Monday, December 28, 2020

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...


-----------------------------------  

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

Friday, December 25, 2020

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)

Monday, December 14, 2020

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 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)

Friday, December 11, 2020

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)

Friday, December 4, 2020

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.

March 1- June 8

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Friday, November 27, 2020

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)

Monday, November 9, 2020

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?

Sunday, November 1, 2020

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


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)