Love is.../ Blue Monday

This was our morning! We had an early evening but a super busy day yesterday so we came home from dinner and went to sleep at  nine last night. We did not get up until past seven this morning! You know sometime you just need that extra rest!
So visit  Marydon and share your favorite Love is....

I hope you visit Sally and all the blue crew too! I have a few shares with pretty blue birds. Hope you enjoy them!

I never see blue birds where I live but I see some interesting birds flocking together where we walk around the water at the rec center. Lots of birds I am not familiar with but enjoy listening to and watching! This parakeet is blue and he is sitting with his green and yellow pals! Hee Hee!

"W" is for Wonder

I love to take photos. When I drive around I always take lots of sky shots. It makes me wonder how God could have created this universe and how He carefully planned each sunrise and sunset. Look at the trees! Aren't they beautiful with a painted sky backdrop?

A wave of pink and blue with touches of orange and black! What was the Lord thinking when He decided to create these magnificent venues?

Wet, wild and wonderful! We keep hearing that one more snow storm is coming our way!

A precious newborn in pink! The creator of life had a carefully laid plan and He engineered it well!

Aw.....puppies make us smile! They are wonderful little creatures and warm and friendly companions.

I have thought about getting another kitten. I know I could never replace my big boy Boots who I lost last year but the thought of a wild heart and one minded pet makes me laugh out loud!

Yellow orchids, one of many flowers we can stop to smell.

Laughter, it makes you wonder what people are up to!

What do you wonder about? I hope you will shall some of your thoughts with Ms. Jenny and all the other Alphabe Thursday followers!

Psalm 62:11 "Once  God has spoken; twice have I heard this: the power belongs to God.

Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

Love is..../ Blue Monday

I just thought this Love is...was so sweet! Please stop by to visit Marydon

These blueberry scones and this

Make for a nice morning!

Please visit Sally and enjoy more blues! Have a perfectly blue-ti-ful Blue Monday!

Comfort In God's Word

I am thinking with the wicked weather we have experienced and more on the way  am I never going to enjoy this! Outside our bedroom window is a lilac bush! Will I ever see it bloom? Will butterflies ever come into my yard? Sigh!

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place." 2 Corinthians 2:14

This is the view I have had for the past three weeks! April likes to play tricks on us!

"Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed to the renewal of your mind , that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

After this past week, filled with much terror and sadness I find comfort in God's Word. Each day I am amazed at what I find hidden in the Scriptures. God has an amazing way of showing us what we need when we ask Him.

I told you April likes to play tricks on us! Nick's former high school XC coach and his wife Stephanie welcomed triplets on April 1st. We saw Coach at the Thornton Invitational track meet yesterday. The wee ones are all doing well,  Aries Sharon, Braelen Morrison and Jordan Michael. Big sister Carolina now has a little sister and two little brothers! They wanted four children and I would say God certainly answered their prayers. everyone who prayed for them please continue to do so. These little ones will need lots of love and care. Plus mom Stephanie is still hospitalized.

"When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish , for joy that a  human being has been born into this world. "  John 16:21

I hope you have enjoyed these shares today and you will stop by Charlotte's blog and join all the wonderful encouraging hearts at Spiritual Sunday!

On a sad note, please pray for the families of five snow boarders killed in an avalanche yesterday in Colorado.

"Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4

April 20, 1999: NEVER FORGOTTEN

This past week has been especially difficult. Boston, Texas, anniversaries for the Oklahoma City Bombing and of course Columbine. Because I am a Colorado native and live within thirty minutes of Columbine High School this one is especially tough for me. Thirteen innocent lives taken too soon. I remember making a mental note, John Tomlin, one of the students murdered at Columbine had spent the previous summer in Mexico with his dad. They were building homes with Habitant for Humanity. Kelly Fleming was getting readjusted to a new school having moved to Colorado from Arizona.  Craig Scott, younger brother of victim Rachel, lying in the library, praying, watching his friends around him die. None of us should experience that, especially not our children.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" Psalm 147:3

"Truly, truly I say to you,  he who hears my word and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgement but has past out of death into life." Jon 5:24

Please visit Beverly and all the Pinkies today.

Never Forgotten

 

Please Never Forget: April 19, 1995

With all that is going on today and the sadness surrounding our lives and those particularly in Boston and also Texas with so much loss of life I want to ask you to continue to pray for all involved in these horrific tragedies.

 Please pray and remember those taken from their loved ones on April 19, 1995 in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City Bombing is very dear to me. Because the trial was held in Denver and I saw those families each day waiting to get into the courthouse and because my oldest son worked on the construction of the jail where the bomber was held I had to do a lot of praying and I still pray for the loved ones left behind and those directly affected by this terrible tragedy. Please never forget.

Alphabe Thursday

I had to cheat! Last week my head was spinning from all the trials of my days at the office. Busy!  Too busy to put up my "U" post for Ms. Jenny and the gang! So I have taken time to combine my "U" post with my "V" post this week! I was thinking I was feeling very  clever but my mind was in Boston. I was feeling sad, shocked, angry! I hate living in an age when fear and trials surround us. As a young woman my father often said little catch phrases to me and I thought he was a really smart man. Oh he was, no doubt, very smart and very well read for a gentleman who attended formal school through the sixth grade! But not until I read the Holy Bible for myself did I realize where all his wisdom came from! My father quoted the Book of James! When I read it for myself I smiled. I started to live it. I started to use those very same phrases. Today I rely on the Book of James as well as the entire bible to get me through the day!

I found this google image and thought it would fit into my post here today. It is the Book of James 4:10. The verse makes sense considering another tragedy we face here in the USA.  So I took the word "united" and another word "villain" and combined them for my post!

Now anyone who knows me can attest that I love running! I am not really great at it, I tend to walk the straights and run the curves on a track but I want all this snow to go away so I can get into my favorite outdoor past time of walking/running at the new rec center outdoor facilities near our home. Anyone who knows me also knows that our youngest Nick is a runner and a good one, since he is currently running on a scholarship in Kansas! So yesterdays bombing at the Boston Marathon really shook me. I know these things happen, part of the world we live in, but I don't like it! What I see when tragedy occurs is that we become "united".We all come together for a common purpose because we share a common feeling. We all want the same thing, we want the villain or villains caught and properly punished! We mourn for the dead, we pray for the survivors.  We all think the same thought, "Who would be so vile and hateful to commit such an act. Attacking those who are undeserving of such terror and horror?

Here is one of two Runner's Prayer I am sharing with you. I thought they would be very appropriate considering the sadness we are feeling for Boston. I don't mean to sound rude but people that run in the big races like the Boston Marathon, The Bolder Boulder, the New York Marathon, they train, they train hard and spend countless hours preparing their bodies and their minds for racing. It is so sad to see how many had their dreams dashed because of hatefulness yesterday. When the New York Marathon was cancelled due to the events of Hurricane Sandy, we all understood. Nature is unpredictable and can not to contained. But this was an act of terror. What makes me so sad is that we see this so often and we come to prepare our minds for it. We get use to this behavior and for a while we all act a little kinder and more gentle. Then we turn our hearts away from the tragedy and we go back to our lives. So many take for granted  all the little things. We lose our tempers, we get impatient in traffic or in long lines at the grocery store. I have a way of dealing with these tragedies and never forgetting. I run the names of the victims through my mind. I think and pray for their families, wondering what they could use to just have a moment or two of peace. I remember these tragic dates and as the anniversary of them draws near I pray harder for those left behind. I know people somehow have to get on with their lives but I often think "how do they deal with it"? So I pray for them.

I think of my own phamily. I think about how much I love them and how sad I would be without them. I trust God,  I depend on Him. I rely on Him. I know He will always be there and no matter how much tragedy I hear about  in my lifetime I know He is always there, waiting with open arms for anyone who wishes to come to Him.

Matthew 11:28-30

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

²⁸ “Come to Me, all ^[a]who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is ^[b]easy and My burden is light.”

My prayers are centered on Boston and the people who live there. I send love and hope and a smiling heart to all who lost loved ones and to those who are recovering from their injuries. I offer them my own faith as a testimony that walking hand in hand with Our Lord will protect you. No matter what comes through your life if you hand it to Him and trust Him no matter what happens He will be there for you.

I will close this evening with my Book of James 1,2,3 plan for you!

James 1:2-3

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

² Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various ^[a]trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces ^[b]endurance.

Blue Monday Recycled

A Face Book friend shared these recycled jean aprons! Aren't they so sweet? Plus their blue so it works for Blue Monday!

I have been getting invites for baby showers and last weekend it was for a "boy". Lots of blue! FaceBook friends shared these cute ducky cupcakes trimmed in blue!

Nick snapped this photo of the Arch in St. Louis in November when his college traveled to the XC Nationals. The blue sky was really blue!

Now head over to visit Sally and share your blues.

I hope you visit Marydon and share a favorite Love is..too! There is a quote that I love,

Once a woman has forgiven her man, she must not reheat his sins for breakfast.

Marlene Dietrich

I thought this Love is.. and that quote went well together Enjoy!

Pink for the Run

I thought you might like to see some pink in running!

I like the shade of pink and the words here about running!

I like this quote. I also love those pink laces!

This one isn't pink but the message is very clear. Wednesday was the new moon and  at my office we noticed how many rude and grumpy people we encountered in person and on the phone! They need to see this message and follow it!

I hope you will visit Beverly and also other pinkies. I appreciate Beverly's hard work each week and I wish I could visit all the pinks each week! I also wish more people would follow the example of my late friend CC who shared her pinks and visited most all of the pinkies before her untimely passing in September 2010! She had a kind heart and wonderful warmth that drew you into her world. I miss her so much! She never slighted anyone and always shared her kindnesses will all she met here.

"Running gives freedom. When you run you can determine your own tempo. You can choose your own course and think whatever you want. Nobody tells you what to do."
-Nina Kuscik


I always loved running... it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.
Paula Radcliffe


What I love about running is you can meditate while running. It’s a peaceful place. You pray and think of the children and what you’re doing, and you get through it. The time passes clearly. The first mile is the hardest.
Sister Mary Elizabeth Lloyd (Runs marathons to raise money and awareness about children orphaned by AIDS.)

Nick ran his first college 10k in track and field (outdoors) tonight in Witchita. He took 9th place and ran a 34.06. His teammate Sterlin took tenth! Awesome run for Cowley Tigers! I remember one of his first 5k races in cross country. He ran it as a high school freshman and ran it in 20.52! He has come a long way!

James 1:17

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹⁷ Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or ^[a]shifting shadow.

Ephesians 5:20

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

²⁰ always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to ^[a]God, even the Father;

Running with Prayer

I am sharing some running quotes with you tonight. Nick is gearing up for his 10k run in Wichita tonight. How I wish we could be there with him.

I worry for my young son. He is juggling his running with school and he is getting good grades but he enjoys the company of young ladies too! I want him to finish school before he gets seriously involved with anyone.

My son inspires me.  I think this quote applies to all aspects of our lives. Not just running!

Some days I feel like a wimp and some days I feel strong! This is another favorite quote.

As my son prepares to run his first 10k in college track and field I am sitting here feeling very proud of him and all he has accomplished.

Keep him and his team mates in your thoughts and prayers tonight and tomorrow.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians  6:19-20

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? Galatians 5:7

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians  3:23-24

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 2 Timothy  2:5-7

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9: 25-27

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1

Nick sent me a text! He ran a 34.06 in his first track and field 10K tonight! We are so proud of him!

Silly Monday Blues

Our oldest son has been on a strict diet and he is doing really well! One thing that never changes is his silly sense of humor! Shopping at Target with him and our oldest daughter yesterday, she snapped this umbrella photo. He is decked out in blue and chose a lime green umbrella to complete his ensemble!

This was last Sunday so now you know how I spend my Sunday afternoons at Target! A neutral colored floppy brim hat to complete his blue outfit!

The rainbow umbrella is so silly! I keep telling him and his friend the "Bird" to stop the silliness because you can not find a nice girlfriend this way! LOL!

I hope you liked the blues today!

A sense of humor... is needed armor. Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life.
Hugh Side

Come see Sally and share your blues!

T is for Time Out!

Welcome to my contribution to Ms. Jenny and Alphabe Thursday! I have had a couple of tough weeks so I could think of a dozen words that would fit my "T" time post to a "T", instead of complaining and shedding tears I will try to share more happy contributions today!  I do want to ask you upfront to please pray for the following families: the Rocha Ramirez family will bury their three year old son Ritchie this weekend. He was going to the store with his family to get a new ball last Friday and he ran from the car and was hit by a truck driving in the shopping center. The sadness of this story is two families are hurting, Ritchie's two brothers witnessed it with his folks and they will forever remember seeing their baby brother dying in front of their eyes. The driver was traveling within the law in a shopping center and it was simply a very tragic accident that has altered these two families lives forever. Our oldest daughter has a very dear friend Libby who lost her fifty two year old daughter a few weeks ago. Mary, like her late father, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Her husband put her in an assisted living home immediately and she passed away after only suffering from the disease for a few short months. Libby is really hurting and your prayers and warm thoughts are greatly needed. My dear friend Kathy lost her younger brother Michael last week. The family has asked for privacy regarding their loss and Kathy will talk with us when she feels the time is right. Many prayers for the O'Gane family would be greatly appreciated. Kathy and her younger sister Marlene care for their own sweet mama with Alzheimer's. The Castillo family is hurting over the SIDS death of their son Kolya who would have turned seven months old on March 29th. Please remember all these families and pray.

So it is time for a time out! Sigh!  Time to enjoy some baseball! Stop and smell the spring time flowers . Today is the birthday of one of my childhood favorites, Doris Day! I heard on the radio that she is 89 years old but her bio lists her as 91! As a kid I knew all her favorite songs like "Que Sera Sera" and "You Are My Sunshine". She was sweet and squeaky clean and I still adore her movies. Yet her personal life was plagued with troubled marriages and much sadness. She lives in Carmel-by-sea and has been an animal activist for many years. There is a local radio station where she lives who plays her songs on her birthday and she calls in to thank them! She is a first class lady! Happy Birthday Doris Day!

With all the crazy events going on in our world today it is a good time to take a time out and reflect on what is truly important. For me it is ultimate faith. Without it I really don't know what would happen to me. I am forever grateful for my lifelong faith and the solid hard working way I was raised by wonderful parents. It carried over into my marriage. Daily I am surrounded by people that have lots of things. But they do not have the kind of love and support that I share with my hubby who will celebrate twenty nine years of marriage with me next month. Although the simple plans we had will have to be put aside we still have each other and really, it is what is truly important. Our youngest daughter was in a traffic accident today. Although her hood is crumpled she is safe. She will have to be in court on May 1st and so we don't know what kind of fine she will have to pay. So no anniversary celebration this year!

Here is our front yard. Drat that ole cottonwood tree! Do you know what it is good for? Allergies! Instead they had to take out our pretty Choke Cherry tree:

That tree was a pain in the fall when all the cherries fell to the ground, the ones the birds left behind. But in the springtime it was exceptionally beautiful, blooming lovely pink blossoms! But this work is very costly and hurting our budget beyond repair! But it is a true necessity and without this main line repair we would be without water and the ability to use our bathrooms, the washer, the sink and dishwasher. So it is something that has to be done !

So now I need a time out to think about how we can rebuild our savings and pay this debt off quickly.

To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.

Steve Prefontaine

Nick ran in a track and field event at his college this weekend.He took second in both the 5k and the 1500. Please pray for Nick and his team mates as they head to an event out of state this Friday and Saturday! I just could not resist tossing in another "T" as in track and field!

Goodnight!