BeautyRevealed | The Blog of Melissa J. Dillon

“Our life us frittered away by detail… simplify, simplify.”

- Henry David Thoreau

Have you ever felt that life is spinning out of control… that life is “happening to you” or passing you by before you can get a chance to regroup? I’ve had these times all too often over the last year, and as I sit and ponder the whole of 2009, I realize that this is the area in which I would most like to change. I realize that busy seasons come to everyone… but when it becomes season after season of busyness, it begins to feel like life is passing by in a quick blur without so much as a chance to enjoy it. Jim Elliot said,“Wherever you are, be all there.” But I cannot “be all there” if I am spreading myself too thin.

So this is why I am thrilled to embark on this new year ~ 2010. This is a fresh start to live deliberately and on purpose. S.l.o.w.i.n.g things down and enjoying and absorbing the experiences in which I choose. I want to live in the moment. I want to live a simple life… basking in the sweet glow of small, simple moments. I must cut out the extra things in order to embrace fully those things which are most important: Daily quiet times with the Lord, loving my husband better, cherishing my newborn baby girl, disciplining my homekeeping, exercise, and healthy eating, and developing rituals. I am determined now, more than ever, to learn how to balance my needs in all the areas of Spirit, Soul, and Body. I don’t want to look back in many years and have regrets of not quieting myself enough to enjoy and engage in the simple and most important aspects of my life.

I know that many people don’t do New Year’s Resolutions anymore, but I still love the tradition of reevaluating our lives at this time of year and seeing what needs to change and improve. It’s a time for a fresh start. So my word for this year ~ for 2010 ~ is SIMPLIFY. And it excites me tremendously!

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” - Hans Hoffman

So my question for you is… what is your New Year’s resolution? I would love to hear what is on your list for a fresh start in 2010.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

“Soul nurturing is not optional. It’s not a luxury, but a necessity. You could almost define the worn-out woman as a person who has allowed her soul to parch and wither because, for one reason or another, she has not been able to spend time beside Still Waters. None of us can find balance in our lives if there is no room for the Quietness that restores our souls.” (excerpt from Simple Living for the Worn-out Woman).

Neglecting time alone with the Lord impoverishes me. Even good things are an enemy of the best: all of the projects going on, babysitting, decorating, cleaning, Bible Studies, etc. Though they are good things and even necessary, they are causing a busyness in my life that takes God out of the number one place and puts Him somewhere down the line… third, fourth, fifth place… and some days… even last. It happens slowly at first, then as the pace of life starts to speed out of control, I suddenly realize how weary I am. How bone dry my soul is. And all the precious things of the Lord that I’ve tasted over the past few months are growing dim… the peace that passes all understanding has gone away. I’m sad to admit it. My times with Jesus in the last few weeks have taken a backseat to all of the important things in my life. Really, what could be more important than Him? How can I treat Him like this after so much love and grace that He has faithfully lavished on me? Once again I must come back to His feet and seek forgiveness for my faithless heart. 

I spent the day at my mom’s today and ended up in a bevy of tears as I shared how empty I’ve been feeling and distant from my True Love. And boy, can I ever tell when I haven’t been spending time with Jesus: a whole lot of Missy starts coming out instead of the Holy Spirit! Mom reminded me how wonderful it is that we can’t “fix” ourselves on our own… our need for Jesus is the greatest blessing we could ask for. When we are needy and desperate, that is when He is able to shine. It is only by His grace that I can receive His mercy. His mercy that wipes away my sins and condemnation and that sets me on the solid Rock once again. Praise Him that His love for me is not based on my performance or merits! 

But why does it take me so long sometimes to push through the fog and busyness to get back to Him? I read this quote today by Jerald R. White, Jr.: “Does Psalm 1 describe the kind of person you are – one who is planted by streams of water in a dry, arid desert, one who is always spiritually fresh and fruitful? Oh, how the enemy likes to attack the weakness of our flesh through the busyness in our lives and thereby distract us from meditating on God’s Word day by day. The enemy hates for us to become the blessed, happy person who is radiant to those around us.” There was an ache in my heart as I realized that I have fallen prey to the enemy’s schemes once again. If he can draw me out from the place of relationship and intimacy with the Lord by any means possible than he has succeeded in separating me from my lifeline… my power Source… The One True Vine. And without being grafted into Him, there can be no real peace, or joy, or rest, or fruit, or life. I have allowed my soul to parch and wither out in the desert instead of grafting myself into His life-giving Vine. It’s time to return. To let Him graft me in once again. To be filled up to overflowing. To spend time beside the Still Waters… and have my soul restored. To sit at His feet.

My mom has a sign above her kitchen sink that reads: “Home sweet Home. My Center. Here I abide. In You I live and move and have my being.” I love that. It makes me sigh with relief as I surrender my heart and time to Him once again. Jesus, be my Center.

“In prayer there must be deliberateness – the secret place, the inner chamber, the fixed time, the shut door against distraction and intruders. In that secret place the Father is waiting for us. He is certainly there as He is in Heaven. Be reverent, as Moses when he took the shoes from off his feet! Be trustful, because you are having an audience of One who is infinite sympathy and love! Be comforted, because there is no problem He cannot solve, no knot He cannot untie!” – F. B. Meyer

“[I'm] well in body, though considerably rumpled in spirit.”

~ Anne Shirley

Dear Anne,

It’s been one of those days… a “Jonah Day” as you call it. A day when I’ve felt “in the depths of despair”. A day of many tears, emotions, things gone wrong, snow in April.  I needed a little encouragement ~ a little understanding ~ so I curled up in bed and watched “Green Gables” for a while. Have I ever thanked you for being such a kindred spirit in my life? A bosom friend. I felt all my sadness melt away as I traveled down memory lane with you… Marilla and Matthew, broken slates and green hair, temper tantrums and theatrical apologies, stubborn pride and humiliation, life, learning and love. Some days are going to be like this. But I must remember that the best lessons learned are those that leave an impression on our hearts. Each moment, each day, becomes the thread of life that ultimately makes us into the person we become. After a day like today, I was so grateful when you reminded me that, “tomorrow is always fresh… with no mistakes in it yet.” I needed to hear that. It makes me so anxious to close my eyes on this very long day and begin afresh tomorrow. Thank you for your friendship, Anne Girl… and for sharing your lessons learned. Greet Gil and the kids for me. All my love to those in Avonlea.

In kindredness of spirit,

Melissa

“A happy life is simply the sum of many small, happy moments.”

- Penny Krugman

Spring has sprung in the northwoods of Minnesota. No leaves on the trees yet, but we’ve had warm, sunny days and a rush of melting snow. I saw sparkling water today on the lake for the first time in 4 months… ooh, what a sight to behold! Today I opened the windows while I cleaned the house so I could enjoy the sound of singing birds and children playing at the park across the street. The air feels so fresh and clean. Summer is just… around… the… corner. I feel it. 

We’ve been busy, busy lately. It’s amazing how life can all of the sudden start snowballing, and before you know it, you’re busier than you’ve planned to be. I’m in three Bible Studies at the moment…I’m still not sure how that happened!  But it turns out that each one has been such a blessing, and I must just need a lot of Spiritual food during this time. Mark and I are in a “Fireproof Your Marriage” study with some friends, which we are really excited about. It is based on the movie “Fireproof” and has a lot of good, thought provoking discussion. One of the girls said that it was nice to be part of a Bible Study where the guys actually talked more than the girls! I agree. It’s definitely a fun mix of people. We are also in a Bible Study at my parents house with a few other families on Sunday evenings… this study has spurred me on so passionately for the Lord and has given me great insight into the Word. And my mom and I are in a Tuesday afternoon Bible Study with some precious, godly women whom I am learning so much from. It is such a blessing to be around so many wonderful friends who challenge me Spiritually. 

It looks like I’ve finally found a job doing childcare in our home. This is what I’ve wanted to do since I quit my job 8 months ago. I wanted something that would enable me to bring in some income while staying home with our own children one day. (Oh, if I haven’t mentioned, Mark and I are praying that the Lord will bless us with children soon, so if you happen to have a slot open on your prayer list, we’d love to be added!) Jackson is 3½ months old and is such a sweetheart. We met with his parents tonight and it looks like it will be a perfect fit for both families. They are still waiting on a job possibility, so we are keeping that in our prayers. If all goes well, I will start watching him full-time in a couple of weeks. I lovvve the baby stage… I’m really looking forward to having a little guy around. 

My wonderful Dad has just begun another project for us… we’ve starting work on the “baby’s room”. We are trying to accomplish everything in time for Jackson to use it, since he will need to stay overnight quite often. Mark, Jodie and Dad put up sheetrock over the “popcorn” sprayed ceiling the other night, and when that is spackled, sanded and painted, we picked out some beautiful crown moulding to put up around the edge. I’m still shopping for a light fixture, and I need to pick out a paint color for the walls. It will be nice to have so much done and ready for our own baby when the time comes. 

This weekend Mark, Jodie and I are going down to The Cities to see Jamie and Angela and meet some of her family… we’re so excited! I finally get to see her engagement ring and see pictures from their special night. But the best part is, I get to go with Angela and her mom, sisters and sister-in-law to shop for wedding dresses! Oh, I’m so excited! And yes, I will cry. I’m just so thankful for this amazing woman who is marrying my brother. To be a part of such an fun day is a treasure to me. I’ll post pictures when I come back (but not in her wedding dress!)

Another exciting event coming up is the birth of our little niece, Olivia Jane. Mark’s sister, Rachel is due very soon and we are praying for a safe delivery. We’re going to be an Uncle and Auntie for the first time! She lives in Missouri, so unfortunately we won’t be able to be there for the birth, but we are anxiously awaiting the call. We can’t wait to meet her. 

I wanted to thank you all for the many encouraging words I have received about the blog. I am blessed to know that you are blessed. I have received emails and phone calls, and it has brought me into friendship again with many precious friends that I had lost contact with over the years. As long as this blog is bearing good fruit, I will continue. I was so happy to have my grandpa call and tell me that he had my cousin print out all twenty-five pages of blog posts so that he could read them all! This blog is for all of you, dear friends and family… I love the beauty of relationship that it has brought to our lives. Thank you for your love… we love you all!

“Trusting God does not change our circumstances – it changes us.”
- Unknown

It’s easy to trust the Lord when our lives are lush and green, overflowing with blessing and prosperity… when we’re spiritually in a kairos hour… a time of fruitfulness and growth. In my daily quiet times with God I have said, “Lord, I trust You! You are good! You are sovereign and trustworthy. I bless Your leadership in my life. I will follow where you lead. My eyes are ever on Your face, Lord!” 

And then the testing comes. The winds of adversity start to blow. I start to feel a winter season creep into my soul. Trials, circumstances of life, the things of this world, and thorns in my flesh begin to nudge at me. The fears and insecurities that only a short while ago were dissipated through the love of my Father, are now trying to once again get a foothold in my mind. I start to lose the tunnel vision that I have held for my beautiful Saviour, and instead look around at all the what-ifs and the whys. Before I know it, my heart can become downcast, and the things of this world are no longer strangely dim, but ever-looming in my mind. 

Last night I called my mom to fret. A situation in life had caused me to take my eyes off of Jesus, and I just felt like fretting! Then I fretted to Mark. Today I fretted to God. Then all was quiet.

Then I heard a still small voice… “Are you done fretting?” 

I paused to ask myself if I really was. “Yes.” (loooong sigh of martyrdom…)

“Are you ready to trust Me?” 

And then I looked up… I mean really looked up. To His character and His faithfulness. To eternity and His promises. To His majesty and holiness. To His power and His protection. To His forgiveness and grace. To His breathtaking beauty and His awesome presence. In the brilliancy of who He is, all of the cares of this world began to grow dim once again. With each trial, I have an opportunity… an opportunity to choose to trust my heavenly Father with my heart. My mind. My will. My emotions. 

Yes, the trusting is easy when it is not put to the test. It is in the face of not knowing what the future holds that brings the sweet fragrance of sacrifice to our trust. 

“Through His voice we are deeply quieted and strengthened for all that lay ahead. The right attitude of heart does not seek to know the future, and does not need to know it in order to be at peace.” – Leanne Payne

“She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs at the future to come.” – Proverbs 31:25

“There is nothing – no circumstance, no trouble, no testing – that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ, right through to me. If it has come that far, it has come with a great purpose, which I may not understand at the moment. But I refuse to become panicky, as I lift my eyes to Him and accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart, no sorrow will ever disturb me, no trial will ever disarm me, no circumstance will cause me to fret, for I shall rest in the joy of what my Lord is.” – Alan Redpath

“Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2

Look up! 

” ‘Stay’ is a charming word in a friends’ vocabulary.”

-Louisa May Alcott

I had some dear friends come over for tea yesterday, and wouldn’t you know it, I was having so much fun, that I completely forgot to take any pictures. Mom came too, and we chatted the afternoon away over hot cups of tea and Orange Cranberry Scones. Friendship is such a blessing. There was a time when I took it for granted…  but not anymore. It is meant to be cherished.

This teacup was passed down to me from my Mom. It’s my favorite… it has been since I was a little girl. When I think of how many women have drank from this cup, I am blessed. Mom always had a way of making moments special… whether it was a friend at her kitchen table pouring out her heart or a full blown Anne of Green Gables tea party for me and some girlfriends, she always pulled out her beautiful teacups. They were meant to be used… to be enjoyed. In so many of my childhood memories are teacups and doilies, a plateful of goodies, and lots of happy chatter. 

It reminds me of the scripture, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” (John 7:37) When we have Christ in us, we truly do have something to offer: Hope, Rest, Comfort, Blessing, Peace. He is able to love through us, and offer the beauty of friendship. I, personally, have felt the love of Jesus through many friends over the years.

 Yesterday I felt a warm glow in my home after everyone left. The teacups clinked together as I cleaned up, and soft music played in the background, “… life can be so sweet, on the sunny side of the street.” I carefully washed out my teacups, dried them, and put them back in the cupboard where they will be ready for more friends and special times… and more kindred spirits.

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…

these are a few of my favorite things.”

- Julie Andrews

Here is the stage where winter gets really long. We’ve already had more than enough of it, but there is a grim realization that there is plenty more to come. Last night when Mark and I were driving home in the frigid cold, we voted “YES” on skipping the rest of winter and having summer instead. Not sure if God laughed or not, but apparently His vote counts as more than ours, ’cause when we woke up it was even colder! So I decided to list of a few of my favorite things of the moment to lift the spirits a bit. I refuse to give in to the winter doldrums… life is too good to be bummed! 

A Few of My Favorite Things

1. Tea. My favorite is Constant Comment which I always make at home. But my friend, Gari, makes delicious Jasmine tea when I go to her house, and it is quickly climbing the charts. 

2. Reconnecting with old friends. Kindred Spirits… memory lane… chattering and catching up… laughing until your sides hurt.

3. Knitting. I’m finally done practicing and I’m ready to actually make something! (I think.)

4. Sunlight. I guess if it has to be chilly, I am grateful for sunny blue skies that bring some joy to my day. One of the things I love about our home so much is the many windows that allow the sunlight in at any point of the day. My kitties love to nap all day in puddles of sunshine. 

5. The Bible. The Word has just been coming alive to me more and more lately. I love to read the beautiful poetry of the Psalms, and the New Testament has been like a sword… separating the truth from the darkness in my life. 

6. Reading. One very good thing about winter is that it allows a very good excuse to stay cozy inside with a good book. My favorite so far being “Listening Prayer”, now I am on “The Full Blessing of Pentecost” by Andrew Murray and finally finishing up “This Day We Fight” by Francis Frangipane. (And I’ve had a little Jane Austen thrown in here and there!)

7. My Hubby. I live with an eternal optimist. Nothing can get this guy down! He’s my steady freddy. I love to be married to a man who makes me laugh all the time. 

8. Planning my flower gardens. Hydrangeas, Larkspur, Foxgloves, Snapdragons, Lupines, Sweet Peas, Hollyhocks, Delphiniums, Phlox, Hyacinths, Peonies… I know I won’t get it all done this summer, but I’m ready to get started on my English garden. I can’t wait to be surrounded by beautiful color. One of my favorite little signs that I saw in a shop once read, “I shan’t go to town today, for my Hollyhocks are in bloom.” I should have bought it. 

9. My family. I don’t know how I would survive the long winter without my family close by. We use ANY excuse for a party: “Lord of the Rings” Parties, Superbowl Parties, “Friends” nites every friday night, Oscar Parties, etc. It gives us something to look forward to during the long winter months. This coming weekend is Jamie’s Birthday Party. He’s bringing home his fabulous birthday present… I’ll see if I can get some pictures. 

10. My Kitties. My little friends in fur pajamas. They don’t have attitudes like normal cats. They come when you call. They follow me everywhere. They “talk” to us. They understand what I’m saying. Well. Some words anyway. Really! I’m not kidding. And I’m not biased or anything… well, not much anyway. 

See? There’s really so much to be grateful for. Thank you, God. I don’t care a stitch about the cold weather anymore. 

“Jesus not only gives purity of heart, but Jesus is our purity of heart.”
- Peter Kreeft

“Holiness is a dangerous thing to preach when its relationship to grace and the real presence of God is not understood. Knowing and preaching the law of God does not enable one to keep it. Only grace does that. Moralism and legalism has replaced listening to God and humbly walking in Him. Knowledge of the law is good and necessary. But to preach the law apart from teaching the walk in the Spirit leaves the flock with what they ought to do, yet without the power to do it. 

God keeps us in His holiness as we remain in obedient subjection to Him. We must remain in union with Christ (John 15). But true union with Christ is hardly understood or walked out today. The rift between head and heart leads many to think that a more or less spiritualized perfectionism is what union with Christ means. When holiness is preached apart from understanding and walking in this union – an incarnational reality – legalism is the result. 

Where there is legalism, there is always pride. We will have that spiritualized perfectionism whereby we say, ‘I am by my own striving and goodness keeping the law.’ Only in union with Him, listening to Him and carrying out His orders, are we holy. Any substitute for this leaves us without the knowledge of ourselves as a prideful sinner. Our holiness is at every moment Another’s. 

Those who treasure holiness and produce its fruits are the poor in spirit, the humble of the earth. They are fond of the Jesus Prayer. In one way or another they pray it over and over. ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.’ They are quick to acknowledge their pride and lack of humility, repenting of it daily. 

Without holiness we will not see God. He Himself effects it in His people. To preach the gospel is to teach the way of holiness, and apart from holiness there is no true worship of God. Holiness is the way of remaining in Christ, of walking in the presence of God.”                                                                    - Leanne Payne

“Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” – Psalm 24:3-4

“A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road… shall not go astray.” – Isaiah 35:8

For many years I have been caught in the snare of legalism. I thought that if I could just be “good enough”, “righteous enough” or “holy enough” then I would be able to enter into the throne room of God. So when I failed miserably, the condemnation would set in and I would sit outside the throne room in a state of self-pity with my face in my hands. I have lived a life of shame because I could never make myself into the person that I thought I should be. I did not see the pride of my actions… in fact, I rather thought it was humility. What a fool I’ve been to sit outside heaven’s door for so many years, living a life lacking in victory and the joy of being in the presence of the Lord. 

I am so grateful that the Lord never let my attempts to change myself succeed. I am glad that He let me fail time and time again, growing weary that all of my striving efforts to transform myself and my heart condition were futile. If I could have disciplined myself, fixed myself, produced beautiful fruit, acquired wisdom and understanding, and even saved myself, I would have. And I would have gloried in myself because of all the good I had done. It is only by His grace that I have come to realize that “apart from Him, I can do nothing.” 

The truth of the matter is that above all, He wants relationship with me. He doesn’t expect or want me to produce holiness on my own. He knows this is impossible without Him. There is no other way to travel the “Highway of Holiness” except through humility and remaining in the Vine of relationship with Him. What a complete surprise to find that in resting in Him and gazing on His brilliancy… this is what would transform me. I didn’t have to work for it… I just desperately needed to find my way back to my First Love. 

“It is a snare to imagine that God wants to make us perfect specimens of what He can do; God’s purpose is to make us one with Himself.” – Oswald Chambers

“Jesus not only gives purity of heart, but Jesus is our purity of heart. God has made Him to be our righteousness.” – Peter Kreeft

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.”

- C.S. Lewis

I’m almost done with my book… and that makes me sad. Have you ever read a book that was so good that you never wanted it to end? I may just end up reading it all over again when I’m done. 

I had a couple of hours to kill after an appointment so I brought my book and went to my favorite Coffee Shop downtown. I love it because almost everything they make is organic and very healthy. I got a Apple/Blueberry Crumble Muffin and a cup of organic coffee… it was yummy!  I took a picture because I liked how my book matched my plate (I’m strange, I know…) It was such a nice warm atmosphere since it has been rainy and slushy the last few days. 

I thought I would share a portion of a beautiful prayer penned by Leanne Payne: 

“O Lord, long ago I trusted in You, and You saved me utterly.

You took me from the ash heap, a place of powerlessness and death

And made me fruitful.

You made me as a tree whose branches reach out in every direction, 

Bearing Your rich fruits of all kinds and dripping healing waters, resins, and oils.

You caused my roots to grow down deep

To tap into hidden reserves of goodness, beauty, and life.

I put You on anew, O Lord

I cry out to You anew…” - Leanne Payne

It reminds me that only the Lord can transform us. No matter how hard we try… no matter how many self-improvement books we buy… no matter how hard we strive with our 12-step plans and to-do lists (I have had many of these over the years)… we cannot reach down into the rotten barrel of our own heart and produce good fruit. It just doesn’t work that way. We need to be grafted into The Vine. We need to be gazing on the beauty and holiness of the Lord in order to become like Him. 

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” - Jeremiah 17:5-8

“That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” - Ephesians 3:16-20

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” – John 15:4

“For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness

continues through all generations.”

- Psalm 100

It is late and I should be asleep next to my sweet husband, but the joy of the Lord has made my heart so full that I need to have an outlet… and since everyone I know is sleeping, I’ve decided to blog. An answered prayer… a dream come true… a blessing bestowed. We can’t share just yet (no, it’s not a baby! I’ve had a few comments about me reading “What to Expect when you’re Expecting”!) but I’ll share soon the things that God is doing among us. Mark and I were driving home in the car tonight just after receiving some wonderful news and we were both pretty giddy… we yelled and sang silly songs and laughed together. We just reveled in the happiness for a while. Then Mark broke into a beautiful song of gratitude to our Lord… his own words. I listened for a little while and then I couldn’t help but join in. I echoed his words… just reaffirming our thankfulness to our God who knows and sees all. It was a beautiful moment… I felt like there were angels singing with us. 

Lately, I cannot get enough of the presence of the Lord. I just want to breathe, eat, sleep, rest, worship and soak in His presence. He’s on my mind when I wake up… I fall asleep talking to Him and meditating on Him. It started when I began reading the book “Listening Prayer” by Leanne Payne. I recommend it to everyone… it has changed my life. She teaches on how to practice the presence of God. By remaining in Him and inviting Him in to every moment of our daily lives, we cultivate a friendship with God that brings us into a deeper maturity and communication with our Saviour. Like Mary at the feet of Jesus, I want my heart to remain near to Him always… not just during my morning devotions. She also teaches how to keep a prayer journal which has really caused quick growth in different areas of my life. I will write more on this book later, but the spiritual truths that I’ve gleaned, along with watching 12 hours of “Lord of the Rings”, has brought about a deep awakening in me that I never want to let slip away. 

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We’ve had our internet down for a little while because we were switching servers and ran into some difficulties so I am very behind on responding to emails! I promise tomorrow I will catch up with you all: Jacque, Miss Reyes!, Krista, Melly-Moo, Pat, Heidi, and others… I am not ignoring you! Tomorrow is catch-up day… emails, phone calls, laundry, photography, baking… and the list goes on. But I already know the song I will have on my lips all day long:

“Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”

Well, I must get to bed. One of my kitties is snoring (she shall remain nameless to preserve her dignity)… it is past her bedtime… and mine, too. I want to say thank you to all those who email and comment. Your gifts of friendship mean so much to me. Love to you all!

P.S. We love you, A. Can’t wait to see you!