Blessings Today

What a day of blessings! I got to go to Costco and Winco with two of my favorite people ❤️ I have every other Wednesday off from my job and can’t think of a better way to spend them than with these two💕 

Thank The Lord

Each morning I wake and thank the Lord for His grace and mercy.  Each evening I thank the Lord for His grace and mercy.

He is unfailing in His love for each and every one of us.

Last weekend I had the privilege of watching my 28 year old daughter be baptized.  Before she was baptized, she was asked if she wanted to share anything.  Lo and behold ~ she gave her life to Christ a couple of weeks before.

As a parent, I wonder where I failed through the years of her upbringing.

As a Christian, I know that to have Christ as my Lord is a choice I have to make on my own.

Each morning I wake and thank the Lord for His grace and mercy.  Each evening I thank the Lord for His grace and mercy.

I cry for joy that my daughter and I will have eternity together.

I cry for despair that many of my loved ones (family and friends) haven't yet bowed down at the foot of our Lord.

I pray for the lost and unreached.  I pray for all of us as we go through trials and tribulations.  Knowing the Lord is always by my side encourages me as nothing else!

Each morning I wake and thank the Lord for His grace and mercy.  Each evening I thank the Lord for His grace and mercy.

75TH Birthday

A great weekend was had by all as my dad celebrated his 75th birthday with his wife and four girls coming in to town as a surprise :-)

It was a time of fun, laughter, family, love, deep conversations, a bit of outlet mall shopping and food.

Oregon Trip

Mt. Hood with Mt. Jefferson in the background

I just got back from a mini-vacation.  It was peaceful and relaxing.  I always enjoy rebooting at my dad’s home.  From the front room window, I enjoy a beautiful view of Mt. Hood (weather permitting) or watching the hummingbirds and finches in the fountain turned bird bath.  They are in the Willamette Valley on a couple of acres of land.  Jeanine does a beautiful job of caring for the lawn, pasture, garden and home.

On occasion I think about moving down there but then realize that it wouldn’t be the same.  I’d have to find a job since I don’t have a husband to care for me.  Knowing that I would not have the same freedom to enjoy their home and fellowship in the same way that I am able to do when I visit.

I am blessed to have family that lives in a place of peace and beauty AND a job that has great benefits including vacation time.

Ramblings

It has been over a month since I posted.  Time is flying by -- in a good way.

I am very blessed with a loving Father who showers me with mercy and grace on a daily basis.  I have a home, family, a great job, wonderful co-workers, a Church family with two small Bible study groups, and the list of blessings goes on.

We are starting to cool down here in the Inland Empire of the Pacific Northwest.  I am holding out on a coat and just using a scarf and fingerless mitts for now :-)

Thankful

It has been too long since my last post -- life tends to get in the way :-)

I am so thankful for family, friends, my new job, my home and my God!

This is short and sweet for now.

Family Reunion

What a wonderful way to spend Independence Day weekend!  The Chase Family Reunion was awesome -- we were missing a few of the gang but enjoyed the company that was there.  I am so glad we do this on a regular basis as it keeps us connected to those we may not otherwise get together with in the day to day grind.

National Holiday

Last weekend was the nation’s time of observing our fallen military personnel.  For many others, it was a time of visiting the resting place of their loved ones.

My grandmother will be turning 95 at the end of June.  The past few years my daughter and I have taken her to Coeur d’Alene and to the Northside of Spokane to visit three different cemeteries and the family members buried in each.

This year she was feeling a bit under the weather (nothing alarming) so my daughter and I went to the cemeteries on the Northside of Spokane for her.

The sight never fails to amaze me.  Flags waving in the breeze, flowers adorning many graves and the cemeteries bustling with families stopping to pay tribute to loved ones.

April 1st: A Day of Contemplation

Today is a day of contemplation:
*blessings
*friends
*co-workers
*family
*pets
*home
*faith
It is my birthday; I am 47 years old and I wonder how I got here :~)

I am blessed with knowing Christ as my Lord and Saviour.  I have family, friends, co-workers and acquaintances whom are a part of my life and make my life sweet.

Life is ever-changing and I am glad to have a sturdy foundation in the Lord.

This, That & the Other

A week until I am on a mini-vacation.  I get to visit with family and slip away from my job and community for a few days.  I pray that it is a joyful time of fellowship and re-energizing for my body and soul.  The last 2 months have been hectic at work, although that hasn’t pushed into other aspects of my life (other than an eye tic that won’t stop!).

My small group is in the middle of a book we are reading and discussing.  We usually do some type of study; however, a couple of gals were interesting in this particular book.  More 'book news' ~ I have just finished reading most of Charles Dickens’ works [I think I may have missed one or two but will double check].  Hmmm, I am lagging behind in crocheting – I would like to make some items and maybe put them on www.Etsy.com to sell.

I am amazed that it has been about a year since I started wearing skirts and headcoverings all the time.  I wasn’t sure how it would be in the winter; however, this year we have not been inundated with precipitation as the East Coast has.  So all in all, the adjustment to wearing skirts (or dresses) only has been extremely easy.

Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  I am so thankful to our Heavenly Father for sending His one and only son down to earth for one and all sinners.  I am also thankful for all of my blessings received through His lovingkindness; family, friends, health, home, job, co-workers, the majesty of nature...the list goes on.

The picture has more to do with my being vegan that giving thanks (I thought it was cute).

Visit from Alaska

(off her back deck in Anchorage!)

A visit with my sister from Anchorage was the highlight of this past weekend.  We had a delightful dinner and great conversation on Friday evening.  Then another visit with her, my daughter and my grandmother the following afternoon.  She stopped at my office on her way out of town on Monday to finish a great weekend!

The Lord blesses us with family; how we embrace our family is up to us.  Embrace the whole package and thank God!

Hot July

Independence Day was full of family fun.  It was also our family reunion and we had a wonderful time.  The weather has been extremely hot over the last week and a half both here and in Oregon where we had the reunion.

I haven't started a new Bible study yet.  I am currently reading some Agatha Christie books -- what an amazing writer.  I love her mysteries :-)

My daughter is continuing her search for a full-time professional job.  She and her husband recently moved and are closer to Church and his jobs.  I am proud of them both as they continue to set goals and follow God's leading.

My heart is filled with thanksgiving -- thank you Heavenly Father!

Family Reunion Time

I am excited for our “Chase” family reunion next week!  It’s been three years; although, most everyone was together last year for my daughter’s wedding.

I was checking out the 10 day forecast and it is going to be extremely hot!  I don’t do well in warm weather as I don’t sweat; just look like a red tomato (sorry if that was TMI).  I will be staying hydrated and doing any outside work early in the day.

Happy Fourth of July – tidbit of history; the Declaration of Independence was not signed all at once.  It took months for all of the delegates to sign it because of the travel time ~ so don't believe the 'portrait' showing all the delegates around the table for the signing :~)

Prayers for our country’s leaders and thanksgiving for my blessings – Thank you, Lord!

Daylight

This year is off to a great start. I have my health, family, friends, church family and am praising the Lord for all of them!
My small group (Bible study) is beginning a short study of Forgiveness tomorrow. I have glanced at it and am eager to begin.
My mother and I (and maybe a sister) are going to start crafting together one night a week. We have been ‘talking’ about it for a good year now and are following through with action :-)
I woke this morning to a sheet of ice for my road – yikes. However, the main roads were fine. Walking from my car to work was a challenge! “Baby steps” and looking for snow to walk in helped.
As I left work the other night, I was pleasantly surprised to see the sunset ~ we are on the “upswing” for daylight. Yahoo!!

2013

Blessings to each of you for 2013!

The Lord continues to do His work in us and I am mighty thankful for that!

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being ... — Ephesians 3:14-16 tniv

This is my prayer for each of my family and friends for the year. Of course, it isn’t my only prayer, but a very important one :-)

Last year I didn’t make any New Year’s resolutions; however, I am making some for this year:
 Growing more in my prayer-life.
 Being more conscious of the Lord in everything.
 Doing at least one workout each day.
 Going from room to room and re-evaluating my stuff (this means moving and removing items).
 Planting a garden.
 Canning from my garden.
 Being aware and thankful for each blessing bestowed upon me!
{I am also printing this post, putting it on my fridge and hanging in my cubicle.}

I look forward to updating my progress as time goes on.

Living ~ is there more?

 

I am feeling dissatisfied and I do not know why. I have a job, a home, a daughter, parents, siblings, co-workers/friends, brothers, and sisters-in-Christ.

I do realize that feelings are of this world and do not mean much in the large scheme of things.

I am blessed with so much that even saying I am feeling dissatisfied seems wrong.

This is a rambling of sorts; however, sometimes rattling stuff off helps to discard the feelings whatever they may be.

Being proactive may be the answer. I am volunteering more at church and hope to join a Bible-study small group. I know these will strengthen my faith and enrich my life.

My daughter and I are also continuing to work on our front yard-landscaping project with thoughts of new projects all the time. Very exciting, yet daunting, as well.

Life is full of ups and downs and this moment appears to be on the lower end of the slide.

My faith is in the Lord and I know He is always with me, especially when I feel “down in the dumps.”

Togetherness

What a great evening with my daughter :-)  Her classes are reading intensive this quarter.  So we sat next to each other on the loveseat and each did some reading.  Sharing tidbits of information and occasionally getting up to stretch or get something to drink.  Now that may not sound like much to many of you; however, she is a busy girl with classes, homework, mentoring and work-study - not to mention a boyfriend and church activities.  It is a great relaxing, bonding time for us that happens once a month or so -)  Blessings, that' s what I call it!

Challenges of Remodeling

Wow - Kudos to my Brother-in-law and sister!  I can take minimal credit for the work in progress of my bathroom remodel.

We have run into a few "snafu's"; however, Matt takes them in stride :-)

Old homes tend to hide things below the surface, as we found out this weekend.  I am grateful to the family I have that pitches in.  Thank you sooooo much for your help!

I am excited to have the finished product - although it is in the not so near future :-)