Walks Around The Creek

Posted by Nov 8, 2015 Nature Leave a Comment

thumb_IMG_2583_1024

One thing my husband has gotten me into trying to make a habit of is taking a daily walk.  We live around a wooded area with a creek and it is always glorious.  In the early mornings you can still hear crickets; at night the occasional hooting of an owl.  We have two wolf hybrids who need the exercise and crave the walks.  When we had a baby it really became our little family time.  An agreed upon rule is no use of electronic devices (except I track our miles on Runkeeper from my iPhone and I like to get my heart rate up on my Apple Watch.)  But we talk to each other.  Sometimes we plan about the day ahead; others we reflect on what we did.  And so the seasons change, and with them our little girl is learning what that feels like and smells like and sounds like.  She knows summer is over when the cicadas stop their song.  Autumn is my favorite season and so short in Texas.  Mostly it’s pizza oven hot.  But each day holds its treasures.  And I have never regretted my husband coaxing us all out for a walk.

“There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not Man the less, but Nature more.” ~ English poet Lord Byron

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

The Mall

Posted by Nov 7, 2015 Family Leave a Comment

image

When I was a little girl, some of my happiest memories were going to the mall with my parents.  There was a huge, lit fountain I would watch for seemingly hours.  Mama and Daddy held hands as we walked around.  We couldn’t often buy but it was fun just to go.  In college I worked at that mall for Lord & Taylor, which is now gone.  I would save my money to eat at La Madeline and speak French with the cashier Jacqueline who was from Paris.  Now I walk that mall holding hands with my husband while our little girl gazes up in wonder at the same huge, lit fountain.  They have added restaurants, a movie theater and a park but it has still retained the same feel.  It IS great to be able to buy more things like new clothes or cookies as a treat.  But I want our daughter to know there is joy in simply walking around and spending time with each other.  We don’t ALWAYS need to buy something.  Happiness is what you make of it.  Growing up I always knew we were poor but very rich because the three of us had each other.  A Pastor named Charles Spurgeon once said it is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.  Now God has graciously allowed me to have a husband and a child of my own — and there is no price that can possibly be put on that.

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Prayer

Posted by Nov 6, 2015 Faith Leave a Comment

thumb_IMG_2556_1024

My parents taught me to pray before every meal and at bedtime.  Since we were very close the three of us were often together and we all held hands and heard each other’s prayers.  Now my husband and I do the same with our daughter.  I especially love the complines as I find them peaceful.  The matins are wonderful for starting your day with positivity, hope and direction.  I believe the sweetest prayers are often from children.  Our daughter just prayed for the little plastic hedgehogs that go in the dryer to soften clothes!  So God bless Spike and Tumbleweed.  And God bless you.

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace. ~ Numbers 6:24-26

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Faith

Posted by Nov 5, 2015 Faith Leave a Comment

thumb_IMG_2913_1024

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ~ Hebrews 11:1

It was my father’s favorite scripture.  And it became mine.  I find it interesting that “faith” is both a noun and a verb.  To me they are intertwined; you cannot have one without the other.  The one time I lost my faith was after our second round of in vitro.  The doctors said, due to an error on their part, it was almost impossible for me to conceive.  We had no problems other than we were older.  I was so sure if I ever had a little girl her middle name would be Faith.  When I did get pregnant my endocrinologist begged me not to tell anyone even after I had passed my first trimester.  I had a wonderful, easy pregnancy and she was born on my late father’s birthday.  Her middle name is Grace because in the end it was by the grace of God when I had lost my faith.  She is a daily reminder of God’s goodness and I strive to be better because of her.  My parents are gone but she lives on in them.

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail