Surprising Gifts

You may be wondering what this picture is of.  Well, for the New Years weekend, Isolino, Kaylee, and I went camping at Bodega Bay.  On our way to the campground, we stopped at the viewpoint for the whales.

We were blessed to get to see this whale very close to shore.  So many people were as excited as I was, and I wouldn't even have seen it, if Isolino hadn't pointed it out to me.

We had been here so many times before, and I always thought I might have seen a whale, way out in the distance, but you could never be sure.  This time, as you can see, it is more clear that there is definitely something big there in the water.  We could see them blowing through their spouts and spraying water in the air.  Isolino and Jolynn had come here in August to go deep sea fishing and they were blessed to see some whales that trip too, but further out.  I was so excited that God had allowed me to see these wonderful creatures.

This trip was about a lot of surprises.  I was able to get a woodpecker up close, I saw some swans, I was able to get some sheep, a beautiful hawk, seagulls, waves, whales, cranes, blue herons, egrets, and the most wonderful of all, we had a quiet campground, so our New Years was blessed.

I pray that you, too, get to see God giving you special surprises this year.  I have a dear friend who when she went to Hawaii, said, "God let me see everything I was desiring to see.  It was like He was giving me gifts all during my trip."  That is how I felt on this trip, and I pray you feel that same wonderful feeling of getting gifts wrapped up in God's Love and Care, saying to you, "I love you so much, I want to bless you with the answer to this desire."  If an \earthly father can give good gifts, how much more does our heavenly Father want to give us good things?  A lot more!  He is good.  Believe He has good things in store for you my dear friends.  God bless you!

First Monday of the New Year

This Monday started like most Mondays, with a situation.  I was choosing today not to let anything phase me, and so with each step, just went forward with a laugh on my lips and a joyful heart.

Car situations, late starts, gas crises', and time allotments being challenged, didn't mean a thing.  What was important was to enjoy this day and bring joy to whoever I was with.

I had many nice things happen today.  I saw a lot of hawks, which have a big spiritual significance for me.  I enjoyed the clouds and the sky and the wonder of God's handiwork.  I enjoyed being with my middle daughter and her boyfriend, which I don't get to do very often, and mostly, I was grateful for another day to be here on earth, to have my family be in my life, and to have an understanding husband.

I have many things to share, of this weekend and what God blessed me with, but until I get my pictures done, I have to wait for all of that.  So, Mondays being what they are, this one was neither the best or the worst, but one where I saw my choice of attitude make a huge difference for me.

I received more card orders from one of my sisters, which blessed and surprised me, I received a call from a dear friend of ours wishing us a joyous New Year, and I had a wonderful dinner cooked up by my precious husband.  Our youngest daughter had a good first day back to school with her new teacher and our close friend, Mrs. Garcia.  Then to top the day and night off, our oldest daughter came by and we got to enjoy a long time of sharing together.  My son even blessed me with his "Hey".  God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good.  God's blessings to all of you.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone.  I have been gone a few days and just got back tonight.  I will be posting more than this later on, but just wanted to touch base with you all on this beginning year.

How quickly 2010 passed by.  I am still a bit turned around with this being 2011 already.  Now we are two days, almost three, into the month of January and the new year as well.

Many are probably starting out with new goals in mind, new opportunities to think about, new attitudes to work on, and physical agendas to accomplish.  Let us not forget to work on our spiritual lives as well.  Give it a good shaking out and a look over and an opportunity to praise more, complain less, and strengthen our arms and legs for doing God's work.

You have each been gifted with a talent or a gift as the Holy Spirit has given them out.  Work with what you have.  I am working on artwork this year.  God has encouraged my heart with His Words of "Just do it".  I may not draw or write as well as someone else, but all He has asked me to do, is just use what He has given me.  So, this year that is what I will be doing.  Working with what He has given me and seeing what He will do with it.

God bless you all, and may you find the adventure of using your gifts, a new way of doing all that you can, for Him.

We will be taking off for a first of the year camping trip. Happy New Years everyone.  A few days early, but since I will have no internet and cannot blog for a few days, this will be my New Year's greeting to you all.

Cold and wet, rainy, snowy, and overcast predictions, make for a New Year that will be colder than usual.  Warming up with a good book, a good fire, or just a nice heater or blanket, will make your days much better and warmer.

I pray you will all have precious time with loved ones, and that as this year comes in with the windy blows of the cold weather, may you be encouraged with the thought of the spring coming soon.  The wet weather means a greener and brighter spring with the grass growing and the flowers blooming.  So, instead of thinking of all that is wrong, look towards what is right and good.

Philippians 4:8 says, "[8]  And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."  So, let us do what this says.  Let's take our thoughts captive and apply this verse to what we are thinking and see if it lines up.  If it doesn't line up, lets junk it into the trash heap of wrong thinking, so we can have a year that excels any other year we've ever had.  God bless your New Year with great and good things.  Look forward and not backward.  Look for the precious gifts He gives you each day.  Happy New Year!