Sunday

He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.  Romans 4:25

While visiting w/mom, my bro & sis-n-law, my mom asked would we have had the strength to stay on the cross. Especially when we would've had any chance to free ourselves at any moment. Jesus knew what his purpose was when he was born. What a mighty sacrifice of a Father to ask of his Son out of love for wretches like me.

Amazing Grace. :-)

The Sunday Community

Quiet Sign Friday

"God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son."
- John 3:16

Quiet Sign Friday

Friday Fill-Ins

Happy Good Friday to all that believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins today. I sure do and am beyond thankful. How do you ever give enough thanks for someone who died for you? By letting Him live in your heart, forever :-)

Friday Fill-In time. My answers are in bold. Here we go!!!

1. If I could go anywhere on a road trip, I'd go to Savannah/Tybee Island, Georgia.
2. Racism is something I don't understand.
3. Easter makes me think of a time when it was all about having your "outfit & hair, just right"
4. Reading is the best way to relax!
5. It looks like Spring is slowly arriving.
6. Strawberries is one of my favorite healthy snacks.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to meeting my baby niece from the West Coast for the first time, tomorrow my plans include spending time with the baby, my brother & sister-n-law, and Sunday, I want to spend more time with said baby & family!


Pictures: by me - "Chalk Walk" from last year's First Friday
Friday Fill-Ins

A Stack of Three

"Three Boxes" ~ www.davidokane.com

I noticed two lidded boxes the other day while sweeping the basement. Turns out they were filled with things from my other two jobs I previously had.

Lots of "office-y" type of stuff like vases, plaques, pictures, pens, etc. that really don't have a place in my house. There were things to make my space more comfortable, away from home.

In each box, I could exactly remember where each item sat in their respective offices, and what type of memories leaving them made.

I also noticed that the 2nd box held less than the 1st.

And now, I noticed that this 3rd box holds less than the 2nd.

Wherever my path leads, I pray that the 3rd is my final box.

Namaste.

Testing, testing...

James 1:2-3 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Well, friends, time to share. Last Friday 3/22/13 @ 3:25 p.m., I was let go from my job of 11 years. If you've read here before, you know I've mentioned that my workplace was going down, so I somewhat wasn't surprised. Even when I was told "this isn't working out," I wasn't surprised.

Over the weekend, it felt very surreal, especially on Sunday night when I had nothing to prepare for. I filed an unemployment claim online (wow - times have changed since my last firing, Lol). I am prayerful, but I know if any decision is left to my ex-employer, he will deny any attempts. They barely wanted to give employees money (no raises in 7 years), let alone someone who no longer works there.

Prayers, inhaling, then exhaling.

So in these few days, I've done nothing. And I mean nothing. My feelings at first were: failure, what am I really meant to do, etc. Everyone says take time, rest, create, be productive, however, I still feel a heavy weight. My aura is dull. Thinking of finances overwhelms me right now.

I'm still getting  up each morning as 6:00 a.m. to make sure son is out the door & to take my dogs out, so there's no sleeping in. Once I hit the coffee pot & get online, I'm awake. There are plenty of things I could do around the house, but cleaning just isn't in me right now. I feel very tired. Last night, I shut off all things electronic, laid 'cross my bed in total silence & read 3 magazines, cover to cover.

I look at my mess of a desk with all it's inks, stamps, cards, etc., & can't find the groove to create anything right now. A friend suggested that it being springtime, that I hit up all the local nurseries as my love for people & all things flowers would be good for me. At first I got super-excited at the thought, then my mind wandered back to finances.

I truly do not want to go back to the office setting; especially law firms. I've been the office worker for 20+ years. So much attitude, arrogance, pettiness, gossip, mean-ness, blaming; I just want out of all that. Being a Walmart greeter or a cashier @ a grocery story sounds pretty good about now.

I don't know where this new road will take me, but for right now, I feel like I could sleep for a week. I haven't done anything more than wash my face, brush my teeth, shower & that's it. My hair is wondering what the heck am I gonna do with it. (Lol) I haven't touch it in days aside from running my fingers through it. I just have no energy. I think perhaps still a little numb.

Peace, be still.

Animals

Looking for Spring

I believe that animals exist to…

"Milo", who right after this shot, dove into the pond after the geese!!

• teach us that to worry is useless
• and that our needs will always be provided
• and that love is all we need
• and to see the kindness in others
• and to love unconditionally
• and to run & fly freely
• and to, when feeling unsure,
• to get close, nuzzle & reassure

A Spring Walk

Well, imagine our surprise waking up to a winter wonderland Monday morning!!! It was soooo beautiful; you couldn't help but be thrilled even though everyone's awaiting "Spring" weather.

I grabbed the camera & walked until my shoes, socks & jeans were soaked. I still could've kept going, but I was starting to lose feeling in my toes! (LOL!)

God's work is beautiful, indeed. He will bring on "spring" weather exactly when it's time. Not one before. And certainly not one minute after.

Happy Spring, my friends.

Energy, Here, There & Everywhere

The first page upon opening my new "Rumi" journal ~ instant love

I need to:
get it together
take a deep breath
inhale, then exhale
be in the moment
hold tighter to my faith
believe in & receive my blessings
stay prayerful
trust prayers will be heard ~ and answered
know that when one door closes, a door and/or window will be opened
continue to spread love, peace & light
recognize my self-worth & value
and release my hidden energy

All the while, trying to tame my mind
that seems to be here, there & everywhere

Sunday Scribblings word prompt: "energy"
Carry On Tuesday phrase prompt: "here, there & everywhere"

Sunday

1 Corinthians 13:12 

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

Last weekend on beautiful sunny, yet cold day, I decided to take a stroll through the grounds of a local monastery. It was the most quiet, peaceful place I've been in a while. I even had the pleasure of meeting & walking with a nun that had come out for a bit of fresh air. She told me I truly needed to return in the Spring when the grounds are in full bloom, but I found lovely as it was. In their very large garden where they grow their own food (love that!), there was a large mirror. I could envision how it would look in the summer surrounded by the flowers structures that are bare boned right now.

And returning in the Spring is very much in order. And in the summer as well.

Wishing you all a peaceful, blessed, grateful Sunday! :-)

The Sunday Community

In Youth...

When I think of a strong, black man who made no apologies, lived his true self, fought his demons, held his head high & demanded respect, I think of my stepfather, Alonzo Wilson. While I didn't exactly like him, I respected him.

Of course this picture isn't him; this is the actor, John Amos. You know all the characters he has played are of the kick-ass nature. Step to him if you will, but come ready. That was my dad.

I didn't realize until I got away from my parents that their words were sacred. They were merely trying to prepare us for the world. While I found their rules "mean, tense & strict, I finally realized in youth we learn, in age we understand.

I am a parent. It all so totally makes sense.

DUH! Youth is wasted on the duh.

Carry Tuesday prompt

It's Out There

The Catskill Mountains, New York. Only food, drink, fire wood & a camera is needed. ;-)

Sanibel island, Florida - Treasures!!! I'm shell addicted!!

The Pier on Tybee Island, Georgia. I could see myself greeting the sunrise. Every morning. Without fail.

Savannah, Georgia. I long to see 'real, live moss!'

The Battery, Charleston, SC - a dream stroll

If you want it, it's out there; 

waiting to be seen by new eyes

discovered by wondering minds

Explored by curious passions

Devoured by new appetites

Captured anxiously & shared

through a new lens

In this fifth, blessed decade of life

Where change is demanding to be acknowledged

I believe it's time to go see, feel, touch, taste, smell & learn

Where "it's out there"

is.

Pictures: Internet courtesy. One day, I will post my own :-)
Sunday Scribblings word prompt: "it's out there"

Subtle

sub·tle: /ˈsətl/: Adjective

1. (esp. of a change or distinction) So delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe.
2. (of a mixture or effect) Delicately complex and understated.

Synonyms: subtile - fine - delicate - nice - sharp

fine or delicate in meaning or intent; difficult to perceive or understand: subtle irony

Yesterday, I wondered where to hang a picture I love

Then it hit me, in fact it was almost like I heard it out loud

"Change it, move it, claim your space"

So I removed a picture that's been hanging for years

Which is very precious, indeed

But it's not me, nor my life

And now I realize, it never truly was

But was allowed out of respect

My time now

When my action was questioned, I felt strong & proud & fierce

When I let it be known

That it's my time now

Subtly will get you everywhere.

Cleansed.... for now. :-)

I shed tears for my friend, Cassie, today when she shared on FaceBook that her chemo was being discontinued; it's not working & the cancer has spread. The last 3 weeks of chemo has been "HORRIFIC" (her own words) with lots of pain, hair loss (again), and things I couldn't imagine feeling.

Yet her spirit SOARS! Her faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ & our Heavenly Father NEVER wavers. She is proud to let go of the chemo so "she can get back to being herself." While the rest of us read her words & cringe, she uses them as a bold testimony.

Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. -- Psalm 30:5

I took a break from work, went outside & let my tears cleanse my soul. I wept because of Cassie's fight to live with all her might while I live life so cautiously.

She is as we speak, planning on walking the Nike 2013 marathon (without her cane) and being victorious. My constant lesson to be learned from her illness is to get to living!! Here I am doing well, healthwise, and there she is struggling to live, yet SO vivacious!

I found this beautiful post on "Tears Cleansing the  Soul" @ the Joyful Shepherd blog. Please take a second & read it if you can. It brought me so much comfort. And if you feel 'teary' at times, hopefully it will comfort you, too.

Peace, light & love to you, Cassie, my sweet warrior!

Pictures: me

Friday Fill-Ins

I find myself looking forward to these fill-ins!!! :-) My answers are in bold. Away we go!!!!! 

 

1. I was looking for you.
2. Sadly, FaceBook is one of my favorite ways to socialize.
3. I looked at the clock every hour, on the hour.
4. "Sanford, Uni-ball/Fine Point" is the type of pen I most prefer to use.
5. What in the hell just happened???. (Lol!!)
6. Folks telling me I look like Condoleeza Rice seems to happen to me often.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a basketball game with my son, tomorrow my plans include hopefully dodging the cold & getting some reading done, and Sunday, I want to maybe go to church!

Picture: me (Meyers Lake)

Friday Fill-Ins

Three Word Wednesday

After much anticipation, when she laid eyes on him

she felt careful

All she had thought of was hm & how it would be

to receive/give a hug

Yet her shielded heart protected her from inside

Not wanting to see or feel her make another

mistake

Picture: tracey

Three Word Wednesday: a random stumble upon

An Ode to Eighteen

He is a Prince

The son of a King

His skin is chocolate brown

With royalty, he gleams

Yet he is very young

Ready to learn & know himself

Time to put childish things

Away, up on a shelf

The world is so big

Learning lessons & hard times will come

But he is ready

Because he is in no way dumb

As time went on, the prince evolved into a King

He is smart, sensual, wise, intelligent

and a fine, sexy thing

He has become a true man

Honest of his word

Taking care of his family

His vision unblurred

He is an artist, a mechanic

and, oh, so much more

Since he walked down the path

Through that eighteen-year old door

:-)

Instinct

Instinct says 'no, watch out, & beware'
But how she can listen
With a heart so full of care

Instinct says back off
there is no way this can be good
But she is unable to hear
How to behave when she should

Instinct says watch it; you're acting on a whim
there is no room for you
when another belongs to Him

But when she hears his voice
So smooth as the purest butter
It's very easy to pretend
that there is no one other

Yet deep inside she knows
Her instincts are right
Still she rolls the dice
And cries in the night

Picture: me @ the City Art Museum
Sunday Scribbling word prompt: "instinct."

Sunday

Proverbs 22:6 ~Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

This verse always brings to mind our family "wall of fame." My mother had a wall covered with all nine of her children in their senior and gradation cap/gowns photos. Underneath it all, she had a framed saying with this verse. And it still rings true. And none of us have ever turned from it. Thank you, mom :-)

Pictures: by me; outside of the North Canton City Library

Participating in: The Sunday Community