Well, it is a Monday morning and it is beautiful. You ever have one of those mornings where you feel supremely encouraged and oh so aware of the love of God? That is today for me and oh is it wonderful!! Firstly, I resolve to go to bed earlier from now on…as a full night’s sleep is just fantastic. Right!? I was in bed before 9 last night(albeit…reading for a while after that, but still!) So when my alarm went off this morning at 3:45…I somehow was almost instantly awake and alert, which is most abnormal. I did the decent thing and didn’t actually rise until about 4…but that set the tone for my whole morning. I had loads of time to do all my normal morning tasks…and then almost 45 minutes for a leisurely reading and coffee time. Oh bliss. And so I read Psalms 97 & 98 and Proverbs 6 and Jeremiah 38-41 and Acts 6-7…and I had time to meditate and pray on these words of Scripture. I was particularly struck by the end of Acts 7 – on Stephen’s powerful testimony and subsequent vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Oh might I be full of the Holy Spirit to such an extent as Stephen was – oh that I might behold a glimpse of the glory of God! And so pondering these words, I finally left for work…where I was able to listen to my favorite Lord of the Rings Symphony, enjoying the gorgeous music contained therein. And as I stopped by Starbucks for my Monday peppermint mocha…for some reason their machine wasn’t working, so I received my drink complimentary. And I just thought to myself, “Lord – why have you granted me so many little blessings this morn?” And so I thank my God this day for how He has granted me these gifts. Now of course – I set course for a day full of work and likely stresses and annoyances. But I shall not fret nor complain. It is well with my soul.
Tag: thanksgiving
I Know That My Redeemer Lives
Enjoying my chicken parm leftovers and a fresh tomato salad this lovely Sunday afternoon. And I shan’t write more than a couple sentences here – need to get back to my dinner and football(Giants v Packers playoff game), of course! But just wanted to take this chance to say how wonderful today has been. A day in which I was able to worship God with all my heart as I stood amongst my fellow brothers and sisters in church this morning. What a wondrous thing it is to be loved by God. What a beautiful thing it is to be known by God. We are blessed e’er so much, my dear friends.
Always
Good afternoon, friends…and Happy New Year. Thus begins the year of our Lord 2017. May this year be blessed – and so it shall be!
I shan’t write long now(mostly because I have a bandaged finger that makes it somewhat awkward to type – resulting from me mistaking my finger for a potato during potato peeling time yesterday. Not advisable).
Anyways!! Just wanted to write a few words – maybe more later this week when I have full use of my fingers! – as we enter this grand new year. 2016 was a year in which God worked mightily in my life – even the times I was not always aware of such! And I want to offer my praise and thanksgiving to Him this day – for who He is – God Almighty! – and for all of His great works.
And what else shall I say? I suppose I will say how precious yesterday was…a day where I decided to stay at home and make a nice roast beef dinner and enjoy a quiet night in. A day that turned in to a relaxing time over at Camille and Erin’s with John, reading and eating fine food and watching far too many episodes of Sherlock! And a quiet night – one spent with good friends, finally eating my roast beef dinner and ringing in the new year sitting on this couch, reading a bit of A Wise Man’s Fear and sipping on my Hungarian wine. A wonderful, relaxing and joy inspiring day, all in all. And now, as I sit here on the couch and lift my eyes to the heavens, I ponder anew the goodness and love of my God. May I never cease to think on these things.
Peace, my friends. Peace and love.
Sunshine State
Hello friends!! I have a couple quick minutes here before me and Maryanne go off to meet Mom for lunch(her work break!). I’m definitely a little more awake than the last time I posted here a few days ago…it definitely helps that it’s not almost midnight! We’ve been staying up late pretty much every night I’ve been here, but that is entirely proper and not a bad thing at all! Last night(Christmas night!) following our epic dinner of burgers, oven-roasted potatoes, asparagus and the remnants of the sweet red wine…we watched another episode of Jack as we enjoyed ice cream(with Dad’s honey-based chocolate sauce!)…then even though I think we meant to get ready for bed after that, we got distracted watching a 60 Minutes feature on Hamilton and I of course couldn’t say no to that. Hearing Miranda talk about his emotions and inspiration behind writing the musical – and seeing clips of it! – was well worth staying up a little later! Then…did we go to bed? Nah. Me and Dad and Maryanne stayed up even later watching the end of the Broncos/Chiefs game! Good times.
And I probably should describe more of Christmas day, but I shall not now. It was indeed sad that Laura and Caisson couldn’t be with us…we missed them dearly. But thank God for the miracles of technology – namely, the cellular phone – that enabled us to chat to Laura anyway!!
Now – I need to fly off to meet Mom…and then shortly I shall literally fly off to Houston. Sad day. I always get a little depressed on my leaving day, especially as I know not when I shall return. But now, I simply thank my God for giving me such precious times here in Florida with my wonderful most favorite family in the world…being here and having such lovely times talking with Dad and Mom and Maryanne…I cannot express all that is in my heart. And even above that joy…the peace and love that fills my heart as I think on the gift of God to me. The precious gift of salvation – eternal peace and unbounded joy and unsought for love and bliss indescribable. Oh Lord my God, I love you so – my light, my song, my salvation. Be near to me, God I pray – let me ne’er forget all You have done for me. My words are feeble, my eyes dim, yet I shall offer all I have in worship to my God.
What more can I say? Peace and love, dear friends.
Wonderful Life
Evening, friends. And…Merry-almost-Christmas!!!!! It’s 18 minutes away and I really should be asleep by now!! But I can’t help it – must write a few words, especially as I haven’t posted anything this whole holiday thus far!! I could write so much about how delightfully relaxing this past week has been, here with the family…but I shall refrain. Just know it’s been lovely. And tonight – oh what a perfect Christmas Eve night. Begun by a perfect dinner(Mom’s fettucine alfredo, salad, shrimp, and red wine….), after doing dishes, we(Mom, Dad, Maryanne and I – oh how I miss Laura, but she and Caisson are with his family…) continued by opening a few gifts and then reading the story of Christmas – God becoming man.. for us!!! Truly the most wonderful story ever told. We then proceeded on our annual Christmas walk. Went outside, and walked around the block and looked at all the Christmas lights and gazed up at the stars shining bright in the night sky. It was beautiful. Soon enough, we made it back to our house and we got down to watching another episode of Jack(…I mean, 24!! We’re continuing our grand tradition of watching 24 over Christmas break…season 6 currently) along with cherry pie. Once that was done(the episode and the pie!), we watched the end of It’s A Wonderful Life together and I just soaked in the beauty of the moment….
And so – yes, I have described much of the fun things we did tonight(and the food we enjoyed!!!), but the best part was just talking and laughing and discussing life and love and God Himself with my dear, dear family. Oh how deeply am I blessed. All my thanksgiving and praise to God most high. Forever and always.
Merry Christmas Eve, my most loved friends. Tonight, rest in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ and be full of joy and peace as you think on the mercies of God. Oh! How good it is to be near God.
Faithful
Hello friends, and happy Monday!! On this beautifully cold morning, I cannot help but rejoice!! It was (seriously!) 33 degrees this morning as I drove in to work. What is this wonderful cold weather doing here!? I have no idea, but I am so thankful to God for granting such a gorgeous weekend to me. A very proper last day in Houston, I do say. I get to enjoy my peppermint mocha and slowly warm up here in the office…this is simply fantastic. And yes, last day in Houston! Tonight I fly off Florida way for a week – hurrah! Of course, I’ll miss my friends here, but a week with the family will be oh so much enjoyed…of that I have no doubt.
And this past weekend has indeed been one in which I have been blessed by God exceedingly. As I have been praying to God for guidance in various matters, I have been reminded anew how blessed I have been here in Houston with the friends God has given me. Saturday night – was able to enjoy a fun and relaxing night over at Camille and Erin’s place with John – we had dinner and watched The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Then yesterday, after a sweet morning of worship at church, I went home and got a few things done…then went and picked up Julie for our Sunday movie adventure – LA LA Land. It was a simply lovely movie, bittersweet and tinged with nostalgia, yet currents of joy running throughout. I think I will buy this one when it comes out…that’s how much I enjoyed! It had lots of good music as well – that definitely didn’t hurt! Afterwards, Julie and I went out and got dinner and simply had a fantastic time talking and chatting about so so many things…this was our last time to hang out before I go to Florida tonight and she’s off to France tomorrow! So we made the most of it. Such a dear friend is she. And then I came home and me and John had some quality talking time. So encouraging is he!! I am oh so blessed to have him as a roommate. And then…I finished reading my book(Swiftly Tilting Planet – I have realised lately how influenced my writing has been by reading L’Engle’s works. My writing takes after hers more than I thought!!). My next book is going to be a re-read of Name of the Wind. It is time.
And now, I do write too much. One last day of furious work. Then…homeward bound.
Peace, my friends – peace and love.
A Note Upon the Wind
Happy Friday friends!! Now in the office about to rock this last day of the work week. Beautifully cold outside this morning – a brilliant forty degrees – so I was able to wear my black cashmere sweater today. Hurrah! And then I drove into work and got to listen to my very favorite Christmas CD – Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s sublime Christmas Eve & Other Stories. Beautifully inspiring and warmly encouraging and deeply moving. And now, my friends…time to wrap my hands around my peppermint mocha and continue to enjoy this day that the Lord has made. Peace.
Sanguine Eyes
Hi friends, happy Thursday! Just jotting down a few words here before I start work…it’s a nice cold morning and set to get a lot colder!! According to our wise weather prognosticators, temperature is going to drop steadily throughout the day, possibly even to freezing point! I came fully prepared today, wearing my turtleneck and sweater – so excited! Sad how happy cold weather will make me, but there you go! Also, last night was simply beautiful. Sarah Hadley just started working at this coffee shop nearby(2nd Cup) and once I realised I could walk there in about 20 minutes…I got up and did just that! Had a great post-dinner walk through the crisp almost-wintry air enjoying walking through my neighborhood…then a nice cup of cocoa at coffee shop! Got to chat with Sarah for a bit before deciding not to distract her anymore. And so my evening was finished off by sitting and drinking my cocoa and reading Faith and Life by Warfield…meditating on the wonders that is the incomprehensible fullness of the love of Christ…for us. And that, my friends, is a good night.
Peace and love.
Love Unending
Afternoon, all!! It’s a gorgeous Saturday here in Houston and thought I’d just write here briefly! And by gorgeous, I mean that it’s a wet, chilly grey day…and I simply love it. This day has so far been one of rest and chats with dear friends and enjoying bountiful blessings from my Father God. I started out the day by…waking up far later than is my norm! Since it was a mostly rainy night, decided I’d skip my run this morning and enjoy a little more sleep instead. Very good decision, I have to say. After finally waking up and having my coffee and chocolate cream-of-wheat for breakfast and reading for a bit…I got to skype with Noemi!! We hadn’t talked properly in simply ages…and oh how wonderful of a chat it was!! She is such a dear friend and encourages me mightily. So thankful am I for the technology that grants me and Noemi the ability to talk even though we are thousands of miles away, me in America and she in Hungary!! I shall not describe our talk in detail. But know how lovely it is to talk about life and love and the things of the Lord with dear friends. And so it was. Following that lovely talk, it was time to go meet Julie for lunch! She wanted to eat at Velvet Taco, and I discovered it was in walking distance. So I made my way there, through the small neighborhoods, splashing through puddles as I went. Oh what a beautiful day! Grey and chill and fresh and wonderful!! So fun to be able to walk somewhere and not have to drive! And so after a much enjoyed walk, met Julie at Velvet Taco and enjoyed some delicious tacos(one of them was like a Cuban sandwich…but in taco form. I have found my ideal Tampa/Houston fusion food. It was sublime)…but more than food, a proper catch-up chat with Julie! We realised we hadn’t had a decent talk in a while, somehow – and it was truly great to talk about…life and love and the things of the Lord! Hmmm…is there a theme here? Possibly. Anyways, once again – I shall not detail our talk. But after our yummy lunch, she dropped me off at my place and we chatted a bit more before she went her way…I’ve been getting other random things done(like going to Trader Joe’s for some necessities and listening to my awesome HymnSing CD as I drove!). Now it is dinner time I think. Yes, an early dinner. Yes, I am hungry again. And wow, this is a messy long paragraph and I probably should tidy it up. I shan’t. Going to make my dinner of mac’n’cheese and chicken and tomato salad. And I shall continue to think of the Lord my God and how much He has blessed me. Oh how I long to know Christ more. My highest desire, my truest song, my greatest love. Peace, my friends. Peace and love.
Mountains
Good morning, friends – and happy Friday!!! I’m just writing a quick hello here as I get ready to begin my work day. But, it is so nice to come in early and relax a bit before work begins(I’m not sure why, but I do indeed find such pleasure in being the first one in at the office!). So as I sip on my peppermint mocha and ponder the wonders of this life, I sigh. How wonderfully blessed am I and how much have I been given! Be at rest, my friends.
