Roses on my table

Last night, these came in the door with H, hidden sneakily behind his back.

I cracked up when he showed me a reminder post-it in his wallet 'buy her flowers'
What a guy - these are my favorite color roses in the world and he is my favorite guy in the world.

You go, girl

Did you see this? and what he thought? ("praising her in the gates"?)

Until my eyes adjust, dim the daylight

It's strange to wake into a bright day, so early in the morning. Suddenly, overnight, 6:25am looks like 9am. I don't know if I am gong to handle this very well, especially when darkness falls earlier. But such is the winter.

Yesterday, on the way home from fellowship we saw the amazing efforts of a pro-life rally on both sides of a very busy and main road connecting two freeways together. It was so neat to see people of all ages take a stand against abortion (I saw several families too - such a neat testimony). Signs such as "Abortion Kills Children", "Abortion Hurts Women", & "God, Please Forgive Our Nation" alternated down a long stretch. We honked and waved our hands, gave thumbs up and praised God for His work in the hearts of many people here.

When light turns mellow and warm, gentle silhouettes stretch out

Having had a few days of gorgeous weather here, we decided to go on a picnic last night. I bagged a quick dinner of hoagie bbq chicken sandwiches , some mixed fruit, baby carrots, pretzels and chips, and we headed out to one of our favorite parks (which is set on the perfect sunset-watching hill).

We took a quick hike up, on the paved trail (okay, so its a little bit of a 'yuppie' park) and settled on a large slab of rock pointed to the west. Sun set perfectly, and we had a pleasant, romantic dinner above the busy city below us. Sometimes, the best things in life really are free. :)




We found a castle here










King of the Hill ;)




Lone Watertower




Grande Finale

tumbling into the weekend like my sheets in the dryer

I worked all yesterday - the hours dragged at times, sped at others. I was content to sit at my desk and watch the breezy day go by - it was the first genuinely "Fall" day. I was sad that I had to be inside. Oh well.

Sleeping in this morning helped take away the grumpies (these little buggers have a habit of making their presence known to me. The towel guy at the gym even noticed it yesterday. I am not trying to be mean, really - isn't "I am not a morning person" good enough? Then again, I guess I have quite a confusing way of life - hating mornings, and yet waking up in odd hours to start them.)
Oh well.

I am in the "disinfecting" mood today - I stripped the bedding & shower curtains, and did loads of laundry. The tub is mildew-free & bleached - the floor is polished, mirror is sparkling & you can see your reflection in the countertops. When everything is clean I feel so refreshed.
And now I am about ready to pretty myself to take a pleasure trip to Walmart. Okay, so what's the big deal about that? I rarely get there - maybe that's a good thing. Walmart is where I buy my beauty stuff - I could spend hours in those 6 aisles, honestly. I need a new shower curtain too. I just threw away one that looked dingy and gross.

Anyway. Chattery- doo-dah - gotta go, Walmart is calling me. . . ;)

I'm gonna sleep 'til beads of sunlight hit me in the morning

I never got around to posting notes from BSF lecture this week. . . car trouble on Wednesday made it difficult to get there, so I ended up missing. And now I am missing my daily lessons. My own study will have to do. Curiousity kills me, what do ya'll do for your devotionals/personal quiet time?
Off to clean a castle. The royal fridge has gone rotten.

The sky is falling

BEIJING (Reuters) - Humans are stripping nature at an unprecedented rate and will need two planets' worth of natural resources every year by 2050 on current trends, the WWF conservation group said on Tuesday.

Populations of many species, from fish to mammals, had fallen by about a third from 1970 to 2003 largely because of human threats such as pollution, clearing of forests and overfishing, the group also said in a two-yearly report.

"For more than 20 years we have exceeded the earth's ability to support a consumptive lifestyle that is unsustainable and we cannot afford to continue down this path," WWF Director-General James Leape said, launching the WWF's 2006 Living Planet Report.

"If everyone around the world lived as those in America, we would need five planets to support us," Leape, an American, said in Beijing.

People in the United Arab Emirates were placing most stress per capita on the planet ahead of those in the United States, Finland and Canada, the report said.

Australia was also living well beyond its means.

The average Australian used 6.6 "global" hectares to support their developed lifestyle, ranking behind the United States and Canada, but ahead of the United Kingdom, Russia, China and Japan.

"If the rest of the world led the kind of lifestyles we do here in Australia, we would require three-and-a-half planets to provide the resources we use and to absorb the waste," said Greg Bourne, WWF-Australia chief executive officer.

Everyone would have to change lifestyles -- cutting use of fossil fuels and improving management of everything from farming to fisheries.

"As countries work to improve the well-being of their people, they risk bypassing the goal of sustainability," said Leape, speaking in an energy-efficient building at Beijing's prestigous Tsinghua University.

"It is inevitable that this disconnect will eventually limit the abilities of poor countries to develop and rich countries to maintain their prosperity," he added.

The report said humans' "ecological footprint" -- the demand people place on the natural world -- was 25 percent greater than the planet's annual ability to provide everything from food to energy and recycle all human waste in 2003.

In the previous report, the 2001 overshoot was 21 percent.

"On current projections humanity, will be using two planets' worth of natural resources by 2050 -- if those resources have not run out by then," the latest report said.

"People are turning resources into waste faster than nature can turn waste back into resources."

RISING POPULATION

"Humanity's footprint has more than tripled between 1961 and 2003," it said. Consumption has outpaced a surge in the world's population, to 6.5 billion from 3 billion in 1960. U.N. projections show a surge to 9 billion people around 2050.

It said that the footprint from use of fossil fuels, whose heat-trapping emissions are widely blamed for pushing up world temperatures, was the fastest-growing cause of strain.

Leape said China, home to a fifth of the world's population and whose economy is booming, was making the right move in pledging to reduce its energy consumption by 20 percent over the next five years.

"Much will depend on the decisions made by China, India and other rapidly developing countries," he added.

The WWF report also said that an index tracking 1,300 vetebrate species -- birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals -- showed that populations had fallen for most by about 30 percent because of factors including a loss of habitats to farms.

Among species most under pressure included the swordfish and the South African Cape vulture. Those bucking the trend included rising populations of the Javan rhinoceros and the northern hairy-nosed wombat in Australia.

Reading this made me smirk, I dunno really why, but when I see reports like this, I always am led back to that verse in Matthew about how the Lord "knows the number of hairs on our heads", "we should not worry about today or tomorrow; about what should we eat, or what we shall wear"; "the Lord will not let a sparrow fall apart from His knowledge, how much more He cares for His own!" (all ever so slightly paraphrased).

I also was thinking, that bit about the decrease in reptiles, the vulture and the swordfish - what does man know about the Lord's plan for His creations? Look at the dinosaurs, for instance. By His hand, He put them on the earth and then He took them away. He causes certain species to die off, for reasons that we cannot explain. If He wants to get rid of the South African Cape Vulture, He may by all means do it (vultures are gross anyway).

And by all this, I am not overriding the fact that we are given the earth to till and dominate - we should, but wisely. Yes, conserve, yes - recycle, yes, do whatever is necessary to preserve our resources. But for Pete's sake, trust that the Father will provide, He is a God of abundance & we are still yet to discover the treasures that He has put in this earth for us.

Sometimes, you just have to laugh :)

The strength of the tree begins in the roots

I am feeling a litrtle sapped and rushed this morning, but a hot cup of coffee and time in my 'garden' will help calm me down a bit.
Yesterday was a blur it seems. Work, discovering my car was having some issues, and a quick car swap with my mom. Thank goodness for family. We got my car to the mechanic, and I am borrowing my mom's for the day. I am again, just grateful that everything worked out. We are hoping that my car isn't too bad but we'll see.

Ah, I am hearing some rain outside my window - lovely fall rain.

Numbers 24:5-6
5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!

6As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.

Oh to be 7 again . . .

I'd sit all day in a window seat and daydream

Loveliness

Well, here it is, new blog design by Susie @ Bluebird Blogs.
Didn't she do a lovely job? I am amazed at every blog design that she does - so creative, so unique and so, so, lovely! I told her that I wanted to create a "garden respite" for myself online and she made it magical!!! She is worth the wait, and her prices are still very reasonable!

High, higher, highest

This is my cute picture of the day - I love the one wrapped around the back the best - looks like he's hanging on for dear life, like I often feel! :)

By Faith, Not Sight

Getting behind in my BSF lessons is sometimes rather overwhelming. I feel like I have to rush through answering the questions so that I can land on the right day again. Today was refreshing though - only 2 lessons behind, and this week was so heartwarming. In particular, one question cited Hebrews 11 and instructed to write down what each person did by faith.

4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

24By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

I love this passage. I remember 6 years ago now, when mom brought this passage to light for me (verse 8, more specifically). We were on our way to Texas, mom, my little sister and me, crammed in a car full of our life, leaving the home we had known forever - leaving California behind us, to the strange land of Texas. Mom was getting re-married, and so everything was changing around us, even our family structure. It was so hard at the time - I was not a happy camper at all.

Barely 2 hours out, we all started to cry as we were leaving familiarity. We were losing sight of well-known landmarks and posts. We couldn't see our ocean anymore. We sang Michael Card's "I Will Be Your Home", and were soothed by the peace the Lord gave us. Mom said we were like Abraham, who followed the Lord's call and went out obediently, without fear, but with faith. He went to a land he did not know, and the Lord blessed him so abundantly.
Mom touched on a sweet promise when she said that - for I look on it with joy, these years later and I cannot imagine what life would be like now if we had not gone into a 'new land'. Would I have gone to college? Would I have met my spouse?, etc, ect. . .

I admit, these blessings were not easily come by, but I am so thankful to the Lord that He took me kicking and screaming.

In Him, I am at rest; He is my peace, my comfort.

And He is My Home.

Smothered in peace, brimming with joy, contentedly sleepy

Having spent a while at my parents, in fellowship and light feasting.
Late celebrations of H's birthday, coloring in Disney princess books with my mother and my friend visiting from CA this weekend. . . (coloring? AT 24??? Absurd? Nah ;) ever seen an age limit printed on a crayon box? This big kid still sometimes gets McD's happy meals *winkity wink*)

So anyway, I am sleepy, tomorrow is the Sabbath, and my hubby is sniffy - must be a nurse to him.

Love to all & to all a good night*

Hubby's 25 :)

Today is Haven's 25th.
Here' a little about my hubby - lemme see if I can get 25 things down here:

1. He is a man of God. I am so thankful for his leadership and humility before our Lord. It really is such a joy to submit to someone who earnestly desires to submit to Christ.

2. He is a great provider - he faithfully works his tail off for us, and for our future. He was a wonderful work ethic and many people have noticed that. I am so proud of him.

3. He makes the best chocolate chip cookies - hands down, to die for. From scratch. At just the right time of month too ;)

4. He has the patience of a saint - which complements me in my weakness.

5. He appreciates details - He loves learning about new things, he loves history, and he always brings to light things that I have passed over or have not noticed. I love this aspect about him.

6. He loves chocolate . . . a lot. (Could a wife ask for more in a husband???)

7. He is such a romantic - He leaves me little notes in nooks and crannies - on my car dash board, on the bathroom mirror, under my pillow, and one time, in the coffee grinder! He also will bring me flowers for no reason, and will whisk me away to dinner out if I have had a bad day. . .

8. He is so handsome. I didn't ever think of myself as looking for a "tall, blond, blue eyed" kind of guy. . . until he stepped in :)

9. He loves his mother - can I get a 'hallelujah' women?! This man loves his mother - need I say anymore? He is not a "momma's boy" either. When we were pre-courting and courting, I saw him interacting with the women in his family on different occasions and knew that he would treat me well from what I saw. Furthering that - he loves his family - a lot and they are all very close-knit, which is so special.

10. He comes from a Dutch heritage - you can tell by his looks especially. What a mix we are, a funny one indeed - Dutch + Portugese/Irish/etc./etc.

11. He is very skilled with his hands - he worked carpentry in college, and did metal roofing last year with A-Lert - he loves to use the gifts that God has given him, and I love that about him. We are looking forward to moving into a house so that he can do some projects.

12. He is not crazy about Texas - sorry folks, we are not really big Texas fans. We are happy and content to be wherever the Lord places us, but what can we say? He hails from Washington (Seattle) and I from California (by-the-sea) - END OF STORY.

13. He loves me - what a guy. That truly takes a lot sometimes. He seeks to know me better each day. He is faithful to me, and desires to make me happy.

14. He is great with kids - I am eager to make him a daddy.

15. He has a servant heart - he really looks to the needs of others above his own. He's quick to help and make everyone feel comfortable.

15. He shares - his chocolate, his money, his ideas, etc. etc.

16. He loves my parents, family and extended family - He sought to please my step-dad when he courted me. He managed to stuff food down even when he told my mom that he was not that hungry. He jokes with my sisters. He endured my brothers. He gets along with my cousins. He chats with my grandmothers, he watched golf and football with my grandpa. He survived the Obera family - wow, he's such a jem -

17. He likes big dogs - there will never be any rat dogs in our house, I can rest assured.

18. He likes to watch chick flicks - with me, and a snack, and a snuggly blanket.

19. He does the dishes for me - sometimes he's insist that I need to stay put. Okay.

20. He loves adventures - we love to explore new places together, he takes new paths and will chart out neat routes for us to take.

21. He does his own laundry - yep. I have never had to do it. I think he just prefers to do his own. Did I mention that he irons his own clothes too? I sometimes do it for him, but he usually does it.

22. He likes to read - all sorts of books; science fiction, historical fiction, books on war, World mag., the paper, etc.

23. He cleans up after himself - and the wife said "hurray!"

24. He is funny - God put a fine sense of humor in that boy, He sure did. He can make me laugh till it hurts.

25. Whew - Now that he is 25, I think our car insurance goes down a little bit.

Happy Birthday Love! You're the best!

Woes

My tummy feels really yucky right now - twisted in knots and gurgling, probably aggravated that I was still sipping some lukewarm coffee. Oh well. Its been a weird morning. I got up somehow and got H out the door. Then I went back to bed for a little bit, musing on weird dreams.
Uggh - I think that have gained weight since we got married, or probably just have gotten out of shape - to me, there's little difference. Course, I am not nearing a scale (oh, how I hate them so) so I am just going by how things are fitting. All my jeans are good - they are quite roomy around the waist, but a few pairs of my dress pants are a little snuggish. Its my fault, cause' I am the one doing the cooking, and I have been very lazy about pilates lately. Add that to not getting the exercise I had in college (course, I didn't have a car, so my feet and my bike were my autos). Its just blah - if I was consistent with pilates, then I would feel better. I am not very motivated right now especially since my tummy hurts.
Life goes on. I'll enroll in boot camp tomorrow next week ;)

It was a dark and rainy night . . .

There was thundering and lightning. Rain from heavens, pouring out mercilessly. It was loud, and exciting. It sent chills up her spine.

And she was happy because she loves Texas thunderstorms.

P.S.

Last night's crock pot din-din was D'lish - I ended up mixing in mashed potatoes and it was more like "chicken stew".

I am eating some leftovers for lunch ;)

In The Word Wednesday, BSF Lesson 6

Last night's lecture brought to surface some things that I have not been dealing with . . . ahem, sins. I love how the Word of God is truly 'sharper than a 2-edged sword' - it cuts into our hearts and pierces us to conviction.
Nancye (and yes, she spells her name with an 'e' at the end) began her lecture with a myriad of verses pointing out when God has interjected to save man.
Genesis 3:8-9, when Adam and Eve tried to hide from God after they had sinned, "But God called out to them, 'where are you'?"
When God caused the flood (and I forgot the specific reference here), "But God remembered Noah".
Genesis 50:20, when Joseph was sold as a slave and was torn from his family by his brothers' cruelty, God caused him to rise up to say to his brothers, "But God intended it for good".
Acts 2, at the Pentacost, Paul was explaining Christ to others, "But God raised His Son from the dead."

Everytime that there is 'bad news', God comes to save man; He interjects.

Back into Romans, we have been looking at how completely depraved man is in his sin. All of the details that we have been studying have set the stage for God's saving grace.
With His provision of grace, we have been saved from the penalty, the power, and the presence of sin.
The Law has been put in place to show us our absolute depravity, and yet, we are not bound to the law. Verses 21-26 of chapter 3 in Romans show us the good news; Nancye said that some see this as the 'heart of the entire Bible' (I'll have to think about that one).
Since we are completely unfit to be in His presence, we are unable to receive Him. But in verse 21, a righteousness from God has been revealed to all who believe.

Nancye pulled out the word 'Now' - describing it as, something has happened that has revealed His righteousness. Back in the Old Testament, it was foreshadowed, but here, in Romans, 'Now' is the culmination of that promise then. 'Now' also applies to our day & age 'now', and for the 'now' to come.

Righteousness - to be right with God, without sin, without guilt; He is the standard for what is good. Jesus revealed what God's righteousness looks like, v. 22 - through faith in Him.
God's righteousness is available to all, but given only to those who believe in Him.

Faith is complete trust, confidence and reliance; does not require proof. The object of our faith is the point, not the 'faith' in and of itself. This was a neat point. I hear so many people say, "oh, my faith got me through it", or other things along those lines. Faith in what? Everyone believes in something!
Saving faith is in something - believing what God has done & will do. This is an active faith, a pursuing faith. It believes that He lives and is coming again, it believes that He died and was raised up and He is triumphant.
Jesus Christ saves us, not our faith. And we rest our faith in Him - in Him it is secure, He will not let His own go.


Falling short - we fail to exhibit that glory for which we were created - we don't bring the glory to God. Yet God's grace is given to us as a proclamation, a declaration. It is free, unmerited and unearned.
God gives His own righteousness as a free gift to unrighteous people through faith in Jesus Christ.
What kind of gift is this though? We ask, what's the catch? But why don't we ever ask ourselves, 'have I received what God has promised me?' - 'am I trusting in God's righteousness alone'?

Justification - God justifies sinnners - justification is a proclamation, not an action. It is not a transformation. God is pronouncing that those who are sinners are not guilty & that they are acquitted. This was a new concept to me. I have always had a hard time understanding justification, and to see it this way was insightful.

Propitiation - we deserve to be punished for our sin, and yet God has used His own Son to take all of our blame, to suffer the scorn of His wrath. God gave His own atoning sacrifice, Jesus Christ, our scapegoat. Christ's crucifixion proved that God is just - Someone had to be punished.
Redemption - to purchase someone out of slavery for the purpose of salvation. The story of Gomer and Hosea was brought up here, and it really paints such a picture of God's grace to His bride. He clothes us in our shame, and woos us back to Him. We are always so unfaithful to Him, and yet He still chases after us.
And Christ's work on our behalf justifies us before a just God.

Amen.

So on top of it, or is it just my imagination?

Yeah, I do feel like I have climbed a mountain for some strange reason. Its one of those 'catch-up' days. I got up early, worked out, sparklitized my parents' castle, then sparklitized mine, did the laundry, and pulled out my red crock pot for the first time in many many moons. I decided to do a simple dinner for tonight - the 'usual' chicken with condensed soups and snippet of garlic salt - drat, I had no vegetables to put in there - I have mashed potatoes from last night that my hungry man can eat. I must say, it sounds better than his usual Tuesday frozen pizza dinner.
Anyone want to share some of their favorite slow cooker meals with me? ;)

Tuesdays are still a little rushed, now that BSF is back in full swing, but I am finally adjusting, and trying to keep on top of everything.

The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain. - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I can't think of anything better than waking to the sound of the rain on your roof. Although it was early, I felt rested and indulged in lying awake and listening. The rhythm of the rain made me sleepy again and sooner than later I dozed off until H's alarm rang.

I found a staggering roach in my kitchen this morning, about the size of an almond, upside down, in the 'defeated; position. Absolutely pathectic - I almost starting laughing. I guess that he wanted to die naturally rather than by the un-sympathetic hand of this woman. Good choice, little bugger.

Mondays are like old cars that you have to crank up. . . its been slow-going this monday, nothing really new about it.
I took a walk in the wet, fighting feelings of crankiness because, although it may look cold outside, it is not. . . Texas is quite deceitful and evil in that manner. I was trying to gingerly avoid huge puddles and the cars that were splashing through them. Texans are quite evil and deceitful in that manner.

I love Rascal Flatts - this is my new favorite song.

I hope the days come easy and moments pass slow,
and each road leads you where you wanna go,
and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
if it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
all the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
and you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
and always give more than you take.

But More than anything, Yeah, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish. Yeah.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.


*Oh yeah, today is Bosses' Day - be sure to tell your boss how much you appreciate him/her :)