Monday, December 31, 2018

surrender old ways and look forward to the future

Surrender to what is.
Let go of what was.
Have faith in what will be.

anonymous

Sunday, December 30, 2018

year end/new year

It has been a year of reflection, abiding, and getting on. After years of caregiving parents, I have had an entire year with none of those responsibilities: doctor appointments,  counting pills, doing finances, feeding, household maintenance, etc. if you have done this you know the list.

I have found that I am still in transition. I am tired. I hurt. I am getting over my first illness since, only a cold, but it seems like such a big deal. I'm trying to get my own life on track and organized. Actually, I don't know if it will ever happen but I'm trying. Losing a parent is much like any major loss in life. It takes time. It takes effort. It takes "want to".

Every year I choose a word to focus on, not a resolution but one word, that can help me stay on some kind of track to get things in perspective and working better. This year was ABIDE. it was a good word. I stayed close to God, his word, and my own much needed space.

For the New Year I have chosen SURRENDER. Some one asked me if that wasn't just giving up. It is a little bit of that but so much more. A few years back the word was RELEASE, very similar to surrender. I am just beginning to learn and hope to share more along the way but "to surrender" we must be willing to let go of anything that keeps us from being static and move forward to be the very best we can be, live the life we want to live and find the joy and peace in every single day.

So as we breathe into this new year, let's surrender anything that holds us back and keeps us from growing into an even better US.

Thursday, December 27, 2018

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Christmas Blessings


despite my cold and sore throat, my daughter-in-laws stomach bug, and my husband and son having to do late day plumbing repairs (the tub, I know what you were thinking)...

WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE EACH OTHER.
BLESSED TO LIVE IN NORTH CAROLINA.
BLESSED TO BE BELIEVERS.
BLESSED BY THE BIRTH OF A SMALL CHILD WHO BECOMES OUR SAVIOR.

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

a weary world rejoices


Merry Christmas from my home to yours



weary with illness of several family members, we are still finding much to celebrate and be thankful for....share your blessings today and every day till next year

Sunday, December 23, 2018

use your wings

 
to reach new heights
to find healing
to know love
to believe more deeply
to live a full life
 
 

Friday, December 21, 2018

make the holiday special for all

rest
breathe
eat well
walk outside
keep it simple
it's okay to say no
 

Monday, December 17, 2018

Saturday, December 15, 2018

NC Snow

 
just may have a white Christmas yet

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Friday, December 07, 2018

one woman's thoughts



As President George HW Bush is honored and laid to rest... we have heart the word of God, the songs of God and the power of faith in God. It is time the people lay down their disagreements, sins, prejudices, anger, hatred and bad manners.
Why can't our country come together like this every day of every year? Would we not ALL benefit from a "kinder, gentler" attitude and life?

Thursday, December 06, 2018

Wednesday, December 05, 2018

a time for reality checks

Twenty days till Christmas
are your ready
it doesn't matter how much you have to decorate
it doesn't matter how much you have to buy and wrap
it doesn't matter how much you have to bake and cook
it doesn't matter how much is expected of you
it doesn't matter how much you think is expected of you
it doesn't matter how much you expect of yourself
BUT
it does matter that
YOUR HEART is filled with the
TRUE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Christ was here
Christ comes again
Christ is always with every
TRUE BELIEVER

Tuesday, December 04, 2018

Monday, December 03, 2018

you can't


have a big enough heart to love this Christmas season

Sunday, December 02, 2018

Saturday, December 01, 2018

Advent thoughts


Twenty-four days. Advent. Christmas comes. We wait. We decorate. We wait. We buy gifts. We wait. We cook and bake. We wait. We plan. We wait. Mary waited. Joseph waited. The angels waited. The shepherds waited. The wise men waited. The manger waited. God came in the form of a tiny babe. God cried with earthly whimpers. He hungered. He needed hugs. He needed assurance that all was well. He got everything he needed. He studied. He learned. He grew up to be our Savior. He heard our cries. He saw our needs. We waited. He came to us. He met our needs. He stayed with us. He answered our prayers. He waited. He died a horrible death. We waited. We now remember all HE did for us that first Christmas and every Christmas since.
 
Christmas is coming. Will we wait for its renewal? Will we share its message? Will be celebrate its meaning and understand its message? It is my hope that we will. Will you wait with me?
 
It’s been a difficult week for me. My aunts continue to depend on me to comfort, listen and encourage them. I miss my parents and the Christmases that were. It was a time of beautiful family love. It still is. God is our reason for the season. His Holy Spirit and holy Son. No one need be alone. God never leaves us nor forsakes us. As the old word goes, if God is not with you, who moved?
 

When did we move? Why did he not leave us? Where did we miss him? Who caused it? What do we do now? Be aware. Be attentive. Wait! Love is in the air.

 

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Angels are in the air

 
listen for their message

Monday, November 26, 2018

the mad race begins...keep it simple

 
I learned many years ago that Christmas is about people not gifts, decorations or parties. I advise anyone to keep things simple and just enjoy the love, peace and people in your life.

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Questions and reflections


Starry, starry sky,
Where is your Maker?
Bright firmament,
Where is your creator?
Heavenly bodies,
Where is our God?
 
Sun and moon,
How did you get there?
Sky and earth,
Who placed you there?
Creation,
Where is our God?
 
Wind and rain,
How do you know when to show yourself?
Sunset and sunrise,
What makes you so beautiful?
Elements of life,
Where is our God?
 
Trees and grass,
What is your truth?
Birds and flowers,
What is your calling?
Mother Nature,
Where is our God?
 
Hills and valleys,
Do you know me?
Mountains and shores,
Why do you inspire me?
Life,
Where is our God?
 
 

 

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

another year come and gone

 
my son now makes me the vanilla pie mom always made for me at my birthday
see more of his wonderful world of food at
 
 

Friday, November 16, 2018

step out of your comfort zone

 
sometimes it's the only way to grow

Thursday, November 15, 2018

never forsaken

 
We often feel forsaken but we never are. As the saying goes, if you don't feel God's presence, guess who moved?

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

how do you fill your life?



lives are full but of what? do you choose to fill up on the good things in life or things bad for you? I suggest you fill up on beauty, joy, peace, love, grace, gratitude...all the TRULY GOOD things in life

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Sisters can be

 
aunts
friends
neighbors
church members
moms
and even strangers
 
since mom passed I have relied on my adopted sisters since I have no birth sisters

Sunday, November 11, 2018

you have unique spiritual gifts

use your gifts
share the peace
forgive
hope
love
keep the faith

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Friday, November 09, 2018

Thursday, November 08, 2018

Friday, November 02, 2018

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

we are back

Kiawah was a beautiful and refreshing as ever!

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

an emotional time of year



 
 
Every October we go to Kiawah Island, SC for a week. My parents have gone with us and one year my mom had a kidney stone attack. My son has gone numerous times. He and his wife have gone with us. I even took mom three years ago while she was in the throes of Alzheimer. Last year we went as usual. we plan from the first of the year. Mom was doing poorly but still had some fight. On the last day there I got the call. We packed up and left. I was 30 minutes too late but I had a special last day with her prior to our trip. Tomorrow is her birthday. The last day of our trip (Oct 20) will be a year since her death. I miss her much. I know she is well. She is with our Lord, my dad, her parents and her brothers. They wait on the rest of us.
 

Vember Christine Allred Quinn
 
October 11, 1929 - October 20, 2017
 

Tuesday, October 09, 2018

Monday, October 08, 2018

Know your purpose


 
The spirit of life
Is an ocean
Rising and receding
Renewing
its purpose
The soul of life
Is the sun—warm and bright
Shining
Its purpose
 
The heart of life
Is the sky
Changing and revealing
Its purpose