A Cup of Encouragement ~

Fresh on Friday ~

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. 

Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.

 For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV)

Regardless of where you are today in this life,

it is temporary. We all know it can change in an instant. 

Life can disappoint and people can disappoint. 

One thing remains constant,

God.

His love for us, His Word

Never changes.....

I encourage you to set with that thought today... 

what is unseen is eternal....

Hoping you will offer someone a cup of encouragement fresh on this Friday!

it's what echos from my heart today........

 

Rain Has Arrived!

Rain.......

As I sit here at this early hour of the morning sipping my coffee,

yes, I do believe it has just begun to rain.

A much needed rain for us in Southern California.

So thankful for any rain we are about to receive, reports indicate that

it will be a large amount over the next several days.

Lord, let that Doppler Radar be accurate this one time!

Rain washes away the unlovely.

The dirt and grime that gathers over time, somehow unnoitced by the 

ones carrying it's weight....

until the rain comes.

If we look we can see it leaving us... often times leaving us 

surprised it was there at all.

~

If we stand before God and allow the needed cleansing,

all will be washed away.

  Leaving us to start fresh again.

Clean.

Free from the dirt, the unlovely,

the past that continually gathers, clings to us.

Lord help us to be aware of what we have allowed to

grab on to us and take hold and travel into our tomorrows.

As the rains come let it be a reminder that we can't live

this life carrying all the crud along with us.

Let it run off,

purpose to release it,  leaving us clean again,

to start every day brand new.

Let it rain......it's what echos in my heart today....

Another Hodgepodge Wednesday ~

1. What is something you'll never forget about the age you are right now  ?

     That I still have work to do.  Work at being a better me so I can be a better person toward others.

2. What's a household chore you've never done? How have you managed that???
    I have never changed my smoke alarm batteries...Hubby job :-) But I have changed the guts of a toilet!

3. Does nature shape our personalities more than nurture? Explain?
     I would say it must do a little of both but to a point. I think we are born with our personalities...I trust this could be a very controversial question and the answer is different for each individual even if brought up in the same environment.

4. Friday (February 28th) is 'Something on a Stick Day'...funny because Zoanna over at A Penchant for Pens recently sent me an idea for a question relating to this topic. What's your favorite food eaten on a stick?

 Love a good Corn dog with mustard....it's been a long time....

5. Which of your five senses do you treasure most, and why?
     My eye sight without another thought!  So much beauty in the world, and then....there's grand kids :-)

6. What's the best music, theater, or sporting venue you've been to? What made it great?
     Groms Chinese Theater in Hollywood, I saw The Jungle Book there as a kid. It was just a beautiful     .

     theater.

7. It's the last week of the month...in five words or less bid adieu to your February.

   Priceless time nurturing Friendships!

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

 Here in San Diego all plant life is very confused due to our "summer winter" ...still have tomatoes growing, and many flowers on them? Happy to see some of my spring flowers popping up...the season of new is fast approaching!  ALERT!! Bathing suit weather is also fast approaching....drat.

Prayer request...
Yesterday afternoon our son Joseph was in a motorcycle accident in Florida.
He had surgery late in the day, and is now in Trauma ICU.  He had many abdominal injuries, fractured
arm and some yet to be determined issues. Due to swelling they had to leave him open and are hoping to
go back to surgery tomorrow.  Please keep him, his family and the medial staff in your prayers.
Trusting God ....is what echos in my heart today.

A Monday Minute !

It seems on Monday's I have but a minute to take time to blog,

I'm not sure why it's that way on Monday but it is :-)

Our weekend with friends was really super fun, they are very special to us.

We shared meals, watched my Dale Jr. win the Daytona 500 and had 

several hours sitting out back in our summer weather.....listening to music while catching up.

Khoe and Ellery stop by for a visit :-)

I was off kilter a bit this weekend....

I broke two glasses, one of my china saucers and took a chunk out 

of my finger when I was suppose to be slicing my candid papaya...

Back on  Prednisone today as my antibiotics didn't complete the fix

on their own...nowadays catching a cold and recovering is a lenthy process

to say the least...

We had the honor of praying for some friends  going through a difficult time over the weekend,

God is good and we are so thankful!

Carry each other's burdens, 

and in this way you will

fulfill the Law

of Christ.

Galatians 6:2, NIV

Another weekend with great friends, echo from my heart today.....

What's on the Menu ?

Fresh for Friday

It's the weekend!

Hmm...broccoli, onion and ice cream sandwich?

Maybe not.

We have our good friends coming to visit, it's a big weekend!!

Sunday is

 DAYTONA 

I might be doing the happy dance!!!

Enjoy your weekend, 

Lets go racing boogity, boogity, boogity!

A visit from good friends are what echo from my heart today...

The Five Love Languages ~

Well, if you can believe it the original book The 5 Love Languages, 

by Gary Chapman  was published in 1992

and I have just read it for the first time.

I have to say upon completing it I was wishing I had read it long ago.

The main point is that we all speak different love languages and rarely do couples

speak the same language.

The five languages are Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts,

Acts of service and Physical Touch.

As an example, if you are always doing little things for your spouse and their

love language is Words of Affirmation...well, then their love tank is likely low.

You may say, how can they not feel loved when I do all these things that

 should make it clear that I love them?   

 Fact is, to fill their particular love tank they need to hear 

affirming words from you more than you doing things for them.

It's not that the things you do aren't appreciated, 

it's just not what speaks LOVE to them.

If there is someone who hasn't read this book I highly recommend it... or 

if you have read it but never put it to the test!

If you aren't receiving what you need from your spouse, it is very likely

 he or she is not receiving what they need either.

This book with allow you to find your love language and your spouse theirs.

Once you know it...well, the book carries this warning;

Warning: Understanding the five love languages and learning to 

speak the primary love language of your spouse may radically

 affect his or her behavior. 

People behave differently when their emotional love tanks are full.

~

If we were to discover those languages and put them to use, I really don't see

how things could not help but change for the better.

Invest in your relationship, buy the book  :-)

Little bit of love stuff, it's what echos from my heart today....

Hodgepodge Wednesday ~ Grands

1. What's the biggest change since your childhood in the way people think or act?
  When I was a child God and the Bible were respected, even by those who were not Christians....not so much anymore.  People were not concerned about being politically correct...oh I miss that!

   2. The Olympic Biathlon involves cross country skiing broken up with either two or four rounds of target shooting. Which part of that would stress you out more? Or would you love them both equally?
We were told not to run with scissors so I can't understand walking fast on ski's with a gun on my back?


3. February is National Canned Food Month...what is your most often purchased canned food item?  What was in the last can you opened?
 Rotel chiles can be added to so many things....last can I opened was refried beans.

4. What river (anywhere in the world) would you most like to cruise?
     I was married on the rivers edge of the Gallatin River in Montana and I have always wanted to river raft it.

5. It's the middle of the night and you can't sleep...what do you do? Count sheep? Toss and turn? Watch television? Or do you get up and do something productive?
I generally start praying for others, the list is long, eventually I fall asleep.


6. How important is keeping your cool?
    VERY...though I fail at this from time to time....I see it as a sign of immaturity when someone loses their cool easily. 
 
7. I've got white stuff on the brain so why not run with it? White lie, wave the white flag, white knuckle it, white wash a situation, or white as a sheet...which phrase could most recently apply to your own life in some way?
Hmmm...I think maybe white knuckle it... I'm a nervous passenger ...

8. Insert your own random thought here. 
    Grand kids fill me up!

When Dreams Blend Into Reality ~

Tuesday started very early for me today.

It was 2:00 A.M when the chirping started,

are you kidding me, I thought. I suppose it would have been wise

to change the batteries in the smoke alarm Jan. 1 as "they" suggest.

I tried to sleep through it...it wasn't happening.  Bob was sleeping in the guest room

so my coughing didn't keep him awake.  I decided I would stagger out to the living room and 

sleep what's left of my morning on the couch.  Pillow and blanket in hand I almost get to the 

couch and the chirping!  Apparently the alarm nearest the living room is ready for new life as well. 

Back to bed I went...one pillow under my head one on top to silence the chirp. When unable

to sleep I do the usual, start praying for people I've got on my radar for prayer, before you know it....

~

I'm walking down the road and come upon and abandoned makeshift boat...

dry docked on a bed of boulders. I make my way up the rocks and find myself "on board". 

I look around and realize I'm looking down a beautiful valley to the waters far below.

I hear the birds faintly chirping....

Then I hear, "hey, off that boat, we aren't ready to use it yet!"

Ummm....it was Moses coming down a long driveway toward me.

~

Next thing I remember is a bright light (heaven bound?)....

The chirping is louder and I sense I'm not alone....

I began to come to my senses and lift the edge of the top pillow....

there is a naked fireman on a ladder in my room attempting to save the birdie (stop the chirping)

not a pair of suspenders in sight!!

You weren't expecting a photo of the fireman were you?

Awake now, I know the hubstir fresh out of the shower has come to my rescue.

I remember thanking him a couple of times, so very thankful for the dead bird removal of the alarm.

As I drift back asleep I recall thinking,

Moses, you won't be needing that boat, you'll be parting that there sea!

I know.....but it's how it happened.......

An early Tuesday morning is what echos from my heart today....

Friendship is a Treasure ~

This last weekend was our Dinner Group at our home.

We meet every other month and take turns hosting.

I love that we always get February, 

the love month :-)

I love these people, they are family to me.

There are five couples total.

My favorite thing is setting my table......,

Party favors, soaps and book marks for the gals, a giant chocolate kiss for the men..

Us four and one missing worked at the same company years ago....
only one is still employed there, ....but we carry on as if :-)

It wasn't the same with out Reba and Jerry and Joe....
which reminded me of a song from my youth....

"Lean On Me"

Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain, we all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow

Lean on me when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on

Please, swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you won't let show

You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

Lean on me when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on

You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

If there is a load
You have to bear that you can't carry
I'm right up the road, I'll share your load
If you just call me

Call me (If you need a friend)
Call me (Call me uh-huh)
Call me (When you need a friend)
Call me (If you ever need a friend)
Call me (Call me)
Call me

I do believe it's a love song....

Friendship, it's what echos from my heart today.

A Strand of Four ~

Returned home yesterday from my Vegas trip with the Core four :-)

Loved our little guard dog waiting for us in our room.

My sister Deanna came with room decor of hearts...

perfect for this cousin weekend.

Dona Dee, Shelly and Deanna below....on our way to our first show.

So keeping in the Four theme.....we loved the Jersey Boys

a.k.a Four Seasons! Highly recommend this show, sure to take you back

in time to the days of our youth.

Paris (of course)

Fountains at The Bellagio

Dona Dee and Shelly went to the grocery store :-)

 This Ferris Wheel outside our hotel, each bubble is capable of holding thirty people?

Pass.....

Caught the reflection of the Ferris Wheel in our hotel window...

Year of the horse!

Beautiful work of art at the registration desk at the Bellagio...

 Below photos of the garden at the Bellagio Hotel

It was so beautiful....

We soon learned anyone can rent a costume and walk the streets to make money.

Stop for a photo with them and they expect payment, I chose to be paparazzi instead....

Dona, myself and Shelly, they were dubbed the sweet cousins :-)

We had to hit one mall....

 Below is the inside of the mall.  On the half hour the sky darkens

and thunder rolls as rain falls from above into the creek below.

It was a great excuse to sit outside Ben and Jerry's with ice cream 

as we waited for the rain.....

Hello Kitty lives in Las Vegas.....

Our second night we got tickets to Cirque Du Sole', Love.

That would be the Fab Four, The Beatles. 

This show over stimulates the brain from start to finish.

 Lots going on, amazing acrobatics and choreography..

the music isn't bad either! :-) 

The $5.00 bottle of water was over rated...

thanks Shelly!

After the show we stopped at Margaritaville for a bite to eat

and a couple frozen Margaritas ! 

This young man making balloons was so entertaining, he had us laughing

from start to finish! 

 Funny story, he put mine on my head before I could see what it was.

I kept asking my cousin Shelly (over loud music) "what is it?"

And she kept saying, " OMG"  and I kept asking, "but what is it?"

Maybe you had to be there...it was funny at the time :-)

My cousins and sister enjoying a little dancing with the nicest, funniest

young men in the place...I was very entertained.

 Deanna and I being goofy.....

 The candy store at the Beligio...oh my......

Chocolate's dripping from the ceiling!!

 Dinner out on our last night at Lawery's Prime Rib ~

Our adorable waitress Ms. O'Brian making the house Spinning Salad...she is 

drizzling the dressing into the spinning bowl in this photo...

For those that watch Downtown Abby....this set off some speaking with

English accents for the next couple of hours :-) 

Below is how they serve your meal...the chef brings the Prime rib and the sides in this cart.

  Cuts your meat as you order... four  cuts to choose from...

Four Desserts were chosen :-) 

Below the hot fudge sundae (I announced I would not be sharing)

Deanna's Creme bulee'

Shelly's Toffee Pie 

Dona's Key lime pie....

We couldn't get over the fact we were all together, and had all this time to visit.  We had great talks everyday, more laughs than we ever imagined!  Deanna had a little theme going of Keep Calm, every morning and evening, a time meant to encourage, and it did. We each had a swag bag that she provided with something new to add to it twice a day!  Keep Calm and Shine On journals, Keep Calm and eat cupcake Pink coffee mugs, just to name a couple items.

We sensed this was going to become an annual thing, and we have decided on San Luis Obispo for 2015!

I'm already looking forward to it! 

I returned home with an even stronger love for each, and an even stronger awareness as to the importance of strong family bonds, a four core strand in this case.

Blessed, incredibly blessed is what echos from my heart today....