Shawna over at "Scamps Place", If you only knew the encouragement I felt at seeing this thoughtful gift.
The award she gave me was the Blogging Friend Forever Award, which is "presented to awesome BLOG owners who keep their readers excited about their posts. Their blog posts are interesting (NOT spammy) and worth reading and keep their subscribers looking forward to each and every post."
She wrote:
I will be giving this award to a few other blogging friends who really give their hearts out during their posts:
Donetta at A Life Uncommom and A Life Restored. She shares the dark struggles God was able to bring her out of. She definitely has a life-changing story that God gave her the ability to be able to share.
"Living and loving every minute of it."
Cory is so inspirational with her photography and well written pros. Her passion in motherhood warms my heart.
"Gracious Hospitality"
This gentle Woman who is fully a keeper and creator of the home, warms you with the kindness that inspires.
"Ohio Farm Girl"
This wonderful Girl/Woman has a zest for life and beauty that is heart warming. Her kind spirit extends itself into the hearts around her, into mine.
"Just a Mom"
Jaye and I have known each other the greater parts of our adult lives. We have walked roads together and paralleled at times always meeting again with intimacy and transparency at every cross road along the way. 18 plus years of shared experience ,strength and hope. She is a voice for children who have no voice. She helped me to find my voice here on the blog. She pushed it into an event.
"Talk to Grams"
Care o' lyn as I love to think of her is so full of compassion and consideration for others. Thus I think her great secrete to overcome her own challenges. She battles through looking outside of herself toward the son rise of encouragement for others.
"Shorty Bears Place"
I am an Adoptive Mom and now we have adopted each others as Sisters. Denise is always there, every morning every evening. Lifting me, be-friending me with the encouragement that on some days keeps my face to the wind. Her face is to the Son's shine. Even in the midst of never seeing it again on day she is focused. We could all learn a thing or two here.
"Photo Daughter of the King"
My dear Friend and I have also walked a long road of many years together. She is an amazingly soft spoken soul that speaks when she has something important to say. I know she is always a breadth, a prayer away. We seldom speak yet always time is absent when we do. Go visit her. she is an amazing photographer and Mother.
"Life in the midst of writing"
My dear friend who lives as a pastures wife would. She has a heart to think of others hearts. She is a writer who has followed the dream I was afraid to pursue. By her example I will, one day , be published. Her children are dear and her Husband also a friend. Michelle set a blog up a couple of years ago, but I did not have a voice for it yet. She is currently doing a great series of interviews of writers.
Originally posted last week
Thank you Sweet" Shorty bear"
Well goodness... Now I am just about to cry.
Two in one day.
A challenging day at that.
"In the Life of a child"
Be lifted up as you experience this loving Mother who endures and celebrates life."Walking on"
Witness the courage that only "God Within" can give a woman. One woman who is an exemplary example of courage."The Knightly News"
This is a place where I can fuel up on the things that inspire me."Gabi's World"
Gabi a child is the name sake for her Mommy's blog that sees through eyes that can example grace."Little Red Hearts from God"
Living in the supper natural is a way of life for me. When the day pulls me out of that place and into the challenges viewed from a lesser place. I come here to set my feet back where they need to be kept. .
Originally posted last week.
We listened to a book on tape on the way up. It was so funny. Called "Ten Bears in a Bed". Great story. It is a wonderful parody of all of the classic children's stories.
This is camp.
Just off Forest Rd 300. Above Payson AZ
Off in the woods. Conifers and old Oaks.
We arrived just after noon.
With on sick little girl, who once asleep rested after two hours of dry heaves from car sickness. Her Sensory Integration stuff leaves her very open to motion sickness. The gray wrist bands are used by divers, there is a bottom pressure point. She dismissed us when we had asked her to pace them on. Too little too late and we lost her to the vomiting.
While she slept I tried to set camp not knowing whether we would be leaving. With limited daylight and lots of tasks I just acted as if we were staying. She could not be transported anywhere.
These quilts are matching, found on a clearance rack they are perfect for my "cabin". I wrap the pads in them to block out the cold and insulate the mattresses.
Dash Hawk in his insulated jump suit I found at the good will for $2.50. It is new with a rip of 4" on the back of it. This jump suit kept him warm all weekend. He played "work" in the forest and had a office set up with full security
This fellow had been carved by some previous camp guest and we used a charcoal stick to accent his features. He was our mascot.
Daddy Man and Son cut fire wood while I set up the "cabin" and emptied pans for Sweet Beauty. Poor girl.
The Men set a camp fire and we had some "three of us" time, while Dear Beauty slept for an hour. She woke up more herself and we had a nice cool evening.
The milky way was across the opening in the canopy of pines. The stars were so bright we were awed. Put city life to shame (thats not hard to do) :).
Daddy taught son how to burn the mellows :)
It was much more fun to set them ablaze.
We all walked up to the rock wall. The vista is so open and full!
My Husband. He is so kind. He helped and encouraged me keeping a close watch on my every step. I really took glee in being able to be there with my family on the ridge. I have felt very lonely for them in the past having to wait back at camp. This time I was able to join them in the fun and adventures.
Dash was too cute in his jump suit. It kept him warm and gave him some personality that was so adorable. "The little man", he played that he was doing his "jobs" at work.
Sweet Beauty was stunning above me on a large bolder. She is growing up now. She is becoming a tween, so strange it was just yesterday we were on the train coming into Moscow to fly her home from Russia.
Look at me hiking in the forest. On my own two legs. It was so amazing to be able to do this again. So humbling to be given another chance.
Yes I was VERY careful. Now that I am recovering the final injection after a few days life will be like this for me daily. I have a lot of strengthening to accomplish, but it is happening! I walked in the forest. I realized being in the forest is like getting back up on a horse that threw me off in my youth. I have not allowed the glory of the woods to be robbed from me. I am not afraid in the woods anymore and can now relax and just thrill in the beauty.
When they walked off I just had to follow. I want to be with them not alone back in camp anymore.
Dash blew hard his wish. He had given me all of his wishes. See other post.
That is one of those $1. T-shirts I got it is his favorite Star Wars character.
Making acquaintance with nature. "Wild things best left wild".
We were camped just off of the Crook Trail, there was a large pack team following it 40 miles in. History is in this wood.
The Children created their own "Teribithia" in the wood.
This is the shelter they built alone.
At "Teribithia" we had horse rides into the wood. This fallen tree was a great bouncing ride for hours of fun. Daddy man and I removed the bark and softened the ride by removing any stubs.
Here is my Man, He who I love with a passion that envelops me within the very thought of him. He is everything I longed for in a mate, lover and friend. What a wonderful Father for the children too. I was sitting on a long in "Teribithia" and he sat down in the shade. I just fell in love with this image of him
Father teaches Daughter also to be able to use tools. No gender discrimination "Do what your able and learn to do more"
The "Blue Fairy"
Blue Fairy, Blue Fairy grant me my wish... This played for hours with little brother. These were glow sticks I found at a dollar store.
Autumn Glory, behold the promise.
Fell tree, life rings are cast into design by the loss of one of these.
Beloved took this amazing image. I love this shot!
They went for a hike that was too hard for me to join them.
With a camera I get to live vicariously.
This is the entry to the watch tower. It was closed when they were there. Visitors are welcome during hours.
Many steps climbed and the chicken wire sides reassured me of their safety.
The perfect frame.
This area has so much rich history. Beloved and I enjoy learning about our country and the travelers who were before us.
We lost the battery in the tailor the fourth day. Hubby recharged it and it lasted until Midnight of the last night. It was very cold down into the 40"s?. I awoke to the alarm and we shut down the gas. We awoke to a pretty cold morning. Sweet Man of mine dressed and pulled the truck up to charge the battery for the heat and pump tho work.
Dear sweet Beauty told her Daddy on the hike how much I would love this wild flower. She had him cut it for me. How Kind she is, and thoughtful of me.
The children warmed their toes. Funny I was not cold at all! Then I realized I had forgotten to take my hormone the night before! Ha! Menopause finally showed another benefit! :)
Morning has broken and the meals were needing to be prepared. Beloved stopped time to captured me.
He has captured me.
My heart is refreshed because he pursued my passion for the woods.
Good evening all!
Wow that was a nice time in the forest with each other. We had a lot of challenges that we had to overcome however.
Sweet Beauty my Miss Fiction fell car sick on the road up. Sweet baby had no moderation and when we pulled over to check on her let her out a moment. I massaged her a bit with a hug and moved out of the way in the nick of time and then held her road side while all that she had in her removed itself. After cleaning her up and letting her sit up front we continued another hour to the high rim country. She was ill with dry heaves all afternoon and into the early evening. Dramamine finally kicked it in time for her to join the camp fire hour with us. So sweet baby ill. I just thought of Jackelyn and prayed for her momma and her . One afternoon of my daughter ill and I was a helpless wreck. Daddy man was so good with her too. He really helped with the pan emptying and such finally she slept. I got so mad at the enemy for hassling my child a had a bit of a fit! I was just frustrated. I thought about Job wondered if he must of got angry when he watched his family suffer . I guess I was feeling a bit sorry for all the battle at hand and the effects of stress it was causing all of us. So for the first several hours I was not sure if we would be packing up and heading home. She was too sick to travel.
Like my beloved said this will pass, it did.
We had a nice fire and marshmallows too. The milky way was right over the top of us where the canopy opened to a starlit night that just put living in the city to shame. Oh it was breath taking!
The kids set up a "Teribithia" encampment near by. Oh what wonder.
I watched as my family went to go visit W>W> (walk wall) This was a spot discovered in the summer past. Our campsite was deeper in the woods this time nearby the last one we stayed at. Then it dawned on me... If I was careful I might join them. So silently I followed far behind with care and ease I found myself HIKING! YES! hiking on this sweet new found freedom of a knee I am recapturing. JOY! I made it to the top> Oh but Miss Fiction was not so pleased she was worried over me. I am so glad that this can end. My child should be freed of worry over her Mother injuring herself. So we were able to address this fear. It was beautiful up on the rim looking North. On the top of the world. My beloved helped me down using switch back maneuver I very carefully slowly climbed down. Muscle still week and sore but the joint was like a well oiled cog. It worked effortlessly and without that tormenting pain I have lived under for so long. It was awesome! Yet another worm that was denied the right to rob me any more!
Oh so much to tell.
I am waiting on the down load for the pictures.
I have the last shot tomarrow in my knee. So I will have a lot of post fodder this week, while I lay low for three more days.
Hello, I'm home.
Thank you all for your well wishes. I'll post more on the trip ,this one just got me.
Dash Hawk and I were picking dandelions in the forest. He hurried ahead of me and just picked almost all of them. I started to say , "hay wait!" , when he came running over to me and said
"Here Mom You can have all of my wishes!"
To the woods yonder
My heart doth wander
Heal me with thy beauty
sooth me with they silence
Until all that is clatter departs from my mind
In your forest embrace
my center and peace I find
absent of distraction attune to His voice
With all this hard work
It is why this is my choice
My forest repose
It has been so hard to get ready for this trip.Hello, all day (week) I have faced one obstacle after another and have just watched them be swept out of the way. I did well with attitude, but when the lights turned green. This hamster had to get off and running with one knee tied behind my back.Beauty my Miss fiction gets a new nick name. She is transforming into an outwardly expressed inner beauty that is stunning! She was a huge help. Everyone pitched in. The camper is getting closed up as I type. Hubby is out doing it. They just finished story time while I loaded all the bags they carried out into the cupboards. The ice chest are loaded. I have stepped away and sat down to rest my leg.
The kids are growing up. Wow what a difference even three months have made. They see how essential they are. And how we are all a team. This is a real transformation in them. Independence and the joy of self discovery is so impressive to see.
Hear I am just a woman, one soul of many wherry...yet he lifts me up.
Hope deferred yet heart excited at the knowledge of His will being the best thing for me...the peace of just walking into that.
Tired yet refreshed in the promise of a success at the end of each battle.
Saddened
Flawed and yet fleeing from self condemnation
How many Words the "Word" that transforms every trial into a transformation
Every battle into a skilled sword to wield better in the next skirmish
Pained in bone yet comforted in healing
Hear I am ready momentarily rested, iced to move onto the nest phase of preparation
How the ice does numb the pain.
I have every resource all needs met all promise filled
Just one woman of many who live love work and see the fruit of their labor.
Smiling at the future
Renewed like the dawn ready to begin again
Refusing to lay down my weapons and retreat, I am standing at the ready.
Strengthened in spirit. Bring it on!
Hear, I am just one woman. With One mighty God in three looking after me.
Hear. I am...
Waxing poetic :)
Miss Fiction lost her tooth! wahoo!
So Mr Dash Hawk comes to me and says...
"I know who you are...( he is face to face fixed gaze) Tell me where you keep the teeth and I will not tell her who you are(determined and very serious). I promise not to tell her where you keep the teeth... Oh please... I just got to know... Pretty please with PURPLE on it!."
My favorite color is ...purple :)
Well it is a Go!!!! We are heading out in the early A.M. I think my beloved will be like this by mid afternoon.
We could not get the truck to malfunction for the mechanic. Not only that the mechanic WAVED THE $89. diagnostic charge!!!!!!!!!So Daddy man said we will just go. A man from the small mens group Beloved runs will be watching the dogs. He really enjoys them. I know he will do a great job watching over them and the house. We have been very blessed with help with the dogs twice now. Thank you Sis.So I walked into this not knowing until just a few moments ago if it was to go or not. It has been so cool that I have not been upset over the not knowing. I just felt like God's will be done.I have four large bags of groceries from the pantry and the clothes are spinning in the washer. I set our stuff out just got to do the kids still. I am off for a weekend of forest crisp air. The fall does not show well here but we might get to see some color.
It will get cold at night, but Miss Fiction LOVES the cold! I got a farmers jump suit size 6 at the thrift store for $2.50! for the Dash who chills easily. It is well insulated. Daddy Man is so skinny he is afraid of the cold because it hurts for him to be cold, so I grabbed his Russia gear. Should work out fine. We have a furnace in the camp tailor.
"5 Minutes for Mom" is hosting a Weekly Wordless Wednesday
Hello all, Well...NO LOSS NO Gain. I did see a glimpse of 189 on Friday before I had the second shot in my knee, but after the shot I over did and have been laid low all week end and all week. So I had lost 2 more than the first two. The BBQ ribs my sweet heart brought home so lovingly to encourage my painful days flat on my back with knee held high returned the favor for eating them! You all know that it did not stop at the ribs...I eat comfort when I am in physical pain. Got to stop that!
193 starting
191 week one
191 week two (at 189 on Friday)
I get to go camping this week end, I will get to walk some. I have the third shot on Monday. I will not be physically active then for three more days. I will how ever try to activate some other measure of self comfort than food! I have lessoned my portions significantly.
Older women likewise teach the younger women...
• how to love their husbands• how to love their children• how to be self-controlled• how to be pure• how to be keepers at home• how to be kind and submissive (not subservient) to their own husbands. (See Titus 2:3-5)
By Maya Angelou
'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
That a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean living,'
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain...
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!
Words have power. Here are a few of my favorite sayings.
- A warm cup of tea is like a cuddle with a friend.
- The North American Indians have a more eloquent word for ‘friend’ than we do in English. In their language, the word for friend literally means, “the one who carries my sorrows on his back.”
- Return with Honor
- The sage anticipates things that are difficult while they are easy, and does things that would become great while they are small. All difficult things in the world are sure to arise from a previous state in which they were easy, and all great things from one in which they were small. Therefore the sage, while he never does what is great, is able on that account to accomplish the greatest things."
- "HOME IS WHERE YOUR STORY BEGINS"
- “Live so that when your children hear these words they think of you… Fairness Caring Integrity Honesty Love Trust.”
- "O Lord help my words to be gracious and tender today, for tomarrow I may have to eat them."
- "No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes"
This was given to me for the third time in just a few weeks.
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
"For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song."
What warm hearts you all offer
Thank you all for the kindness you have shown me with every Award. I am embraced. You Are a blessing.
