Six years later, almost to the date, on an unseasonably hot, October Sunday afternoon, I was again lost and wandering in a corn maze. Six years ago, I wandered in a maze with over 100 seven and eight-year olds on a school field trip.  It was a brisk, fall morning, with wet grass as the kids ran to the entrance of the corn maze.  We could hear music coming from a loud speaker mounted high in the tree branch with some country folk songs belting from it.  While keeping up with t

Hello long, lost WordPress and friends, it’s been over a year since I’ve shared here on my blog the joys given to me from the Gift-Giver.  It’s been a different year for sure and I won’t go into detail about that now, but I’ve still been counting them because I have a little place on my phone where I’ve recorded them.  This list is a littleu lengthy (154 gratitudes to be exact) and I don’t expect you to read them, but this is a practice that’s important to me.  I do hope in t

It’s over. It’s finally over. Well, the date of election, that is. But actually it’s just the beginning of a new chapter for our country. Whomever won the election, we were all probably disappointed in some way. I’ve never thought once in my life, that one day when I went to press “submit” on my ballot, I’d have uncontrolable tears running down my face. People in Holly Hill mall didn’t see me walking by with tears of happiness for the choices I made, but tears of deep concern

The wind whips as the few, weary summer flowers still try to hang on as Hurricane Matthew drenches the first weekend of October.  October already? It’s well past my summer entry of joy counts here on my blog.   The list continued on scrap pieces of paper and the phone but every quarter I try to get them in the blog where my count started four years ago.  Four years ago?! Not only is there a large gap in joy count posts, but really any post.  It’s been a different season for m

There’s only a few days of school left.  Good grief!  How is this school year over already?  Summer might as well be here because it’s in the upper 80’s and humid here in North Carolina.  The kids are in the midst of final exams and I’m trying to prepare myself for unstructured, long and hot summer days that start in a few days. While I have this time, I’m continuing to practice being more aware of what I’m still learning in life and I’m joining with and sharing What I’ve Lea

Winter is drawing to a close. We’re getting some of those 70 degree days already here in NC. Different birds like gray titmouses and blue birds are starting to check out the bird house nailed to the tree right outside our sun room.  I”e been trimming back the flower bushes and my husband is fertilizing the yard.  As new life and resurrection are right around the corner, I don’t want to leave winter without thanking God for the gifts and joys He blessed me with at the start of

It’s a few days before Thanksgiving and you’re probably busy cooking, baking, preparing, packing, or all of the above, to celebrate a day of gratitude.  What if we called it Gratitude Day?  A Gratitude and Giving Day?  Where we thank God for the abundance He gives us and in return give to others? We’re usually with family or friends but there’s also a possibility you’ll be spending time with ones who challenge your grace. Or there may be an empty chair at the table this year.

It was one year ago. Twenty women in the community from different churches sat on picnic tables under a candle-lit shelter at a baseball field. It was on a cool, drizzly September evening, but it didn’t stop hands from joining, heads from bowing, words silent, whispered and called out loud to our God.  They were prayers that brought glory and praise to the Creator of all things.  Prayers that cried out to our Redeemer for help.  Prayers that asked our Protector for protection

Today I’m joining in a blog link up with Emily Freeman at Chatting at the Sky.  Each month we’re encouraged to share what we’ve learned the past 30 days, but since it’s the end of the year, then I’ve taken some time to look back at what I’ve learned in 2014.  (Thanks Emily!) 2014 is over and done.  Looking back, it’s hard to define in one sentence all that happened and all I learned.  The ironic thing is that my 2014 Word was define.  My year-goal was to define my life missio

#gratitude #joy

Next week is Thanksgiving. Many thoughts quickly come to mind, whether excitement or anticipation to be with family, savoring that delicious pumpkin pie, stress to clean the house, or maybe sadness because there will be an empty chair this year.  Or maybe you’ll be making sure your meal is served early in the day so you can be in the line for stores that will be opening their Black Friday sale at 6pm on Thanksgiving Day. Even though stores were decorated for Christmas last mo