Barriers

So many times when plans are depending on the weather, one can not be surprised at the risks that are at stake. The stake that creates one to go forward with intended plans. It is the thrill of the moment to awake and trudge forward when the dreariness in the skyline really needs to be with the kiss of warm from the sun and the soothing breeze across your face yet at that very same moment of reality slaps the flesh back to realization with the wet splash of rain and the loud roll of thunder after a huge crackling awakening every sense with awe.

An awe that gets the dermis to react the way one gets goosebumps when the rush of adrenaline runs forward stimulating every sense to run at mock speed yet with caution that would say slow down before you hydroplane. See the joy came when looking out around me and enjoying the ride out to the destination of our operation . . . looking for land marks and reading the odometer when arriving at destination about a 7.5 miles out. Breath taking location!

Joy at the fullest. Yes amongst the trees, slow drive through the canopy of creation . . . the soft fall of the rain and then the deep crack of thunder only to discover it was the "air-show" preparing for the performance May 1 & 2. The sound barrier was broken! WOW! The air crafts . . . . Amazing! LOUD! Perfect timing.

Then came the reality of the tasks at hand. Breath taking. Sweet melody of the patter of rain upon the pond. Classical music, the heaters rolling and the lights shimmering, table set. Ready for the event. The sound barrier? No longer broken but ~ Soft, memorable, and ethereal.

WhenJTUN meets up with BIOD.

"From Eye to Eye"

When Just the Usual Noises meets up with Better Is One Day . . . .

Who knew meeting in 1988

would end up having fun in 2010?

Photos copyrighted to Beth Chambers Photography!!!

Photos copyrighted to Beth Chambers Photography!!!

Photos copyrighted to Beth Chambers Photography!!!

Photos copyrighted to Beth Chambers Photography!!!

Photos copyrighted to Beth Chambers Photography!!!

Photos copyrighted to Beth Chambers Photography!!!

We all KNOW how I LOVE EYES!!!

Photos copyrighted to Beth Chambers Photography!!!

Effects of Spring

The Sun is so Rich.

Today I found anything possible to accomplish so that we could enjoy the rays, soak in the vitamin D and allow the breeze to blow our hair in order to get the to do list whittled down. Right Hadassah? :-D

Joy.

Whimsical thoughts.

Laughter.

Check list CHECKED.

shoes off.

Prayers lifted.

Music blaring.

SMILES.

Gifts purchased.

Visions of future pondered.

Decorations picked up.

plans coming together.

College AP/DC balanced (FINALLY).

Here we go!

The SON is so RICH!!!!

Reflection in another's joy

SO Today is another day and the scene is picturesque. Makes me reflect today. As chit chatting with another mom so thrilled for her little girl "LAUREN" turning 22 today. We smiled and for just a moment be mind slipped into a rewind mode.

The giggle of our littlest blessing toddling in circles and laughing and allowing to recall what brought us here to the place we call "HOME."

Yes My little Emily was the age Hadassah is NOW when we moved here and it made me in a sweet way wish I could start all over there again. Yet there have been to many deep wounds that have taken place in the past nine years. However in the midst of those storms came HUGE BLESSINGS that wouldn't have taken place had these years since November 2000 had been non existent. Okay so this place now called 'home' is my history. One that has cured my love relationship with the one who matters the most very real.

So as I watched Hadassah 'dance' while Pam reflected her joy for her daughters' birthday I came back to the moment, took a deep appreciative breath and listened to her joy which gave me a smile. Pam's joy became my joy. Her thanksgiving gave me a chance to realize how sweet my history gave the exuberant joy of realizing that Life is full of rainbows that come after or even during the storms in this tapestry we call LIFE. With my true Love at my side LIFE is a win ~ win!

Today is a picturesque - and I LOVE IT!

W, W, W, W, W AND H

Head and Shoulders

Knees and Toes.

Her head is so full of ideas

Her shoulders carry much upon them

Her knees are still fresh with vitality

Her toes are balancing her walk through life

Eyes and Ears and Mouth and Nose

Her eyes sparkle with the wonder of it all

Her ears hear many things

Her mouth so charged with expression

and ready to speak

Her nose enjoys the awe of it all

Who will be her guide?

What road will she choose?

Where will she go?

When will she see the journey?

Why?

How will she lean upon the one that matters Most?

All with the full amour prayed from the moment we knew of her!

what

What does one say when her child desires to be heard as an adult? What does one say when her child runs to someone else for advise, yet doesn't even give you a chance to talk or communicate clearly? What does one say when an earnest "question" honestly turns into an accusation of "you don't trust me" however, another can respond with "no" and the same type explanation - yet it is totally understandable? What does one say when others communicate details and have expectations of your child, questions can be asked, yet the child is understanding with them? What does one say when the child IS TRUSTED by oneself, and out of love the parent just wants the child to be held with dignity and love by others but the child sees it differently? What does one say when desiring to protect the child's character? What does one say when asking for forgiveness? What does one say? What does one say when a child "talks open and honestly" with another for motherly "advise"? What does one say after years of praying for their child's life & the child sees it as "not letting her grow up"? What does one say to the response, "I don't have to tell you everything?" but finds out some other adults know more about her life than you do? What does one say?

She says, "I STILL LOVE YOU!", "I AM PROUD of YOU" and "Abba, Father God is Amazingly preparing you for Who you ARE - HIS CREATION" that's what she says. Then allows her to fly.

Waffles

Yikes! Have you ever walked away from something and then remembered it later.Well the dilemma this morning we ran out of Milk. I thought No problem I had already made a batch of Pancake and Waffle batter (always keeping it available for something quick to make).

So after being informed we had no milk, getting everyone ready for their day and all were gone I went ahead and poured batter in 3 sections so that Hadassah and I could eat together. Much to my surprise she wasn't wanting to stay in the highchair. So I thought to myself "we have a minute or two" so I preceded to go to the bedroom to get my ??? then became side tracked with all the "to do's" to accomplish. A bit later I "smelled" what I had forgotten . . . . "Oh no our waffles!!!" I ran to the kitchen and opened the griddle to find THIS: Hard as a rock and BURNT to a crisp!

I hope this isn't what the rest of today is going to be like. No, it won't be because it is a new day and I choose not to be negative but live life as if it were the first!

New Eyes

I LOVE LOVE LOVE EYES! As many of you may already know. So to write right now is difficult for me. Monday was so rich with NEW Beauty. Birds singing melodic tones of bliss, the slight wafting breeze that whisked our hair about our face, the kiss of sunshine upon our dermis and the shade that developed as the sun danced a slow waltz through the sky during our picnic adventure.

Then early evening the words came, "They hurt mommy, they really hurt." "What baby, what hurts?" "My eyes, they hurt and scratch." As I was working on her beautiful chestnut silk, straight hair. "Close your eyes then and image the view as if you are dreaming" and with a deep drawn breath she laid her head softly on my lap with a pillow as my hands worked like crochet needles to finish the task at hand. We went inside and rinsed her eyes with warm soothing water, patted her face dry with a cool washcloth then a warm shower. She fell deep asleep.

Her eyes and face were pink the next morning. Sad with the evidence that the spring was beating on her complexion with a fierce vengeance. We washed her up got her ready for the day. Same routine with more care and a "SPA MINERAL BATH" to soothe her body and her emotions. Sleep came again.

Once again she awoke this morning with the pain of eyes glued shut. Frustration loomed. When she came quickly down the stairs we all could see . . . Spring had be ravenous and closed her eyes swollen shut. My heart quickened but my body remained calm. Cool water, soft caressing the face with a soft washcloth, and an embrace that wanted to squeeze all the impurities out of her system. Relief came after devotions of being an encourager. We all became tender, and the eye drops came out to cleanse and gently soothe where no hands could possibly touch. Her shoulders let free the stress and she relaxed. One drop came but with difficulty to trust what may come. The second drop accepted with warmth. "Aw www that feels much better, MOMMY Thank You. I feel like I have new eyes." Off we sent her.

May her new eyes return home fresh, alert and back to seeing clearly without the itch. I wish I could give her mine eyes. I love you sweet one. When rebirth is hard in the new season, the joy will come later, after the growing pains pass, but until then Mama is here to Love you through the pain of your new eyes.

Have you Ever

Can you guess what it is?

Hummmmmm

Here is the revealing!

I've never laughed so hard, okay this week at least!

They say, "A picture is worth a thousand words" so tell me what you think?

;-D

okay, okay "TOMS" ~ ONE DAY WITHOUT SHOES

Thanks "TOMS" or should I say "Tomorrow" since that was the original naming intended. The Young man who started "TOMS" four years ago had a vision and now four years later inspired many to join him as a humanitarian! Way to GO!!!!

Well this mama of five girls took the plunge with the "baby" of our family. For only heaven knows if it could be me some day. See, it started out two nights before with a blister then on

the 8th of April it was beginning - very cold! Yes it was crazy because we had to have our drainage pipes cleaned out at home and I ended up stepping in it without realizing it! YIKES!!!

Then Hadassah and I stepped outside and the cement was still cold. we got a few pictures of that. I thought this is going to be FUN!

Later . . . when my wonderful husband called and said, "the car is ready to be picked up from the garage" I began to wonder about the realm of children, teens, adult, and seniors who don't get to "choose" to barefoot it for a day because it is a challenge. They go WITHOUT because they have to, stepping in things that are less than healthy. When we got to the garage (out in the country where there is large rocks to help the dirt road that just weeks ago was mud) it hit me, I stepped out of the car while Kent went to pay for it and it HURT! My very tender feet were challenged again, sending my mind racing!

Racing as to how I could take this a step further, by challenging some of the people I am around and proposing something. A DAY with out shoes to provide for those in our own "backyard". We are going to go barefoot, then we are going to give shoes to children who don't have them here in our community. It doesn't just take place in the "other side of the world" but here also. I am excited because where I am it would mean "Choring, farming, etc." without shoes. Let's see how it goes. I am scared with excitement to see what takes place. So "TOMS" - CEO THANK YOU for your Entrepreneur vision and for leading a charge for the global community - because this country living gal . . . desires to follow through in another small way in my community!

Barefoot

Today I am going barefoot for a cause. I would like to challenge those of you who may read this today to take the challenge also.

I'll try and tell you about it in detail later. Already it has been difficult because it is cold here.

Our temps this morning were 34 degrees when we awake and right now it is finally 50 but feels chilly when there are no soles on you feet.

Here is why I am BAREFOOTIN' it today! JOIN ME . . . I'll tell you the results tonight!

http://www.onedaywithoutshoes.com/index.php

sweet thought

Today was the beginning of sweet thoughts of our blossoming family. As the devotional time brought me to think of how special the Creator truly is it made me realize that with each passing moment what if he did ask, "what are you willing to give, Ana? It may be your last. Will it be sweet?"

Hummmmm . . . . good question.

A few sisters have had prayer requests for healing. They all were precious. The sweet thought through it as is the reflection on how there was peace. Sorrow, yes, but peace still the same. Hank P. March 27, Millard G. April 1, Per T. April 4 and Shaneil P. April 6. All healed completely - in HEAVEN. Now that is sweet thoughts but the pain for the families are still very real. The loss of the here and now and not seeing them, difficult but I have noticed a peace. All these special gifts from the creator have been BATHED in prayer. He gave each of them a little "longer than expected" and brought people together and introduced prayer to many. Sweet thought of each one of them is that they all had smiles on their lives that reflected in their face. Each of these precious people were incredible servants through their sicknesses. My heart heavy for the families as they grieve, the ones who sought out PRAYER WARRIORS on their behalf. I saw all four of their lives bring many together on their behalf. As well as many others who have need of prayers and its' sweet peace and the Holy Spirit interceding on their behalf ~ sweet, sweet, sweet fiery thought.

Sweet thoughts of peace have left for me are the smiles that came through each individuals lives as people LOVED them and sat beside them in prayer, calls, letters, visits, benefits, auctions, meals as each day the melodic memories of their life's thread unrolled to be weaved into the tapestry of other individuals life's canvases.

Their thread: The adult men who lived with servants hearts, the two children who smiled through each unknown moment but brought hope to others. That is sweet like the fragrant aromas that emanated out of their hearts and souls ~ ahhhhh sweet thoughts. Ecclesiastics reflects on the seasons of time . . . and it is sweet to my thoughts.

"There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven: . . .

. . .

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men;"

Ecc. 3:1-14

Shoes

Have you ever thought what it would be like to go WITHOUT shoes?

I never really thought about it really. Until challenged to take a step or a few more than that without them on April 8, 2010. So I thought, "Okay, how hard can that be since I ENJOY going barefoot." Then I thought about it some more and then realized that maybe, just maybe I could take it a step further. How about challenging our mission outreach team to consider this feet to suggest others to "try it."

Try It I did today, or really I should say "tonight" when we went on our walk. At first I thought let's work "into" the notion. Take it easy, slow, safe. The thought crossed my mind to first go without socks while still sporting my tennis shoes. That was okay for a part of the exercise routine but it began to slightly hurt, rub the wrong way and a small blister, or was it? Yes that skin rubbed against the layer and a slight discomfort on the heal area was apparent. So for the last two blocks, "let's try it barefoot - Ana. It can't be all that bad can it?"

Can and it did. Tiny blister, tender feet and ever watchful eyes. This definitely made me visualize the reality - I've grown soft. Emily said, "Mom, why are you taking off your shoes? Your gonna walk the rest of the way home like that?" "Yes" was my reply. "How come?" Emily questioned intrigued. "well, I have a blister that has formed and it is beginning to hurt. Also . . . I just am working on something." She simply smiled and helped be my eyes so that I didn't "step on anything and hurt the bottom of my feet" while she kicked twigs, small rocks and other cement debris out of my foots path. I came back home, looked for the date of the big events challenge. I researched and thought Thanks "TOMS" for setting aside a time to make a difference in a global effort. If one purchases a T shirt "TOMS" will purchase a pair of shoes for a child - An effort of "ONE FOR ONE". How can We make a difference? I am going to walk the 8 April and go barefoot in honor of the effort. THEN take another step to make another MOVE to reach out and touch in another way later before the END of the July this summer.

So where are your shoes? "This little Piggy went to Market, This little Piggy stayed home, this little piggy had roast beef, and this little piggy had none ANNNNND this little Piggy went weeeeeeeeee all the way home." So where are your shoes? Are they staying on for the day or are you willing to take a BIG STEP and walk it BARE FOOT on _________________(and follow through) then put it towards a need for another person without shoes?!!!