Fresh On Friday ~ Worry Not..

Worry

God knows that we worry,

and with that knowledge He give us a better way!

"Spend some time with me"

Then Jesus said, "Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden

 you have been forced to carry.

  I will give you rest.

Accept my teaching. Learn form me. I am gentle and humble in spirit.

And you will be able to get some rest.

Yes, the teaching that I ask you to accept is easy.

The load I give you to carry is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

God does care about all the daily stuff that brings us worry.

He is never too busy to be bothered.

Ask, then trust Him to provide

just what you need....

Have a great weekend bloggers...

I'm off for a weekend of team buliding

with our Women's Ministry Team :-)

I encourage you to worry not...it changes nothing.

Encourage someone today....its' what echos from my heart today..

This One Time On NightCrest Cirlcle ~ Friendship

I was going through some old photos of days long past...

14 years ago to be exact (say it isn't so!).

When Bob and I first married we lived in Temecula, on a really nice

cul-de-sac. We spent almost every weekend hanging out with the six households to the 

left of us....basically the entire end of the cul-de-sac.

We were younger, so much younger then...we had some great times.

Eventually we moved back to San Diego, another couple sold and moved to WA., 

another to Colorado, one to nearby Murrieta and yet another to Scotland.

I looked at the sudden departures as, time to move forward,
 our friendships strong enough to endure the painful separation. 

 We had a farewell dinner at our home and it was an evening of mixed emotions, to be sure. 

 Trying to focus on the great times we've had, with the reality of

living in different states/cites throbbing in our hearts like a sore thumb would...

We survived, kept in touch and still have the memories.

Real friendships survive the years,

and never leave our hearts.

My younger sister lived just around the corner back then, that was nice!

Below, a shot of myself, my friend Missi and my sister Dona on a safe Harely Ride...

safe = sitting still, parked in the garage -)

Below at the Mira Mar Airshow together....

Many Halloween Parties

 We gathered at someones place every weekend, so many laughs....

 New Years Eve was no exception ...

 Of course there was dancing!

 Below our limo to the Jimmy Buffett concert,

 we spent more time with the party than the actual

concert...times have certainly changed :-)

Each, was a weekend celebration to be sure... I miss them all so much, 

and we do keep in touch!

I think it was good we all went our separate ways, it was time :-)

Each so special to me still.

We all made changes, and continue to be there for each other, still.

Miles don't change the hearts.....

Oh how I will always love these dear friends,

from the hood..... (grin)

~

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way -

Charles Dickens ~ A Tale of Two Cites

in this case, One City....
maybe not just as in the Dickens story,
but what a tale it was.... :-)

Enjoying the memories, it's what echos from my heart today....

Hodgepodge Wednesday ~ News, Memories, New Beginings

1. What news story are you following right now?
    Pastor Saeed who is imprisoned for his faith in Iran.. very sad that our country isn't doing more
    to help free him..He is married and has young children...surely if he were family to our President we may be doing something ?


2. What's the last thing you wanted but didn't get?
    That would be our usual vacation, plans have changed due to the unscheduled trip to Florida 
     for 33days when our son Joseph was hospitalized. Glad to forfeit a vacation so a Father could
     be with his son :-)
      
3. May 28th is National Hamburger Day...when did you last have a hamburger? Other than your own kitchen or BBQ grill, where is your favorite place to go for a hamburger? And for all you non-meat eaters out there...when you're invited to a cookout what is the one side dish you hope is on the menu?
      Well I haven't had a traditional burger since February when I started dieting.  Instead I have a 
      protein style burger at In-N-Out..burger less the bun, it's just wrapped in lettuce. Surprised, I don't
      miss the bun at all! If I wanted to avoid meat at a cookout, I would hope for beans of some kind, 
       and deviled eggs couldn't hurt!


4. How have your priorities changed over time?
    I think I've started to think more about how I spend my time. I want to make it count every day, I mostly want it spent with friends and family...I appreciated everything much more than I ever have.

5. What's a favorite memory with your grandparents?
     My favorite memory of my Dad's parents is when we visited them in the Ozarks. I was little and 
    three things stood out.  One, we bathed in a tub of rain water on the porch...the potty was an    
    outhouse! They had a party line shared with three other households.  I enjoyed frog legs for the
    first time, that my Uncle caught that day!!

6. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being fantastic!), how good are you at multitasking? Share an example.
    I would give myself and 8....My favorite feeling of accomplishing a lot at once is having clothes in the wash, dishes in the washer, while doing my morning stuff, bed making, and my morning devotional time. I guess machines are doing the work, but I tell them when!  :-)

7. How would you summarize your highs and lows for the month of May?
   May has been a good but fast month! A successful Single Mom's Brunch at our church, hubby and I
   have had many enjoyable days out back, our first trip to the beach, a visit from both of my sisters,
   reconnecting with friends for dinner, a super fun book club celebration.  The only low would be the
   fires...forever grateful we were all so well protected by our firefighters!!


8.  Insert your own random thought here.
     I'm getting very excited about my niece Amber's wedding on June 1st! Reading her daily posts 
    about her excitement, her love for her soon to be husband has been so heart warming for me.She's
    a sweet girl who is happy with the simple pleasures in life. I'm looking forward to seeing her grow 
    as a wife and mother, always putting them first.  I'm so proud of her and I know my parents 
    would be too..... This special day will have a post of its own very soon!!

On Self Promotion....

It's such a bummer for me to hear someone "self promote".

Especially those who are Christians.
Why the need to tell others what you've done?
I know it's not an original phrase but,
can't you just do it?

Let's face it nobody did more "awesome" things than Jesus.

He set the example, suppose we follow it?

I'm reading Love Does, by  Bob Goff

Really a great read.

In one chapter he speaks to the fact that whenever Jesus did something great, 

you know, like perform a miracle....He always said "tell no one."

Bob Goff says,

"In a world driven by self-promotion and spin, Jesus molded something different for us. 

 Jesus was saying that instead of telling people about what we're doing all the time,

 there's a better way.

One that doesn't require any capes (like superheros wear) that can get snagged on something--something like ourselves.

Maybe Jesus wants us to be secretly incredible instead.

That was His plan for self-promotion.  

Secretly incredible people keep what they do one of God's best-kept secrets,

 because the only one who needs to know,

 the God of the universe, 

already knows."

~

So rather than talk about it,

just be
secretly awesome.

"Be Awesome"

Bob Goff

Don't you love it!

Be secretly awesome ~ It's what echos from my heart today.

Monday Minute ~ A Change is Coming!

A new project has begun.

Re vamping the back yard..

We have so far removed a Queen Palm,

it's a small back yard and it housed three of them.

It was a sad morning the day it left us...it was such a beautiful tree.

Hubsitr spent the better part of two days removing the roots,

they have a nasty root system.....

Ground is leveled and grass seed went in on Sunday.

We have lots of color back there....but my favorite are the reds!

I had a can of red spray paint that I may have gone a little crazy with...

 ..a love of fat little birds I do!

This pear was grey...it just had to be red (grin).

 Love this little bird perched in the flowers.....

 The newly seeded area below where my beautiful 25ft. palm used to live.....

Yep things will be changing, and I'm exited.

After our home addition we initially mourned the loss of backyard...

it only took a few weeks of yard work

to learn that we love our space...and thankful for it size :-)

Stay tuned.

~

Remembering those who gave their lives for our freedom...

Regardless of your life situation today...

Don't take a moment of this life for granted!!

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

Fresh on Friday !

 I used to worry about people believing things that weren't true

about me.

Someone cared enough to tell me,

"To thine own self be true"

~

It meant the world and changed everything.

I just needed to do the right thing,

live in away that would please God....

and 

it would all work out....

Encourage someone !

Thankful for all have have served our country, it's what echos from my heart today.

HodgePodge Wednesday ~ Thoughts and Fears and Reading

1. Under what circumstances do you do your best thinking?

When it's quiet, and I'm outdoors.
Or when folding clothes, which I call therapy....

2. Are you a risk taker? What's one big risk you've taken?

I suppose I am. I believe most choices we make have an element of risk involved.

Nothing ventured nothing gained?

My back surgery was a risk..went into it knowing it may or may not help. It didn't help

but I lost nothing for trying :-)

3. Some of the most common phobias according to the National Institute for Mental Health are-fear of spiders (arachnaphobia), snakes (ophidiophobia), heights (acrophobia), fear of spaces from which escape is difficult (agoraphobia), fear of thunder and lightening (astrophobia), fear of dogs (cynophobia), injections (trypanophobia), social situations, flying (pteromerhanophobia) and fear of germs and dirt (mysophobia). True phobias affect only about 10% of adults, but of those listed which would you rate as your greatest fear?

For sure the fear of flying...and yes, I know that the likely hood of car accidents are greater.

 I say two things to that.

 1- chances of surviving a plane crash slim to none, versus odds of surviving a car accident.

2- If a plane is going down...I can't imagine the horror of the seconds prior to doing so...

where in a car it generally happens faster than you have time to consider.

Yet....I am flying more than I had in the past 20 years!


4. Are you settled or do you feel the need to move somewhere new?

I am so settled and I love it. I love my home and my community.

5. What is something you find annoying when dining in a restaurant?

Without a thought, people talking on their cell phones!!!

6. Daffodil yellow, sunset orange, spring green, or sky blue...your favorite color this time of year?

Daffodil Yellow, it screams spring and summer to me:-)

It's a bright cheerful color...

7. If you were going to take a holiday all by yourself, where would you go?

Probably a beach house, with a private deck....

I would stare at the waves, I would bask in the sun, I would write,

I would enjoy my morning coffee while it's still early enough that only I and the Sea Gulls are present.

I would look forward to every sunset ~ and continue to be amazed with our Creator.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

According to Amazon.com
San Diego is the most well read cities of those with 1M population.
This based on book, magazine and newspaper sells.
Happy to share this tidbit since my Gal Pal Book Club meets Friday...
anxious to share our thoughts on the book
 that CiCi at
 

http://www.ciciscorner.com/

 

 recommended,

The All Girl's Filling Station Last Reunion 
by Fannie Flagg

CiCi being a Southern gal....I totally get now why she loved it.
Check out her blog, you will love her!
Thanks sweet CiCi  :-)

Happy to be mid week fire free :-)
It's what echos from my heart today..

Monday Minute ~ Weekend Exhale

Believe it or not, Fires are under control, many are contained.

The photo below is a local San Marcos Firefighter who took this selfie

and the photo has gone viral!

Word can't express how thankful we are to all of the firefighters that worked on our 

San Marcos Fire, 1,000 in all!

Those who run toward the danger as we run from it.

Heroes everyone of them!!

Saturday we headed for fresh air and family at the beach.

Yes after a tough smokey week a beach day was much appreciated.

Hope your weekend was a dandy too!

Grateful for clear skies, it's what echos from my heart today...

Fresh on Friday ~ Encouragement from Namaw

The most important thing I can do as a Namaw, 

is to pray for my Grandchildren

When I'm not praying for them,

I hope to be a constant source of encouragement to them.

~

My favorite person currently to encourage is our Sweet Beans (Khloe)

She is a perfectionist,

though I remind her everything doesn't have to be so.

She wants to get it right the first time,

I remind her to continue to try, that she can do it!

I love to hear, " I did it Namaw! " once she does.

I encourage her to be obedient, (lots of encouraging here of late) :-)

Evident in this photo showing some "personality"?

I encourage her to be kind and gentle.

To show love to everyone, and to use nice talk.

I remind her that she will make lots of friends in pre-school, 

and it's important to treat others with kindness.

I believe I am called to encourage.  I may not be the best at it

but I continue to try and do so with others.

If I consider all the ways God encourages me in His Word, 

I can use those same lessons to encourage others.

For whatever things were written before

 were written for our learning, that 

we.....might have hope.

                               - Romans 15:4

Someone in your circle may need an encouraging word today,

I hope your the one :-)

Encouraging you to encourage others so that they might have hope,
 it's what echos from my heart today.

Hot, dry and Wild Fires ~

Our day started out with us having three fires burning.

As we approached the dinner hour, there were nine fires burning in

San Diego County.

The most significant fire still burning is the Cocos fire which

is burning here in San Marcos where I live.

Has burned over 700 acres thus far, with no containment.

Below is a photo I saw online that someone took from a Southwest flight, 

showing three plumes of smoke.

We have our Santa Ana wind conditions which is the strong hot winds from the east

blowing west...1% humidity high temps, yesterday 101.

As I glanced out my window after dinner I noticed a crowed gathering in our street.

Curious I went out to see what was happening.

This is what we saw.

To our surprise a fire  next to the university...

1.12 miles as the crow flies from us.....

Today the winds have died down however they are expected to increase as the afternoon nears,

the good news not as strong as yesterday.

We were witness to the big DC10 plane that drops fire retardant and or water that covers a large area at a time, it was super helpful in our San Marcos fire.

I just heard the military is sending 10 helicopters to do water drops today as well.

They do so much more for us than people know, right?

Thousands of people have been evacuated from there homes, schools in four cites have been closed

for today and some for tomorrow as well.

Below you may be able to make out the white plane doing a water drop.

Watching live footage on television as you can imagine is beyond belief.  One gets a clear picture

of the danger firefighters put themselves in, to protect us and our properties. Truly some amazing sites to see, yet very heart breaking to watch someones home up in flames.

I wake this morning to a visible layer of smoke...indicator I'm indoors again today.

These old lungs can't take this smoke to be sure!

Keep our firefighters in your prayers, as well has all who have lost their homes due to these

fires....life is precious isn't it?

Those who have lost their homes, they echo from my heart today.

Hodgepodge Wednesday ~ imagine

1. It's still May, right? When were you last in the middle of something that might be described as mayhem?
I'm sure there must be something but can't think of a thing?
I suppose that is a good thing!

2. When did you last feel dismayed?
I am forever dismayed at adult children who take advantage of a parent or parents.

Who turn to their  parents when they need something or someone, 

but haven't the time for them otherwise.

I just don't get it.

These must be the same people that don't realize their parents could be gone in an instant. 

Exodus 20:12

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

3. What's a food combination you like, but other people may find strange?
Spaghetti with Chili on top.... first thing I ever made, recipe straight out of my Brownie Handbook.

4. "It is never too late to be what you might have been." Do you think that's true? Why or why not?
I believe I am just who I was suppose to be, a wife, Mother, Grandmother and friend...can't think
of a higher position than that for myself. 
Doing them well is always the goal ~

5. US News and World Report listed the best historic destinations in the US as follows-Washington D.C, Philadelphia PA, Williamsburg VA, Charleston SC, Boston MA, Richmnd VA, Savannah, GA, Santa Fe NM, Yellowstone, San Antonio TX, San Francisco CA, New Orleans LA, and Charlottesville VA.
Of those listed how many have you seen in person? Which two sites on the list would you most like to see in person?
I have been to D.C., Philadelphia, Santa Fe, Yellowstone and San Francisco.
I would love to see New Orleans (Not during Mardi Gras)  and Boston.

6. May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. If you had to participate in a single fitness activity for the next half hour, which activity would you choose?
Walking in the great outdoors.

7. What did you like best about the city, town, or neighborhood where you grew up?
It was near the beach, and everyone knew everyone in our neighborhood.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
 Yesterday was the two year anniversary of my Mom going to heaven.
What she has now,
a healthy body and mind, perfect peace, no sorrow no pain no worries.
An eternity of wanting for nothing..
A life with her creator, I can only imagine.

Please keep So. California firefighters in you prayers,
and hope this is over soon!

Love to try and imagine, it's what echos in my heart today..

Monday Minute ~A Heart for Single Mom's and Military Wives

Saturday I was part of a team that organized a breakfast for the single

Mothers and Military wives from my church.

It is an annual event I have always been part of since attending my church.

Being one that was a single parent for a time, I know the challenges these women face.

We pamper them, hopefully they felt that :-)

My planning partners, love them!

Just some photos of our morning.

Did I mention my sister Deanna was our speaker?

She was amazing :-)

The theme was "Better than a Bird" 

Matthew 6:26  

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Psalm 68:5

 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
    is God in his holy dwelling.

Letting these Mom's know they belong to a church that loves them,

that they are better than a bird!

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