Hope you’re all having a great Friday!  You’re probably wondering why I’m here in the middle of the day, when we were supposed to be doing a show (?) … well, our plans changed!  My husband’s overnight trip to Chicago, on Wednesday, took two days … something came up that slowed their progress, and they had to stay another night in order to finish, so, he’s just now getting home this afternoon.  They worked until 4:00AM, and then, with very little sleep the day before, he headed back early, in order to stop at another jobsite on the way home … he didn’t tell me he was doing that … he knew I’d worry and tell him to stay and sleep for a few more hours.  To make me feel better, he said he had some strong coffee, and that he felt wide awake … well, when I just talked to him, he didn’t sound tired at all.  I am thankful that he did make it home early … right now there are some tornado warnings out for the area he was in, and there are supposed to be storms heading in right where he would have been driving had he worked longer, and slept before he started back.  So, I’m very blessed that God gave him strength to get home before the storms arrived. 

A little bit ago they posted the tornado warnings for our area, from now until 3:00AM … it’s very warm, windy, muggy, partly sunny, but you can just ’feel’ the storms moving in.  We’ve been pretty fortunate here this spring, when it comes to the weather, but they’re saying we may not miss this one later today, and tonight.  Say a prayer that it doesn’t get too bad.  I know it seems like everyday, somewhere is getting hit hard.  In the midst of all this, there’s an outdoor graduation ceremony tonight for our little niece, Cassie.  She’s graduating from Kindergarten to First Grade … with cap and gown included!  Too cute!  I’m hoping we’ll be able to go if the weather isn’t too bad, and if DH isn’t too tired … eventually this will all catch up with him!  And another thing … there’s also the Men’s Retreat at church tonight, and tomorrow, which he really wanted to go to, but we had the show scheduled this weekend.  He may try to stop in over at the church later on tonight for a bit of fellowship after the ceremony … some of the guys are staying overnight, but he’ll come home, then go back in the morning for the breakfast, and the rest of Saturday’s sessions then.  We live 10 minutes from the church which makes it very convenient.  

Beyond the Men’s Retreat tomorrow afternoon, I’m not sure what our plans are for this weekend.  Everything changed so suddenly … but, whatever we do, I’ll fill you in later.  I have noticed, while typing this, that one by one, my songs are disappearing from the playlist below!  I’ll need to work on that now, again!  I’ve enjoyed that music here, so I hope I can get some of those songs back.  Well, that’s all for now … need to get some dinner on the table.  I do hope you all have a great evening, and a very blessed weekend, and, of course, I’ll get around to see how you’re all doing, as well!   

Hugs,
~ Deborah <>< 

A Surrendered Heart

We find God more readily
in the silence of a surrendered heart
than in the whirlwind of a busy world.

The LORD was not in the wind.
The LORD was not in the earthquake.
The LORD was not in the fire.
And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

- I Kings 19:11-12 -

 

Praying all is well with everyone!  So many devastating storms across the country … are any of you being affected by them?  The fires in southern California are also affecting the air where Ian is, but they are now saying that it’s 60% contained.  Thankfully, there are no fires here, and our weather has been beautiful the past couple of days.  They are saying we may get some rain for the first half of the day today, which may put a damper on our friend’s annual Memorial Day picnic.  I’m hoping they don’t postpone it … I have tons of Ziti casserole, and dessert, that I don’t want hanging around here for us to gain that extra poundage on!  Besides, we really enjoy the day there every year.  I know I’ve been MIA around here, of late … I’ve been sitting at the computer, editing wedding photos of their son’s wedding … I shared a few of the photos, a couple of posts back, but what I’ve been working on all week was done for their family, and friends, to see while they are waiting on Tim’s professional copies.  I was telling a friend on here earlier, that I feel like I have ‘computer exhaustion’!  I really wanted to be outside yesterday, enjoying all that sunshine and, repotting my geraniums … the pots are shrinking!  We also talked about going to the zoo to see the koalas … it would have been a perfect day for that, but alas, I was getting requests to see these photos, and I finally got them finished and copied to a CD … I need a break, so we’re heading over to their house to just relax for the day.  Do you have any special plans?  I’ll be back to do some visiting and catch up with you later tonight … I wanted to let you know that I’m still here … just been busy.  Do have a blessed Memorial Day, and pray for the families of those who have made that ultimate sacrifice, and for those serving now in our military who enable us to have the freedoms we so enjoy! 

  Hugs,
             ~ Deborah <><

Don’t forget … this is the second week for the ‘feet’ contest over at iliveinmycamera … I did enter one that is showing there this week, so be sure to vote for your favorite!  Also, over at BetsaflyGallery, you’ll see photos of a variety of different types of ‘dishes’.  See ya soon!

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground:
for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
{Hosea 10:12}

USE YOUR VOICE
- Gail Rodgers

The early morning was overcast and dark.  The rain drizzled down bringing with it the outlook of a dreary day.  I put the coffee on and opened the window to smell the fresh rain.  The pleasant sound of birds singing floated in on the morning air.  It took me by surprise.  I expect to hear the birds when the morning sun is streaming in … but today, in the rain, their song was beautiful music.  These birds were doing what they were created to do … they were praising God with their sweet voices … even in the rain.

A verse from God’s Word ran through my mind …

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.  You praise the Lord!”
{Psalm 105:6}

I thought of how easy it is to praise God when the sun is shining in my life.  Yet when I choose to praise Him, even in the rain and when the forecast is dreary, it changes my outlook.  It declares my trust in Him as my all knowing, all caring God.

Our word declarations can be powerful in the spiritual realm.  Declaring God’s praise is more than positive thinking.  As we choose to rejoice in who God is and thankfully place our circumstances in His care, something happens. His amazing peace comes in and shields our hearts and minds … even in the rain.  {Philippians 4:4-7}

Today, in spite of rain … or sunshine … and no matter what the forecast is … choose to lift your voice in praise to God.  Praise Him as your all knowing, all caring God who has promised to never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5b).  He promises to strengthen you and help you {Isaiah 41:10}.  Let your breath praise the Lord today!

Father God,
Today I choose to lift my voice to You in praise.  I thank You that You are with me in the sunshine and in the rain. 
I praise You because You are all knowing … You see my circumstances and understand them better than I do. 
I praise You because You love me and You care about me today.  Thank you for Your promises to stay right beside me
and give me the strength and help I need.  May my life be my song of praise to YoU … even in the rain.
In Jesus’ powerful name I pray, Amen.

~ Expectantly Waiting ~

The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self);
therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.
~ Lamentations 3:24 

Be blessed, my friends,
and I pray that you walk this day in the fullness of His presence. 

  Hugs ~ Deborah <><

“Morning & Evening”
- Gail Rodgers

Trudy’s heart was feeling dry.  She remembered times when her walk with God had seemed so much closer … and she realized she missed it.  She thought about it as she ran through her early morning shower.  She hadn’t even realized her heart was slipping away from God until she began to notice the emptiness.

Once you have known God’s fullness in your heart, the emptiness is hard to settle for.

Life had just become so busy somehow.  There had been changes in her life … and with those changes had come slow erosion in her personal walk with God.  Oh, she still got to church with her family on Sundays.  By all outward appearances she looked intact as a good Christian … but her heart was parched.

As she reached for her curling iron she recalled how she used to take time every morning to lay her day out before God.  She used to ask for His help and direction in every area.  And it had made such a difference too.

At night she would recount the day and the help God had given her.  She asked Him to make her conscious of His presence with her.  She had been so aware then of His faithfulness.

Trudy put the cereal out for the kids and grabbed a piece of toast.  In her heart she determined to come back to that again.  She’d start right now.

Gathering the kids around the breakfast table she asked for God’s help in this day for each one of them.  She asked for help to trust Him in every detail.  She asked God to remind them tonight to share how God had shown His faithfulness through the day.

She set her Bible out on her bedside table.  Yes, she knew where the well was when her soul was parched.  She would make a change and consciously build that relationship with God that she knew would fill the growing emptiness she had been feeling.

As she stepped out the door she was aware of a sense of expectation in her heart, and she knew … this was where she wanted to live … in God’s presence.

“In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”
~ Psalm 5:3

“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:
and He shall hear my voice.”
~ Psalm 55:17 

Dear Father God,
I’m sorry I have been running so fast that I have pushed You to the fringe of my life.
Today I ask that You would help me and guide me;
slow me down and show me the way to walk today in every situation.
Fill me with an expectation of what You will do and who You will touch through me today.
Remind me tonight to recount Your faithfulness.
I want to have you fill the emptiness in my soul today.
In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Well, just as I had thought … and I hope you all can forgive me!  I didn’t make it back in time to share about Mother’s Day before this Sunday rolled around!  Anyway, to do a bit more rewinding to a week ago Sunday, we had a great Mother’s Day with Mom Betty, O.P., and the rest of the family.  We had my sister-in-law’s famous spaghetti, a salad, garlic bread, and for dessert, if you recall, I was going to make either the blueberry, or cherry ‘dump cake’ … I chose the blueberry … it’s my pop-in-law’s favorite!  My sweet son sent me a HUGE card with the sweetest words written inside!  Of course, I cried!  He called me, too, and it was good to hear his voice.  He wants to come home in July for his birthday … it can’t come soon enough for me!  

My sweet husband got home safely from Chicago this last Friday night, and was exhausted from the busy 3 days he had there.  He has to go back again to complete the job either Thursday, or Friday of this week.  We’re hoping gas prices will drop a little first!  Well, it also didn’t rain, at least not much, this last Saturday, or Sunday, as I had heard, but Saturday was still spent here at home just having a great day together, cooking, reading, and just relaxing.  It seems every weekend we are running somewhere, so it was nice to just take some down time.  We spent a good part of the day in the kitchen, cutting up fresh vegies for a huge salad.  We also made spaghetti, and our homemade sauce for dinner.  I have a picture of my dear husband’s plate below … yes, he was a hungry boy!  He was glad to get a homecooked meal after 3 days of restaurant food last week!  We had homebaked chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, and don’t forget the milk, for dessert. 

Since we didn’t make it to our church on Mother’s Day, we didn’t hear that it was an all church pitch-in, or pot-luck, dinner for this Sunday!  I panicked a little that morning, since I hadn’t prepared anything … but hubby said, “hey, let’s just take the huge salad we made yesterday!”  I knew there was a reason we made all that salad!  We use red leaf lettuce, along with a little iceberg, then we cut up broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, green and red pepper, celery, green onions (optional), then we serve it with chopped pecans, hard boiled egg (optional), and mandarin oranges, then it’s all topped with the Good Season’s Italian Dressing.  Yummy!  Although it’s practically a meal in itself, it goes well with all the Italian dishes we make.  I always take it to family dinners.  We did get to bring a little of it back home from church … at least enough for another meal.  We had a great time just sitting around eating and talking most of the afternoon, until our Dave Ramsey class.  When that was over we dropped by my sister’s house to visit a little bit.  My great niece, Cassandra, Cassie for short, has asked to be my little ‘model’ … and she’s a ‘ham’!!  She loves posing for pictures!  All in all, we had a very blessed weekend.

I spent most of yesterday editing the wedding photos … and thanks to all of you for your sweet comments on those!  You’ll never know just how much that has encouraged me!   I’ll be spending most of this week editing the rest of them to share with the happy couple when we see them this coming Monday.  Josh’s parents have a huge picnic on Memorial Day, and we’ve been going for years … lots of food, fellowship, and fun … y’all come if your in the neighborhood … they always say the more the merrier!  This year, I’ll get photos to share with you.  I’ll be around to catch up with you all soon, as well!  Enjoy the day … this brand new day that God has blessed you with. 

This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will.  I can waste it or use it for good.  What I do today is important, because I’m exchanging a day of my life for it.  When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it.  I want it to be gain, not loss; good, not evil; success, not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it.  -Anonymous

Blessings & Hugs,
                             ~ Deborah <><

I received 2 very beautiful Mother’s Day cards …
this very special one from my dear sweet husband. 
I love you Lewie!

… and this huge card, from my precious son. 
My hubby wanted to take a picture of me with it …
It also shows you just how big it was!  It’s about a yard tall!
I was so blessed when I got this from him!
I love you, Buddy!

Okay, anyone hungry now?!
This was what we cooked on Saturday …
 … my hubby was hungry!
This is one of our favorite meals! 
I just noticed … we’ve been eating alot of spaghetti lately!
On Mother’s Day, at the wedding, and now ours on Saturday! 
Oh well, like I said, it’s one of our favorite meals!

<


Just thought I’d throw this one in of my cat, Mooshie …
he’s been feeling a little left out on here lately!

And these are just a couple of ‘portrait’ photos of my new little ‘model’ … 
my precious, great-niece, Cassie. 
I adore her, and those freckles!!
I can’t wait to work with her more …
she loves ‘posing’ for the camera, can you tell?!  )

Hope you didn’t mind seeing more of my photos. 
I’ve enjoyed all the practice lately.
I’m working on another Xanga site, a photoblog, for posting my photography.
If you’re interested, I’ll let you know when it’s up and running …
I’m still getting used to working with the ‘new and improved’ Xanga over there,
which I’m not so sure I agree with the ‘improved’ part … at least, not just yet!
It’s a bit more difficult for me than this older version.
It’s going to take some practice.

And, speaking of photos …
there is a new photo theme over at BetsaflyGallery …
 go take a peek, and see all the interesting photos of ‘dishes’!!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

 Well, I’m back … and here are a few more ’bits n’ pieces’ … this one from this past Saturday, and a little bit of my week, so far … which all may add up to more than just a ‘bit’ or a ‘piece’!  It’s been a couple of days since I’ve been around, and I’ve really missed getting by all of your sites.  I hope you’ve all had a good week!  My dear husband is hard at work up in Chicago, and should be home later tonight.  I’ve been keeping busy with cleaning, doing laundry, and editing photos of the wedding we went to this past Saturday.  My cat is great at keeping me company, and I’ve been spending quality time sitting at my Lord’s feet, and being blessed. 

 Rewinding a bit … we left Saturday, right around noon-thirty, for about a 2 hour drive north.  The day was perfect for a wedding, which was scheduled to begin at 4:00PM, and I must say, the wedding was absolutely beautiful … simply put, it was ‘simple elegance’!  The groom’s family pitched in and made it extra special for both Josh and Erica.  {I shared a bit about Josh’s family, and posted pictures, back on November 2nd last year, when they surprised us with a 25th Wedding Anniversary cake … but Josh was away at college at the time … they are a very special family.}  Leah, a sweet friend, and a good friend of Josh’s family, along with Tim’s mom, Linda, worked really hard, and did an awesome job preparing all the delicious food … and they were blessed with lots of helping hands.  Tim, and his sisters, did a great job on the photography … they took most of the photos before we arrived, but I still had a good hour and a half to get some ’practice’ in before the ceremony.  Actually the whole thing for me, was practice!  I’m not real happy with the way some of them turned out … the lighting changed in each area, and that’s the one thing I’ve had trouble with … yes, I’m still getting used to my camera, and it takes lots of practice … sometimes I get a good shot, and sometimes not!  We can’t all be perfect, right?!  Even so, good shot, or not, I still have lots of fun doing it, and this wedding was just that … fun!  Erica was just glowing, and so happy … I have photos of her different facial expressions that I’m thinking about doing a single album on.  She’s a fun person to be around, and perfect for Josh!  They’re perfect for each other!  God is so good!

 The awesome dinner following the ceremony had enough food for about 250 people … rotini with both chicken alfredo, and meatballs in red sauce, salad, and hot garlic breadsticks … so yummy!  And this was really neat … there was no ‘punch’, instead there was  a ‘lemonade’ bar … with sliced lemons in either lemonade, or water, served from giant glass cookie jars, with berry syrups alongside for flavoring … and of course, for dessert we had cake, which, I might add, was just about the best tasting cake I’d ever had at a wedding … well, I do have to say that our wedding cake was very good, too! :o)  I didn’t get the best pictures of it, because of where it sat next to the windows, so the lighting gave me some trouble … but it was simple and beautiful, and I thought the ‘topper’ on it was such an adorable idea … a Willow Tree figurine called ‘Promise’.  I used that photo and added their names, and the day of their wedding.  I’ll be using it as the cover to an online photo album I’m working on.  This will give them something to look at while Tim is finishing up the main pictures, which I can’t wait to see!  I know he got some good ones … he had some great ‘subjects’ to work with … they were all so photogenic!  He also had some nice equipment as well, and I got to learn a few new things, too!  I’d really like to work with him more, once he gets back home next month.  It was a memorable day, and so much fun!  We got to be with friends we hadn’t seen in a few months, although we were all pretty busy, and really didn’t get to spend as much time together as we would have liked.  We didn’t leave there until nearly 9:00PM.  Everyone was so blessed … it was the most peaceful and relaxed wedding I had ever been to … you really didn’t want to see it end!  The Lord’s blessing was truly on this couple!  I know He has great things planned for them!  It’ll be exciting to see their lives unfold through the years ahead. 

 Well, I had better end this ‘bit n’ piece’ here, and now!  I’ve added some of my ‘practice’ photos below, {I could have added so much more, but I didn’t want to get too carried away!}  I’ll be back to share more about our Sunday … hopefully before Sunday gets here again! :o)  I’ll be around to ‘see’ you all, as well.  Hope you have a great Friday … it’s raining here, and will be most of our weekend, so that means, de-clutter time!  We were hoping to go to Conner Prairie to experience their ‘Civil War Days’, but they are saying the weather will be rainy on Saturday, so, except for church on Sunday, we’re staying home, saving gas, and getting some much needed work done around here. 

I pray that you’ll all be blessed in whatever you have planned for the weekend!

 Hugs,
         ~ Deborah <><  

 Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart which no unworthy thought can drag downwards; an unconquered heart which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.  Bestow upon me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  –Thomas Aquinas

 They had been taking pictures for quite sometime before we got there, and Erica had not eaten.
She was very hungry, so she decided to take a Subway break before the ceremony.
Yes, she’s actually on her knees … in the front row pew …
eating a Subway sandwich … in her wedding dress!
It was too cute, and very brave … I couldn’t resist taking a photo!
I asked her if there were onions on that sandwich …
thankfully, she said “no”!

~ The Wedding Party ~

I thought this was sweet … 
the way she held her arm behind her back.
Isn’t that a beautiful dress!

This was such a special moment …
everyone in the wedding party, along with the parents,
gathered around Josh and Erica and prayed blessings on them,
and for their new life together.

   Pucker up! 

We took lots of ‘hand’ photos …
it’s one of my favorite shots at a wedding.

~ The Happy Couple ~
Erica & Josh ~ Beautiful!

I thought her choice of colors were just perfect!

A little dance, and a little dip …

This was the reception hall at the church’s community center …
it’s a beautiful facility with lots to offer. 
The tables were each set with either a bouquet of flowers, or a vase of green apples.
There were screens on the wall where they showed a video of them
both as they were growing up.

And of course … the food!!
Some of us were concerned that she would get sauce on her dress …
but, I figured if she got through that Subway sandwich, she’d do fine with this …
… there wasn’t a drop was to be seen! 
Good job, Erica!

YUM!

As you can tell, the lighting wasn’t good here,
but you can still see how pretty the cake was …
below is a closer picture, so you can see the detail.
It was beautiful, as well as delicious!

And finally …

Arm in arm …
“And the two shall become one” …