Twenty Sunsets from 2020

 This year has been unlike any other

pandemic

panic
quarantine

protest

but it has also shown...

that as with

the rising of the sun and 

the setting of the same

so is the faithfulness of our God!

See our other 

sunset collections...

Twenty California Sunsets

-----------------------------------  

Here are our top 20 sunsets from 2020

shared by close friends and family...

Los Angeles, CA

Moonlight Beach in San Diego, CA

Redondo/Torrance Beach

Carson, CA

St. George, UT

Long Beach, CA

Los Angeles, CA

Lake Elsinore, CA

Yorba Linda, CA

Carson, CA

Malibu, CA

Klamath Falls, Oregon

Cal State Dominguez Hills

91 Freeway

Big Sur, CA

Philly, PA

Chino Hills

London, UK

El Mirage, CA

Thank you to everyone who contributed!

As we head into the new year remember to stop, look, 

and give thanks for each day you are blessed to witness

the setting sun

A Lesson From the Un-named People in the Bible

We've...

read about them

heard their stories 

but do not even know their names

the woman with the Alabaster box

the widow of Nain

the woman with the issue of blood

and entire sermons have been built around them

their lives

their stories

the woman with the Alabaster box

(defined by what she gave)

the widow of Nain

(defined by what she lost)

the woman with the issue of blood

(defined by what was wrong)

and there were some men too...

the Good Samaritan

(defined by what he did)

the man with palsy

(defined by what he did not do)

the man by the pool at Bethesda

(defined by what he could not do)

and the messages in their stories are real

important

relevant

and as I read them

it becomes even clearer 

that...

WHAT you are 

is very different from

WHO you are

the woman at the well

(defined by her placement)

the woman caught in adultery

(defined by her act)

the Shunammite woman 

(defined by her heritage)

 it seems Jesus never dwelled

on people's "what"

(perhaps wanting us to focus more on who He is)

it's really all about who He is

Holy

Sovereign

God

King of Kings

Redeemer

Healer

Savior

Friend

"Call His Name Jesus..."

Matthew 1:19

because then 

what you call me

what they call you

how they

view

define

your "what"

your "who"

won't even matter

He simply calls you 

His.

(original post 5/1/2016)

Vacation Rewind... Big Bear 2008

The moments were incredible

The memories, incomparable

causing us to marvel at the way

He holds both heart and hand 

(through every season)

So let's...

give it up

clap it up

warm it up

(pun intended)

for another

vacation rewind!

-------------------------------------

The Dobson Family

"The Adults"

Photo Credit: Philicia Scott

Big Bear, CA

Christmas 2008

Here's what happened...

I promised the kids I would take them to the snow,
then found out that hubby had to work

(the day after Christmas)

and since I did NOT feel comfortable
driving the kids up the mountain alone

we hopped in the van
with the Dobson Family...

(and our other friends)

 

The Richard Family
"Le Chateau de Richard"

so grateful for the tag along!

It may be cold outside, but
our hearts are warm with...

Family, Friends, and Fellowship

these are the memories that inspire us to
Thank God for All That and a Bag of Chips

(find more Family Adventures here)

Why The Size of Your Platform Doesn't Matter

I wrote a song once

recorded it

sang it

online

(and was later asked)

about the size

of my platform

Because... really?

how many of "us" are

holding up

holding back

holding in

our "good stuff"

in order to save it for 

a larger audience 

a larger platform

a larger stage

forgetting (and/or failing to believe or comprehend) that

"tomorrow is really not promised"

and that the beautiful 

truth of the matter

is that 

God is listening.

He hears

and there is absolutely... 

no bigger stage

than His audience of One

(originally posted 10/20/2018)

The Bag You Choose to Carry

She brought me three new handbags, and said...

"Please toss your other one away now"

and

I laughed

out loud

because she was right

the bag I carried was

rough

ragged

worn

(and very symbolic of)

how my life 

was feeling at the time

and I realized that...

we all carry some type

of

bag

bags

baggage

(because we all have)

stuff that we carry with us

as we traverse through life

(and sometimes)

it appears as if we're

just looking for a

functional

practical

stylish

way to

package

handle

hold

everything 

until we reach

our destination

the place

where we 

can finally 

set down all of our bags

Let's unpack our bags

Your'e Invited to a Gratitude and Grace Space

The invitation is sent

The table is set

so come on in

take a seat

and

prepare your heart

for

conversation

connection

conversion

because you're invited to...

Encouragement. Conversation. Song.

One Hundred Days of Grace

March 1- June 8

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Three Things For Your (Solo) Autumn Picnic

 I am grateful for 

the lessons in this season...

new opportunities to

learn

grow

heal

by

slowing down

being mindful

being present

and

taking in the beauty 

of where I am

(while I am there)

And no matter how mindful I feel I am becoming, 

I am constantly reminded of how much I still miss...

because although I've passed this way many times

it was not until more recently that I discovered

a resting place that I had never noticed

    

so...

I've slowed down

considerably

(again)

grateful

to just sit

and sip

my warm morning beverage

      

I found joy in the simple packing

of only three things...

-a Blanket

-a Beverage

-a Book

What's in your Autumn

picnic basket?

(sharing here today)

Maintaining a "Socially Distant" Mindset

One of the greatest revelations
during the COVID-19 pandemic

(and subsequent quarantine)

was

"You cannot control

other people"

and although

their lifestyles
their practices
their belief systems

may adversely affect you
those things are independently theirs

and even if you are the most careful
some things are beyond your control

so

(unless you are planning to

go completely "off the grid")

you must learn to navigate this world
with the people living in it with you

--------------------------------

Here are some things to consider:

Minimize contact

"If you don't need

to go out, don't!"

1. Find joy in the simple pleasures

found right at home, instead...

-Prepare home cooked meals

-Backyard BBQ's

-Indoor picnics

2. Enjoy time together with...

-Family Game Night

-Movie Night

-Spa Day

3. Stay connected with...

-Virtual meetings/ gatherings

-Drive by and wave parties/parades

-Text, calls, social media platforms

--------------------

Healthy practices

and lifestyle choices

-Wash your hands

and

WEAR YOUR MASK!

-Exercise and take control

of your eating habits

-Pray and meditate, 

and read your Bible

--------------------

Maintain Social

"Distancing"

(and tighten your circle)

because

now is a good time to practice

what you've always known...

Everyone doesn't warrant 

personal physical contact 

(or "access" to you)

Sorry, not sorry!

What is your Fall/Winter mindset?

Exploring Art and Culture (Native American Heritage)

Our exploration of art and culture
has provided the amazing opportunity

to... 

learn about

celebrate

share

our similarities

our differences

our cultures

and November gives us pause
to acknowledge how it all began...

Native American Heritage Month

"Certain things may catch your eye, but

pursue only those that capture the heart"

-Native Proverb

Follow the link to find more

books and resources

Children's books and hands-on activities

will engage even your youngest learners

The Gathering Drum

The leader sounds the gathering drum

strong and steady

to 

summons the tribe

lead the ritual preparation

and initiate storytelling for oral tradition

"Throw me to the wolves and

I will return leading the pack"

-Native Proverb

(find more Art and Culture here)