring his loyal ones so very, very soon. I want to move forward too. Work at the solution. And keep that amazing hope alive and real. Otherwise, how else will we get through this?

We got goodies at the meeting today! The new calling cards and my new mini-bible! So many wonderful gifts. We have a very wealthy and generous Father. :-)

 

I don't know what I would do without my quiet moments of reading. "Read the bible daily." Where would we be without that constant reminder? Obviously the primary benefit is to train our mind to think as Jehovah does. But I can't help but think what an amazing protection such quiet reflection is to our sanity while the world spins madly around us.

And our own hearts too...

 

I came across this verse in my Bible reading last night, and it warmed my heart so much. I am just nothing, a little speck of dust. And yet Jehovah inspired this phrase to be preserved for me. For all of us. He wants us to KNOW this. Mom and I enjoyed a nice visit from our CO today that was so encouraging, just what we needed! And this scripture came back to my mind. None of us ARE special, but we are TREATED special through all the arrangements for care Jehovah has put in place. Love the organization! Love your elders! It's Jehovah's gift to us. What an amazing Father we have! 

(By the way, the inspiration for this photo backdrop came from Mom. I asked what kind of photo she could see with this scripture. She said, "Maybe a little lamb." This was the closest thing I had! Haha!)

I so wish I had one big group photo of everyone I love to set the stage for this quote. What would we ever do without our spiritual family? What a gift we have in each other. Jehovah has given his own friendship, which is indescribable! But he ADDS to that the gift of each other. Jehovah doesn't need anything, but he realizes we need each other, and generously gives us exactly what we need. What an amazing thing to think that friendships we cultivate now are just the beginning of friendships we will have forever!

Feeling a bit of wanderlust today.... 

I love that feeling of being in a place that is ordinary to others but is fresh and new to you. Discovering that little corner coffee shop you like and find yourself going to every morning. Visiting a new congregation and feeling like they are family in no time at all. Appreciating the beauty in an area that only makes you wonder what else in this world you don't even know you're missing. I plan on traveling a great deal when the time is right for it. Ya'll better leave the porch light on for me! Yes, 'to travel is to live'!

Winter time service sure can be a challenge! Oh how I wish I was out there with the intrepid pioneers, braving the bracing wind! I love this quote because it's so true. Our fruitage is our effort, not our results. Welcome to Monday, everyone! Have a great week!

The more I work on this little project, and the more quotes I read, the more I am struck by how much of our life is affected by attitude. We all have circumstances that happen that are beyond our control. We all face challenges that test the depth of our patience and love. But it is amazing to come to know people who seem to glide from happiness to happiness no matter what comes at them. One of such people is the dear friend who submitted this quote. I know her life is not worry free. And she frequently willingly takes on tremendous challenges for the sake of her love of others. But it seems she has nearly perfected the art of a good attitude, always there for her friends with kind, wise words, and facing her own challenges with grace and a smile. She has touched the lives of far more than most people do in a lifetime, including mine. I'd like to be like her when I grow up. And I hope this little nod to her tremendous thoughtfullness brightens her day. Thank you, Tamara!!!

Thanks to my sweet friend Krista for the quote and inspiration for this painting. I love this! Especially since, for those with a friendship with Jehovah, hope is not an empty platitude, a vague optimism that things will 'get better'. Real hope is sure, concrete, a foundation to stand on when things are difficult. A hope so real you can almost reach out and touch it. And it 'never stops at all'.

This is one of my favorite lines, from one of my favorite songs. And when you really stop and think about it, it is so true. Even going all the way to the very meaning of life... loving Jehovah and his sovereignty. And learning to be loved. Learning that we are each lovable, even with our rough edges and imperfections. I think of this quote often when life becomes overwhelming. All things fade into the background when I remember my greatest responsibility... Love. Love my Father. Love those around me. And understand what that love truly means. Not just a sappy emotional sort of sentimentality. But a principled love that looks for the other's interests.  I'm happy to make this my second ever daily quote on this blog. I'm sure it will get much deeper, much sillier, and much more whimsical than this. But this... for me, this is where it all starts.

"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." ~ Ernest Hemingway

Welcome to my little blog. Isn't it amazing that the English language is only made up of 26 little characters. And yet, for most of us, everything we've ever read that made us laugh, cry, think, or inspired us are just rearrangement of those 26 letters. Letters make words. Words make thoughts. And thoughts written down give the gift of the breathings of the heart. 

I've been through a rough time recently, and am groping to find 'happy'. Now, JOY I've maintained. But happy is a different story. The lightness and thrill of doing something just because I love it. I love words. I love quotes. And I love art. So my goal with this blog is to share words I love. These words might be from the Bible, from songs, from the classics, or even from people I may never have heard of. I might also share quotes from my friends... people you've never heard of. If it resonates with me, I'll share it. And I'd like to combine these with a little art whenever possible. And if these words touch you too, please feel free to comment. I'd love to hear from you! Or if you'd like to submit a favorite quote of your own, you are welcome to. Please, enjoy. I hope it makes you happy too!