SEPTEMBER 2022

"I will praise the LORD at all times.

I will constantly speak His praises.

I will boast only in the LORD;

let all who are helpless take heart. 

Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness;

let us exalt His name together."

Psalms 34:1-3 

09.01.22

Grateful for this garden of love all the way from North Carolina

Thanks, BGF ❤

09.02.22

Homemade goodness delivered with smiles and hugs by sweet friends = 

Comfort food indeed!

09.03.22

Today's a GOOD day!!

Thank you, GOD for JOY and laughter and fun with my favorites!!

09.04.22

Grateful for a morning of worship and a day of rest

"Then Jesus said,

 'Come to Me,

all of you who are weary 

and carry heavy burdens,

and I will give you rest.'" 

Matthew 11:28

09.05.22

Rainy Days and Mondays...

Do NOT always get me down!

Emma and I found walking in the rain refreshing

and Mother of the Bride dress shopping from the couch relaxing! 

09.06.22

The thoughtful and kind people of Our Town are so precious to me.

The LORD just keeps on loving me through His people!

09.07.22

Thankful for time for a catch up chat with my sister this morning. 

And air pods.

And thanks, Sis for your patience with my distraction while I chased this beauty around our yard! 

09.08.22

Stop me in my tracks Sunbeams spied from one of my favorite walk starting points

09.09.22

Ever grateful for the friends who have been praying a little extra for us this past month.

Today was Fellowship Friday with one of those Friends.

I cried.

She prayed.

And we cried some more. 

And then we got to the business of talking about all the Lord has and is and will do. 

Because NO MATTER WHAT...

He is Always Good! 

(Click that link and have a little listen 💛)

09.10.22

Couldn't choose between these TWO good gifts today!

A quick FaceTime call from my big girls to offer a little "Worldle" clue made me smile...

and happy mail from the best family of redheads ALWAYS makes my day!!!

09.11.22

My very favorite thing to do when I notice the sun shining while the rain pours down

is to go outside and look to the sky in hopes of finding the rainbow. 

God did not disappoint me this evening

He is Faithful in all His ways

09.12.22

These two together really bring me joy!!

Thankful I was around for the after school pop-in!!

09.13.22

Whoop! Whoop! 

FINALLY! Third times a charm!

 I'm so happy to be retrieved from the airport by my Pal in her bright yellow Jeep!!

09.14.22

While my buddies worked and went to Bible Study,

the Lord gave me a sweet gift of coffee, sunshine, and

 one of my favorite views in all the town.

Oh, and also lots of grace with the pharmacy and out of state prescriptions. 

Let's all raise a hallelujah for that good news!

09.15.22

Concrete Beach 

Second Evening of Sunset Watching with Courtney and Karin

Just as Glorious as the First

"Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,

who alone does marvelous deeds.

Praise be to His glorious name forever;

may the whole earth be filled with His glory.

Amen and Amen"

Psalm 72:18-20

09.16.22

Bestest Day with the Funnest, Cutest and Smartest Doggies!!

09.17.22

Brought a big smile to run into this guy when I made a quick stop for groceries on my way back home!

09.18.22

Thank you, Taylor for teaching us about the importance of praising God...

thanking God in the presence of others...corporate worship...even when I'm not "feeling it"

Today, I was not "feeling it".

BUT GOD

God got me here anyway, thanks to a praying friend,

and cause that's what He does.

And because I was here, 

I got to be reminded of God's faithfulness through songs and scripture.

And Elijah, age 8, read several verses aloud to me which was super good for my heart!

And I also got to join my voice with those around me to declare that we will 

REJOICE!

"All our sickness

All our sorrows

Jesus carried up the hill

He has walked this path before us

He is walking with us still

Turning tragedy to triumph

Turning agony to praise

There is blessing in the battle

So take heart and stand amazed

REJOICE!

When you cry to Him

He hears your voice

He will wipe away your tears

REJOICE!

In the midst of suffering

He will help you sing

REJOICE!

Come and lift your hands

And raise your voice

He is worthy of all praise

REJOICE!

Sing the mercies of your King

And with trembling

REJOICE!"

09.19.22

Starting the week with an outdoor AND an indoor Good Gift kind of day!

Walking with Words and freshly encouraged by my friend

when the beauty of this bright yellow field caught my eye!

and then later...

Inspecting Invitations so Emma can select her favorite one that Patti carefully created!

09.20.22

"Praise the LORD!" 

Psalm 111:1

also known as

"Hey you, celebrate!"

Grateful for a Jeep Date Day with my best guy to take time to enjoy the

Lord's glorious creation and some tasty treats along the way!

09.21.22

Thankful for so much lovely time outside today!

Early coffee in the Oasis with Scott

Coffee and Conversation with Kay at "our" porch table at Blue Front

Lunch with Emma on their deck

and all day, thanks to my Pal, Courtney, I could remember this:

"Have I not commanded thee?

Be strong and of a good courage;

be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:

for the LORD thy God is with thee

whithersoever thou goest."

Joshua 1:9 

09.22.22

Jesus Christ is the same

yesterday, today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8 

Happy to start this day with one of my favorite people!

09.23.22

Thank you, Enoch Contemporary Ballet

for inviting us to rehearsal and

ushering us into the LORD's presence today!

"Strip everything away

Till all I have is You

Undo the veils

Till all I see is You

I will pursue You,

I will pursue Your presence..."

Pursuit by Harvest

9.24.22

What a joy-filled morning joining with almost 100 #HungerFighters 

in Our Town to support our community food pantry!

Hooray for these two superstars ~

My Dad, Table Graces volunteer extraordinaire and 

our Winning Walkie-Talkie Team Leader, Autumn

Run to the Table 5K

While that sounds impressive and my shoes ARE super fun after the Color Run,

I should be honest about my athleticism for the event. 

I loved being part of the festivities and was grateful for the ability to 

complete the 1 Mile WALK (like a boss!) and then 

"pretend run" across the finish line for all the photos! 😅

09.25.22

"For I, the LORD your God 

hold your right hand;

it is I who say to you,

"Do not fear, I will help you."

Isaiah 41:13

The LORD helped and comforted me in many ways through Mom's first birthday without her.

I was completely overwhelmed by His kindness and love through His people this morning.

09.26.22

Grateful for our doctor's compassion and thorough explanations

...and for shared appointment times

09.27.22

Thankful my schedule allowed me to attend "Harmony & Hugs" music hour today!

Loved seeing my favorite Harmonicist and Resident  ❤

09.28.22

Sweet Baby Snuggles

FINALLY!!!!

So happy to get to hold baby Grayson while visiting with his precious Mama!!! 

(and fun big brothers too ;)!)

09.29.22

So glad for an evening with these Wonder Women!

Cheering on Kay Simmons for City Council!!

...and after this successful Meet and Greet,

while there's no photographic evidence, 

[but so I can keep in my gift counting memory bank]

I got to have a JOY-filled meeting of my own!

Thankful for some sweet story time snuggles and

 gracious hospitality from the Strasser family! 

09.30.22

Solid Gold Country | The Arts Center

I am so proud of my Dad. 

Grief is weird.

One sweet friend said, "Grief just is..."

I'm thankful the LORD gave me sweet fellowship with friends earlier today...

in our Oasis and on a long overdue double date in order to strengthen me for this evening. 

It wasn't easy to be in this space without Mom, Dad's biggest fan.

But Dad did it. He played well and with joy.

He supported his friends. And his friends supported him. 

It was good to sit behind LB, one of Grantch's most enthusiastic fans.

I'm thankful for Dawn's care for us for our seating and that arrangement.

I wouldn't have missed being part of this sold out crowd 

to see my favorite Harmonica Man for anything!!

"For from His fullness, we have all received, grace upon grace"

John 1:16

AUGUST 2022

 "Give Thanks to the LORD and proclaim His greatness.

Let the whole world know what He has done."

Psalm 105:1

08.01.22

Thankful for another summer season of studying God's Word with my Tiena!

"I pray that your hearts will be flooded with LIGHT 

so that you can understand the confident hope

He has given to those He called-

His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance."

Ephesians 1:18

08.02.22

Happy Book Browsing

08.03.22

Grateful to be heading towards friends by the kindest Uber driver ever

08.04.22

Deep Creek Lake, Maryland

How 'bout that? Michael W. Smith was right. 

"Friends are Friends forever

if the Lord's the Lord of them"

 

08.05.22

Swallow Falls Canyon Trail

The three separate waterfalls we saw were indeed beautiful, 

and the fact that we dodged the raindrops was noteworthy,

But GOD 

had an even greater gift in store for me.

Friends who offered shoulders to lean on and eyes to watch the path with and for me!

I am so, so happy to have been a part of this adventure today!

08.06.22

We laughed. We cried.

We marveled at the beauty of our LORD's creation.

Thank you, Courtney for letting the different decades of your life intersect for a few days!

08.07.22

Grateful for the GLORY declaring heavens this evening!

And very grateful to have been in worship this morning for a timely message...

"Pain is a bruising of blessing; but it is blessing nonetheless.

It's a strange, dark companion, but a companion -

if only because it has passed through God's inspecting hand.

It's an unwelcome guest, but still a guest.

I know that it draws me to a nearer, more intimate place of fellowship with Jesus,

and so I take pain as though I were taking the left hand of God. 

These afflictions of mine-this very season of multiplied pain-

is the very background of which God has commanded me to show forth His praise. 

God bids me that I not only seek to accept it, but to embrace it,

knowing full well, that somewhere way down deep-

in a secret place I have yet to see-

lies my highest good."

Joni Eareckson Tada

08.08.22

To quote Emma, 

"I'm thankful for spontaneous joy adventuring"

What fun surprising our Tightrope Walker and Poodle 

for their Ballet Under the Stars performance!!

08.09.22

Charlotte and her web have nothing on this girl!

Completely captivated by the beauty, detail, strength, and intricacy of this design

08.10.22

Hooray for Coffee and Conversation to Cheer on my Courageous Comrade!

08.11.22

Our family's world turned upside down today.

But I will forever thank the Lord for His kindness and care for my Mom.

Things could have looked a whole lot differently.

Holding out hope for a miracle...

"Ah, sovereign LORD, 

You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm.

Nothing is too hard for You."

Jeremiah 32:17

8.12.22

Waiting...Watching...Wondering...

"Wait for the LORD;

Be strong and take heart 

and wait for the Lord."

Psalm 27:14

08.13.22

We are reminding ourselves that even on hard days, 

the LORD is with us and He is for us.

He is our HELPER and our STRENGTH.

"We put our hope in the Lord.

He is our help and our shield.

In Him our hearts rejoice, 

for we trust in His holy name.

Let Your unfailing love surround us, Lord

for our HOPE is in You alone."

Psalm 33:20-22

08.14.22

Beyond grateful for family and friends, near and far, praying with and for us

A day of discussions and decisions...

"And the PEACE of GOD, 

which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds

in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:7

08.15.22

 6:23am - 5:03pm

A long day...

Hospital | Home | Hospice

Mom is back in their home. The place she loves best. With her people.

We're grateful for many prayers, love and compassion poured out on our family.

Even when life is hard,

God is Good.

"Be still, and Know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth!"

Psalm 46:10 

08.16.22

Special coffee delivery this morning

by an even more special guy

was just what my heart needed

08.17.22

"When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (With my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come

Let this blest assurance control

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate

And has shed His own blood for my soul

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought

My sin, not in part, but the whole

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend

Even so, it is well with my soul

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul

08.18.22

Dad, Kara and me doing familiar things 

This show will always make me smile and think of our favorite CHAMPION from the 1970's!

08.19.22

Treasures in our mailbox always make me smile.

Thankful for a quick trip home to discover this new fridge art!

8.20.22

So many tangible expressions of love and kindness being brought our way

These beauties (Mom's and my favorites!) arrived today.

Thanks, Larry for your third floral gift and second installment of hydrangeas!

08.21.22

Grateful for Kim's compassion, giant hugs, listening ear,

and her London Fog afternoon delivery!

08.22.22

Bedside Blessings

08.23.22

I'll love you forever, Mom ❤

"Entrust your loved ones to Me;

release them into My protective care. 

They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands." 

~from Jesus Calling

"The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Exodus 33:14

08.24.22

Overwhelmed by the kindness and care of our community and

the PEACE of GOD which passes understanding.

"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, 

and saves the crushed in spirit."

Psalms 34:18

08.25.22

~Simple Joys to Remember~

Super early chats with my sister

Sipping coffee from Mom's mug

Peaceful Back Porch reading

Playing Worldle side by side with Dad 

08.26.22

Appointment and Field Trip Day with Aunt Frances and Scott

Fresh Air and Sunshine were good for all of us

Oh, and so were these lovelies!!

08.27.22

"Great is the LORD, who delights in blessing His servant with PEACE"

Psalm 35:27

08.28.22

Sweet Ella's absolutely Beautiful Gift of words 

(Filled my heart so full, it leaked right out of my eyes!)

08.29.22

Super Sweet Moments of JOY

08.30.22

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes,

and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.

All these things are gone forever.

And the One sitting on the throne said, 

"Look, I am making everything new!"

Revelation 21:4-5

The day dawned with my favorite sunbeams and closed with an absolutely glorious sunset.

In between, we worshipped the Lord in thought, word and deed.

And we celebrated a life well lived.

A life of love poured out in countless ways on so many others through the years.

Thank you to the beautiful people of Our Town - and beyond - for loving us so well. 

Until we're together again, Mom, "Sleep in Heavenly Peace" ♡

08.31.22

Thankful for all the love and kind words and Annapolis chocolate-y goodness from my Pal