Living so close to one of the most beautiful places in the world can tempt one to take that place for granted. When my husband and I were deciding where to spend our vacation week, we discussed several options that would have meant some extended travel. But when we had the idea to stay close…
Love This Day
Another Mother’s Day in the books! As is our tradition, my husband and boys and I spent the day together outdoors hiking/walking. My oldest son wanted to be there and planned to be, but he was under the weather and was unable to join us. We missed him! I love Mother’s Day. I love that…
My Hope Is In You
“For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.” Psalm36:9 I think every parent has, more than just a time or two, experienced gripping panic when it comes to the well-being of their children. I know I sure have! None of us has all the answers, and we certainly don’t…
Walk With Me
I grew up believing in God. I can’t ever remember a time when He wasn’t in my life to save, love, comfort, guide, teach, convict or correct me. He has rescued me and healed me, been my Restorer and Redeemer. I don’t remember the first time I asked Jesus to come into my heart (I…
Is There A Dog in Here?
I just had my 47th birthday! That morning I awoke with God’s tender reminder of how loved I am. The thoughts of Him covering me through every storm, giving me life and being my Rock and Hope for those 47 years washed over my mind and heart with force. Gratitude is a gift from God….
A Stunning Afterthought
I had spent the entire morning walking along the incomparable Lake Tahoe on the East Shore Trail. I used up several hours on the bliss of heavenly views that would boost my mood for days, and I could have gone home then with immense contentment. But I didn’t want to return quite yet. I felt…
Almost Dog Time
The meteorologist on the local news I often watch in the mornings is a great help in suggesting new ideas for walks and hikes around the area. Some of the ideas are new to me, ones I haven’t known of before seeing his pictures. More than once I have taken out my cell phone and…
A Morning Walk in My Nevada
I have bragged on my Nevada a number of times on this blog. Today I’ll do it again! Winters aren’t typically my favorite, at least as I get older. Feeling cold in my bones, not so much either. The short days and limited sunlight can wear me down. Usually, come February, I am ready to…
Always Look Up
I receive the monthly Voice of the Martyrs publication. Reading the accounts of the persecution and heavy trials our brothers and sisters endure around the world because of their faith in Jesus touches my heart in a profound way. So many times I wish to share their stories with others so that we can all…
Solid Rock
There are many perspectives floating, or should I say flying around, these days about all that our country, and the entire world for that matter, is experiencing this pesky year of 2020. At the very beginning of the pandemic, fear of the unknown caused unanswerable questions to run rampant. Then, a little further into the…
Golden Autumn
Each fall we head out to see the aspen trees. This year my husband, youngest son and I found another favorite spot to add to our tradition. I’ll get to that in a bit. For now I’ll will share the photos of the aspens in the Hope Valley area of California off HWY 88. All…
He Never Leaves (updated post with song attached)
I wrote the verses to this song (video at the end of this post) some time ago. I found Psalm 13 in the midst of constructing this song and that is where the chorus and bridge/ending came about. I have written honestly about feeling alone and wondering where God is in times of darkness. At…
Peace and Quiet
Oh, man! I am sitting here in my office at home as roofers are tearing the old shake roof away. To say that this is noisy and unnerving falls short of a full description and leaves me tempted to use a zillion additional words to describe the unrest. This is all good. We have wanted…
Do You Love Me?
Nothing feels better than when selflessness is lived out and expressed as genuine love. Why is it so difficult to love that way at all times? It is easier to love without reservation if the reciprocation of that love is guaranteed. How many times do we have an idea to reach out to someone but…
A Hike Commemorated
On a lovely, not too hot at all day in June, my youngest son and I finally hiked the Hunter Creek Trail. We had attempted to hike this trail a few years ago, but one of the hikers who came along with us wanted to only go part of the way. We had no idea…
You Still Speak
Here is my newest song. I wrote it from my own experience, from my heart. But as I have listened to it I have imagined those souls who are far from God, who need to be reminded that He is speaking and calling them back to Him. I am praying that those who have walked…
What Good Is It
What Good Is It What good is it if I gain the WHOLE WORLD If I gain it all And lose my SOUL What good is it if at last I find my purpose on earth But lose my soul What good is it if fear suddenly stops hounding me But I lose my soul…
Mother’s Day Thoughts (A Mother’s Perspective)
Before I speak from a mother’s perspective, I’d like to acknowledge my mom from a daughter’s perspective. Mom, I don’t know how you communicated love so easily. You may not even have realized it. I never felt controlled by you or uncertain of your love for me. The confidence I had and have now about…
May Day
Last night we found a beautiful bouquet of flowers on our front doorstep! The note said on one side, Happy May Day!, and on the other, You Are Loved. Apparently, it’s tradition to leave a basket of flowers on someone’s front porch, ring the doorbell, and then run off (we looked it up). Who knew? Well, to the…
Joy and Nature
In December I started a ‘thankful for’ list in one of the shiny new journals I got for Christmas. I am in the 800s on that list. It is plain to me that God’s creation is a continual source of joy in my life. For example, in January, just about every morning, God painted the…
No Show, Sincerity
Yesterday afternoon my youngest son (almost 20 years old!) took off on a hike in the hills behind our house. He was gone for five hours – a bit stir crazy like the rest of us. While telling my husband and I about his adventure and recalling the details of the terrain after he got…
This Life
As I was opening the curtains this morning I had a thought (right about the same time all the cares of the world were beginning to take up their familiar real estate in my mind). The crystal clear thought was that today isn’t about me, today is about God. The weight of my worries instantly…
Who’s In Charge Here?
What do people do when something goes wrong? They approach whoever’s in charge. If there is bad service at a restaurant, they ask to speak to the manager. If they are concerned about an education issue they contact the principal or the school district or even their state’s officials. When facing a health crisis –…
Your Way, Your Truth
God, show us how to walk in Your ways in this world that we live in. Receiving constant streams of opinion, information and entertainment makes clarity difficult sometimes. Truth is light – let us not be deceived or swept away by the “wisdom” of this world (that is contrary to Your word) which only leads…
Warm February Days
Winter used to be a more tolerable season for me. These days I find myself longing for warmth long before Spring is set to arrive. We have had a string of unseasonably warm winter days that beg you to get out and enjoy the fresh air! My youngest son and I both needed a day…
But for Kindness and Grace
I couldn’t believe what I saw. Anger gripped me when I read the words written by a Christian in response to a social media post. The individual who made the initial post is not a believer and is lost and wounded. The content of the post that was commented on insinuated that God is not…
All My Life
Sometimes I am at a loss as to what song to sing on the spot when I want to sing to God. I have hundreds of songs in my memory bank from childhood until now. This was kind of a remake of one of those choruses we sang in church while I was growing up…
LIGHT from the Start
I have referenced my on and off again battle with depression a couple of times now on this platform. While I’m not ashamed of the struggles, it is difficult to put something so personal out there for all of the many opinions or pre-conceived notions to stir. I can truly understand those who don’t understand….
New Things
Just a quick note before I get to my post. I have had a good number of comments to my previous blogs that have no name on them. They are encouraging, and I am always grateful. I respond with a thank you, but I would like to know who I’m replying to. Would you include…
I Will Never Forget That (So I’ll Always Remember This)
* This is a repost from September, 2018 One day, when my boys were little, we all took off from home on a walk as we did most days. This was a relatively new neighborhood for us and we had no established route. We were headed over to my best friend’s house that was within…
Vessels
Have any of you ever wondered how a particularly difficult situation in your life would turn out? I know that is a question with an obvious answer, but it helps to get us thinking about the woman in our story and the predicament she was in. We can pay attention to how it might speak…
My Constant
A few days ago I was writing in one of the last pages of one of my journals. It is nearly full. Pouring over the words I’ve spilled out from the depths of my heart I can plainly see that some of my battles are ongoing – not that I needed to read about them…
The Truth Matters
Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me…” John 14:5, 6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the…
When in Doubt
This post will be sort of a two-in-one. Bear with me. I had been planning to blog about a trip to Yosemite that we took this past Labor Day weekend. I could spend time telling about how we had no reservations and looked until a little later than dusk before we finally found a place…
Just the Two of Us
Last week was a first ever experience for me and my husband. Being a homeschool family for so many years, we got used to and cherished always having our kids with us. We loved having the freedom to create memories with both planned and impromptu outings – trips to the mountains, lakes , trails, creeks,…
Music Festival Glow
I am still basking in a glow of gratitude from last weekend. My husband had asked me a year ago if I would be willing to perform at Joshua Fest (an incredible Christian music festival held in Quincy, CA each year) if we were accepted and approved to do so. In times past I would…
Still On the Throne (Song)
I previously wrote about the inspiration behind this song in one of my former blog posts. It has the same title, in case you would like to go back and read it. I have grown to love singing this song as one of my favorites. It puts me right in front of the God of…
Somebody’s Daughter (Song)
I wrote a story with this same title a while back. It’s in the archives of the previous blog posts if you want to go back and read it. The song was inspired by a real person who was a friend of my parents. I was compelled to write it when I had mistakenly felt…
Early Bird Sees the Beauty
There is a park about 10 minutes from my home that offers a combination of desert scape, mountain views, city views, farm land, and trails. It is called Wedekind. I have taken quite a few of my notorious morning walks here. The sunrises are sharp and sudden. The trails are many. In fact, I have…
Glorious Nevada
I can say that I am continually grateful for the gorgeous backdrop the Nevada countryside provides for a perfect hike. My long time friend, Lori, and I met early on this summer morning to set out on a hike in our beautiful state. Some may not realize just how breathtakingly beautiful Nevada is. It’s as…
A Breath Away
A friend of mine died yesterday. I met him at one of the hospitals where I volunteer. He was a resident there. I first met him when I was visiting with another resident who has also become a friend. Before I sang to the larger group at this particular facility I would come and sing…
That Name
I was deeply moved by the all-consuming power and presence of God this past weekend at church. Yes, church is a place I often feel the presence of God, but this week was something entirely unique. The hushed gentle breeze that blew through our midst was full of impact in an extraordinary way. Simply because…
Silo Celebration
My sister and I just returned from a little trip to Waco, Texas to explore everything Magnolia – built by Chip and Joanna Gaines. My sister’s birthday is today, and we planned this trip at the beginning of February for a birthday celebration. It was just the two of us sisters exploring, sight-seeing, shopping, walking,…
He Heard My Cry
This song was inspired by Psalm 66. This has been my testimony throughout my lifetime; again and again.
Broken (Without You)
I wrote this song when I was face to face with the insecurity in my heart, allowing me to see clearly how potentially damaging that could be to healthy relationships with my dear loved ones. Even my good deeds can have self-centered motives if I leave my insecurities unchecked. Pride, jealousy, fear, discontent can all…
Oh My Heart
This is a sweet little story that is quite simple yet it reminds me once again how deeply loved I am by God. I know that God loves me. I believe with all my heart in the gospel of Christ and the unfathomable love that has been shown to all mankind. It shouldn’t be so…
You’re There
The whole story of how and why I wrote this song is written in the lyrics. God is faithful.
Freedom
This song was born after a period of darkness in my thoughts toward myself. I just could not seem to break free from the lies the enemy was holding me with. God rescued me from that place and this song poured out of me in a matter of minutes.
Faith He Can See
This song is for my youngest son. I wrote it when he was nine years old. He was suffering with tormenting thoughts and wondered why this was happening to him. We prayed and prayed and the relief just would not come quickly. I told him that sometimes God allows such times of pain in…
Let the Lost Be Found (Dad’s Song)
I wrote this song about three years ago at the request of my Dad who pastors a small church in Northern California. He wanted a song that would speak to the mission of their church – serving others and reaching the lost.
Inspire to Create, Create to Inspire
Inspiration is not always easy to come by, especially when you have been in a season of experiencing an all too familiar depression and an altogether new experience with anxiety. Praise God I am not in that place right now, but I have been recently. I may share some more about that in a post…
Winter White
Finally! I was beginning to wonder if I would post again! I thought about it often, but was just unable to write. I will share a little about one of the things that helped inspire me to get back into the swing of things (blogging, photography, scrapbooking, and songwriting) in an upcoming blog. But for…
Silver Bells
Bells are ringing, this 27th of November. No, not Christmas bells, anniversary bells! Today, I want to thank God for a gift that He has given to me each day for the past 25 years – my best friend in the whole world – my husband. We have been exceedingly blessed with the love that…
Grateful
The other morning I suddenly remembered something I had gone through that was difficult, that kind of thing that when you’re walking through it you can’t imagine it getting better. I was overwhelmed with gratitude as it was sinking in how many troubled waters that my God has delivered me out of. May I not…
All These Things Will Fall
But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthly bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it…
Old Things, New Cleaning Products, and Cozy Work Spaces
Here’s a quick little post under the Favorite Little Things category to hold us over until the next Reflections post. I have been working on something, but I can’t yet get it quite right. The message is very clear to me, but I’ve had a tough time expressing my thoughts to the point where I’m confident the message…
This Longing In My Heart
This is the first back-to-school season in 18 years that I will not have one or more of my three kids homeschooling. I am now the mother of three young adult men! This is most certainly a new season in my life. One might assume that I feel relief for that responsibility wrapping up or…
Still On The Throne
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17 This morning I was going over a song that I wrote some five or six years ago. This particular song was written in the midst…
Somebody’s Daughter
A young girl wakes to a predawn morning. Within minutes she’s warming herself by the farmhouse’s fireplace. Today promises to be an ordinary day, spent for the most part on chores and schoolwork. If she works diligently she’ll have time to read down by the creek under her favorite old oak tree. Life is good…
Yes, the Garden
Okay, yes, this post is about my garden. I assured my friend that I wouldn’t write any silly garden posts (this being my own self-imposed standard, not hers). Well, I should have known that my garden would make an appearance at some point. She (my friend, not my garden – haha) probably knew it would…
You Restore What Cannot Be Restored
How many times have we been certain of something being beyond repair; a totaled car, a dilapidated old shack, a favorite pair of old boots? Usually, it is fairly obvious when we need to give up on that lost cause and move on. It’s a different story, though, when we are talking about people, relationships,…
I Needed That
My friends and I have discussed the valid need and desire to have women who are older than us pour their wisdom into our lives. Maybe you’ve had someone or several in your life that have given you that extra breath when you were breathless or dose of coveted wisdom when confounded; words of lifting…
Thrift Stores, Dryers, and Swamp Coolers (Favorite Little Things)
Just for fun I am adding a category labeled Favorite Little Things where I will share some little thing(s) that just make me feel happy and thankful. We all have those little favorite items or everyday events that light up our days a bit. We have a swamp cooler that keeps our house cool throughout…
Stay, My Heart
There’s an old song that I used to love to hear and sing when I was a little girl. “I woke up this mornin’ with my mind stayed on Jesus, hallelujah, hallelujah!” Have you ever had this happen to you? Where you wake up and feel His presence and everything else takes second place to…
One Touch
A few years ago I realized how much of my life I had spent striving to do everything right, to impress with my image; truly believing that a good witness for Christ could not have glacier-sized weaknesses. I was so tired. My failures brought weariness to my soul, burying me in self-loathing and condemnation. I…
Bryan
As I prepare for each of my visits to the rehabilitation center I pray for the ministry of God’s love and reconciliation unto Him to provide hope and light to the dear ones staying there. I never quite know what to expect as each encounter is quite unique. Sometimes I leave feeling rather unconvinced that…
My Mother I Didn’t Recognize
Recently, I came to an unexpected and intensified awareness of a beauty I have known my whole life. I suppose we are all likely guilty of taking our blessings for granted, those beautiful life provisions that we’ve grown used to. I try to keep appropriate stores of awe and gratitude to guard against such things….