The Lone Cypress

 

 

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow".

-MaryAnne Radmacher

                                                 

Watermark Your Photos

I know I've said it before but I love it when I learn to do something new. It doesn't hurt to have easy to follow instructions. I found them here. http://blog.picmonkey.com/2013/02/14/claim-your-artistry-by-adding-a-watermark/
There seem to be lots of sites with instructs but since this was the first one I went to, and it was soooo easy, I didn't even check any others out.

Is that awesome or what? Am I weird for being so excited about this? And how cute is my little granddaughter? I took this picture a few years ago but she has only gotten cuter with age. Oh, I also used the vintage effect from Pixlr.com on this. My watermark will keep someone else from claiming this picture as theirs. Cause who wouldn't want to claim this cutie!

Well, thanks for stopping by and staying long enough to read this.   

                                      

   

What a great guy

If you have read my bio you know that I am totally inspired by  those special people who, in spite of the hand they are dealt in life, truly find joy and hope in every moment.
Jeff Bauman is one of those people.

 

Here he is giving Sydney Corcoran, another bombing survivor, a birthday gift for her 18th birthday.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/24/jeff-bauman-sydney-corcoran-boston-marathon-bombing_n_3148052.html
I'm praying for a continued, speedy healing for them both, along with all the others.
                                       I've shared this on

                                  

                              
                                 

Molly

Molly is on the move.

Pixlr Is My New Toy

I am really loving these new "effects" I can give to my pictures. I know it doesn't appeal to everyone but they can sure change the mood of a picture.

This is one of our foggy mornings.  I love fog and think we don't get enough of it. So when we do I always take pictures. Of course they look pretty much the same. I can't help it. That must be the pathological picture taker in me.

This effect on the foggy morning actually looks just like some dirt storms we have had. No kidding. No exaggerating!

These are my favorite kinds of pictures. The ones with our cute little angels. (most of the time ;)). Taken a few years ago.

I can't even count how many pictures I have of our windmill. It has one broken blade that really needs fixed but makes the coolest banging sound when the wind blows from the right direction. lol I love that sound. W hates it cause it reminds him of one more thing on the list waiting to be fixed.

Of course I had to take one with a full moon in the background.

Well, I hope you enjoyed seeing my latest obsession.
Have a great day and be sure to notice and be thankful for all the good things God has blessed you with.
Whether it's his wonderful creation, cameras and capturing memories, or grandkids. It's all good. :D
                                       

I Want A Vintage Look

 

I've been looking for ways to improve my photographs. I really need to stop being lazy and cheap and just invest in an online dslr course so I can start getting the most from my camera.

I did find this site that I can use to change the photos I have now.

pixlr.com

It is similar to Photoshop. Only it's FREE. Yes, one of my favorite words.

I used a vintage filter on this one. I love how it turned out.

What do you think?

 

Sharing The Love

Sharing some happy love this weekend.

Seriously, click on the link and take a few minutes and recharge!. Be thankful! http://www.aholyexperience.com/

                                 

                                  
                                    

The Way I Saw It

It was dark and cold with an icy wind.
We looked over the coffin at dead trees.
Big hunks of nasty red clay waiting to be thrown in.
A handful of relatives.
A minister and his wife with a kind heart.
Called up at the last minute to offer up encouraging words.

For a lady who really was a lady.
I couldn't help but wonder what she would have thought of this.
All of her proper years come down to this.
 Our solace lies in the fact that she left this dark, cold, icy world
to meet up with her Savior.
She's already missed.

A son and his family are left.
Their lives will be a little less full.
They're moving upstairs.

My cousin says "there's a new sheriff in town."
                                       
                                      

Grace or Perfection

 

God's unmerited favor

 

 "Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines him to bestow benefits on the undeserving." (AW Tozar)

 

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/grace-to-you/read/articles/what-is-grace-10339.html

Having received grace we are called to live by it, to be gracious to others, and to walk confidently in it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

gratitude is all about attitude

I like to think I've learned a few things in my 54 years here on this earth. Gratitude is one of them. What a difference it makes in all of our daily joys AND struggles.
I'm doing the Joy Dare that I found here . You can print out a yearly schedule. Each day gives you 3 news "gifts" to look for and be thankful for on that particular day.
Today is "budding/blooming". Seeing as we just had 20* temps the last 2 nights, I am especially thankful for these treasures that made it through.
                                                 1.
My ivy. I've always wanted an ivy covered house and we are on our way to having one here. :) New green leaves are popping up!

 

2.

My rose bush that W. brought to me last year made it through the winter despite the fact that I forgot to water it because I put it on the side of the porch that I just don't look at in the winter. :D

                                                         3.
 My new Wisteria. Also something I have always wanted. I am glad we hadn't planted these yet and remembered to bring them in out of the cold temps. Maybe it's safe to plant now?

 

Now that I am purposely looking for gifts to be thankful for everyday I am finding a lot!! Sometimes it's hard to pick just 3 to write down.

Hmmm, maybe that is the whole purpose of this Joy Dare thing... :D

Blessings to all you beautiful ladies today. Now get out there and look for those gifts.

 

 

 

 

 

My True Wedding Day

This post is a little wordy, but bear with me. :)
My granddaughters and their daddy's went to their church' annual Father-Daughter Banquet this year. They were both so beautiful. I am so happy that my son and son in law are teaching their daughters how they should be treated by men and pray that when it comes time to marry that they never settle but expect to be treated with respect and love. I pray for their future husbands. Pray they are growing into godly men, with no baggage, no regrets and learning from their own fathers how to treat their future wife.
So, my beautiful, growing too fast girls, wear beautiful dresses, have corsages and beautiful hair. And are made to feel special in ways only daddy's can manage to do.
                     My son and Sarah.

 

                                   My son in law and Claire.

I am soooo happy they have  these chances. They will be precious memories.

Anywoo, ;) Beside wanting to show off our precious little ladies. :D I also want to share one of the many times that God showed His never ending love for me.
I have never gone anywhere in my 54 years where I was able to truly dress up. That includes a wedding (my own).

This was my sister in laws wedding but because it was around the same time as we got married I call this our wedding photo. :) Maybe I should have worn some pants with the shirt. ;)

 
Let me tell you why that no longer bothers me like it used to.
 
About 8 or 9 years ago I was really having a hard time with that. Until I felt God telling me that "you have never had that in this life, but just wait till you get to heaven." I decided to try trusting that and not being sad whenever I heard of another occasion where a friend or whoever, was dressing up, or being celebrated.
I'm not clear on the year, but the month was September. I remember because a few months later my daughter in law asked if I was going to a Ladies Retreat that area churches were having. I said if she was, then I would.
The theme was The Bride of Christ. The first thing we saw when we entered the sanctuary at the beginning of the day was a banquet table set up and ladies came in wearing their own wedding gowns and sat at the table. There was an empty seat reserved for Jesus. The groom. The table was so lavish. Food heaped. The best china and linens. GORGEOUS!

I knew that God was showing me, "You are one of the brides. You think this is beautiful, the wedding banquet in heaven with Jesus and His bride, the church, is going to be more than you can even imagine." I believed it and still do!

 

 

 

 In his vision in Revelation 19:7-10, John saw and heard the heavenly multitudes praising God because the wedding feast of the Lamb—literally the "marriage supper"—was about to begin. The concept of the marriage supper is better understood in light of the wedding customs in the time of Christ.

These wedding customs had three major parts. First, a marriage contract was signed by the parents of the bride and the bridegroom, and the parents of the bride would pay a dowry to the bridegroom or his parents. This began what was called the betrothal period—what we would today call the engagement. This period was the one Joseph and Mary were in when she was found to be with child (Matthew 1:18; Luke 2:5).

The second step in the process usually occurred a year later, when the bridegroom, accompanied by his male friends, went to the house of the bride at midnight, creating a torchlight parade through the streets. The bride would know in advance this was going to take place, and so she would be ready with her maidens, and they would all join the parade and end up at the bridegroom's home. This custom is the basis of the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. The third phase was the marriage supper itself, which might go on for days, as illustrated by the wedding at Cana in John 2:1-2.

What John’s vision in Revelation pictures is the wedding feast of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and His bride (the Church) in its third phase. The implication is that the first two phases have already taken place. The first phase was completed on earth when each individual believer placed his or her faith in Christ as Savior. The dowry paid to the Bridegroom’s Parent (God the Father) would be the blood of Christ shed on the Bride’s behalf. The Church on earth today, then, is “betrothed” to Christ and, like the wise virgins in the parable, all believers should be watching and waiting for the appearance of the Bridegroom (the Second Coming). The second phase symbolizes the Rapture of the Church, when Christ comes to claim His bride and take her to the Father's house. The marriage supper then follows as the third and final step.

Attending the wedding feast will be not only the Church as the bride of Christ, but others as well. The "others" include Old Testament saints who are going to be raised at the Second Coming, as well as the martyred dead of the Tribulation. As the angel told John to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9). The marriage supper of the Lamb is a glorious celebration of all who are in Christ!

Remember I mentioned I knew the month was September when I felt God telling me that He had something so much better than anything this world can offer? Well, one of the leaders at the retreat said that the previous September is when she felt God leading her to organize this retreat. (For the very reason that I needed it) Because so many other Christian women needed to hear the same thing.
Talk about making me feel special!!! I love how God never leaves us. Never trivializes our pain. And always desires to show us how much He loves us. Don't you?
So long story short. Oops, too late?? Anyway, whenever the temptation comes up to feel sad, I remember that banquet table and Gods promise. And I'm happy again. :D
Blessings to all you beautiful ladies. And don't forget to look for the many ways God wants to show His love for you too.

                                    

Adoration

Silent Wonder

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.-Psalm 103:1-5

This psalm teaches us adoration. Adoration is NOT thanksgiving; it is silent wonder.
Adoration is wrought in us by the Holy Spirit, and it is very sanctifying when He gives us such moments of nearness to Himself.
The psalm is a call to praise "His holy name". His doings come after. His holy name is the fountainhead; His doings the streams for Lebanon. We are called to praise Him because.
1. He forgives our iniquities (sins). Our first true acquaintance with God is when He pardons us. He does not leave a single sin resting on the conscience; the blood that cleanses one cleanses all. For our sins are linked together, one great awful chain round our soul, and God takes hold of the first link, and so casts the whole chain "into the depths of the sea."

(when I looked up images of the sea, the first one that popped up was the Sea of Galilee!)

2. He heals our diseases. He may not heal completely, but He takes the sting out of our disease. After pardon He gives healing of the soul's diseases. It is the repeated use of the forgiving blood, day by day, that we mortify our corruptions, just as it is by the blood that we quench the fiery darts of satan. There is not a corruption over which He will not give you victory.
3. He redeems our life from destruction. We every day escape dangers that we are not aware of. If we but saw the snares Satan lays for us spiritually, how we would adore the Lord who enables us to escape them all! How often the devil tries to make us unwatchful, or gives us false peace, but God is watching over us, and He redeems our spiritual life from these spiritual injuries.
4 He crowns us with loving-kindness. Look at the comforts of your lot. Think of the spiritual mercies of your life. "Bless the Lord, O my soul!" Is He not satisfying your mouth with good things? Faith has a good memory; unbelief forgets.

Let us ask the Lord to give us better memories for all His benefits, that we may fix our minds on His grace, in spite of all that may happen to us.
(Andrew Bonar 1810-1892 was a well known minister of the Free Church of Scotland. A man of constant prayer, God used him mightily during the Kilsyth Revival of 1839-1840)

Sponsoring Children Works

I knew next to nothing about Compassion International, or sponsoring a child before going to Tanzania a few years ago. We were privileged to be able to spend the weekend in a village with a Compassion school. My eyes and heart were opened. So many things stood out to me. It's not an orphanage. The children live in their own homes in the surrounding area with parents and siblings. They are able to attend school. They are given structure and love. Maybe the only place they have for that.
We provided a community meal where all the children came with family. Over 800!! With 1 goat killed. :) 

 

Smiles and laughs from the children could melt a heart of stone.

 

I met Loth there.

He immediately began a conversation with me. Wanting to know all about how I lived and telling me about his life. I only found out later that he was one of only a very few that Compassion chooses out of each school to do special follow up on every year. To get an idea of how the school is doing. (So that's what the white men were there for as we were leaving.) He wants to be a pilot. I bet he will be. He emails me and tells me that he is in upper level of school and no longer with a sponsor as he is too old. But that what it gave him can't be measured.
Because of our visit I came home with a heart wanting our own children to love and encourage. We picked 2. One lives not far from where we visited. A friend we met has even offered to visit him to see how he is in person. The other lives in Kenya and just informed us that she is able to sleep without getting wet during rainy season because they were able to buy tin for their roof. That is such encouragement for us. To know that the God of the universe allows us to be part of His work and to show His love to others, when we do it in His name.
We have found that Compassion International compassion.com is trustworthy and accountable.
I know there are children here in our own country who need the same things these children do. And I am in no way saying we should ignore that. I am saying that we can add to what we do here. After all, we all live on the same planet. We all need love and encouragement. We all need to know that someone, somewhere cares.
http://sites.mediaplanet.com/latin-america/child-sponsorship-does-it-make-an-impact?referer=122951

A recent independent study reveals that child sponsorship really works!  Dr. Bruce Wydick, a professor of Economics and International Studies at the University of San Francisco, set out to explore if child sponsorship really works. After interviewing more than 1,800 formerly sponsored Compassion children, he found that: Children in Compassion's programs are much more likely to stay in school longer. As adults, formerly sponsored children are more likely to hold steady jobs and overcome poverty. They are also more likely to become leaders in their communities and churches!

Check It Out

A new blogging friend, Karen, is doing a 12 Hour Project on her blog. Featuring 12 pics in a day of some of her readers. Today is me. Thank you, Karen! You don't know how many times I tried to talk myself out of sending those pics but I'm glad I did. I've gotta come out of my shell sometime, right? So head over there and check it out. thisoldhousetoo.blogspot.com

Also...my favorite pics from Easter. :D Let the egg hunt begin.