Happy Birthday, Nels ~

The big brother I always needed.

He's on the right. His son's on the left.

Look how tiny they make me look!

Nelson.

I've loved him for 51 years now.

He has my back.

And I have his.

Ian quickly became Nelson's buddy.

I have loved watching his eyes light up when

they are playing. It warms my heart

that they love each other so.

Elle is the same way.

Not quite as much as Ian,

but he can quickly get a smile.

I haven't mentioned Noah.

Early, early on in Noah's young life,

Nelson came in full of life and laughter,

and scared the beejeesuse out of Noah.

He will cautiously approach Nels now,

but always with a foot back ready to run.

Best buddies.

Best friends.

Brothers by different mothers.

The two men in my life I love

more than life itself.

Happy birthday, my beautiful Nelson.

I love you dearly

and treasure our relationship.

Always know, I'm here

and I've got your back (heart font)

much love,

Nancy

What a comforting feeling to know that at our age, at any age, you're never to young to reach out for that brass ring and grab hold. To make a change, to follow a dream, and not worry that you're too old to do so. Never hold back. Never settle. And always, always make those dreams come true. With His guidance, we all can make dreams come true. Ours is and I pray yours will as well ~

Sketched by a child that has 'heavenly visions'

Recognized by a four year old that visited heaven

If you haven't read, Heaven if For Real

you will be blessed by doing so.

I'm convinced and I believe.

What a beautiful man,

"that died so we could go see His Father".

It's as simple as this.

The baby girl,

of my baby girl.

I am so in love

with both of them.

And always will be.

Serenity. Not only a pretty word, but it describes a peaceful existence. I have heard others, and read blogs, where words like 'hate' and 'enemies' are used. What sadness to waste life with these emotions. I can honestly say I've never hated anyone. I've been hurt and very disappointed in the actions of others and choices they've made, but I've never hated them. Not even when I was at my lowest in the pain delivered by another. Understanding brings about the peace He speaks of when He tells us to wrap ourselves in His peace and to be calm. For that is when we are able to hear His words of love and comfort. If you've experienced such emotions that you would label as 'hate' or that you have made enemies, please know that you are wasting such precious time. There is more to life than trying to hide behind a life of hatred and lies and making enemies. May all of us live as peacefully as possible until He calls us home to that beautiful Garden where peace abounds. I know I look forward to seeing it again.

During worship this morning, I heard something I wanted to share with you. Prayer is not all about us talking to God, our heavenly Father. It's also about listening to Him. Listening for Him. You don't have to fill your prayers with your words. Stop and listen for His. Have a blessed week ~

Spring.

She is on her way.

"Yet He has not left Himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your

hearts with joy.”

~ Acts 14:17

 

It has been raining off and on today and the earth is being refreshed. I have always loved the various sides of Nature and to see Him cleaning His handiwork and filling the air with the smells of rebirth makes my heart soar. Thank you, my beloved Father, for the infinite blessings of this day.

I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living.

~ Psalm 27:13

"The heart has eyes, which the brain

knows nothing of."

Valentine's Day, 2011

Everything holds its breath except Spring.

She burst through as strong as ever.

~ B. M. Bower

"See the sunlight through the pine,

taste the warm of winter wine.

Dream of softly falling snow,

Winter's gold, Aspenglow."

Each and every Winter this song comes to mind. My sister loved John Denver and because of her I paid more attention to his songs. This one is a favorite of mine ~ and I know I speak of this particular song each winter season, but humor me. Here's a link to a YouTube video. It's a beautiful song. Heartfelt, and brings such peace to a season, that to me, is a time for warmth, coziness, quiet, and incredible beauty ~ even in the sight of barren trees and shrubs. I truly hope you are taking the time to see the beauty in His creation for us.

It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.

~ Psalm 74:17

Winter's Cold

I love the quietness of winter, the earth lies dormant, waiting.

And while it waits for Spring to burst forth, I take advantage

of good books, good friends, and family. It's a time

of silence to allow us to hear His voice clearly.

I absolutely love Winter and thank Him for this time.

There are times when we get so caught up in life that we are overwhelmed, frightened, worried beyond belief, and go to sleep and wake up wondering how to solve the problem. He wants us, He urges us to 'be still and know that I am God'. He truly wants us to do this. Wouldn't we want our children to do the same?

This year, this brand new year, I intend to go to Him more often, to thank you more often, and to realize that in all things our cups runneth over. Our blessings far outweigh the sadness, the ugliness, the worrisome ways of our lives. May His blessing be upon us as we enter into this new year with His name on our lips.

This time of year always feels me with such contentment, such delight, and pure happiness. I always know that it's a very difficult time of the year for many. Two families we know and love will have empty spots in their homes this season and my heart cries for them. They are sheltered and covered with His love, mercy, and grace, but there will be an empty spot until we're gathered together with Him in Paradise. Oh, what a joyful thought. My prayer for you is that you have many, many moments of laughter, lots of loved ones to laugh and reminisce with, and the thankfulness that we can say goodbye to the mistakes and the sad and hard days and hello to a brand new year that is dawning. Merry, merry Christmas, dear ones ~

Whose woods these are I think I know.

 His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

~Robert C. Frost

I love winter, as those who know me can attest,

and I love Robert Frost.

Have a beautiful, wonderous Winter!

A Garden

The Garden. While looking for another image in Google, I saw this.

My heart grabbed and except for the difference of the horizon

and the flowers to the far right, this was The Garden.

There was no marks of a mower and there was a graveled path

that went from where I stood and curved around to the left.

Going back past the stand of flowers. There wasn't red. Or blue.

But of all the ones I've looked for, this comes the closest.

It's a place I still go to. And wonder when I'll see it again.

I want to live on this street ~

I want to know those that live here, love here, laugh here ~

Age has nothing to do with it, except

that I cannot go make dreams like this come true ~

there are others now to think of, obligations to consider,

but oh, my dreams still take me here, still stir my soul ~

so I look at pictures such as this and I wonder,

and dream, and ponder, and know that one day

I just might walk down this street. And not in my dreams ~

for it is my dreams of yesteryear that made my life today.

Ah Ian, I read in my journal last night

that this time six years ago your mother

was about eleven weeks pregnant with you.

I wrote of our excitement and anticipation

of meeting you for the first time~

You have brought such delight to our days, to mine.

You are smart, sensitive, loving, and curious.

You love cartoons, Lego's, and brownies.

Noah brings a bit of angst to your days,

but you humor and tolerate him well~

I see the best parts of your mum and your dad in you.

Your father's laughter, your mommy's love,

all wrapped up with his eyes and her nose.

Watching you and Noah brings such contentment,

such happiness to my soul and I relish

each and every moment with the two of you.

Always know you are loved,

you were prayed for,

you were awaited.

And I?

I shall always be

one of your most adoring fans.

Forever, and a day~