Saturday, June 30, 2012

Empathy

We had to run out to Walmart this morning, and we had three things going against us - summer, Saturday, and 4th of July.  It was packed.  There were already lines at all the registers at 9:15 in the morning.  We got what we needed and got into a line with a cashier that I see on a regular basis.  She was almost done with the customer in front of us when something went wrong with her cash register.  Now she's a veteran so I know she knew what she was doing, but she couldn't get the thing to work.  My first thought was "Uh oh, now we're going to have to start over at the back of another line."  But right on the heels of that was sympathy for the cashier.  She had a look of panic on her face when she said "I can't get this to work and look at my line!".  Just then, one of the managers was walking by so she called her over, and like magic, with the touch of a button the register was all fixed!  She said "How did you do that?"  Jeff said to give the woman a cape and we all laughed.  Crisis averted.  She finished with the customer in front of us, and whisked us right on through.  As much as we're all in a hurry these days, it's so helpful to lighten things up with humor and kind words.  Jeff and I were dreading having to move to another line, but mostly, we tried to ease the cashier's stress.  I can't help but feel that God rewarded our efforts by sending that manager by at just the right time.  Patience with other people and empathy for them is something I strive for but am not always successful at, but today I think we got it right.  It felt really good, and that is where I found God today.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Peanut Butter Frosting

I know I write about food a lot.  I can't help it - I love food!  Today it's peanut butter frosting.  Mmmmm.....  I made chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting, and even though the cake is delicious, in this case it's just there to carry the frosting.  I think I could have eaten the whole bowl with a spoon before I ever put it on the cake.  Jeff actually got to lick the bowl and the beaters!  So after dinner when I got my first bite of chocolate cake topped with that smooth, thick, creamy, peanut buttery goodness... oh dear!  I was transported!  Today I found God in that heavenly dessert.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

My First Customer

I'm not even a week into my new Avon business so I guess it's not surprising that it didn't feel like a real business to me.  I've been handing out lots of books and contacting people online, but so far I hadn't gotten any feedback in any way.  Then just a little while ago, my sister-in-law, Laura, called to tell me she had placed an online order through my website!  She said she wanted to be my first customer.  I was very happy to finally have an order because it made the whole thing feel legitimate to me.  But more importantly, I was touched by her thoughtfulness.  There's a special feeling that comes from finding out that someone was thinking of you when you've been busy going about your day.  It elevates your whole day out of the ordinary.  It's something I strive to do for the people in my life, and I hope I succeed sometimes at making them feel the way Laur made me feel.  Today I found God in the thoughtfulness of my first customer.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Spanish Moss

I have been trying for months to get a good picture of the spanish moss hanging from the trees I pass every day.  I have lots of pictures of spanish moss from our trip to Savannah, but we obviously don't have nearly as much as they do.  And I wanted a nice picture of our spanish moss.  I must have taken dozens of pictures, but the light was never right.  They all turned out blah. Spanish moss looks romantic, mystical, gothic - definitely not blah.  I wanted a picture to convey that so I kept trying, and today I finally got it!  Or I think I got as close as I'm going to get.  Either way, I was very happy.  I knew as soon as I saw it that the picture was going to come out right.  So I stood there on this beautiful morning and found God as I was snapping pictures of yet another of His wondrous creations.




Tuesday, June 26, 2012

"Hi!"

I was taking a walk on this gorgeous afternoon - enjoying the cool breeze, lost in my own thoughts - when I heard a small voice call out "Hi!".  I kept walking because I didn't think it was directed at me.  Then I heard again, "Hi!", a little louder this time.  I was just passing the fire department, and when I looked over I saw a small boy sitting on the tailgate of a big truck (I think it was a fire truck but I was so startled I didn't really notice!).  He was waving his arm and yelling out "hi" to me.  So I smiled and waved and said "hi" back to him.  What a friendly child!  And it was such an endearing scene - a little boy in the back of a big truck waving his arm and swinging his feet on a beautiful sunny, breezy day.  It could have been out of a movie.  But it wasn't.  It was real life here on the Outer Banks - my life.  No matter what's weighing me down, God always gives me little reminders of all I have to be thankful for, and I am so thankful for my life here.  God sent my reminder today in the cheerful "Hi!" from that friendly little boy, and that is where I found Him today.

Monday, June 25, 2012

"Old Friend"

I haven't been seeing the sunrise lately because it comes up so early this time of year, and I've really missed it.  I never get tired of watching it, and it always fills me with wonder and peace at the same time.  But fortunately today we were out walking in time to see it, and it was striking.  It was like reuniting with an old friend, and there were even a few clouds hanging around to make things really interesting.  I took the pictures you see below of my beautiful "old friend" in all it's glory, and that is where I found God today.






Sunday, June 24, 2012

Stargazer Lily

Marlayna gave me a stargazer lily for Mother's Day last year.  When the flowers died, we decided to plant it to see what would happen.  Now if you're good with plants, you'd probably know what to expect.  But as I've mentioned before, it takes a hardy plant to live under my care.  The plant survived the winter and even got buds on it in the spring.  But I was watching lilies blooming everywhere and mine seemed to be at a standstill.  Guess what?  They bloomed today!!!  Woohoo!!  I had even stopped checking on them, but today as I was walking by the window a flash of color caught my eye.  I can't tell you how happy it made me.  I yelled to Jeff, "The lilies bloomed!", and ran outside to get a picture. God's little wonders have such a big effect on us.  And yes, that is where I found Him today.  (If you look closely, you can see a little damselfly on the lower right petal in the bottom picture.  He's in the top one too but harder to see.)




Saturday, June 23, 2012

Change Of Perception

I've mentioned some of our big financial hits lately here in my blog.  Well yesterday I decided to sell Avon again to earn a little extra money.  I've been a representative twice in the past but never really did too well with it.  So I called Avon yesterday, and they put me in touch with someone to get me started.  Her name was Angela, and we arranged for her to come out to talk to me today.  I was pretty skeptical about succeeding with this because of my past experience, but after meeting Angela I felt so encouraged.  She was so nice and helpful without being pushy.  She said she'd be in touch on a regular basis to help me whenever needed.  I never had that before.  The company always just sent me my stuff and left me to sink or swim on my own.  I don't know if the company changed as a whole, or if I just got lucky being connected with Angela.  I went from feeling trepidation about the whole idea to actually being excited about it!  All because of someone who cares about doing a good job - not just making a sale.  When you come across someone like that, it can make all the difference in how you perceive things.  I still can't say for sure whether I will succeed in this or not, but I perceive this whole venture with enthusiasm now because of Angela.  And it's in that most welcome change of perception that I found God today.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Turtle On A Stroll

(Our Internet is out so I'm posting this from my phone. I hope it goes through!)
Jeff and I were having tea at our "tea park" when I noticed something small moving down the boardwalk. Looking closer, I realized it was a turtle! He had to have come quite a way to be at that point on the walkway, and he was obviously making his way to the water. But it was so comical watching him walk down the boardwalk just like everyone else; just your average turtle out for a stroll. :) That little guy made me smile, and that's where I found God today.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Monster Cookie

I got busy and was late starting dinner today so I decided to grab a snack.  Did I go for something healthy?  Oh, noooo.....  I went for a freshly baked monster cookie.  Oatmeal, peanut butter, and chocolate chips - how could you go wrong with that?  And technically, with the oatmeal it should be considered healthy, right?  I bit into that soft, tender cookie, and oh. my. goodness.  Yes, absolutely, without a doubt, that is where I found God today.




Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Puppydogs

I looked out the front door on this hot, sunny day, and a small, pink glow caught my eye.  It was the sun shining through my deep red snapdragons.  I love snapdragons mainly because of my mom.  Being from the South, she always called them "puppydogs".   She'd squeeze the blossoms on the side and make them "bark" for me while making barking sounds herself - it's one of my favorite childhood memories.  So when I saw this mix of red, yellow, and pink snapdragons, I had to buy them if for no other reason  than to watch them bark again.  They bloomed nicely at first, then faded, and then a couple days ago the red ones bloomed again.  They're so dark red as to be approaching black - at least when they're not in bright sunlight.  So when I looked out and saw this glow, I just had to get a picture.  It's amazing how sunlight transforms colors.  I found God today in the pink glow of my deep red puppydogs.





Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Cloudshine

The clouds were breaking up as I headed out to run errands today, and the sky was just beautiful.  Rays of sun were shooting down through the clouds creating a heavenly scene.  A friend from high school always called this "cloudshine" which I find very appropriate.  I only had my phone camera but I took a picture anyway.  I find the contrast between the construction equipment in the Walmart parking lot and the ethereal skies pretty amusing.  The equipment didn't detract from my awe at the gorgeous "cloudshine" though, and that is where I found God today.





Monday, June 18, 2012

A Little Paradise

When I sat down to do my blog, I was finding it hard to pick out one particular thing to write about on a quiet, ordinary day like today.  But I prayed about it, and the image I saw was me walking back up the driveway after watering the flowers around our mailbox.  The cool breeze just barely moving over my skin felt amazing, and I smiled.  Then I went out back to water and listened to the fountain flowing into our pool, watched a duck waddle across the yard, and caught a faint whiff of jasmine from the last blooms on the vine.  All these awesome things happened within the span of a few minutes, and I realized this was not an ordinary day at all.  For there was a little paradise nestled within the ordinary, and that is where I found God today.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Father's Day

My dad is the quiet type.  When we were kids, he took us for drives in the country and walks in the park.  He showed me how to eat the "honey" out of honeysuckle.  Jeff is not the quiet type.  He had watergun fights with our kids.  He took them out in a boat (i.e. small, inflatable raft) in the ocean and promptly dumped them in the water when the first big wave hit.  My dad will get to laughing so hard that tears run down his cheeks.  Jeff laughs so hard he has to jump up and down to get it all out.  These two men - the two fathers in my life - are so very different, yet so alike in their love for their families.  I thank God for them both.  And today on Father's Day, I found God in the blessing of sharing Father's Day with these two wonderful men.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

The Scent of Chocolate

I made brownies swirled with peanut butter for Jeff for Father's Day.  (Okay, not just for Jeff!)  I have to say, the smell of chocolate baking just made me swoon!  It filled the house with that warm, delicious scent, and we could barely wait for them to cool to eat them.  Trust me, they were amazing.  But just as wonderful was the anticipation from breathing in that warm chocolate smell - so intense you could almost taste it.  I found God today in the tantalizing scent of chocolate from those incredible brownies.


Friday, June 15, 2012

Whisper of Light

What a beautiful day!  Sunny, cool, breezy - just gorgeous.  We went out to see the ocean this afternoon, and it was wild!  Foam blowing across the beach, crazy waves rolling in - definitely a place to find God.  But that's not what He showed me when I asked today.  He showed me the golden light from when Jeff and I took our walk this morning.  The strong constant wind blowing somehow made the whole day feel "loud" and raucous. And though the wind was strong this morning, I felt a stillness in that early light - a peace.  The wild, crazy ocean was definitely God's work, but He spoke to me today in a whisper of light.







Thursday, June 14, 2012

The Woodpecker

I saw a Pileated Woodpecker on my walk today.  You know, the "Woody Woodpecker" kind.  I've seen them many times before, but this one was backlit.  I got a perfect view of him pounding his head into a tree.  The way he just reared back and slammed his head into that tree was nothing short of amazing!  It just doesn't seem possible that any creature could do that without sustaining some damage to their head.  I watched him for about a minute and then moved on - I didn't want to spook him and make him miss his breakfast.  But as I walked away, I marveled at God's works.  His natural wonders are so far beyond anything we could manufacture.  I found God today in the amazing "technology" of the Pileated Woodpecker.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Cornbread

I love cornbread.  When I had to start eating gluten and dairy free, I thought cornbread would be a no-brainer.  It's made with cornmeal, right?  Yep, but every recipe I found also had flour and milk.  Once I had mastered good substitutions for those ingredients, I thought I'd be all set.  But then I couldn't find a good recipe.  I had never made it prior to being gluten and dairy free so I didn't already have one.  I tried several before finally giving in and making the one right on the Quaker Cornmeal box.  It was awesome!  Even adapted with my ingredients it's moist, delicious, and not too sweet - like the good southern cornbread my mom used to make.  Not that cake-like stuff you get in restaurants.  Though I have to admit, I like that too - but it's not real cornbread.  So why am I waxing prolific about cornbread?  I made some today, and it was so incredibly good!  I bit into that hot, steamy cornbread, and yes, I found God there today.



Tuesday, June 12, 2012

The Discount

Money's extra tight this week because of our extensive car repairs, so I made a strict budget for my trip to the grocery store today.  I was shopping at Harris Teeter which stops offering much in the way of sales come summertime, but they do offer a $10.00 discount after you've spent a certain amount of money.  And wouldn't you know it - today was that day!  I got such a thrill when I saw that $10.00 discount come up - you would've thought it was $100.00!  But for me it wasn't so much the amount, it was the assurance that God's looking out for us.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again - His timing is always right on.  I found Him today in the unexpected little blessing of a grocery store discount.  

Monday, June 11, 2012

My Jeff

Jeff had to leave for Maryland this morning, and he was running a little late.  I usually try to wait around to say goodbye to him before he leaves, but I wanted to get my walk in before it got too hot.  So we said our goodbyes, and I left.  I was not quite halfway around the block when I began to wonder if he would head out in the opposite direction to see me on his way out.  Not a minute later, I saw his car coming and a big smile spread across my face.  That's my Jeff - always thoughtful.  It made me so happy to be able to say goodbye right before he left like we usually do.  It put my day back on the right track.  I found God today in my sweet husband's thoughtfulness.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

When I make my homemade spaghetti sauce, I make a big batch and freeze it in portions for future meals. I'm still not feeling well today, so I decided on spaghetti for dinner because it's such an easy meal.  I was pretty hungry as dinner time approached, and listening to the pasta water bubbling away made me even hungrier.  I drained the pasta and ladled sauce over the hot, steamy (gluten-free!) noodles.  My first bite was heaven!  I know most everyone has a favorite spaghetti sauce and I've tried many good ones, but "Oh, Lord!" I love my own the best.  Most likely because I've tweaked it to exactly my own taste.  I was so grateful to have such a delicious and easy homemade meal on a day when I had so little motivation to cook.  And that's where I found God today - in a tasty dinner with my homemade spaghetti sauce.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Dolphins

I haven't felt well today (sore throat, heavy head), but those symptoms hadn't quite hit me when we decided to take a drive to the ocean early this morning.  I'm so glad we did.  It was a beautiful morning, and the ocean was gorgeous.  Plus, we saw dolphins!  Lots of them!  We hadn't seen any in quite a while so it felt like they were welcoming in the warm weather (and us!).  Watching them crest the mild waves with the sun creating a runway of diamonds across the water was just magical.  It was definitely the highlight of a day which was otherwise spent feeling pretty lousy.  I found God watching those dolphins swim through the sparkling water today.

Friday, June 8, 2012

The Bridge

We had to drive up to Chesapeake for car repairs today.  The repair took several hours so we drove around, stopping here and there, just killing time.  It reminds me a lot of where we used to live in Maryland five years ago - congested, heavy traffic, etc.  It's not all bad.  We like to go to Barnes & Noble and eat in some of the restaurants there, but it was a relief when my car was finally ready.  The drive home wasn't "weekend beach traffic" heavy, but it was a little more than normal.  So when we finally got to the bridge, and I looked out over the expanse of the sound, I breathed a sigh of relief... and relaxed.  Home.  Is there anything better?  I've come to love this place more than I ever imagined - the sound, the ocean, the marsh, the community, all of it.  And the contrast between here and Chesapeake is drastic - at least to me it is.  I found God today on the Wright Memorial Bridge - the way home.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

By The Side Of The Road

It's funny how something unexpected can come out of your everyday routine.  I was walking my usual route today when I stopped on the road for some reason - I don't remember what it was.  But when I glanced over at the pond, I saw the most idyllic little setting.  I've passed this spot hundreds of times, but somehow today, standing in just the right place, with just the right angle of the sun, the usual scene became something special.  How often do we pass by something or someone without noticing what's unique or special about them?  I know my answer is pretty often.  God stopped me there in that spot and showed me something special in the ordinary.  I think that's something I need to do more often.  Today God found me and opened my eyes under a tree by the side of the road.






Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Angel Wings 2

I've had a headache that won't quit for three days now.  So my walk this afternoon with the cool breeze blowing over my face felt extra good.  I was getting close to my house when I looked up and saw this amazing cloud formation that looked like angel wings!  It was only a few minutes before the clouds started to change shape and move on, but what a beautiful sight while it lasted.  I found God in this heavenly sight that sent my spirit soaring.


Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Watering My Garden

It's been raining pretty regularly throughout the spring so I haven't had to water my plants, but it's been dry for the past couple of days so I decided they needed it.  I'm so glad I did because it was such a pleasure!  The breeze was very cool, but the sun was warm on my back.  I use a watering can so it takes a while, and that's a good thing.  I stand at each plant for a couple of minutes watching the water rain down over them.  It's almost mesmerizing seeing the water pool and then absorb into the soil.  It feels good to know that I'm nourishing them, and they reward me with beautiful fruits and flowers.  I found God today in the simple pleasure of watering my garden.

Monday, June 4, 2012

My S-I-L

My s-i-l (we shortened sister-in-law as a joke a long time ago), Laura, left today after spending the weekend with us.  We're great friends, and we spent the whole weekend talking and laughing.  We had one last conversation this morning right before she left - yes, we talked right up to the last minute!  It's strange to think that I would have never known her if I hadn't met Jeff because we're so much alike.  So many people come in and out of our lives, but God connects a few of us to each other in a special way.  I find that connection with my s-i-l, and I found God today in her bright smile, the last conversation we managed to fit in, and the blessing of our friendship.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Best Walk Ever

Jeff and I took a walk this afternoon, and it had to rank up there with one of the best walks ever.  We talked and laughed, the sky was bluer than blue, and the clouds were extra fluffy.  Add in the warm sun and the amazing cool breeze and what have you got?  Like I said, one of the best walks ever!  So is it any wonder that I found God there today?  I think not. :)

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Reach for the Sun

My sister-in-law is visiting us this weekend, and we decided to take her to Nags Head Woods Preserve.  While she and Jeff took a short hike, I stayed at the visitor's center to take a few pictures.  I took the usual ones - which are always beautiful by the way - of the trees and algae-covered water.  Then I turned and looked down and saw these tiny little plants poking through the algae.  The play of sun and shadow over them was just beautiful.  Out of all the gorgeous sights we saw today, those little plants stuck with me the most.  They struggle their way up through the algae and reach for the sun.  Isn't that something we all can relate to?  It was a beautiful sight and it made me smile - and that's where I found God today.


Friday, June 1, 2012

Budget Boost

I wrote about Jeff and I both needing windshield replacements a couple days ago.  I also need a very expensive repair on my car which I've lamented about on my blog also.  I had the service guy at the dealership look at my windshield to see if it could just be repaired, but he said it would need to be replaced.  I called a different company to do the work because I got a better price from them, and when the technician got here today, he said mine could be repaired!  Woohoo!! It saved us almost $170.00.  We've had so many unexpected expenses lately, it was really nice to get a break.  I believe God is a part of all the little details of our lives which is why I write this blog.  I often find Him in the grand gestures, but today I found Him in the little boost our budget got from that bit of money we saved; and I thanked Him for watching over us in all ways.