Shhhh!

The second photo is my dog Nanook. She is not suppose to be where she is yet I could not resist getting this picture. I'm finding it easier to do a quick post on Google+ than here for some reason so if I am not here see you there as time allows.

This morning my dog Nanook wanted her usual walk. I knew that it was cold but I had no idea. I dressed warm but I couldn't shield myself enough from the bitterness of the weather and the wind. Nanook didn't seem to mind much . I know she is husky and huskies are cold weather dogs but poor thing right now, she looks kind of pathetic. As is common especially in her breed and after having puppies (she had eight!) she has lost a tremedous amount of fur and her tail that was really full and pretty before looks ratty right now and sparse. In time she will recover, at least she seems to be healthy. This is going to be her last litter of puppies before she is spayed. She's at least 4 years old and we are simply interested in her for a beloved pet and companion. She has the most wonderful and gentle personality. Perhaps when it is time to bring her in to see about the surgery I can get something to help her with her coat if she still needs it but I think it should be better in time. It was really nice to meet my blogging friend Marci and her son Liam when they came to pick up their puppy Leo this last weekend, Nanook's last puppy here. I am more confident than ever that Leo has a real nice home and is and will continue to be loved! It is also nice to be able to see the photos she posts of Leo.

Marci and I

Liam and Leo

We also had grandchildren come over this weekend. The picture is one of the 3 year old twins with my husband. Happy coloring time. I love my husband he is so good and loving !

Have a great afternoon everyone!

Leo

A Personal Journey

As I sit here I am enjoying the sunshine peeking through the curtains like a smile upon my shoulders. Makes me think of the John Denver song , "Sunshine on My Shoulders." This quietness is a part of what I require to become refreshed and recharged for whatever a day may hold. I have been thinking of the different personalities that God has made and sometimes I feel being the introvert that I am is misunderstood perhaps for shyness. I have gone through shy times in my life but I no longer consider myself as a shy person. Part of the knowledge comes from learning to accept who I am. To me being alone is not lonely and staying at home is not always boring. It has nothing to do with being anti social. Although I enjoy being around others when I am in a big crowd I need to be able to walk away for awhile if possible because I get to feeling drained. I have read that introverts recharge by time alone and quiet places and extroverts get their energy in places where there are plenty of people or activity. I'm not good at large group conversations because I feel like I am interupting. Sometimes I think people are afraid to ask my opinion because they think I am shy but I am not afraid to speak , I just don't know the perfect time to jump in. I do better one on one or a very small group and surprisingly to some I can stand up in front of a captive audience and do just fine. I actually find that easier than talking in a group. I've done devotions in front of groups at nursing homes and led services (about 9 years) but it fizzled out through time and circumstances. I have however recently gone with a friend once a month and we sang hymns and played games with the residents. I once volunteered at the hospital for about a year reading to patients . One lady I visited was in a semi coma for 17 years. I was told to go in and just talk to her about the weather or things that are happening in town or I could read to her devotionals or the Bible. I did both. One day I went up to visit her and she was not there. I took it hard. Somehow through God's Spirit there was a connection. Where am I now? I think in a place of restoration and I feel God leading me back to a simple faith the kind that has the trust of a child yet the wisdom of the years , things I have learned by living , some through mistakes. I'm back to journaling and I not only find it a part of therapy for my emotions but often an encouragement to see the strength unfold that is already inside my heart and soul. I just need to be reminded. I no longer will feel guilty for the way I grieve because I have found that in holding things in and not allowing myself this time or process actually hinders the healing . I will also be positive and believe that God is with me and in me and I can fully trust Him with all my heart just like the verses my Mother shared on my timeline recently. " Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 There is a season of change in my life and some of it is very difficult . I do not fully understand God's leading but I know that it is for good. There is something so positive about a journey of faith in Christ. He will always be there, He will never say "This is where we part ways" for there is no end to this journey only and always new beginnings. If the road gets bumpy and the challenges are great still there is assurance that there is something beautiful in store and something glorious. People may not always understand the when and where God leads me but what is important is that I am assured before Him. He is the Shepherd of my soul and everything is going to work together for good.

I just love..

I haven't been able to come up with a blog so I am doing something I did in creative writing class as a teen. The teacher would give us an object to work with and or a few words and we were to write whatever came to mind. "I just love" came to my mind so here I am to see where I am going. 1 I just love positive people those who are real enough to share the story of their tears and fears yet always seem to find the good in things somewhere, somehow. 2 I just love how God can shape and mold us from a broken place to someone who has grown stronger through their trials and becomes the source of encouragement to another. 3 I just love the fact that what really matters in my spiritual life or personal relationships is that if I trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not unto my own understanding He shall direct my paths. 4 I just love the simplicity that I am returning to in my faith in Christ and His healing touch although it is a process over my emotions 5 I just love my husband, my very closest friend & my children & extended family 6 I just love a walk on a beautiful day 7 I just love classical guitar music and inspirational songs and well as what is known as sappy love songs. I love the old hymns and the oldie music. May be I am just an old foggy ;) 8 I love my morning facebook chats with my sister Debbie who lives in Michigan 9 I also love a good cup of coffee 10 I love poetry , reading and writing and true inspirational stories the most or even fiction with inspires 11 I love Marquette, Michigan where I grew up and the beautiful great Lake Superior. 12 I love dressing up, wearing dresses and fussing a little . It just makes me feel good. I guess I'm a girly girl in a lot of ways. 13 I love Mexican Food 14 I love chocolate 15 I love a lot of people , places and things in different ways of course but most of all I love my Lord and Savior and though there are difficult seasons in my life right now Great Is His Faithfulness!

Sometimes You Just Need To Cry

That's right! How is that for a depressing title but the good news is that the results to what we may percieve as a weak moment may be just what we needed. Within my personal life there are many situations happening that I do not feel a release to share but suffice it to say that along with the present happenings and 2012 being the hardest year I can recall my emotions or sometimes lack of them have been raw. Anxiety seems to creep up as well but I believe today was a turning point as I attended a new small group study for ladies. The subject? Help For The Frazzled Female..a lesson book we are doing. At the end I began to cry during prayer and I lost my composure but that is where I found myself surrounded by other women who care and took time to pray for me as I shared a little of my heart. It was a safe place. I try so hard to be strong and seldom ever admit I am struggling but I believe today was a turning point in the process of healing. There really are caring people. I know I have friends right here and I thank you for your encouragement as well. Sometimes people just can't help us because of the fronts that we put on or at least I do but there is a time for everything and a season.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Amplified Bible (AMP) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement), 4 Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God.

January 4

I'm not sure what to say about the New Year or the past year but it isn't from lack of anything happening. 2012 was a tough year for me having lost my Dad and my Grandma in the last 7 months. Dad May 16 and Grandma December 6. There have also been other challenges that I prefer not to get into but about the time I feel overwhelmed somehow I manage and I know by faith God will see me through to the other side as the normals of life keep changing all the time. If I was very superstitious I would say Murphy's law is working overtime. Early November we had to get our furnace redone and early December our water heater went out. Last week our car went out and we were horrified to find out it was going to cost us $1.000 to fix it. We brought it in to get the heater working! It's home but it sounds like a bird chirping and my son thinks there is a loose belt or something. Yes indeed life has been eventful! As of lately I am back to doing a lot of soul searching as well. Perhaps we go through seasons when we question why we believe some of the things we do. The season is here. I question my faith and feel like I need to return to simplicity. The years bring knowledge and that is good but the wisdom of a child is trust and I don't really feel like I am always so trusting in my Heavenly Father and His provision for me. I question churches and the divisions between Christian people about things that really shouldn't be so big of an issue after all love is the greatest and if we get our focus on the positive aspects of the love of God and care about others that is what is important. One of my Dad's favorite verses was "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 I haven't been blogging and I haven't done a lot of reading posts either so I am sorry for that. Many of the days here I have had little ones over all the time . I love them but I am so tired sometimes. We have found homes for all of the 8 puppies but we have 2 of them here with us yet. They are cute furry creatures who are growing so fast. I took them out to play in the snow and they love it. I'm trying to play with them and hold them although they are bigger than some full grown dogs already. They are so playful but their teeth are sharp and I'm trying to teach them what not to chew on like pants legs and what not or sharp little bites. Ouch! But they are babies. They will learn. I know I need to get more pictures. I'll try and see tomorrow. I just cannot belive how fast time is going by although sometimes it seems the opposite! Have a great weekend!

My son and one of his daughters and the snowman they built