10/8/25
10/6/25
WOW!!
Watching the super moon emerge from behind the trees was a sight to behold. All I can say is wow! (It would have been perfect for Friday's FMF prompt "thrill.")
10/5/25
THRILL
This post was written for Five Minute Friday
Word prompt--THRILL
Five minutes to free-write about it
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Love the picture Kate chose to go with this week's FMF prompt. The dog looks so happy. I wonder what's thrilling him (or her) the most--the view, the feel of the wind blowing in his face, or maybe both?
Definitely not gliding down a mountain full speed like Kate, or jumping out of planes and off high bridges like my granddaughter. Even just the thought of going on a roller coaster gives me chills rather than thrills.
What does give me a thrill though is the awesomeness of God's creation. The majesty of a sunrise or sunset, a double rainbow in the sky, the colors of spring and fall, a beautiful bird or butterfly.
(Short break here as I went into my archives to look at my sunset pictures and pick a couple of my favorites to share with you all here.)
How can anyone look at these skies and doubt the existence of God?
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Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy. (Psalm 65:8, NLT)
The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftmanshup. (Psalm 19:1, NLT)
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. (Romans 1:20, NLT)
10/1/25
9/30/25
BIRTHDAY BRUNCH
My daughter made a delicious brunch of baked scrambled eggs, crispy home fries (roasted in the oven), homemade sourdough bread, brioche, sausage patties, sourdough cinnamon buns, hot apple cider, and an assortment of fruit.
These are my two granddaughters who live in the area...
I had lots of help opening birthday presents and blowing out the candle on my cupcake.
Some pretty flowers from one granddaughter's garden.
A wonderful grandson-in-law who detailed my car for me. He did an amazing job.
The two great-granddaughters made me homemade birthday cards.
The 9-year-old made a tiny one in a tiny envelope.
I was very impressed with the envelope. But maybe that's just me being a biased great-granny.
We all got a kick out of her younger sister's card because there is a story behind it.
Years ago, before there were any great-grandkids, I started a tradition where my grandchildren would measure themselves against me in front of a mirror when I came to visit, to see how close to being as tall as me they were.
When they were all way taller and had gotten married and had children of their own, we continued the tradition with them.
My oldest granddaughter, who is only nine, is already taller than I am, but her younger sister who made this card only comes up to my shoulder. However, in the picture, she is the tall girl with the long blonde hair, and I am the short little lady with hardly any hair, standing next to her. It makes me chuckle now, but I'm sure it won't be long before she really is that much taller than I am.
9/28/25
SPARK
Word prompt--SPARK
Five minutes to free-write about it
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It's funny how God can use one thought to spark another, and bring about the insight He wants us to see.
I have been attending a 12-week class on learning to hear the voice of God and finding freedom from the lies and strongholds that hold us back by replacing them with His truth. It involves a lot of journaling and prayer.
We are now about halfway through. Homework has centered on uncovering lies that have taken root in our heart; unhealed wounds that are still affecting us today and contributing to our personal struggles; and learning how to release the past so we can enjoy the healing and freedom that comes when we choose to forgive and live an unoffendable life.
One of the things that is hardest for me to release and let go of is the guilt I feel over the emtional pain I caused my children when they were growing up. So when one of the group members shared the pain and remorse she still feels over some physical issues one of her daughters is dealing with that might have been averted if she had not been too wrapped up in other things to notice the early signs, I could totally relate.
Days later, the thought that came to me when I was thinking of my friend and her daughter, was that God had been in control even back then, and it was part of His plan. He had allowed everything that happened, to mold and shape them into who they are today.
I thought of the words of Psalm 139:16 -- You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed (NLT).
Today both mother and daughter are anointed women of God who are being used in powerful ways that would most likely not have been possible without the hard tests that preceded the ministries they are involved in now. From that perspective, there is no reason to feel remorse or guilt.
That sparked a thought that this insight was not just for her. It was for me as well. It was what enabled me to finally release not only my own guilt over the pain I had caused my daughter, in particular, but also be healed of the lies I had bought into as a result of my own unhealed wounds, and that were still affecting the way I respond to life today.
9/24/25
9/19/25
AFFECTION
This post was written for Five Minute Friday
Word prompt--AFFECTION
Five minutes to free-write about it
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This week's prompt has not sparked any thoughts at all. My brain feels numb.
I don't have much to say except that in this world where hate and dissension seem to be snowballing at an alarming rate, it warms my heart to see the affection these two boys have for their baby brother.
Come Jesus, come!
9/17/25
9/14/25
PICK A LIE
Word prompt--PICK
Five minutes to free-write about it
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I'm still picking perfect little tomatoes off the tomato plant on my balcony, despite it already being mid-September, and the hordes of lanternflies that are continuing to swarm--not just all over the plants on the balcony, but all over my windows as well. 
The lie I believed in late spring when I put it out on the balcony and the plague of lanternflies arrived and devoured most of its leaves, was that there was no way it would survive--let alone bear any tomatoes. And yet it did.
I'd been thinking about that as I struggled to complete my homework for one of my Bible studies on the topic of recognizing and breaking free from the lies we believe, and had been grappling to discern what on my list really was a lie, and what I wish was a lie but really wasn't.
And then I saw this week's prompt, and the first thing that popped into my mind was, "pick a lie." So the lie I am picking is that I've messed up my life and missed out on God's good plan for it due to the poor choices I've made, and now it's too late.
It's easy for me to beat myself up when I think of the squandered time, talents, and opportunities that led me to where I am today. However, the truth is that "[God] saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in [His] book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed" (Psalm 139:16, NLT). None of it came as a surprise to Him.
The truth is that each one of us is a Divine original, created by God for a special purpose that no one else can fulfill, and I am exactly what and where I need to be for this particular moment in His plan. The very things I feel most remorseful about are the very things that led me to Jesus.
Another truth is that God does not measure success in numbers. If I reach that one person He intended for me to reach, allow Him to use me to bring hope to that one discouraged heart, or lead that one soul out of the darkness and point him or her to Jesus, then my purpose will have been accomplished and my life not lived in vain after all.
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