Miracles Happen

        I saw a similar picture on Facebook and decided I wanted to do one of my girls.

                                             Three months and 2 years. Still best friends.

I want to tell you a little story about me. I believe that miracles happen. This is one of mine.

January found all of us getting forms for tax purposes and summaries for health plans. The summary I received for my health needs in 2015 totaled $218,000. I didn't know how much cancer treatments would be or knee replacements. It's a lot of money to pay without health insurance.

I think back to the date of my retirement, October 2011. Beginning November 2011 I had no health insurance. I was unable to continue health coverage through the program I was under at work. And all other health coverage was too much money.

I went from November 2011 to February 2014 with no health insurance. I prayed a lot. I hurt my knee and learned to bear the pain. Thankfully there were no major health concerns through those years.

When I turned 65, I was very glad to be able to obtain Medicare health insurance. I wasn't going to get supplemental though, I firmly decided. With Medicare handling 80% of the cost, I decided I could handle the other 20%.

It wasn't until the last month, June, that I could apply for supplemental insurance and something changed my mine. I felt strongly I should apply for it. So I did. I didn't know why. Something spoke to me. In December of 2014 I learned I had cancer. I started treatments January 2015.

In July of 2015 I had knee replacement surgery. And all through the year little health concerns popped up with all I was going through.

I believe with all my heart that God saw me through those years without coverage, being able to bear my knee pain, and once I had insurance, saw me through a difficult year. I believe he spoke to me to get supplemental insurance so I wouldn't be left with a large bill to pay. That 20% would have been $40,000+. I believe it was my very own miracle.

God speaks to us in many ways, through the hearing of His Word, the singing of hymns and praise music, the counsel of those filled with His wisdom, and our heart and brain when our mind is fixed on Him. We just have to be ready to hear. I'm so glad I was.

Miracles happen. I'm one very thankful believer!

A Chuckle or Two

I like words. I keep words written by others in my journals and enjoy going through them now and then. Winter time is a good time to sit back and do a little reading. Following are some words to consider from my first journal. You may even get a chuckle or two. :)

"If some bit of gossip comes, File the thing away.
If a scandalous, spicy crumb, File the thing away.
If suspicion comes to you That your neighbor is not true
Let me tell you what to do--File the thing away.
Do this for a little while. Then go out and burn the file."
Streams in the Desert 2, Anonymous




"How wonderful at evening to be able to say,
'What a day! Lord, What a day! Because I could pray!"
P. J Wolz  (Would we all think like this!)

"Scripture makes it clear that every person has a reason for his or her existence . . .
If contentment is the ultimate goal, you should negotiate with the cows to take over their pastures. Their contentment with grazing in a grassy meadow seems to overshadow the satisfaction of most human beings with their life situations."   Dorothy Kelley Patterson, Beatitudes for Women   

"A life may be very lovely and yet be insignificant in the world's eyes. A beautiful life is one that fulfills its mission in this world, that is what God made it to be and does what God made it to do . . . But the smallest life that fills its place well is far lovelier in God's sight than the largest and most splendidly gifted--yet fails its divine mission."  Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, Streams in the Desert 


"A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference." Eeyore

"Few are needed to do the out-of-the-way tasks which startle the world, and one may be most useful just doing common place duties, and leaving the issue with God. And when it is all over, and our feet will run no more, and our hands are helpless, and we have scarcely strength to murmur a last payer, then we shall see that, instead of needing a larger field, we have left untilled many corners of our single acre, and that none of it is fit for our Master's eye were it not for the softening shadow of the cross." George MacDonald

A Rural Pearl: "A plump wife and a big barn never did any man harm."  (I like this one!)

"I have walked on air all day since getting your letter." Vita Sackville-West, Gift of a Letter

"As for butter versus margarine, I trust cows more than chemists." Joan Gussow


"It is in the quiet crucible of your personal, private sufferings that your noblest dreams are born and God's greatest gifts are given in compensation for what you've been through."  Wintley Phipps


"I'd like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me;
I'd like to be the help that you've been always glad to be;
I'd like to mean as much to you each minute of the day;
As you have meant, old friend of mine, to me along the way;
I'm wishing at this time that I could but repay,
A portion of the gladness that you've strewn along my way;
And could I have one wish this year, this only would it be:
I'd like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me."
Edgar A. Guest

"Thou takest the pen--and the lines dance . . ."  Dag Hammarskjold

I'm so thankful for words that touch our heart, spur us to action, delight our soul, bring laughter to our day and fill us with wisdom and understanding. I hope you've enjoyed some of my favorites!

Lambs are Springing Up!

                         Come on in and get warm and cuddly with a lamb! Right this way . . .

Lambs are Springing Up. That was the headline in my morning paper last Thursday. They profiled a county farm and 4H projects about lambs. It sent me on a search of sheep and lamb snaps I've taken over the years.

I'd never been around so many lambs in my life! And here they were just basking in the cold March sun.

I just love to snap baby animals. Fawn, calf, geese, lamb, foal, baby birds. I guess it's their innocent faces and purity that draws me to them. And draw me they do!

                               Some were still in their cages because they were soooo new!

I find most of my sheep and lamb snaps in fields--serendipity finds. But 2012 and 2013 I was invited to a sheep pen in New Windsor to take snaps, and what fun! A friend in real estate had recently sold a farm and got permission from the new owners for me to look around. Thank you, Steve! He even got a kiss on the cheek for that!

            Some were yet to be born as this "lady in waiting" could tell you. I just love this snap!

                                     All were relaxed and resting, just enjoying the day.

                        On one of my serendipity finds, this Emu was watching out for the flock.

                        That's him at the bottom of the snap. He wasn't too sure about me.

                                                  His flock felt safe and forgot about me.

                   This field, not too far from home, is a joy to visit during lambing season.

                                                                 Ahhhhh, how sweet.

                                                                     A field of fun!

                                                   There's some black beauties too!

                                              Almost ready to come out to the barnyard!

                                                          And I got to hold one!

                                           These two were having fun exploring the field.

     This little one was in a field by himself. He looked so small sitting there next to the giant tree.

                                    Oh so warm and cozy. Safe and comfortable too!

                             I lost all my hair! The day we were there was shearing day.

            It was so hard just picking a few to share. Memories of serendipity finds. I'm smiling!

I'm not getting out as much as I use too, so having an array of snaps from years gone by brings me much pleasure.

The picture I love best, though, is one I won't see until I'm united with Jesus: the lion and lamb laying down together. That's where I want to be! I like this print by Art Prints sold on Amazon.
Enjoy your day and be on the lookout for lambs!

A Pleasant Chore

I bought a Bible for the writing room. I've wanted one in there for many years, but just didn't get around to it. I'd always walk out to the living room where I keep my Bible, or, if I didn't know where the verse was in the Bible, I'd pulled it up on Bible Gateway. No more! I finally bought one to use where I do my writing, praying, reading and picture creating!

         I love red barns, especially in the snow. The shed in red also, centered with snowy grass.

I decided to highlight the same verses in the new Bible that I have in my other Bible. I started with Psalms, and now have done Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs and Isaiah. I'm loving it!

Getting to read everything that is underlined in my Bible again is refreshing and fulfilling. It's also causing me to remember why I underlined certain verses.

                             I love lighted lampposts, and was happy when I found this one!

I use this verse when I'm talking about note writing: Proverbs 11:25: " . . . he who refreshes others will himself by refreshed." It is an inspiration to me and will help others realize how an encouraging word will help the receiver as well as the writer. And my ability to fulfill this is in Isaiah 5:40: " . . . to know the word that sustains the weary." A supernatural encouragement.

When I was a new Christian my sister and brother-in-law gave me Psalm 61 "that leads me to the rock that is higher than I" when my heart was breaking.

                  These horses must have been having a heavy conversation, nose to nose!

Isaiah 7:9a reminds me "if you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." My faith is always strengthened when I read those words, reminding me I must take a stand.

Most of my adult life after coming to Christ, when I was depressed or there was nothing I could do about a situation, I would go to 2 Chronicles 20 and read where Jehoshaphat defeats Moab and Ammon and cling to these words: "We have no power to face this vast army that is attaching us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you . . . ( and the Lord said) "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle I not yours, but God's." Thank you, Father!

       This is our friend, Talmadge's, barns where I expect all the cows were warm and resting.

I'm reminded that God bought His light to the Gentiles when he says: "I will make you a light to the Gentiles that you may bring my salvations to the end of the earth" in Isaiah 49:6b.

When I'm caught in a desire to speak poorly about someone I found Ecclesiastes 7:22 that says: "you yourself have cursed others." A solemn reminder.

      The trees looked especially lovely early Tuesday morning, and I delighted in looking at them.

I thought this might be a chore to complete, but it is anything but. It's been a refreshing reminder of the past and a bright light for the future! It's amazing what doing a simple thing, unexpectantly, can do for your frame of mind. How fortunate I am to have thought to do this

Jo and Abby were sniffing something at the fence line, which prompted Abby to take a leap over and see what it was.

Loved this snow fall! Not too much and easy to get around. Thank you, Jerry, for taking me out to capture some snaps!

About the Heart

"A heart in every thought renewed And full of love divine,
Perfect and right and pure and good, A copy, Lord, of thine."
Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

February is now upon us! The month is best know for Valentine's Day, except for those people who have birthday's in February, in which my sister does. Yes, there's some famous birthdays, and the famous Groundhog Day, in which I visited and saw where Punxsutawney Phil lives. There's also Mardi Gras Day. But I think Valentine's Day marks among the favorites in the hearts of people.

"God seems interested in little things . . . He makes much of little things--as much as He wants to . . . He probably wants more encouraging notes sent than books written . . That's good news for those of us who have only little things to work with . . . Or a word or deed so tiny it can't even be remembered--except by the recipient, who may never, ever forget." Sandra P.  Aldrich Y Bobbie Valentine, Heartprints

I loved these stamps that came out in 2007 in time for Valentine's Day. What goes better with love than kisses!

For so many years that I can't remember how many, I've made a habit of sending out 30 to 40 cards to friends and family, widows, those hurting and those forgotten on Valentines Day. I believe I was still in my single days, and had my share of broken hearts and decided maybe I could cheer other hearts on this special day.

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." Antoine De Saint-Exupery (1900-1944)

And it has become an annual ritual I look forward to doing each February. You can imagine how many Valentine cards I've purchased and created. One that I still believe is my favorite was created from a graphic in my friend, Karla Dornacher's book: The Blessing of Friendship, A Gift from the Heart, published by Countryman in 2000. I got permission from Karla to create it with the names of my friends in the heart. It was a labor of love. I tried to find the one I created but haven't yet, so this is the one in her book

My friend, Gail, and I, got to meet Karla at a retreat held in Western Maryland. What a joy and honor to meet a friend with a kindred spirit! What a fun time we had! Gail and I also suggested Karla for a WMU retreat and had the honor of picking her up from the airport and enjoying one-on-one time with her.

Thank you, Karla, for the many times my heart has been encouraged by your art, your books and the words you share on your Facebook page. You can find her on Etsy too. Her website is www.KarlaDornacher.com

This annual practice also helps to cheer me on Valentine's day knowing I may have brought a smile to someone else. The recipient and me smile together!

"The widest thing in the universe is not space; it is the potential capacity of the human heart. Being made in the image of God, it is capable of almost unlimited extension in all directions. And one of the world's greatest tragedies is that we allow our hearts to shrink until there is room in them for little beside ourselves." A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)

I found this years ago, maybe on the web.  don't know who created it, but it certainly us a true statement from the Bible, found in John 3:16.

 

You have time to make a difference in someone's life this Valentine's Day. Just like an encouraging note, a Valentine's Day card cheers the heart and tells the receiver that they are loved. If cards aren't your thing, a call, a text, an email and any other new communication tool will serve the same purpose. What about it? Make a difference in someone's heart!

". . . I have you in my heart . . ." Philippians 1:17

I Heard Snow

                          The calm after the storm early Sunday morning when all was quiet.

"I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says: "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again."
                                                  Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

I am so glad I live in the northeast area of the country where I can enjoy all four seasons! I can't imagine living somewhere where it was always cold, or always warm. So much beauty is lost to the eye of a single season.

"Winter . . . the ideal occasion to slow down. To invest a few extra hours in quiet reverence."  Charles R. Swindoll

God certainly made the snow as He did the rain, the wind, the sky, the air. As shared in Job 38:22: "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail . . ." And the great promise of washing our sins as white as snow is something to consider when you see the pure beauty of snow.

              The wind blew and the snow flew! I loved the scene in my neighbors back yard.

The snow of winter, the fragrance and beauty of spring, the shade and loveliness of summer and the brilliance and harvest of fall. It is all beautiful and a feast for the eye and soul.

"Each moment of the year has its own beauty . . . a picture which was never seen before and which shall never be seen again." Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

 

Friday afternoon I snapped this bird house with a bird peeking out the hole. Needless to say, the bird flew the coup and the snow piled it on! 

My famous snow poem (to me) February 23, 2003, Sunday morning, 7 a.m.

I Heard Snow . . .
 
When I opened the back door I heard it
Snow
I was amazed at the sound
A whisper different from wind
Yet, precise; like nothing else I've ever heard
Snow falling from the heavens
My heart rested and listened
I couldn't keep away from my back door
I heard snow falling and thanked God."

"You made both summer and winter." Psalm 74:17

Stunning! My sister-in-law, Bobbie, snapped this out her front living room window early Sunday morning.

"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." Genesis 8:22

The girls are having so much fun! The snow's getting hard and they can stand on top of it. They come inside so excited!

I know snow storms makes everything hard for emergency personnel and those with health concerns, just like tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and earthquakes do. God created them all for His purposes and He allows bad things to happen. He has given us free will and there will always be bad choices by the human race.

                                           From the warmth of the house I watched it fall!

So try and forget about the inconvenience of snow, or the ugliness of plowed snow, or the event that was cancelled because of snow. God has made it possible for you to slow down, rest your heart and consider His ways. How can you not be thankful!

From my snow heart to yours . . .
 my very own creation . . . a heart from Ridge Road

A Better Title

                                    This snap was taken one very cold morning driving to work.

David Jeremiah suggested a great book title in a recent devotion in his book The Upward Call. His devotion mentioned Christopher Hitchens book: God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything! Jeremiah suggested: God Is Very Good: How Jesus Enriches Everything.

                                             Found this little one in another field in winter.

I decided to list ways God enriches my life. Here's what I have so far:

He refreshes me! He's steadfast and true.
He provides peace and brings rest.
He enables me to do good things.
He helps me to do my best.
My worry's are limited because I know He's in control of all things.
He brings joy, rich and full joy.
He talks to me through His Word.
He thrills my soul when I hear others speak of Him and trust Him.
He guides my way, confirming choices and opening doors.
He cheers me when I'm scared and assures me He loves me.
He's always with me. I can always turn to Him when I'm in need. I'm never alone.
He provides a family for me to be a part of so I know I  belong somewhere.
He is trustworthy and true. He never lies.
His creation is glorious and majestic. It brings laughter, fun and satisfaction.

1 Timothy 6:17
 ^"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."

                                         We're going to see some snow this weekend!

Psalm 133  " . . . but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."

What a delightful exercise this was. What can you add to this list?