New Hampshire Dreaming...

September 22-30 looks like it may be good for New Hampshire--- pencil me in, please? 

Beginning the list:

Whale watching…

sunrise on the coast…

full moon rising on the 29^th…

… to be continued

TREES

Surrounded by ancient oak trees, our home rises from the verdant Florida foilage.  From first moment awake till eyes close at night ...  through every room and window, Trees surround.

Most resplendent from the front porch, the statuesque sprawl of oaks dominates the view.  Time and time again, I gaze upon their stately, seemingly immutable presence and am moved to eucharisteo --- the state of giving thanks.  God Knows me.  He Knows me so intimately that, in the midst of crisis-imposed chaos, He plopped us right smack down in the middle of coastal-central Florida, where oak Trees rise and Spanish Moss drapes and sunlight slants through.  He Knows that Big Trees, tall and imposing, somehow, somewhere deep in me, remind me of who I am, Who He is, and how much He Loves.

His delight is in the Law of the LORD and on his Law, he meditates day and night.  He is like a Tree  planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does will prosper.  --- Psalm 1:2-3

They will be called "oaks of righteousness", a planting of the LORD for the display of His Splendour.  ---Isaiah 61:3

... amen...

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair/

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

                 ---  Joyce Kilmer

1000 Gifts Continue

#16 Newfound Koinonia HERE with YOU.

#17-21 Front Porch Sundays, Warmish Breezes, Nodding Leavesessss, Drowsy Eyesessss,...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz'zzzzzz

11. Twin fawns on our lawn to welcome us home

12. Sue's and Roy's lives held in the Palm of One Who Sees All

13. Ann's dare to Live Fully right here, right now

14. The gift of Yes

15. Son's spoken word, Good night Mom.

1000 Gifts...

Beginning soon, this study of Amazing Grace in the every-day moments.

And the gifts continue:

6. weekend days redolent with simplistic luxury

7. deliciously long sleep with the (usually traveling) Tim-Man

8. slow sips (slurps?) of Starbucks made rich with cream - a delectation reserved for weekends

9. gray skies extending a sit-awhile-and-linger-here invitation

10.sore muscles reminiscing bicycle adventure with DaughterKate

Counsel to one of God's Best Gifts regarding impending commencement of yet another stress-laced yoke of academia:

Dear daughter mine:

Your internship is meant for YOU, not for the institution. You've always been good at identifying the "have to's", getting them done, and fitting your "want to's" in as well. I have complete confidence that your abilities will serve you well.

That said, you do know that "by yourself, you can do nothing" (John 15). God is your Source, your Sustenance, and your Guide. You have a wonderful trip coming up... use that time wisely --- meditate on the Words of God and invite Him to fill your cup to overflowing. He Will, you know.

I love you forever. And I am praying for you every day.

xoxo,

mama

And her reply? "Thanks, Mom. You always know just what to say". Thank YOU, Papa, for Words to speak Truth, and Grace to Love well.

Facebook? Instigator of my Gift List? Really?

After years of reading this blog and months of waffling about The List, I commented on a Facebook friend's related status. Several weeks later, an online study was born of One Thousand Gifts ... an answer my heart's cry for women + bible + koinonia.

Hence, the beginning of my List:

‎#1 of my 1000 Gifts: Koinonia with Eucharisteo.

#2,3,4,5 ... Saturday morning (thank You, Papa) + Starbucks Columbian (thank you, TJMaxx clearance cart) + Half & Half Cream (thank you, Kimmy Neely) = ♥ ♥ ♥