As the Deer Panteth for the Water

My time with Jesus this morning was over Psalm 42:1: As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God (KJV). This truly speaks to where I am this morning -- my soul longing after God. So much devastation in the world, lost lives, lost homes, lost souls ...

As the deer panteth for the water -- So my sould longeth after thee -- You alone are my heart's desire -- And I long to worship thee.
You alone are my strength, my shield -- To you alone may my spirit yield -- You alone are my heart's desire -- And I long to worship thee.

I just love this song. As I read my Bible, the words just kept playing in my brain. Facing some tough decisions in my personal life and seeking the strength of my Lord and Saviour for guidance. He alone will stand beside me all the way and provide the courage and strength I need.

On my creative side, would like to let you know that Tiddly Inks is offering some terrific blog candy. Hurry on over there and link up for an opportunity to win and to get some freebies.

So Much to Celebrate

WOW, today is a totally fabulous day -- it is the National Day of Prayer and there is no better opportunity to turn all your cares and blessings to our Lord and Savior than today ... but remember, there is no place or time we cannot pray! Take time each and everyday of your life to thank God for the blessings He heaps upon you ... don't forget, blessings come in different packages and some might not be as easy to swallow as others ... but they are all blessings He has given us!

It is also Cinco de Mayo -- take time to explore and try a new, or old, culture and food today! There's nothing quite like chips and salsa!!!

And last, but definitely not least, today I had the awesome opportunity to enter a Mother's Day Getaway Giveaway ... two round-trip tickets on Southwest Airlines plus a prize package. This fabulous opportunity is being offered by Simple Mom; give it a try for yourself ... altho' have to admit, I hope I am the lucky winner!!!!

Pondering Life

Why does life just rush right by us? Does it not know that God intended for us to stop along the way, smell the flowers, admire His glorious art, and just plain have an abundant life filled with joy, sorrow, laughter, pain, etc?

I cannot believe that we are at the end of the second month of 2011 -- absolutely boggles my neurons! I am in the deepest of prayer modes as my daughter and son-in-law search for their first new home!

I flew to Texas to help Melissa drive from Wichita Falls to Hill AFB outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. It was a wonderful trip and provided the two of us many hours to reflect on our lives and plans for the future. Having been a single parent to Melissa for almost 20 years, we are like 'white on rice' and share everything! It is a great feeling when your daughter is also your best friend!

Sharing Jan Silvious' Devotional

Finally . . . whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. —Philippians 4:8 NIV

If we can’t control anything else in our lives, we can control what we think about. But when we have been buffeted by a situation that throws us, it is easy to abdicate our control and go to our “favorite bad feeling.” That’s the feeling we went to as a child because we learned that it helped us get what we wanted. Once you are an adult, you will find that it is the first place your mind rushes when there is something troubling on your mental radar screen.

Some of us cry, some pout, some sleep, some eat chocolate, some go shopping, some withdraw, and some slam doors, some clean house, some sit and stare. You could probably fill in your own favorite bad feeling. But you don’t have to respond that way, you can choose not to go there. Circumstances rarely change, but how you feel about the circumstances can change dramatically.

How you feel is up to you, not to anyone else in your life. Peace is the result of choosing to focus your mind on what is true and honorable and right. When you choose to do that, it is amazing how much peace will overtake your mind and heart.

—Jan Silvious

How Do They Do It?

I am so in awe of those fabulous folks who actually do post on their blogs daily! I just cannot, for the life of me, get in the swing of posting daily! Oh, well, my greatness must lie in another direction.

I recently joined a swap called 'Journal Me.' You were paired with another person whom you did not know and you were to make a 'journal' page about that person based on email, their blog, etc. This is the very first time I have ever attempted anything closely resembling scrapbooking but ... here is my finished product.

Dreamin'

Wishing on a star has always been a favorite of mine .... do I really believe that my wishes will come true ... I don't know but it just does a heart good! I know for certain that I miss my DH when he is away. Before he went on this current trip, I was challenged to make an ATC for a swap with the theme of 'goats.' I was baffled because I have a lot of sheep stamps but goats? Well, I was lucky enough to find a digi stamp of a handsome goat and ... here is my rendition of 'sheep dreamin' ... you devil goat you! The sheep is a digi stamp from Squigglefly called Counting Sheeple. I really love how this ATC came to life once I had it on paper! Sweet dreams!

Pay it Forward

This is the most fantastic idea --- I promise to send something handmade to the first 5 people who comment on this post. However, there is a catch, you must repost this, offering something handmade to 5 other people. The rules state simply that it MUST be something handmade or homemade by YOU and must be sent to 5 other people during the year 2011!

If you would like to join in the fun, then be one of the first five to post a comment and something handmade or homemade will coming your way this year from ME! Let's all Pay It Forward in 2011!