February 4

February 4, 2012 ~

We were off to the beach with Paul today! The weather report said the winds would be 12 mph, compared to 40 plus in the Columbia Gorge, so   we choose the Pacific Coast! It was an excellent choice. What a beautiful day it has been!  Since my little camera isn’t working anymore, thought I’d try Clarissa’s! It took some getting used to, but all in all I think I got some very nice pictures. Between Ron and I we have at least 300 pictures to go through! Aren’t digital camera’s great!  I can only imagine how expensive it would have been if we’d of had a film camera.

Happy For A Reason Reasons:

1.       Paul invited us to go on an outing with him!

2.       Cars! Made for only a two hour trip to the beach.

3.       I live where I can be at the Ocean, Mountains, Dessert, or River in two hours or less. I can pick and choose.

4.       Camera’s to capture a small portion of the beauty that God has created for our enjoyment!

5.       A wonderful day spent with Ron and Paul!

 

 

 

More pictures to be posted soon!

February 3

February 3, 2012~

Today, Juanita and I went shopping! She is 26 weeks along in her pregnancy. Things appear to be going fine now. Little Brooklyn is growing quiet well, and it shows! I can hardly believe that I let the day go buy without taking any pictures to share. Oh, well, life will still go on! (Best part was I had the camera in my pocket.)

Happy For A Reason Reasons:

1.       I could go shopping with Juanita!

2.       Twenty six weeks and counting!

3.       Things are going well as far as Juanita’s pregnancy.

4.       Little Brooklyn is growing well!

5.       Only fourteen more weeks to go!

February 1

February 1, 2012 ~

“…When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” ~Is.59:19

“… My heart’s desire and prayer, to God for (my family) Israel is, that they might be saved.” ~Rom. 10:1

Today is the first day of our 40 Days of prayer. There are at least seven people across the US and around the world joining together, praying for our families and friends. We are the book   40 Days Prayers and Devotions, by Dennis Smith, as our guide. I am looking forward to seeing how God works over the next 40 day!

Happy For A Reason Reasons:

1.       Seven prayer partners! (Actually, there are more, but these are the ones who have let me know they are praying.) Here is our Faith Looks Up Blog if you’d like to follow along. http://ourfaithlooksup.blogspot.com

2.       I had good news today, in answer to a prayer request!

3.       It is my day off!

4.       Time to sleep, not that I did for very long, but every bit helps and for that I’m happy!

5.       Friends, who care!

January 30

January 30, 2012~

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt.” ~James 1:2-6

“I can do all things through Him, who strengthens me.” ~Philippians 4:13 

All I can say is that these are my verses for today!

Happy For A Reason Reasons:

1.        Strength from above.

2.        Phones, making it possible for me to have a conversation with a friend who is miles away.

3.       My friend and prayer partner Maureen!  It is wonderful to have a friend that knows what you are going through, and who gives such encouragement.

4.       God is in control and uses difficult situations to bring good, in His timing.

5.       A nice meal, thanks to my dear husband!

January 29

January 29, 2012 ~

God's promises are sure!

"For with God nothing shall be impossible." ~ Luke 1:37

I was more than ready to head home this morning, after a long night at work. The car was cold, but I knew it would be warm in minutes. I started off, only to realize that I had signed up for my Living Well evaluation and screening this morning. They had been so thoughtful to schedule sometimes right after work, for those of us who work nights. Thankfully, I had gone less than a mile when I was reminded of the fact that it was the 29^th and that was the day I had scheduled my appointment! So, having 45 minutes before my appointment, I was able to fill the car with gas, get a car wash, and grab a bit or two of breakfast!  The timing was perfect! Once I was finished with the screening, and received my results, I headed home. This time I was headed home for good! As I neared my exit from the freeway, I was greeted with one of the most spectacular triple rainbows I have seen in quite some time. When I exited, I had to pull over and at least get one picture! By that time it was only double, but still beautiful!  If I had not of returned to work for my appointment, I would have missed this spectacular rainbow!

Happy For A Reason Reasons:

1.       God’s prompting my memory! I would have had to come in on one of my days off and miss my second reason for being happy today!

2.       A beautiful, display of God’s creative beauty, in the sky this morning! (This picture isn't actually the one I took. It looks very similar, but mine is still on my old camara at the time of this posting, so I'll have to update it later.)

3.       The reminder, in the form of the rainbows, that God keeps His promises. His promises are sure!

4.       My God is the God of the impossible!

5.       The gift of sight! Without the gift of sight, I would not have enjoyed the rainbows this morning, or been reminded of God’s promises and love!

January 28

January 28, 2012~

"I believe that if an angel were to wing his way from earth up to Heaven, and were to say that there was one poor, ragged boy, without father or mother, with no one to care for him and teach him the way of life; and if God were to ask who among them were willing to come down to this earth and live here for fifty years and lead that one to Jesus Christ, every angel in Heaven would volunteer to go. Even Gabriel, who stands in the presence of the Almighty, would say, 'Let me leave my high and lofty position, and let me have the luxury of leading one soul to Jesus Christ.' There is no greater honor than to be the instrument in God's hands of leading one person out of the kingdom of Satan into the glorious light of Heaven."--Dwight L. Moody

This is the quote that is on the blog of our precious friends the Philpotts. They are at this very moment on a mission trip. Yesterday they had a very scary experience but praise God their angels were by their side. This gives me a perfect place to start my happy reasons!

Happy For A Reason Reasons:

1.       My friends, the Philpott family.

2.      Modern technologies, that make it possible to receive news and messages from friends around the globe!

3.      Angels who were with the Philpott family, during a very scary and difficult time.

4.      Answers to prayers for the safe return of the Philpott family to the orphanage.

5.      Another answer to prayer for the safety of someone dear to my heart!

If you’d like to follow the Philpott family on their mission trip here is their blog site. Please keep them in your prayers!

http://philpottmissionproject.blogspot.com

January 27

Oh, were it not for God's grace?  Amazing Grace, sung by Whintley Phipps

January 27, 2012~

How do grace and judgment work together? Today I was reading a devotional on God’s grace, and how grace and judgment work together. Praise God for our precious Jesus!

“While Jesus is pleading for the subjects of His grace, Satan accuses them before God as transgressors. The great deceiver has sought to lead them into skepticism, to cause them to lose confidence in God, to separate themselves from His love, and to break His law. Now he points to the record of their lives, to the defects of character, the unlikeness to Christ, which has dishonored their Redeemer, to all the sins that he has tempted them to commit, and because of these he claims them as his subjects.

“Jesus does not excuse their sins, but shows their penitence and faith, and, claiming for them forgiveness, He lifts His wounded hands before the Father and the holy angels, saying: I know them by name. I have graven them on the palms of my hands.”—The Great Controversy, p. 484

Happy For A Reason Reasons:

1.      The gift of Jesus Christ, precious blood on my behalf.

2.      God’s wonderful grace.

3.      Knowing my loved ones and friends have angels watching over them!

4.      I have angels watching over me, too!

5.      My name is etched onto the hands of Jesus!

January 26

January 26, 2012 ~

“No one can believe how powerful prayer is and what it can effect, except those who have learned it by experience. Whenever I have prayed earnestly, I have been heard and have obtained more than I prayed for. God sometimes delays, but He always comes.” ~Martin Luther

Happy For A Reason Reasons:

1.       My affectionate dog!

2.       Two mile with a peek of sunshine!

3.       Ron could pick up a book for me at ABC, so I didn’t have make an extra trip into town!

4.       The US Postal Service! I mailed the book Ron picked up to someone in another state.

5.       I pray-God answers!

January 25

January 25, 2012~

Amazing what a little more sleep can do for my outlook on life! Whenever I am rested and feel good,  I function so much better – and I cannot feel  good without getting a decent amount of sleep!  So after five hours of sleep I was off to take Clarissa home from her work. Within an hour I was home again in time to visit with Ron before he left for his appointment, then I was back to bed for another three hours of sleep! Ahh… I think I just might have the energy to get something done today! Then again, how about a lazy day?

Happy For A Reason Reasons:

1.       Time to visit with Ron before he was off to his appointment. Working the night shift sure gets in the way of our time to just talk.

2.       A delicious lunch.

3.       A good book! Engine Two by Rip Esselstyn.  Wow, this is too, close to home! Sounds familiar! I think, I just became passionate about making a difference in my life, so I can help others make a difference in their lives!

4.       A walk with Ron, and there was NO RAIN!

5.       I think I’ll make that my next reason. No rain! But, if we had not been having the rain, I would not have seen the pretty reflections in the mud puddles as we walk!

January 24

January 24, 2012~

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” ~Exodus 33:14, NIV

Sleep is a huge factor in being able to maintain and improve my energy level. It also helps my immune system, and emotional well being, not to mention my mental state, so that I can maintain a positive attitude towards my busy, unpredictable life.  Hmm…. Now where does that leave me for tonight? I had the total of three hours sleep before having to get up and take Clarissa to her appointment. By the time it was over, I didn’t have enough time to make it home and back to work, for the extra shift I had picked up, so I got a few errands out of the way, including a hair trim. Next I was off to the Living Well Bistro for something healthy to eat, then to work I go,  until 10:45 pm. As I think about my sleep deprivation, I realize I need some energy from above.

 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  ~ Psalms 73:26, NIV   

Happy For A Reason Reasons:

1.       I had at least three hours of sleep! Some is better than none!

2.       I could take Clarissa to her appointment.

3.       A much needed hair trim!

4.       The delicious, mouthwatering meal I enjoyed from the Living Well Bistro!

5.       Strength from God’s Word, to help me make it through an evening of work!

January 23

January 23, 2012 ~

I will praise You with my whole heart… I will sing praises to You. I will worship….and praise Your name For Your loving kindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul.

All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O LORD, When they hear the words of Your mouth.

Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, For great is the glory of the LORD.

Though the LORD is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. ~Psalm 138, NKJV

Just the kind of day I needed! Beautiful, sunny, and warm (at least compared to what it has been.)  It was perfect for a walk in the woods.

 Walking through the woods, the beauty surrounded me as the sunshine came streaming through the fog,  the sound of water flowing down the creek, while the birds flittered here and there, as they were singing their praises. As the birds sing, I just want to join them in praise to my Maker and my King!  I can see why Jesus wanted to be out in nature as much as possible, and how it revitalized Him. I feel wonderful! It is like my spark is coming back!  And so I begin my….

Happy For A Reason Reasons:

1.       The beauty that surrounds me!

2.       Time for a two mile walk in the woods!

3.       A great time in the kitchen baking… Lentil cold cuts, hmmm….not sure I’ll do these again, but I’ll let Ron have a vote before I decide one way or the other. Eggplant parmesan (vegan) for Ron, of course! You see I am not one for Eggplant dishes, though, I have to say I have tasted the Bay Leaf Eggplant Crisp, and it was delicious! I even had seconds. Mine isn’t in that category, but Ron like it and that is what counts!

4.       A day without rain!

5.       A couple hours of sleep before I had to head off to work the night shift!

The view from home....

Looking towards home as I enter the woods...

Hitting the trail...

The deeper I went into the canyon....the more fog there was....but the sun still penetrated through!

Headed back up the hill!

Back on the lane....

...and just before heading into my yard, I see the evidence that winter is still hanging on... hmmm... I wonder what life lesson I can learn from this!

God is good!