Sunday's sweet serenity

It's a lazy Sunday. A day of rest...to gather my bearings...to contemplate how I should approach tomorrow...to take care of the little things that need my attention...to just be enveloped in my own thoughts, surrounded by blessings that are more noticeable on days like today.

still thankful

Thanksgiving came and went. It was a day of visiting dear family and sweet friends...a welcome interruption to a crazy schedule that warmed my heart. It made me take time to enjoy all the things I might otherwise be missing. The past few days have gifted me with kids gathering every night to be together, to laugh, to explore their creativity, to make our home cozy. I just love the sound of happiness. I hope that as we press on in preparation for Christmas we can hold on to that sense of frivolity and all the spontaneous energy it brings with it. I think I'm going to need it.

update on Earl

I am soooo happy.

Guess who I finally found? A few days ago I printed Earl's picture on a postcard and mailed them out to all the Angie Hill residents I could find in the hometown Earl described to me and lo and behold....Angie called me this morning! THE Angie - the one we have all been looking for for so long. God is good. We talked and talked about her dad. She shared that she thought he may have died and they had put out a missing person's report on him a couple of years ago, but nothing ever happened. The best part is that she loves him and wants him to come home. We now have each other's contact information and tonight when I feed my Friday friends - someone is going to have a big surprise! I'm even going to call her so she can talk to him while I'm there. See? Being patient does pay off! All praises need to be directed to the ONE who made it all possible though and I thank each of you who posted Earl's picture on your blog. I feel like together we did a BIG BIG thing. This is a beautiful day, is it not? I'll keep you posted (hopefully with pictures) on the travel arrangements. That may prove to be the most difficult of all since he doesn't have any identification. God is so good.

simply celebrational

It's the little things worth celebrating...

dragonflies in the garden...
sorbet on a blistery hot day...
a smile that reaches through the phone...
a treasured book of poems rediscovered...
a garden swing resting in the shade...
laughter from kids playing in the water...

what little things are a celebration in your day?

Joy: (noun) a source of great pleasure

Things that bring me joy...

Sweet, thoughtful text messages...just because.

An adventurous heart.

An empty garden patch and a basket full of seeds.

Friends that drop by with friendship dough.

Poems that say "Read me again!"

Hearing my kids sing when they think no one is listening.

The scent of lavender blooming.

A hug from Earl.

Fresh strawberries.

Spontaneous phone calls: "Hey mom, do you want a coffee?"

We are each blessed uniquely and completely.

Please share some of your joys,

together we will sing our praises ~

spring's precious moments

I spent most of the weekend trying to get writing assignments finished, but I had to steal away from the piles of books and crumpled papers to experience this moment and share it with you...

Who can resist the feelings

of hope and joy

that one gets from participating

in nature's rebirth?

~Edward Giobbi

a Valentine thank you ~

Some of you are sweet generous souls who I have never met and you have touched my heart by being proactive in your belief that one person CAN make a difference…
You allowed compassion to drive your efforts…
You wished and prayed right along with me and helped me spread the word…
…and you helped make the world feel just a little smaller…

To my sweet blogging friends who have posted Earl’s picture (prior to today) on your blogs, I have a special Valentine gift of love just for going the extra mile (and a genuine heartfelt thank you for your kindness). Please email me your mailing address so I can get your gift of gratitude mailed to you!

As for Earl, he continues to be homeless and I continue to ask him questions hoping he will provide me with new information he may have remembered. The contacts who were helping me in Columbus, Ohio (where Earl's daughter is supposed to live) and Sweetwater, Tennessee (where Earl is from) feel they have exhausted their resources. I have placed ads in both of those towns with no success. Angie Hill is turning out to be a difficult person to find! Meanwhile I keep pretty close tabs on Earl and he always manages to make me smile with his witty remarks and sincere appreciation of my efforts...he really is quite a character. Thank you to everyone who has asked about him or whispered a prayer...your thoughtfulness has been very encouraging and some of your emails have been a blessing in my day.

looking forward

I love the new year and the sense of renewal that comes with it. I enjoy finding planners and books that inspire me to write about all that is precious in my daily observations. This Simple Abundance Journal of Gratitude is a treasure I found wherein I hope to be disciplined to write everyday...just five simple things I am grateful for on a daily basis. Do you keep a journal of special thoughts or memories or a notebook with favorite quotes or bible verses?






I found this planner with my name on it, so naturally I had to have it. It's full of inspirational bible verses and stories out of the life of author and artist Joni Eareckson Tada. It even has spaces for prayer requests and places to jot down goals ~ I think it will help me stay organized (not one of my strong points).

For Day 1, it was difficult to limit myself
to five things I am grateful for.
There is so much that fills my heart ~
Scroll over the photo to see today's entry:

Another fresh New Year is here…

Another year to live!

To banish worry, doubt, and fear,

To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me

to live each day with zest…

to daily grow and try to be

my highest and my best!

I have the opportunity

once more to right some wrongs,

to pray for peace,

to plant a tree, and sing more joyful songs!

~ William Arthur Ward

I hope everyone had a nice New Year's celebration!

Mine was very quiet and low-key with good food, good company and a good movie!