In The Stillness

I like tea.

I'm enamored by:

~the sound it makes when you pour it.

~the sweet aroma that drifts upward as it steeps.

~tasting the perfect blend.

~the warmth it brings a cold, rainy day

I like the way it makes me slow down, even for a few moments, to soak in the quiet beauty of life.

Today, after a weekend of activity, travels and returning to work on Monday, I sat on my rumpled comforter and poured a cup of Pu-Erh from my white teapot into a whimsical mug. Then I sat still.

The raindrops splattering all over the balcony created the unpatterned rhythm of spring.

Leaning against the pillows on my headboard, I reflected on the past few weeks filled with the beauty of family and friends. Life's tender moments of laughter, remembrance, faith and hope.

We all need to rest, to be still, to sit with quiet thoughts or nothing on our minds at all.

For years we were in the habit of filling our home with music. Blasting words and melodies of praise to the God we adore for most of our days. My friend shared how she had started to turn it all off. She encouraged me to invite the silence into my home.

It is in those times I can hear the song of my own soul. The whispers of my shepherd even when I'm not actively seeking Him can be heard in those moments.

In those moments He is hearing my heart too.

Always,



Hope

In Extending Grace

If there is one thing I've learned about the internet it is that it takes very little to raise someone's hackles. The slightest misstep in wording can cause a storm of words that make a Kansas tornado seem tame.
A lovely woman who has weathered many of life's storms openly in her writings found herself the battening down the hatches this week. The piece she wrote for Prodigal Magazine challenging feminist ideologies by encouraging servant hood in marriage set off an F-4. Those who have followed or interacted with her took a gentle approach with her words. Others took great exception to such an extreme their comments were filled with veiled (some not so veiled) accusations of a permissive attitude towards abuse. To say it got out of hand would be a gross understatement.
Whether or not this writer used an unfortunate analogy or just ticked off those who are fighting their cause doesn't matter. So many got mad so fast that what was worth saving became completely overlooked. The point she was making about having the heart of Christ, living out grace and serving each other just slid through unnoticed. That to me was the saddest thing about it all. Everyone fighting so loudly over the words that we missed her heart.
I hope I didn't.
You see, what I heard was, serving each other isn't dependent on the response of the one you are blessing. Grace demands that we give without expecting anything in return. It is about how our heart kneels down to wash feet no matter how dirty the person's feet are. Jesus didn't wash the feet of the clean, He washed those who have mucked through the dirt of life. He didn't wait until they had a good attitude, He served anyway.
This morning I was struck by a post published by Everyone Matters. It is one person's story of giving money to a family with cardboard signs. In biblical days we would call them beggars. Now we turn the other way, ignore them or even worse we cast judgement on how they ended up there. I was moved by the author's words when she said "Many people might say or think that I'm a fool for giving them money because for all I know it might be a scam. True, it may be a scam and it may not be. But I don't think I could be at peace with myself if I knew that I could have helped that family and chose not to."
This my friends is grace. This is giving without receiving. There was no expectation on this family to prove they needed money or that they would spend it wisely. We can only be responsible for what we choose to do with what we are given.
That's what I heard from the heart of my sister, submission to her husband in a biblical sense. Although we are to submit to one another, it isn't true submission to make someone obey you. To demand that they submit to you as well is conditional love. If you require their behavior be worthy of submission first, you aren't truly submitting, you are controlling.
Jesus washed our feet. 
Jesus died before we followed Him.
Jesus sacrificed His life so we could be reconciled to Him and each other.
He never demanded us to follow but doesn't it make sense the if we don't follow Him, we can't really be with Him? My husband doesn't demand that I follow him but He leads. With that leadership he listens to my voice. He hears my concerns. He trusts my heart. Through my submission to him our relationship is free to flourish. Ephesians 5:21 says "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord." You see, even though it says that we should submit to each other, my own responsibility is found in verse 22. That was written to me.
Today we are preparing for a women's event that I oversee every other month. My husband has assembled the cooking team, spent yesterday cleaning the area from the Easter play and tonight will help with whatever is needed to support the ministry I have been given. It his an act of service to me. It is still a dance where we are learning the steps but the music we listen to is the same. 
It is the music of grace.

Always,



Hope

In Times of Grief

My cousin Louise was one of the funniest people I knew. Confident and quick witted, she had us laughing at some of the most awkward times. She had compassion that ran deeper than some may have known. It was obvious that she had a special affection for The Princess.
She would call me out of the blue "just because" or on special occasions to see how we had celebrated. We had several conversations about my 50th birthday clambake. She wanted to know if my blueberry peach cobbler is as good as it sounds. (It is!)
When my Mom passed away she called me several times to check on me. We talked about our moms often and how very hard it was to be without them.
I thought about that tonight when I heard the news that she had passed away.
Her daughter and I have been scheming and planning a trip to Disneyland for a couple of months now. Louise told her that Disney was on her "bucket list" so we coordinated our efforts. Her daughter and I were giddy today as we chatted about the trip, looking forward to going together and excited to see the joy of a family vacation.
As soon as we hung up the phone, she received a call from the housekeeper, Louise had peacefully passed away.
Family is a really big deal.
Loving them while you can is even better.
Tonight I ache for the loss of my cousin. I pray for the comfort of her dear family and thank the Lord that they are an example of love.
Also, I urge you to cherish your connections. Pour love on your families. Repair what is broken and celebrate what is whole. Take time to get together, even if it is just for a meal, value the every day.
We are rejoicing for Louise tonight as she sits at her Savior's feet, most likely singing her favorite hymns and telling those around a joke or two.
Always,


Hope

In The Dance

Once upon a time we spoke of dance lessons.
The chance to have a night out,
just the two of us,
learning together,
holding hands and laughing through it all.

Time and opportunity never intersected to bring us to that place.

We dance anyway.

We don't just save it for special events anymore.
In our family room we dance for The Princess until her giggles overtake tears. Slow dancing by the fireplace until the music runs out.
Working together in the kitchen has it's own rhythm.
The point is, we dance.

Our life together has been a series of waltzes, jitterbugs, two steps and missteps until our feet were sore all the way to the instep. We've learned to ask forgiveness when we stumble onto each other and know when it's time to sit this one out. Music intertwines into our souls, our hearts and every corner of our home. I'll hum into his ear when the words don't matter and he'll pull me back to gaze into my eyes. As the years roll on, we connect and we dance.

It hasn't always been smooth and the music of life often plays an awkward beat 

Still, we don't sit out

Holding each other tight, we sway to the song being written in our hearts until the melodies and harmonies play through to our bones and our feet are in step again.
We both lead, we both follow and we both love passionately.

Right now is our happily ever after...

Always,


Hope

Guest Post at One Word 365

Today I am privileged to be a guest blogger.

Action or Acceptance?

Even in her text I can hear her desperation. Her husband is deeply depressed again. He finally admitted his desire to leave the marriage. He’s been thinking about it seriously for two years but hasn’t found the strength to follow through. With depleted emotions they both plod through their moments trying to make it to the next one. Like a child wearing arm floats they’ve been flailing in shallow waters until they unwittingly drifted towards the deep end. Neither have the strength to pull the other up so in an effort to do it on their own, each one is worn out. She is finally reaching out, finding herself in danger, she sends a message with a plea of sorts. An admission that she can’t do this on her own.

As I carefully choose my questions for her, I think of the word I have chosen for this year, galvanize.

Read the rest at: One Word 365


Always,


Hope

In My Little Corner of the Blogosphere

I love a new year
I believe it is the ultimate in do overs
Lord knows I need do overs more than most
If each new day is a fresh start then each new year is a whole new beginning

This year on my little blog I have plans for fresh ideas
I'll share more of me
It won't be the most hilarious or poetic or well written
It certainly won't answer the biggest questions of our world
Don't come here to seek controversy
I won't just write out the lessons I want to teach (I can't turn the teacher off though, it is deep inside my soul), I will be writing out my heart

You see, over 25 years ago my faith was shaken
It was broken along with hidden pain and buried secrets
As God unwrapped filthy bandages from rotting sores
He brought His healing touch to my soul
He saved me from my past
He save me from me

There isn't much about my past I have been ready to share and some I never will but this year He will use those places I have been as a reminder of His never ending love

We will have moments of laughter too
Words of inspiration that move me I pray will move you too
A couple of cooking posts are already in the works to spark ideas for easy frugal living with flavor

My heart will pursue what it means to galvanize and to be galvanized

Most of all I want you to feel at home here
A quiet place of sorts where simplicity is the most important thing on the agenda besides of course hope

Always,


Hope

Galvanize

I love words. I jumped at the chance to jump on the #OneWord365 bandwagon with little hesitation.

As I searched for just the right word I came upon galvanize (or galvanise for my British leaning friends). What I think struck me most is that although it has more than one meaning, it didn't matter which definition I used, it fits me.

Galvanize is a synonym for inspire. It means to stimulate or electrify.

That is where I'll start. I want to inspire through my words both spoken and written.

To inspire I'll seek inspiration. Holy, sacred inspiration from the Word of God through bible journaling. Breathing in God's Word to galvanize my soul.

Over this next year along with regular posts, I'll explore the many facets of my word.

What word describes your dreams for the upcoming year? What will you purpose to live out in 2013?

Wishing you and yours a fresh start, a lovely do over and a blessed new year.

Always,


Hope

Sharing Mom's Caramel Corn Recipe and Directions

My mom's Caramel Corn is legendary

She was hired to make this several

years in a row for a local doctor

who wanted to give it as gifts

Really

It's not only really good

it is really easy

I've made it four times this season so I decided while

I was making it tonight I'd share it with you!

The Coffee Guy took photos tonight

I think he just wanted to be near me

or

He wanted to be there when the

Caramel Corn came out of the oven

It was a win win for me

Get your roaster out

You will want to use it

I like a wooden spoon

Start with 20 cups of popped popcorn

I always pop my own on the stove

I get 15 cups out of 1/2 cup of kernels

On the stove I combine

Brown sugar, Butter and Corn Syrup

Bring to a medium boil

Let it bubble for 5 minutes

While that is happening

I add a cup of peanuts

Then I add another cup

because I like peanuts

I measure out the Cream of Tartar
and the Baking Soda so it is ready

I mix it together

It has been five minutes of medium boil

Quickly sprinkle in the soda and tartar

Mix it in quickly

It gets foamy

It rises

Keep stirring until you know

it is all mixed in

Pour it all over the top

All of it

(I use a rubber scraper to get it all)

Stir it in

Be gentle

You don't want to pulverize it

Put it in a 250 degree oven

Set one timer for 40 minutes

Set another for 10 minutes

Stir every ten minutes

After forty minutes take the pan out of the oven

Stir for five minutes to keep it from

becoming one giant lump

Halfway through stirring

I like to put it into another bowl

I don't know why

I just do

It is ready to eat!

I put some of it in here

Most of it goes into an airtight container

but this great jar needed something in it this year!

Ingredient List:

20 Cup of Popped Popcorn

1/2 Pound of Butter

2 Cups of Brown Sugar (unpacked)

1/2 Cup Light Corn Syrup

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Cream of Tartar

Optional:

Nuts

(Seriously, unless you had an allergy, why would you leave them out?)

It is so easy and you can get little things done in the kitchen between stirring. It really is worth it, I promise.

Always,

Hope

On Christmas Eve

My Dearest,

Twenty four years have passed since you knelt in front of a fireplace in your living room. You officially asked me to marry you. There was no doubt what I would say was there?

Exactly three years later you made me laugh so hard my water broke. Two days later, our first daughter arrived. We all held our breath as she let out the tiniest cry. Prayers filled the chaotic hospital room as we hoped for better color to fill her blueish face. I'll always remember waking up in the middle of the night, there you were holding our pink swaddled treasure as you rocked slowly next to her isolette.

Christmas Eves continue to hold sweet beauty for us.

I love a good candlelight service. Tonight was especially sweet. You sat with the children as I read the Christmas Story. That's usually Pastor Tim's job but when they asked for one of us to do it, you trusted me. You knew the joy it would bring for me to read the passage in Luke that we have read in front of our own tree for so many years.

Tomorrow morning we will open up my burgundy bible with the broken binding to once again remember who we are celebrating. This is the tradition my parents passed down to us. We will offer thanks for the gift of life, of family and the peace only He can bring.

Tonight I offer thanks for you.

For your boldness to ask me to marry you when we had dated for such a short time, because you trusted that this was what we were suppose to do. You were so very right.

It is you I want to celebrate everyday with and never be without.

Jesus makes Christmas real, you add the magic.

Twenty four years and I never expected to love you more now than I did on that beautiful night. There have been twenty four years worth of things I didn't expect and I look forward to so many more.

Merry Christmas to you and a very, beautiful, happy New Year!

Always,

Hope

A Very Happy Anniversary

Two years ago today my oldest daughter got married in a beautiful evening ceremony. It was delightful, stressful, magical, memorable and our hearts were so very full. The ceremony was holy, sacred and lifted the hearts of everyone there. We walked away confident that the God that saves us cared about every detail. Even the ones that didn't go our way.

What a great start to a sweet marriage.

Mr. and Mrs. Ray of Sunshyne

They are doing quite well. It's fun to see the joy they find in their marriage. The childlike silliness is just as evident as their ability to be responsible. As they navigate through life together they remain committed to keeping the covenant they made with God to each other.

Mr. Ray loves his wife. He is her biggest fan and indulges her passion for acting. Once again she has a part in our local community theater and no doubt he'll make it to any show he can.

Ray still flirts with that guy she thinks is so cute. She often delivers his lunch at work on her way to take care of her sister. They rent a tiny guest house that is perfect for their little family. (They are owned by two cats.)

This week they decorated for Christmas. She called it her Charlie Brown tree.

I think it's perfect.

Always,

Hope

Thankfulness Journal - Days 15 to 19 - Beautiful Busy Week

Day 15 ~ The Coffee Guy arrived home from his conference. He immediately began helping me pack for my trip the next morning. We chattered on about all of the amazing things God showed him. I am thankful he made it home safe.

Day 16 ~ After months of planning I rented a car and headed north towards Seattle and stayed with friends who always have room no matter what is going on in their lives. I was greeted by my friend's son who was packing to move with his wife and two kidlets to Arizona for a seasonal job. As usual, we stayed up late talking even though I had big plans for the next day.

I am thankful for the love and hospitality of friends.


Day 17 ~ Gina from Texas showed up and we drove north to meet some amazing women. These saints not only support their husbands in ministry but they all have beautiful gifts of service that they bless the world with every day.

We stopped at a delightful tea room where we took an hour or two to get to know each other in person. From there we went to the home of our sweet hostess Jada. She cooked authentic Cajun food as we took part in a video chat with friends from around the world.

The sad note of the day was the absence of our dear Sarah. She arranged this whole meeting but true to her character, stayed home to bless her ailing husband. She chose him and as she often does, she chose well but we missed her greatly.

I am thankful for the soul rest given by sharing your burdens with others.

Day 18 ~ We woke in the morning to the smell of good coffee. As we soaked in the slow morning, we gathered around bowls of fresh oatmeal piled with nuts and berries. Each of us drew in more beauty of each woman whose wisdom and strength are drawn from the same grace giving source.
Gina and I hugged our friends as we left for our adventure in Seattle.

We made our way to Pikes Place Market for a Sunday stroll. After lunch at Elephant & Castle (an English pub style restaurant) to pay homage to G's British husband, we walked back to the market to pick up some flowers, coffee and a few more snapshots.

That afternoon we parted company. I settled back in at my friend's quiet home as Gina made her way back to her sister's to prepare for her early morning flight the next day.

That night my friend and I watched a tearjerker movie as we sunk into her inviting couch. Again we stayed up late talking, listening and blessing the night with God's gift of lasting friendship.
I am thankful for stepping out of the everyday to find treasures in other corners of the world.

Day 19 ~ It was time to head home. After a delectable breakfast I bid my friend farewell, programmed Nigel (the British voice on my GPS) to make my way toward the interstate.
The six hour drive turned into eight through the driving rain that followed me the entire way. I pulled over to have lunch and relax a little before finishing the drive home. I listened to a couple of Mary DeMuth interviews to find encouragement as well.
Dinner was waiting with a lovely table setting. Sitting across from my husband was the most delightful moment of the day. He listened to my chattering as I unfolded the excitement of the weekend for him to share with me. He told me of his "daddy-daughter date night" that turned into a deep discussion with Ray about life, faith and love. My heart soared.

I am thankful for safety, provision and the gifts that my Creator pours into my soul.

I intend had hoped to catch up days 20 to 28 soon. Although I haven't posted everyday, I have been thankful every moment.

Always,


Hope

I'm Dreaming of a Simple Christmas

In December 2010, I wrote about our "less is more" Christmas here.

I mentioned that I would like to intentionally have a simple celebration the next year (2011). I didn't write about it at the time but we had what we called a "2nd Hand Christmas". Mr. and Mrs. Ray were out of town with their family so that left the parents and The Princess. It was really quiet.
There were two rules:
1. We could only buy something from thrift/second hand stores.
2. We had to make it ourselves. We could take an old unfinished project that had been laying around, finish it and present it as a gift. Not only was this cost effective but it doesn't contribute to adding more "stuff" to the house. I'm finding that t he more stuff I own the more it owns me.
It was a treasure hunt! We sifted through stores and pulled up ideas that we thought each other would enjoy. The anticipation was greater than ever as gifts were opened, laughter filled the room.
This year we are having an "Upcycled Christmas". There are plenty of great ideas on the web for taking your used items and making beautiful creations out of them! You could even search Pinterest for great ideas.
One blog that is full of ideas is the Vivid Imaginations Studio. Everything she makes is quality. Some projects take more skill than others but you are sure to find something you are gifted to do.

Here are window boxes made from shutters!

We have a local business that sells used building supplies including doors, shutters, lamps and some strange items. A place like that is a playground for those who are hoping to upcycle!

Rage Against the Minivan takes it even further and is calling on folks to "Occupy Christmas". I love her ideas!

 Click on the photo to get to her page.

I love that so many other folks are talking about simplifying the holidays. Sarah Bessey posted recently about celebrating the imperfect Christmas. It reminded me again of how I don't like the pressure to impress others but to just enjoy whimsy with color and character.

Each year we open the special ornaments, some celebrate a milestone in the lives of our children. Others mark the passing of someone we love dearly. The all bring meaning to our celebration of the peace Christ brought to this earth.

This year I will seek peace. Peace in my heart, my life and my world. My prayer for you this year is to find peace as well. If it means changing the way you do things, spending less, creating more and focusing in on the Prince of Peace, I'm willing to do it.

Do you crave a more simple Christmas? Do you have any creative blogs to recommend? What traditions are you committed to keeping? What are you willing to trade in to experience peace?

Always,

Hope

Thankfulness Journal - Day 14 - A Daily Savior

As a follower of Christ I firmly believe He came to give me salvation. I have no doubt about my eternal security and I am so very grateful.

Jesus said "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Mark 10:10

That is what I am thankful for today. The full life He gives me daily. The intimacy in His Word that carries me when I doubt my worth. The joy in abiding in His love is made even richer when I remember what He has freed me from. The personal prison I once lived in is torn down and I am released to live a full life. He created me for a relationship with Him and when I seek that fully, I am content and my life is truly abundant. He saves me every day.

Always,


Hope

Thankfulness Journal - Day 13 - Days Like These

This isn't what I would call a bad day. It just isn't going as planned. I remember so many times thinking that in itself made it bad.

My perspective is changing. What use to strip my gears doesn't make as much of an impact as it did in the past. For this I am glad.

My daughter's car wouldn't start this morning so I took on the duties of getting her little sister ready for school. She texted me and thanked me for still loving her. In other words, "Thank you for not getting mad Mom." I'm sad that she expected me to be upset. I'm thankful that I didn't.

My coffee is sitting here, lukewarm and not as good as The Coffee Guy makes. (You didn't think his nickname was random did you?) He is out of town for a few days and I leave the morning after he gets back. I usually get it delivered to my bed so I can slowly wake up. Today it was reheated in the microwave.

So today I realized something, I have more strength than I know. I have been given the gift of knowing what I need instead of just what I want. This gift has made me even more grateful for getting needs met instead of expecting them. Philippians 4:19 tells me, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." 

Today I am learning more about what I need vs what I want Right now, I have everything I need. For that I am so very grateful.

Always,


Hope

PS Please visit my friend Tiffany here. She is a young mom whose dad has been battling cancer for the past three years. The end of his life on earth is in sight. She has temporarily moved back to our area with her four children to be with her parents at this time. She is a brilliant writer and thoughtful young woman. Today she shares why this is grateful for "this".