Thoughtful Words

Jeff's Aunt Lynn just discovered my Finding God facebook page and left me such a nice comment.  I haven't seen her in several years and we just became facebook friends a few months ago.  I think the best thing about facebook is being able to connect with family that you don't get to see.  It was such a surprise to get her warm, heartfelt response to my post because we've never really communicated much, and that's what made it so special.  It made me feel special that she took the time to write to me.  She said my post had made her smile.  Well, I thought about her comments all day, and it made me smile each time they came to mind.  I found God today in the kind and thoughtful words that Lynn wrote to me.

Pumpkin Bread

I am really looking forward to autumn - cooler weather, changing leaves, and pumpkin anything.  So I decided to hurry things along a little by baking pumpkin bread today.  Oh my goodness!  The smell of pumpkin and spices filling the house was just amazing.  And biting into that warm, moist bread? Heaven on earth.  It may still be hot and humid outside, but I found a little bit of fall in my kitchen today.  I found God there, too, in the warm, spicy scent of homemade pumpkin bread.

"Morning"

On my walk this morning, I saw two kids on bikes coming towards me as they were headed to school.  I always like the start of the school year even though it doesn't directly affect me anymore.  Partly, because it means fall is on the way, and it's my favorite season.  But also because I used to love the start of the school year as a kid - buying new school supplies, new clothes...  Actually, that was the beginning and end of what I loved about the start of school. :)  But I digress.  The kids were headed towards me on their bikes, and as they passed, I said hello.  They sort of looked up but didn't say anything and just pedaled on past.  A few minutes later, two more kids were headed my way so I tried again.  "Hello!" I said.  One child just cycled past; the other one - a sweet-faced little blond girl - looked up and said, "Morning." She was so cute with her little bike helmet and backpack!  And the "Morning" sounded so grown-up coming from such a little one.  Her "Morning" made my morning, and that's where I found God today.

The Fish

I was driving past the canal today and just happened to look over just as a fish leaped out of the water.  Actually, rocketed is more like it.  He was probably a little over a foot long, and he shot straight out of the water at least three feet!  It was startling and thrilling at the same time.  I know we all see lots of fish and dolphins frolicking around because we are blessed to be surrounded by water, but it never fails to excite me.  Can you imagine what it's like?  You're swimming around under water when something in your little fishy brain tells you to leap after a bug, or shoot for the sun, or whatever, and then whoosh!!  Suddenly, you're airborne by 2 to 3 times your body length!  Wow.  The wonders of God's amazing natural world.  Today, I found Him in the thrilling moment when that little fish shot himself airborne.

Heavenly Photo

My friend, Sharon, is traveling around the country and took this amazing photo near Tucson, Arizona.  She said she couldn't see the screen when she took it, and she didn't alter the photo in any way.  She didn't know what a gem she had until after the fact.  Those rays of light coming down around the cross and the statue just blow me away.  I couldn't get it out of my mind, and when I sat down to look for God in my day, I kept seeing this picture.  I'm so thankful that she took the time to post this heavenly photo because this is where I found God today.

Summer Rainshower

We came home after church and were heading right back out to pick up a couple things.  It was bright and sunny, and we were only in the house a few minutes, but when we came back out to the car in the garage, I heard was sounded almost like applause.  My first thought was, "Well, thank you!  No one knows how to open a car door quite like I do!  Just kidding :)  Jeff and I both looked around confused for a few seconds.  I thought it might be the wind in the leaves, but it wasn't windy.  Then Jeff said, "It's raining!"  I had to look hard to see it at first - and granted my eyes aren't the best - but it was a fairly heavy rain coming down with the sun shining brightly.  It was splattering against the leaves so much that it sounded like the applause I had confused it for.  I've seen it rain on sunny days before, but add in my initial confusion and it was almost like the weather was playing games with me.  It made laugh with delight.  A summer rainshower on a bright sunny day - totally unexpected, totally fun, and the added benefit of not having to water my flowers again!  Guess where I found God today?

Nourishing My Family

Today was Jeff's actual birthday, and we did what's become our usual thing for family birthdays.  The birthday boy or girl gets to pick out their favorite dinner and cake, and I make it!  Simple, but nice.  We keep it low-key and relaxing.  It was just me, Jeff, and Marlayna at dinner, but we had a great time.  They loved the dinner and the cake, and I loved making it for them.  Feeding the ones I love is such a joy for me; it makes me feel fulfilled as a caregiver for my family.  Making Jeff feel special on his birthday made me very happy.  Today, I found God nourishing my family with food and love.

Intense Colors

We drove up to Chesapeake today to go to Barnes & Noble and have lunch for Jeff's birthday.  Before we got home, we decided to stretch our legs and walk out to see the ocean.  It was gorgeous today!  It was that time of day when the colors of the ocean are so intense.  The blue is deep and dark, and the crest of the waves is amazingly white.  The sun was just glistening off of them.  Looking down the beach, it looked like bright, white stripes rolling towards the shore.  Plus, the breeze was strong and cool - it was so refreshing.  I love where we live.  I love being blessed with this gorgeous view just minutes from home whenever we choose.  This afternoon, it was the intense colors of the ocean that really struck me and stayed with me, and that is where I found God today.

Jean

One of my long-time friends from Maryland, Jean, called me late (for me!) last night.  I didn't get the call, but I got her message and called her back today.  We had seen each other again last fall for the first time since I had moved, and it was like no time had passed at all.  She's Marlayna's godmother, and one of my dearest friends.  We email once in a while, but as she said when we talked today it just isn't the same.  It was so good to hear her voice, and so good to fall into our familiar pattern of conversation.  You know how you have that with some people?  We planned for her to visit next month, and I can't wait.  I found God today in the familiar voice and easy conversation of my friend, Jean.

Moment of Respite

It wasn't the best day.  I had a lot of driving around to do along with an eye doctor's appointment this morning.  That appointment totally derailed my day.  First, they had some kind of urgent walk-in right before my appointment that took quite a while, then the doctor had to dilate my eyes. For some reason, I didn't remember it taking so long to get back to normal after that.  It was close to five hours before I felt like I could drive safely which meant I got next to nothing accomplished today.  When I could finally see again, I had to stop by town hall.  They moved the entrance to the side about a year or so ago which I normally see as a minor annoyance, but today was different.  When I came around the side of the building, a strong breeze enveloped me and stopped me in my tracks.  I took a few seconds just to relish it and realized I could see the ocean from there.  I don't think I've ever noticed that before.  It was dark blue and choppy, and there were big, billowy clouds hanging over it.  It was an awesome moment of respite in a day that had been feeling so stressful.  It took me down a notch - right where I should have been all along.  After all, there was nothing I missed doing today that can't be done tomorrow.  And I wouldn't have been in that spot this afternoon if I could have gotten there this morning.  God's timing strikes again, and I'm so grateful for it.  It was like He slapped me upside the head with that strong breeze and said, "Get over it!"  I did, and I found Him in that restful moment at the entrance to town hall.

Three Robins

It seems like every time we turn around lately, something else is breaking down and needs to be replaced.  Consequently, money is tight.  So as far as getting things we want - as opposed to what we need - we've been doing without and making the best of what we have.  For the most part, this doesn't bother me.  I know we've been blessed in many ways, and that others have it much worse than we do in these tough economic times.  But if I needed any further encouragement,  I saw the ultimate example of making the best of what you have today.  I was driving home when I noticed something splashing in a puddle up ahead in the road.  As I got closer, I saw it was three robins.  Three of them in a fairly small puddle just splashing away in their makeshift birdbath.  It made me smile; it made me think how often good things come in threes; and it made me think how resourceful those little birds were to put that leftover rainwater to good use.  It strengthened my resolve to make do.  I found God today in the lesson of the three robins and a roadside puddle.

The Spot at the End of the Pond

Jeff and I were in a hurry to get our walk done this morning, but as we went by the end of the pond, I saw this shot and had to take it. The light reflecting off the surface really stood out in all the greyness.  I really didn't hold out much hope for it because my cloudy day pictures rarely capture the feeling I had when I took them.  But I think this one did.  I love the mysterious aura about it, but it feels calming at the same time.  It's the only one I took today, and I think it was God who slowed me down enough to notice it.  I found Him today in this spot at the end of the pond.

Lucille

Lucille, a member of our church family and a neighbor is one of my favorite people.  She is always so well-put-together, friendly, and good-natured.  I don't know how old she is, but I can only hope to be that active when I'm her age.  That woman can walk like crazy!  I walk every day but she could out-walk me anytime.  She hosted coffee hour today, and Jeff was telling her how much he liked the juice she brought.  She told him it was just Food Lion brand apple juice, and we had a little laugh over how much he liked such a plain juice.  We went out for a while after church, and when we got home we had a message from Lucille.  She had called to tell him it was white grape juice!  Still Food Lion brand but white grape juice.  We got such a kick out of that.  First that he couldn't tell it wasn't apple juice which was just plain funny, but second that she had taken the time to call.  What a sweetheart!  I listened to her message, and then played it again for Jeff.  We both smiled and commented on what a great lady she is.  I found God today in my most impressive friend, Lucille, and her sweet and thoughtful message.

My Sweet Husband

We didn't take the time to walk this morning because we wanted to get out and do some things before the Saturday crowds.  I decided to go this afternoon, but I only had a limited time before I had to get dinner prepped.  Jeff wanted to go with me, but he had work to do and just couldn't get it done in time. I set out and was actually enjoying the walk somewhat in spite of the heat because there was a nice breeze most of the way.  But mainly, I just wanted to get it done.  At least until I started to come up to that last rise in the road when who should I see coming over the hill from the other direction?  My sweet husband!  He had finished up and rushed out to meet me before the walk was over.  It made my heart turn over to see his smiling face heading towards me.  It's funny - if he hadn't done that, I really wouldn't have thought anything of it.  I didn't feel like I was missing anything.  But because he did show up, I felt like I had missed him the whole way.  I guess it's a case of being happy with what you have.  But I have to say I was much happier with him beside me.  Today, I found God the moment I saw Jeff's face as he was coming over the rise in the hill.

New Knitting Project

First let me say that I don't knit so the title of this post may seem odd.  My mother-in-law, on the other hand, is an expert knitter.  And lucky for me (well, the whole family, but this one's for me!), she loves to do it.  She's visiting with us this weekend, and she brought down some patterns for me to look at.  I have super-sensitive skin so I have problems buying sweaters, but she found some great patterns for me to choose from.  It was so exciting!  I found several (I could keep her knitting till the end of time), but finally settled on one.  Then we went out to browse yarn.  Is there anything so cozy as a yarn store?  Unfortunately, we couldn't find anything that met our criteria - mainly, super soft and no wool - but it was a blast looking around.  So even though I don't knit, the start of these knitting projects is such fun.  It's a joy that I get to share with Mom, and that is where I found God today.

Nearer My God to Thee

I was listening to some music today and came across "Nearer My God to Thee" in an arrangement by The Piano Guys that I had downloaded a little while ago.  I think I had heard the song done by a choir before but it never made much of an impression.  Not so with this arrangement.  It's played on cellos, and it's so powerful!  It never ceases to amaze me how music can evoke such a strong emotional response - at times it made me catch my breath.  I keep replaying it in my head; it's just so beautiful.  Listen to it if you get a chance and see what you think.  This is where I found God today. (click the link to hear the song)

Nearer My God to Thee - The Piano Guys

Canopy of Green

I'm still on my kick of looking for all things "cool" on these hot, hot days.  Today I found it in my driveway.  I walked out of the house to get the mail, and the heat hit me in the face.  As I walked down the driveway toward the mailbox, I realized I was enveloped in the shade from the trees on either side of the drive.  These are pretty tall trees, but I don't think they've met over the driveway until this year.  It was so cool (wink!) to be sheltered from the sun by their canopy of green leaves.  They shaded me almost all the way to the mailbox, and when I stepped out from under the branches back into the sun - wow, what a difference.  I love how those trees have grown to meet each other - it's almost as if they're reaching for each other - and I found God today in their cool, sheltering leaves.

Fudge

As you may know by now, I have to eat a gluten and dairy free diet.  What you may not know is that I'm an extreme chocoholic.  I found ways to adapt most of my favorite foods, but I figured fudge was out of the picture.  Good fudge has butter, cream, etc.  But I saw a recipe for dairy-free fudge and being desperate, I decided to try it.  I'm so glad I did.  It uses coconut milk which is about as creamy as you can get outside of real dairy cream.  But because of the chocolate, you don't taste the coconut flavor at all.  All you get is rich, creamy, chocolatey fudge - woohoo!!  We're having company this week so I decided to make some today, and oh, my, goodness.  All I have to say at this point is I found God in my rich, creamy, totally non-dairy fudge today.

Sending Treats

We hosted coffee hour at church yesterday, and apparently I had too much stuff because we brought home lots of leftovers.  But that's okay - they certainly won't go to waste in our sweets-loving household.  Plus, I had so many of the "oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip" cookies left that I had Jeff take some up to Morgan in Maryland today.  It always makes me happy to be able to send him some goodies since he's not around to get them too often.  I was packing up treats and feeling like "mom" this morning - it's a good feeling; especially when your kids are far away.  I found God today sending treats to my boy and being his mom.

Lutherpalian

Emmanuel Lutheran worships at the other end of our building.  At times, when either Father Tom or Father Keith is away, we have a combined service which they have dubbed "Lutherpalian".  It's different for both congregations in that it's part Episcopal and part Lutheran.  But what's the same is why we're all there - to worship, to give thanks, to pray, find peace, and healing.  We had a combined service today, and I have to admit at times I felt a little out of my element; a little uncomfortable.  But then I realized that's not such a bad thing.  I was paying close attention to things because it was different so it made me more aware of God among us.  I love our usual service, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  But I enjoy these combined services, also.  Seeing our two congregations come together for a common goal and in such a companionable way is uplifting.  It did my heart good, and I found God at our "Lutherpalian" service today.  

Comfy Pillow

I have had a killer headache all day - literally.  It wasn't there last night, but I woke up with it this morning and it just hasn't let up.  So sometime after lunch I decided to lie down.  I have a super-soft pillow that I keep on the bed, and as soon as my aching head smooshed into that pillow I felt comforted.  It didn't make the pain go away - not at first - but it was just soothing to have it cradling my poor head.  I laid there looking out the window at the rain, and before I knew it I was asleep.  I didn't sleep long, but it didn't matter.  Just that brief respite from the pain was such a relief, and it all started with my comfy pillow.  I found God today in that cushy pillow that soothed my aching head.

Baking

There was only one thing I had to do today - bake!  It was great!  All my other chores and work stuff were done, and dinner was going to be leftovers.  Things have been so busy lately, that when I did bake I was squeezing it in among other stuff.  But today I was baking for coffee hour on Sunday, and as I setting out my ingredients I felt a calm come over me.  That's when it hit me - I could enjoy this for the first time in quite a while.  I love to bake.  I love the measuring and mixing; I love the incredible smells that fill the house.  There's a rhythm I get into especially when it's an often-made and well-loved recipe, and it's a comfort to fall into it.  And when I pull some tasty dessert out of the oven, it's all I can do to wait for it to cool enough to "test" it.  (Well, somebody has to make sure it's good!)  It's such an enjoyable task for me when I can take my time with it, and today I could.  I found God today in the joy of baking.

Cool Green Shadows

In these hot summer days, I'm all for anything cool.  Jeff and I were at our "tea park" this morning, and the light coming through the trees cast the prettiest shadows on the grass.  Just looking at it you would think it was actually cool in this scene instead of hot and muggy.  That's why it appealed to me; it made me think of cooler days to come, and that made me very happy!  I found God today in the "cool" green shadows at our tea park.

Cooling Rain

The last time I made my Avon deliveries it was blisteringly hot.  Today when I made my deliveries, it was overcast, rainy, and just warm.  It was great!  It was so nice to not be sweating profusely as I was jumping in and out of the car.  The rain got heavy at times, but it always lightened up when I had to go out in it.   It was like God took pity on me and sent me a slightly cooler day in the middle of summer.  I love walking in the rain anyway, so it was such a pleasure to be out in it today; raindrops falling on me just enough to cool my skin.  I found God today in the pleasing gentle rain He sent to cool me in my travels.

Pampas Grass

I was driving to the grocery store this morning, and as I passed the golf course the gorgeous pampas grass caught my eye.  It was absolutely beautiful.  The seed heads are golden and silky-looking, and the grass beneath is a deep, dark green.  I pass it several times a week, so I don't know if it suddenly sprouted to it's current beauty, or if I just noticed it today because of the lighting.  It was slightly overcast, and those seed heads just seemed to glow with some inner light.  Plus, it's enormous!  They must be feeding it some super-duper grass food.  I wish I could have gotten a picture, but it probably wasn't the best idea at 50 mph.  The image stuck with me all day as yet another specimen of God's awesome natural world.  I found Him today in the beauty of that pampas grass.

Waffles

I made homemade waffles (gluten and dairy free, of course!) for breakfast this past Saturday when Morgan was here.  They were awesome.  But I'll tell you what's more awesome - having leftovers to freeze.  There's nothing better than pulling a couple of homemade waffles out of the freezer for a yummy breakfast.  I really think they taste better than when they're first cooked!  Maybe it's just the fact that I don't have to stand over the waffle iron making them.  I just pop them in the toaster and voila!  Crispy, warm, homemade waffles with honey drizzled over all those nooks and crannies - oh my, nothing better.  No doubt - I found God today in my homemade waffles straight from the freezer.

Reassuring Words

Morgan left this morning, and I've been on the verge of tears all day which is very unlike me.  His work schedule is busier than ever so his visits are fewer and farther between.  Jeff is gone, too.  He's usually away during the week and home on the weekend, but he had a family reunion to go to this weekend.  However, I don't think it was either of those things that was causing my melancholy.  I'm almost never lonely.  I love my alone time and can always find something to keep myself occupied.  I think it's more the weight of life lately.  Things have been very hectic, and we've had a lot of stress, but we've been so busy I haven't really had time to think on it.  So I think it's more like the crash after an adrenaline rush.  Today was the first true quiet I've had in a long time, and I've just felt at a loss all day.  I sat down to get my thoughts together and to pray.  I asked God to help me find Him in my day and what immediately ran through my head was, "I am with you always."  It brought tears to my eyes, and I felt a release.  I didn't even realize what I needed, but He did.  The reassurance I felt from those words was just what I needed to hear, and that is where I found Him today.

Soccer Talk

We had to go to Walmart today, and as he often does, Morgan was wearing one of his soccer jerseys.  We got in the line of one of my favorite cashiers, Jeanne, and to my surprise she commented on his jersey.  Before I knew it, they were talking in depth about english soccer.  It was so unexpected!  I would never in a million years have thought we would randomly run into someone who knew so much about soccer, but she said her son is actually trying out for a North Carolina soccer team.  It was such fun to listen to them, and as crowded as the store was, no one came up behind us until they were done talking.  We both left the store smiling.  I found God today in some unexpected soccer talk at Walmart.

Bink

My brother, Bentley, died four years ago this month.  In many ways he was a tortured soul and through no fault of his own.  A little background - he and my oldest brother were born of my mom's first marriage.  She grew up with a loving minister father who also happened to be very strict.  I believe this is what caused her to marry so young to a man who appeared to be loving and devoted but turned out to be a wife-beater.  It was the usual cycle - hit her and then lavish her with love and promise to never do it again.  At one point, he threw my brother into a stove because he asked the wrong question.  I think that along with some inherited genes were the reason he was never quite right.  My mom left in the middle of a snowy night, walking to a neighbor's house with her two young sons before the monster woke up.  When she met my dad, it was a dream come true for her because he was as gentle as the monster was violent.  He adopted my brothers, and it didn't dawn on me till I was in my teens that they were my half-brothers.  But I never thought of it that way, and I still don't.
Bentley's nickname was "Bink", and that's all we ever called him.  He never could hold a job for long, but he always managed to get by.  He was a genius mechanic - he could fix anything and everything.    And he loved us to death.  Even as a young man in his twenties, he would pick up me and my sister every weekend to spend the night with him and his wife.  He would usually take us bowling - we loved it.  How many young men want to spend time with little kids?  Whenever he hung up the phone and we said "I love you", he said "I love you more".  We inscribed "We love you more" on his grave marker.
We went to visit his grave today in Manteo - me, Jeff, Morgan, Steph (Morgan's girlfriend), and Chelsea (her daughter).   I never know quite what to do when I'm there.  But today, I just prayed that he finally had some peace, and that he knew how much he was loved.  I think he heard me because I felt God there with us as we stood quietly for those few moments.  That is where I found God today - connecting my heart to Bink's as we stood by his grave.

Pork Barbecue

I've been doing a lot of cleaning, cooking, and baking for Morgan's visit this week.  Well today I decided on an easy dinner.  Pork barbecue in the crock-pot.  In my version, you just drop that big ol' pork roast in there and pour a bottle of barbecue sauce on top.  When it's done, just shred the meat and top with coleslaw (you've got to have the cole slaw!).  It smelled so good cooking all day, and it was such an easy meal.  It was so nice to sit down to a tasty dinner that was also relaxing for me.  Digging into that barbecue topped off a great day.  I found God in that big pot full of barbecue pork.

Toy Story

My son, his girlfriend, and her seven year old daughter (Chelsea) got here last night for a visit, and what should have been a day at the beach or the pool was spent indoors because of the rain.  Bummer.  Chelsea is pretty good at occupying herself with Legos, coloring, etc., but there's only so much of that a seven year old can take.  So we pulled out the big guns - videos!  I still have a lot of old Disney movies from when my kids were young so we went through them and she chose "Toy Story" - one of my favorites!  We were watching right along with her, and Morgan and I were quoting lines along with the characters.  ("That's not flying! That's falling with style", "I'm Mrs. Nesbitt - see the hat?!")  It brought back great memories of watching these movies when I had little ones.  (The first time Jeff saw the "fight" scene between Woody and Buzz Lightyear, he laughed so hard, he was jumping up and down!) It turned out to be a nice day in spite of our lack of outdoor activities with the highlight being "Toy Story".  I found God today reminiscing about an old movie with my boy.