Little Reid was so inconsolable last night as lots of family was all gathered in relatively tight quarters.
Packages were unwrapped with paper, boxes and clutter everywhere.
Children were running and laughing and crying as Nerf machine gun battles took place….
And at the same time Mario race car WII was turned up full blast!
Carbs were being consumed through pizza and cookie consumption…and you know how carbs can bomb you down!
Family that don’t see each other often, were having multiple conversations of small talk….. football games, how is your job going, what did you get for Christmas?, etc. Turning my head from side to side, like watching a tennis match, trying to listen to all the conversations so you can connect with people and hear all the news can give you a headache!!!!

Little Reid was not happy about much of anything…..which is very, very unlike him. He is usually the happiest little thing you could ever imagine. He was totally over stimulated! He needed to pull away from all the activity.

So, his wise mommy, who knows her little one well…placed him in the hallway next to all the chaos.

Bingo, the crying quickly subsided and squeals of delight soon began.

Little Reid had the right idea….crying out to be placed in the hall, by himself in his little bouncy seat to
Focus on his little overhanging light toy.

He would grab for a handle and the light would come on and quiet little happy tunes would start playing.
BIG SMILES AND COOS SOON REPLACED FRETTING FROM ALL THE ACTIVITY THAT HAD BEEN GOING ON AROUND HIM.

This morning, I am having a good time, sitting in my quiet time chair……focusing on the LIGHT.

Thank you ,Lord , for gift of family…..but most of all, thank you for quiet moments to focus on YOU.

Thank you , Lord, for a quiet, rainy day to be still. Well, for a few hours anyway…..as there are friends I love very much coming tomorrow. But for now…..time with my best friend, Jesus, is settling me down too.

Thank you Lord for our little Reid.
A little baby can teach an old grandmother life lessons!!!!!!

EARLY CHRISTMAS GIFTS

What an encouraging weekend.
An early Christmas gift.

Going to a workshop to paint and learn new art techniques, so I thought!
God had a creative way to open up my heart and answer some of my prayers.

People I had heard about but did not think I would ever be able to meet……He brought them to me.
I have been “feeling” discouraged lately. I found fellowship with likeminded ladies whose way to draw close to the Lord is similar to mine. They connect to Him through creativity in the arts. Photography, painting, writing, dancing, music, drama, etc.

The Counselor can paint pictures of healing in my heart without my even having to do a thing…..Katie, just obey and go when His Spirit woos me to not be afraid.

Trust Him. Follow His leading. Do not be wrapped up in control and trying to figure out my way, just follow the Spirit and hold His hand.

If I seek Him with all my heart, He will reveal Himself to me….He sees my heart, He knows my needs,
He will be my best friend who delights in the things that delight me and what delights me is connecting with
Jesus in the ways He has made me able to see Him…..through art.

Another gift was going to a neighborhood Christmas party where stories about Christmas memories were told….only to have one written and shared just for my encouragement…a gift written by a dear, godly friend who thought the story from her childhood was about her life, but had been orchestrated long ago, about 58 years ago, in God’s perfect plan to be written down on paper last week to encourage my heart.

Yet, another blessing from the week-end was going to church with my family and seeing that my ABBA, FATHER was there to speak to me. I felt He was speaking just to me, to some woundedness in my life. Affirming that my desire for deeper fellowship with HIM is the gift he offers me.

It is not about me doing things for Him, following laws made up by man or even the 10 commandments. It is about me receiving more from Him in relationship to HIM. I have been adopted by Him. He adopted me as an adult, fully knowing my past sins, my future sins, and all the ways I have and will let myself down because I think it is all about performance. I may promise myself and others I am going to perform certain ways, but of course, I am human and not perfect. Instead of beating myself up, all I need to do is receive my position IN CHRIST. He has redeemed me. I just need to receive and walk in His mercy and grace daily.

He loves me with all my faults. He is faultless and because I am His child, I am accepted! Receiving a teaching that told me I was valuable to HIM. Hearing and really receiving this time that Christmas was for me. CHRISTMAS WAS FOR ME! It is not selfish for me to believe it was just for me. Until I really believe this, I can not share this truth with others. It was just for them too!!!!

I have been a Christian for many years….but I am still growing up in truth, HIS TRUTH and erasing false teaching, words that I have allowed to direct my paths and color the way I “feel” and “see” myself and others.

So I have opened up an early Christmas gift…cracked just a little light on some healing truth to my heart.

Yes, I did go to a fun party with neighbors that filled my heart with encouragement. I did find a group of women who love art and Jesus too…….. but it was the party with JESUS, MY ABBA FATHER, WHO BROUGHT GIFTS TO MY HEART. Christmas as a child of the King…who came to redeem me and reveal Himself to me. He shed a little more light into my heart this week-end and I received it!!!!!

So, this little picture I drew to illustrate my friends Christmas story, well it was for me!!!!! You won’t understand it because you did not hear the whole story, but Joyce and I understand it!

Be washed in HIS LIGHT. Covered in TRUTH…..tasting HIS GOODNESS and let it nourish your hungry heart.

HE IS CHRISTMAS.


Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
I’ll go with Him, with Him,
All the way.


P.S. How can I overlook ackowledging these other encouraging gifts. A memory of spending a day with two of my precious grandchildren, walking in the woods at MacIntosh Reserve…a real live picture of God's creativity.

AND A PICTURE OF REID AT THE CHILDRENS WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS PLAY AT THIER PRESCHOOL.
KISS KISS TO THOSE ROSY CHEEKS AND LOVE THOSE BLUE, BLUE EYES.

MY NEST

THANKSGIVING IS STILL GOING ON IN MY HEART ( AND WITH MY LEFTOVERS!)

I AM SO THANKFUL FOR MY NEST. GOD GAVE US SUCH A BLESSING WHEN WE MOVED TO OUR
WONDERFUL NEIGHBORHOOD 5 1/2 YEARS AGO. OUR NEIGHBORS ARE THE BEST. IT IS SUCH
A DELIGHT TO WALK AROUND OUR LITTLE DIRT ROAD, A LITTLE OVER A MILE, AND SEE THE LAKE ALMOST THE WHOLE TIME.

I AM THANKFUL FOR TIME TO REST THIS AFTERNOON BEFORE I START THE CHRISTMAS DECORATING TOMORROW. I TOOK A FEW HOURS TO PAINT TODAY. I LOVE TO PAINT. I REALLY LOVE THE NEW TECHNIQUE OF PAINTING ON SHEETROCK MUD FOR TEXTURE!

OFF IN A FEW MINUTES TO WATCH MY PRECIOUS GRANDCHILDREN
DECORATE THEIR TREE. WHAT A BLESSING TO LIVE CLOSE ENOUGH TO EVEN WALK TO THEIR
HOME IF I WANT TO. THANKFUL FOR A SON IN LAW WHO LOVES FOR US TO COME OVER AND BE HIS FAMILY.

I AM TRULY BLESSED IN MY LITTLE NEST.
THANK YOU LORD.

THANKSGIVING IN TWO DAYS, REALLY?? GIVE THANKS!!!!

TODAY IS TUESDAY AND IN TWO DAYS I AM SO EXCITED TO HAVE BOB'S FAMILY COME FOR THANKSGIVING. I PRAY I CAN NOT WORRY ABOUT THE THINGS YOU SEE IN THESE PICTURES BUT
FOCUS ON WHY WE ARE GATHERING TO GIVE THANKS.

THE LORD HAS SO GRACIOUSLY PROVIDED ALL THE DETAILS.
PROVISIONS OF FAMILY, FOOD AND GOOD HEALTH TO ENJOY.

HERE ARE A FEW PICTURES FROM MY HOME TODAY. THINGS FOR WHICH I AM THANKFUL.

WAITING FOR MARK, OUR GOOD FRIEND WHO IS AN AMAZING HELPER, TO COME
AND PUT UP THE OVER THE KITCHEN SINK LIGHT THAT HAS BEEN MISSING FOR
LOTS OF YEARS.

A VACUUM TO CLEAN UP THE PULVERIZED LEAVES ON MY FLOORS. ( WE LIVE ON A DIRT ROAD IN THE WOODS. LOTS OF LITTLE FEET LOVE PLAY AT MY HOUSE AND TRACK IN LEAVES AFTER WALKS IN THE WOODS!)

A FREEZER FULL OF ALREADY PREPARED FOOD FOR THE THANKSGIVING TABLE.

WASH TO BE DONE AND A SIGN, GIVEN TO ME BY A DEAR FRIEND, THAT REMINDS ME TO BE THANKFUL FOR THE SIMPLE THINGS....LIKE LAUNDRY TO BE DONE AND A HEALTHY HUSBAND THAT WEARS THOSE CLOTHES.

A HUSBAND WHO HAS ALREADY COMPLETED HIS "HONEY DO" LIST. HE IS SO WILLING AND ABLE TO COME ALONGSIDE AND HELP MAKE OUR HOME ORDERLY.

A GARAGE WAITING AND FULL, FULL, FULL OF RIDING TOYS FOR THE LITTLE ONES TO RIDE OUTSIDE WHILE WE ARE GETTING THE FOOD READY INSIDE!!!!

EMPTY TABLES THAT WAITING FOR LOVED FAMILY TO FILL THE CHAIRS AND FOR SWEET CONVERSATION TO TAKE PLACE.

EMPTY POTS WAITING TO BE FILLED WITH GOOD THINGS. LIKE MY HEART THAT IS PRAYING TO BE FILLED WITH RIGHT ATTITUDES OF WHY WE GATHER TOGETHER ON THIS HOLIDAY....NOT FOR CLEAN HOUSES BUT CLEAN HEARTS....SO THAT WHEN THE DAY COMES WE WILL BE PREPARED TO GIVE THANKS AND SHOW

THE WARMTH OF JESUS' WELCOME.

THANKFUL FOR THE LIGHT ON MY PATH

I use two books by Sarah Young for my morning devotions. I sometimes think the Lord
wrote those books as He looked into my heart. He alone knows what every challenge in my life will be, past, present and future. He knows the words of encouragement I need to help me stay focused on HIM.

I have been thinking about one devotion in particular....from October 27. Here are a few of the statements that spoke into my heart.

"As you become increasingly aware of My Presence, you find it easier to discern the way you should go. This is one of the practical benefits of living close to Me. Instead of wondering about what is on the road ahead or worrying about what you should do if...or when..., you can concentrate on staying in communication with Me. When you actually arrive at a choice-point, I will show you which direction to go.

I, the creator of the universe, am the most creative Being imaginable. I will not leave you circling in deeply rutted paths. Instead, I will lead you along fresh trails of adventure, revealing to you things you did not know. Stay in communication with Me. Follow My guiding Presence."

I have been trying to make it a priority to stay quiet at the feet of the Lord and seek His direction for my life...a daily struggle to be still and listen. I have been at peace with His direction for my involvement of service. I have been sure of my areas of service because I have been walking in obedience to HIM.

I must admit this is a big struggle because I am a people pleaser. I care too much about what people think about me. I want the affirmation of man.

Yesterday our sermon was on service. The pastor had us stand up everytime he called out an area of service we were involved in at our church. This was good for encouraging the hard workers in our church. I appreciate all they do for the body of Christ.

My ministry is known by the Lord. I want walk in obedience to the areas of service He has called me to. Yesterday, I wanted to be able to stand up for a pat on the back.

I humbly submit to you Lord. Forgive me Lord, for letting my heart stray on a well worn rutted path of needing the approval of man. I want to walk in YOUR LIGHT TOWARD YOU AND FOLLOW YOUR WILL FOR MY LIFE AND FOR YOUR GLORY.

PRAISES AND PRAYER

Yesterday I finished this little painting of a song bird resting on a flower. It was so much fun to paint. I put compound paste on the canvas and carved into it and then after it dried I painted it not with a brush, but with my hands. Stained fingers today, but oh so much fun.

I woke up in the night, which is not an unusual thing, and a couple of songs were going through my head.

From the Carpenters

Sing, sing a song
Sing out loud
Sing out strong
Sing of good things, not bad
Sing of happy, not sad.

Sing, sing a song
Make it simple
To last your whole life long
Don't worry that it's not good enough
for anyone else to hear
Just sing, sing a song.

Sing, sing a song
Let the world sing along
Sing of love there could be
Sing for you and for me.

Sing, sing a song
Make it simple
To last your whole life long
Don't worry that it's not good enough
for anyone else to hear
Just sing, sing a song.

and then this one


Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.

Love Him, love Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Love Him, love Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.

Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.

I have so much to be thankful for this fall. After a sabbatical to the beach, resting and remembering God's faithfulness, I want to share a few things I am praising Him for and singing about.

Bob's CT scan came back NORMAL! Praise Him. Praise Him, all ye little children.
WE were not expecting any bad news, but as I have said before, we want to praise Him in the good times and the bad. We celebrated by walking down to the lake and taking Brett fishing.

Thank you, Lord, that if it is your will, Bob has lots of fishing trips with Brett in his future.


A few weeks ago I was blessed to be able to have lunch with two dear friends and mentors, Judy Kenobbie and Linda Dennis. It was a dear memory for me. I have asked you before to pray for my sweet friend,Judy . She has kidney cancer. She is living in Crosslake, Minnesota now and I do not get to see her very often. She was in Newnan for a short visit.

As usual, when you talk to Judy, she does not want to talk about the fact that her cancer has progressed and she is no longer receiving those awful treatments because they were not able to stop that cancer from spreading. She just wants to praise the Lord and tell you the wonderful things He has been doing in her life. Lots of visits from family and friends, wonderful sights she has seen when she was feeling like taking little trips outside in God's glorious creation, and many stories about how God has provided over the years for her. Her husband is suffering with Parkinson's and she just wants you to pray for him.

Judy is an example of keeping your focus on Jesus. He is her strength and source of joy. She is my hero of the faith this month. What a mentor! I am so thankful the Lord put her in my life five years ago when we moved to Newnan. She and I have been able to be in several Bible studies together, had several fun girl trips and lots of laughter. The deep, belly laughs that make you cry you are laughing so hard.

She is very short of breath and coughs a lot lately. Talking is hard on some days. I am so grateful for all the memories we have made sharing our "God stories." She always has a story...."Oh, God is so good. Let me tell you what He did." When we talk, she always gives has a story to share.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me such an amazing mentor. Continue to give her songs of praise to share with us all. Give her breath to belt them out like the little song bird I painted in her honor.

Thank you for giving my husband a normal CT scan. It is not normal to us. It is your good gift of mercy and grace. Thank you for giving us time to praise you on earth and make lots of memories with our precious grandchildren.


Unlike the Carpenter song, I am thankful You want us to sing about happy and sad. You created us to praise YOU. So, on this glorious fall day, I close singing,

Praise Him, Praise Him,
praise Him Katie Purcell,
God is love, God is love.
Love Him, Thank Him, Serve Him......all the verses!!!!

Sing, Sing your song!

PEACE, BE STILL

Woke up early this morning with a beach anxiety. I want to soak it all in and not miss anything. The feeling of hurry , you only have 4 days to be here. You have to do it all. Shop your favorite stores. Walk on the beach until your feet get the perfect sand manicure. Eat your favorite beach foods. Sit on the porch and let those waves wash out the sounds of a hurried life. Hear from the Lord.

I admit I have been frustrated at home because I can’t seem to find time for creativity. I can not get organized in my mind or at home, no matter what I do. I can not figure out how to have the uninterrupted hours I need to be still and settled long enough to hear from the Lord and then write down my thoughts and draw or paint my little scripture pictures. I do not know how to get settled and started in my creating process. So, I figured I would go to the place I hear the from the Lord the best. The beach. I could get it all done while I was there.

Yesterday , after I had unpacked all my stuff in the condo, I took my walk in Seaside. Oh, how I love Seaside. Lots of my favorite “things” are there. It is total eye candy. The cute little homes. The garden shop, Pickets, with the cute garden calls my name and it is only open a couple of days a week. I had to see it right away in case there was something there I just had to have. Cowgirl Kitchen holds yummy take back to the condo foods so I don’t have to cook the whole vacation. Modica Market has food stacked on shelves all the way to the ceiling. You have to get a ladder to reach the staples on the top shelves. My very favorite things are down low in the bakery case! No ladder necessary.

I had a delightful afternoon watching people playing in the water. It was bathtub still. This does not happen often. Usually, the people are riding the waves. Today, they were standing in the stillness . I did not go down to the water. Just watched from the balcony.

I was too wound up to “accomplish” any of the work I thought I had to do while I was here. I came loaded with crates of old journals, art supplies, notebooks full of years of past devotional writings and little art illustrations to go along with them. “My goal” for the four days I am here is to hear from the Lord some more so I can capture what He has to say to me on paper and with creations of art. Right?

I am 64 years old. I know my years on earth are not 64 more! I want to pass on my heart thoughts. How much I love the Lord. How I long to seek Him more and more each moment I am alive. To learn how to rest in His presence here until my pilgrimage to His heart is finished and I see Him face to face.

Ate a little dinner and a lot of chocolate….ice cream and chocolate covered pretzels! Tried to watch a movie I had borrowed from the library, The Scarlett Letter. Sorry, it just didn’t float my boat, so I changed the channel to my favorite wind down shows, the Food Network and HGTV. Off to dreamland before I knew it.

Woke up early the next morning…very early 5:30.

Coffee on, journal and Bible out and ready. The sun was just beginning to lighten the sky so you could see the difference between water and sand. The faint colors of orange, pink and purple clouds resting over the water were in view. The birds had begun to start their praise songs…first a solo or two, then a whole chorus.

Myself would not settle down. I got out my watercolors to capture the moment. God’s Glory rising. An hour quickly slid by and I looked out to see people walking on the beach. Hurry Katie, get out there. They might pocket the shells or treasures washed up on the shore before I could find them.

Peace rested almost immediately in my heart. It was as if the Lord was saying, “Katie, the treasures I have for you, are for you alone. No one else can steal them. They are hidden in your heart. Your job is to rest with me. Sit with me. Delight in this sunrise with me. Receive this blessing. I have so much more to show you. Just be with me and trust me to show you.

SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART…NOT YOUR ACTIONS. FIND ME IN THE STILLNESS. FIND ME IN THE EVERYDAY THINGS. IF YOUR HEART ATTITUDE IS TO FIND ME. I WILL NOT HIDE. YOU WILL SEE ME EVERYWHERE.

HE will show HIMSELF to me and when He does, I will be changed. I will see HIM and not miss HIM. HE will be recorded not only in my words and artwork, HE will flow through my countenance. I will not be frustrated, nervous or anxious. I will be at peace. Resting in the stillness. I missed my opportunity yesterday to stand in the stillness of the ocean day. I will not miss what the Lord was trying to tell me. I submit.

REST IN THE STILLNESS. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PRODUCE ANTHING. JUST BE STILL AND LISTEN. IF YOU WANT TO WRITE AND DRAW, YOU CAN. NO PRESSURE. JUST RECEIVE THIS STILL TIME WITH ME AND LOOK FOR ME AND FIND ME. I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART. LOVE ME BACK WITH ALL OF YOURS BY BEING STILL IN MY PRESENCE. JUST HANG OUT WITH ME. I WILL BRING YOU PEACE.

The pressure is off. Hooray, let the vacation begin.

P.S. These are a few of the pictures I captured on my walk yesterday. Do you think the Lord was trying to tell me something?

ROOTED AND GROWING

I am doing a Bible study on 1 Peter. Today the study lead me to focus on 1 Peter 16-24. A reminder that Christ is the seed....I have been set apart and His seed is in my heart. He calls us to be holy, because He is holy. My job in growing is to obey the truth and by obeying the truth Christ will fill my heart more with His love to enable me to have sincere love for my bothers, love one another deeply and be His vessel. It is not my growing more but Him growing more in me.

"All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the
flowers of the field;
theh grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord stands
forever."

I am excited about an adventure I am taking this week-end. I am going to the beach by myself...well, I am going to be there with my best friend. My friend Julie reminded me I was meeting 3 friends there, actually. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

I am going to try to hear from the Lord in the place I see Him and hear from Him best, at the ocean.

I have been writing devotional thoughts for my family for several years. Since this flower is growing older and fading fast! I want to be obedient to continue writing and painting some more devotional rememberances from my pilgrimage to the heart of God. He has been so faithful to me over the years. I want to record some more of those times to leave for my family. How I am going to go about getting all these writings and paintings together, I do not know. I just know, He will show me how.....my job is to be obedient.

So I am packing for the pilgrimage....taking my journals from the past years, my art supplies, my Bible and myself. Can't wait to be still before Him. The only expectation I have for the week-end...is that He will meet me there. Of this, I am confident. No expectations from myself but to be still in His presence. Now that is a hard thing for me to do, the being still thing! But I know for a fact that I will be in awe as I look out into that ocean and see those fall sunsets.

Thanking the Lord for a husband who understands me and my need to be there by myself. I will miss him. Thanking the Lord for my wonderful sister-in-law and brother-in-law who are so gracious to give me this opportunity to use their condo.

MAJESTY, WORSHIP HIS MAJESTY

WHAT A GLORIOUS TRIP WE HAD TO YELLOWSTONE AND GRAND TETONS. WE JUST KEPT SAYING, "GOD, YOU HAVE REALLY OUTDONE YOURSELF!" HIS CREATION WAS SPECTACULAR AND THE TRIP EXCEEDED ALL OUR EXPECTATIONS.

WE WERE BLESSED TO HAVE WONDERFUL ACCOMODATIONS, AND GOT TO STAY AT OLD FAITHFUL AND LAKE YELLOWSTONE. WE WOKE UP ONE MORNING TO A LAWN FULL OF BISON! AND THE SNOW CAPPED MOUNTAINS AND LAKE IN THE BACKGROUND.

WE ARE CELEBRATING 45 YEARS OF MARRIAGE THIS DECEMBER. WE ARE CELEBRATING TWO YEARS SINCE BOB'S CANCER SURGERY. WE ARE CELEBRATING GOOD HEALTH AND A BLESSED MARRIAGE.
GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO US. HE HAS CARRIED US THROUGH VALLEYS AND WE ARE ON A MOUNTAIN TOP TODAY. NO MATTER WHAT TOMORROW BRINGS, WE KNOW HE WILL BE WITH US AND CARRY US FOREVER. WHAT AN AMAZING TRUTH. HE IS WITH US.

HERE ARE A FEW MORE PICTURES OF HIS MAJESTY!!!! LITTLE REID BEING ONE OF THEM. THIS IS A PICTURE WE TOOK MOMENTS BEFORE WE FLEW OUT. HIS IS SOOOO PRECIOUS.

WAITING FOR THE CELEBRATIONS TO BEGIN

WHAT A WONDERFUL WEEKEND! I FELT LIKE THE LORD WAS TELLING ME, "KATIE, JUST WAIT. I AM GOING TO BLESS YOU ALL WEEKEND. LOOK FOR ME EVERYWHERE YOU ARE AND LET ME FILL YOU UP WITH MY LOVE AND TRUTH AS YOU GO ABOUT YOU DAYS. I AM GOING TO FEED YOU, SHOW YOU HOW I CELEBRATE IN THE WAY I MADE YOU, SETTLE YOUR SPIRIT, HOLD YOU AND DELIGHT IN YOU."

I STARTED OFF THE WEEK-END AT A LADIES RETREAT AT PINE EDEN IN HAMILTON, GA. EACH YEAR A DEAR FRIEND, LINDA DENNIS, ASKS ME TO GO WITH HER CHURCH, 1ST BAPTIST NEWNAN, TO THEIR LADIES RETREAT. AS I LOOKED AT THE PICNIC TABLES, I BECAME EXCITED AS I KNEW THE LORD WAS GOING TO FILL ME WITH GOOD THINGS...NOT JUST TO EAT ( AND THE FOOD WAS FABULOUS) BUT WITH HIS WORD. ANN HILYER, FROM OPELIKA, HELPED US GET TO KNOW HOW WE ARE UNIQUELY CREATED BY GOD WITH SPIRITUAL GIFTS. WE WERE BLESSED AS WE WERE FILLED WITH THE WORD OF GOD POURED INTO OUR HEARTS, SINGING AROUND THE CAMPFIRE, FINDING GOD IN HIS BEAUTIFUL CREATION, AND BEING STILL IN HIS PRESENCE.

WE ALSO CELEBRATED KATE'S 4TH BIRTHDAY. WHAT A JOY SHE IS....OUR GIFT FROM GOD TWO YEARS AGO.

THANK YOU LORD FOR PLACING HER IN OUR FAMILY. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE YOUR LOVE AND TRUTH WITH HER. YES, SHE IS UNIQUELY MADE, AND HAD SHE NOT NEEDED OPEN HEART SURGERY, SHE MIGHT NOT BE OUR PRECIOUS GRANDCHILD!

THE NEXT BLESSING WAS HAVING ROB, OUR SON, COME DOWN FOR THE DAY YESTERDAY. HE LIFTS MY SPIRITS AND HELPED LIFT BRETT UP TO REACH HIS CLIMBING GOAL TOO! HIS NEPHEWS AND NIECE DELIGHT IN HIM COMING. WISH HE LIVED CLOSER. THANK YOU ROB!

THE NEXT CELEBRATION STARTS ON THURSDAY. MY PRECIOUS HUSBAND AND I LEAVE FOR YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. WE ARE CELEBRATING CANCER FREE! IT WAS ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO THAT BOB WAS DIAGNOSED WITH COLON CANCER AND WAS ABOUT TO FACE SURGERY AND CHEMO. A HARD YEAR BUT THE LORD CARRIED US THROUGH EACH DAY AND WE CELEBRATE HIS FAITHFULNESS. WE CELEBRATE BOB'S GOOD HEALTH AND THE GIFT OF EACH DAY TOGETHER ON EARTH. WE CELEBRATE THE JOY OF BEING ACTIVE GRANDPARENTS.

SO....THE NEXT PICTURES WILL BE FROM YELLOWSTONE!

THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU;
THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU
AND BE GRACIOUS TO YOU;
THE LORD TURN HIS FACE TOWARD YOU
AND GIVE YOU PEACE.

NUMBERS 7:24-26

FLAPPING MY WINGS

I AM FLAPPING MY WINGS TRYING TO SETTLE MYSELF DOWN AND BE STILL TO FILL UP WITH THE LORD. DO YOU EVER FEEL LIKE THAT?

WE JUST GOT BACK FROM A WONDERFUL TIME AT MY DEAR FRIEND, LINDA'S CABIN NEAR CALLAWAY GARDENS. WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME WITH LOTS OF ACTIVITY....SWINGING ON THE TIRE SWING, FISHING, PUZZLES, COLORING AND PLAYDOH,SWIMMING IN THE LAKE, BASEBALL GAMES, WATER GUN BATTLE BOAT PLAY, WALKING THE TRAILS LOOKING FOR GOD'S AMAZING BUTTERFLIES, FINDING THOSE BUTTERFLIES ENCLOSED IN THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE, AND WATCHING ( 3 TIMES BECAUSE IT WAS OUR OTHER FAVORITE!) THE BIRDS OF PREY SHOW AT CALLAWAY! NOT TO FORGET, LOTS OF GOOD FOOD MEMORIES TOO.

BABY REID HAD THE RIGHT IDEA....HE JUST RESTED QUIETLY AND SMILED! DELIGHTING IN JUST BEING STILL.

MY LIFE NEEDS THAT RIGHT NOW.....BEING STILL. I SO NEED TO QUIT FLAPPING MY WINGS AND MY FLITTING AROUND AND JUST FEAST ON GOD'S GOODNESS. SPEND QUIET TIME IN THE WORD, LETTING IT NOURISH MY HEART, SOUL AND BODY.

I AM LIKE A HUMMINGBIRD, OR A BUTTERFLY.....DOING LOTS OF FLAPPING AND QUICK MOVING.
GOD MADE ME THAT WAY....BUT HE STILL WANTS ME TO LIGHT... FOCUS ON HIM AND REFUEL AND BE REFRESHED. I FIGHT THAT. I WANT TO GO, GO, GO AND NOT BE STILL.

LORD, I AM A CREATIVE HEART NEEDING CONTROL OF THE CREATOR.
HELP ME HAVE A STEADFAST HEART, TRUSTING IN THE LORD, NOT MY ACTIVITY....KEEP ME UPRIGHT AND FOCUSED. FILL ME WITH YOUR HOLY SPIRIT AND YOUR LIFE GIVING WORD. HELP ME REST CLOSE TO MY FATHER'S HEART AND BE STILL!!!!

THE RAINBOW AFTER THE RAIN

IT HAS BEEN AWHILE SINCE I HAVE POSTED ON MY BLOG. SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED.

MY SWEET FRIEND ALEXA'S DAD, STEVE SMITH IS NOW WALKING THE STREETS OF HEAVEN. HE NO LONGER HAS TO TAKE LITTLE STEPS, PULLING ALONG THAT HUGE OXYGEN TANK....HE IS FOR SURE SKIPPING AND PRAISING THE LORD.

I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING HIS FUNERAL. ALTHOUGH I DID NOT PERSONALLY KNOW HIM, I FEEL LIKE I MEET HIM THERE. EVERYONE I SPOKE WITH HAD ACCOLADES TO SHARE ABOUT WHAT A GODLY MAN HE WAS AND HOW HIS LIFE HAD MADE NOT ONLY THEIR LIVES RICHER BUT HOW HE HAD MADE SUCH A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR COMMUNITY.

AS WE WERE DRIVING OUT OF ROCKMART, WHERE ALEXA'S FAMILY LIVED, WE ENCOUNTERED A VERY BRIEF RAIN STORM. WE MADE A WRONG TURN ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO TURN AROUND TO BACKTRACK TOWARDS ROCKMART. AFTER WE MADE THE U-TURN WE FACED A BEAUTIFUL RAINBOW!!!! A FEW MOMENTS OF RAIN, A WRONG TURN, AND A PERFECT RAINBOW.

I JUST GOT BACK FROM CALIFORNIA WHERE I SPENT TIME WITH THE GROWN CHILDREN AND THE GRANDCHILDREN OF MY BEST FRIEND WHO ALSO RESIDES IN HER HEAVENLY HOME. CAROL ST. CLAIR WALKED INTO HEAVEN 13 YEARS AGO. I SPENT LOTS OF HOURS LAUGHING AND REMEMBERING HER ON MY VISIT WITH HER CHILDREN. SHE GREATLY IMPACTED MY LIFE, JUST AS STEVE, ALEXA'S FATHER IMPACTED THOSE IN HIS COMMUNITY.

I THINK BACK ON THE HEALTH STRUGGLES BOTH OF THESE SAINTS ENDURED....WITH GRACE, STRENGTH AND FAITH. THEY ENDURED SOME RAIN, BUT AFTER THE RAIN.....CAME A RAINBOW. I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY GOOD HEALTH....I WANT TO GIVE IT UP DAILY IN SERVICE TO THE LORD.

I HAVE ANOTHER DEAR FRIEND, JUDY KENOBBIE, WHO IS BATTLING KIDNEY CANCER. SHE IS JOYFUL, HOPEFUL, AND AT REST.....AT REST AS SHE BATTLES A MONSTER. THANK YOU, JESUS,
THAT YOU HOLD HER IN YOUR PROTECTIVE CARE...LOVING HER, HEALING HER AND ENCOURAGING HER. SHE IS SO PRECIOUS. SHE IS ANOTHER WOMAN WHO LIFE HAS DRAWN MY HEART CLOSER TO JESUS. SHE LIVES FAR AWAY BUT EVERY TIME WE TALK ON THE PHONE, OUR HEARTS FEEL RIGHT NEXT DOOR. JESUS IS THE ONE WHO CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN!!!

SO I END THIS BLOG POST WITH PRAISE.....FOR THE ONE WHO CREATES THE STORMS, THE RAIN AND THE RAINBOWS.

ONE DAY.....WE WILL ALL BE SKIPPING TOGETHER IN HEAVEN.

I WILL POST SOME HAPPY PICTURES OF MY PRECIOUS LITTLE GRAND -ONES SOON!
THIS SKIPPING PICTURE IS OF KATIE GARRETT'S THREE DAUGHTERS DOING LIFE!!!!! OH, HOW I LOVE THEM.

KERRRR-PLOP!!!!!

KERRRRR-PLOP GOES MY HEART!

BRETT AND KATE AND I LOVE TO WALK DOWN TO THE LAKE AND THROW IN ROCKS. BRETT'S GO THE FARTHEST BY A LONG SHOT! MINE JUST GO KER-PLOP. SHORT DISTANCE OR LONG, THEY ALWAYS MAKE A RIPPLE.

THIS REMINDS ME OF MY WORDS AND ACTIONS AND THE EFFECT THEY HAVE ON ALL WHO ARE IN THE REALM OF MY INFLUENCE. I WAS READING THIS MORNING IN A BOOK BY BILL CROWDER, SINGING THE SONGS OF THE BROKENHEARTED. IT IS A TEACHING ON SOME OF THE PSALMS.
THIS WERE SOME THOUGHTS I TOOK AWAY FROM THE WRITING ON PSALM 73.

AS A MENTOR....(WE ARE ALL MENTORS BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING US AND LEARNING FROM OUR LIVES) WE NEED TO BE AUTHENTIC WITH OTHERS BUT LEAVE SOME OF OUR HEART STRUGGLES WITH ONLY THE LORD. HE CAN HANDLE ALL MY STRUGGLES AND WANTS TO, BUT I DO NOT WANT TO DISCOURAGE, OR DISILLUSION THE YOUNGER GENERATION ABOUT GOD'S HOLINESS, SOVEREIGNTY AND FAITHFULNESS.

LORD, WHEN I SHARE MY HEART STRUGGLES, DO NOT LET ME STUMBLE INTO SOUNDING LIKE I AM NOT TRUSTING IN YOU. I WANT TO BE AUTHENTIC, REAL....BUT I DO NOT WANT TO GRUMBLE AGAINST YOU.

DO YOU EVER GET DISCOURAGED? DO YOU HONESTLY EVER WONDER IF GOD IS REALLY IN CONTROL AND LET YOUR DOUBTS MAKE YOU WANT TO GIVE UP PRAYING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH THAT IS HARD? I HAVE BEEN PRAYING ABOUT THIS "HARD" FOR A FRIEND....THE MOST GODLY WOMAN I KNOW AND HONESTLY SOMETIMES I QUESTION GOD ABOUT WHAT SHE IS GOING THROUGH....LIKE I KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR HER AND FOR HIS GLORY.

SHE GETS DOWN, BUT NEVER LOSES HOPE AND FAITH THAT THE LORD IS SOVEREIGN AND WILL HOLD HER AND CARRY HER THROUGH WHATEVER.....WHATEVER....WHATEVER!

HER LIFE IS A RIPPLE TO ME....SHE IS AUTHENTIC AND HAS HUMAN FEELINGS BUT HER HEART IS SET ON THE ROCK! I WANT TO HAVE A HEART LIKE HERS....A HEART TOTALLY TRUSTING IN THE LORD.

JESUS, KEEP HER HEART TRUSTING IN YOU. MAY NOT ONLY HER LIFE BUT THE NEXT GENERATION
BE EFFECTED FOR ETERNITY BECAUSE SHE TRUSTS IN YOU. I PRAY THIS FOR MY OWN LIFE TOO.

WE ARE WOMEN OF INFLUENCE, LEADERSHIP, ESPECIALLY IN OUR FAMILIES AND WITH THAT COMES THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HOW OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS WILL IMPACT OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES. BE OUR ROCK, LORD. MAY OUR RIPPLES SPREAD HOPE, JOY, ENCOURAGEMENT, ENDURANCE AND TRUTH.

I LOVE YOU FRIEND, AND YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
XXOO

CALIFORNIA DREAMING

SIGH! PART OF MY HEART WAS HERE FOR A FEW HOURS TO MEET LITTLE REID AND GIVE US HUGS. ONE OF MY "ADOPTED" DAUGHTERS IS ON THE PLANE ON HER WAY BACK HOME TO OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

KATIE AND BART GARRETT, ALONG WITH KATIE'S BROTHER JONATHAN ST.CLAIR AND HIS WIFE, CATHERINE, HAVE PLANTED A CHURCH IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA. CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE TO SEE THE AWESOME WAY THE LORD IS MOVING IN OAKLAND THROUGH THIS CHURCH PLANT.

http://www.christchurcheastbay.org/

KATIE AND AMYBETH (ALONG WITH STACY OKLAND!, ANOTHER ONE OF MY SPECIAL "ADOPTED" DAUGHTERS) WERE BEST FRIENDS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND WORK VERY HARD TO REMAIN BEST FRIENDS ALTHOUGH THEY ALL LIVE MILES AND MILES AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER! THEY ARE ALL THREE GODLY YOUNG WOMEN WHO LOVE THE LORD AND ARE WONDERFUL MOTHERS.

KATIE'S MOM WAS MY BEST FRIEND, AND MENTOR, FOR MANY YEARS. SHE IS WITH THE LORD NOW AND WE MISS HER SO MUCH, BUT I SEE HER LIFE IN HER CHILDREN. THEY ALL FOUR LOVE THE LORD AND DESIRE TO SERVE HIM WITH ALL THEIR LIVES. SCOTT AND GINNY TOO.

CAROL WAS THE BEST MOTHER I HAVE EVER KNOWN. SHE WOULD SAY THIS TO MOTHER'S TODAY.
PRAY FOR YOUR CHILDREN. POUR YOUR LIVES INTO THEM. LOVE THEIR FRIENDS AND THE PARENTS OF THEIR FRIENDS. LOVE PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY....LIKE THE LADY CHECKING YOU OUT AT THE GROCERY STORE OR THE LADY AT THE CLEANERS. TAKE TIME TO LISTEN.
SIT ON YOUR CHILDREN'S BED AT NIGHT AND SCRATCH THEIR BACKS. TELL THEM ABOUT JESUS.

I SEE THIS IN THE LIVES OF CAROL'S CHILDREN. THEY ARE WONDERFUL PARENTS, (GINNY, PRAYING YOU WILL HAVE A HOUSE FULL TOO BEFORE LONG!) THEY LOVE HARD....THE PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITY. THEY LOVE THEIR FAMILY AND CONTINUALLY WORK ON "BEING ONE."

I LOVE YOU KATIE!
OUR VISIT WAS SHORT .....BUT OH, SO SWEET.
XXOO

WITHIN....MEDITATIONS ON HIS UNFAILING LOVE

"WITHIN YOUR TEMPLE, O GOD, WE MEDITATE ON YOUR UNFAILING LOVE."
PSALM 48:9

As I read this verse, I think about the Lord's unfailing love in my life....so many things I want to pass on to my wonderful grandchildren.

I think about what it means....within your temple. At first I thought about THE TEMPLE, MY CHURCH, ZION.....then I remember this scripture,

"DON'T YOU KNOW THAT YOU YOURSELVES ARE GOD'S TEMPLE AND THAT GOD'S SPIRIT LIVES IN YOU?
1 CO. 3:16

My body, my heart is the Lord's temple.

I praise you today, Lord, from my little blue striped quiet time chair. In my heart, Lord, be glorified, be glorified. In my heart, Lord, be glorified today.I love hymns and the old praise songs that I learned as a new believer!!!! They play over and over in my heart and mind when I read scripture.

Katie, let this be a reminder to not only tell your grandchildren about God's unfailing love in your life, but also sing to them. They are little sponges that soak up learning and will remember not only your stories about Jesus, but also hymns and old praise songs that they may never hear any other way.

Have a blessed Sabbath day......meditating on His faithfulness and unfailing love.