Seeing the beauty

We've had a couple of cold days, where it fluctuated between rain and freezing ice. Yesterday looked like a repeat of the day before. Dark, rainy and very cold. About three in the afternoon, the sun came out. It was still very cold - about 22 degrees outside. I had left the office to take my daughter to tutoring. On my way home, I noticed how breathtaking the landscape looked. The sun made everything look beautiful. The trees, plants and ground all sparkled as if they were wearing diamonds and silver. As soon as I got home, I grabbed my camera to see if I could capture that in a photo.

I have always found beauty and peace in landscapes. I try to take notice in the small things. A petal of a flower, while I plant in my garden. The strand of grass while I experience how it feels on my bare feet. The blueness of water under the sky while I sit on a sandy shore of a beach, feeling the ripples of water covering my feet. While I take joy in these things, I find peace during those times.

Week One

Earlier this morning, I did read chapter one of "Having a Mary Spirit." and then later this evening, after playing racquetball and dinner, I read chapter two. The book has a study guide. It suggested for week one I read chapter one and two. I did that. Then it asks several questions. Already I am working on question number one: "If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?" I haven't answered that one since I am not sure what would be the one thing I would change about myself. I think, most women struggle with their self image. I think that is the norm. Most of the time, we want to change a part of our body or face. But the question the exercise is asking is regarding to a trait or behavior of mine that I would or could change. I think I will have to ponder on that one a while.

I know a lot of my "makeup" comes from my own life experiences while growing up. It defined quite a bit of who I am. It has carried me this far. However, I know I have changed in small ways over the years because it didn't bring the results I wanted or needed. Does that make sense? I would like to think that I am changing or evolving into a better person. . . over period of time. I can say, yes, I am not the same person as I was 20 years ago or 10 years ago. That is a good thing, is it?

January 17th: Passive. My passiveness. I think that would be something about me that I would like to change. Sometimes I feel like I've got one foot in and one foot out. My rationalization often comes from obligations. It is apparent I need to look at things differently.

Psalm 118:24

It is nearly time for me go to the office. Rough night sleeping. The kind where you fall right to sleep, but through out the night, you wake up because of weird things going through your dreams. I fell asleep sometime before midnight and woke at 2:30 am, again around 4 and then before the alarm clock went off at 5:45 am.

Nevertheless, it is another morning and I shall rejoice in it because the good Lord has blessed us this new day. (Psalm 118:24).

I did take a moment to read one chapter of "Having a Mary Spirit." Plus I read the entry for today's date in "Simple Abundance."

A short quick prayer request this morning:
Pray for God to cover my husband and keep him safe.
Pray for God to be with my daughter today during her first round of mid-term tests.
Pray for me for to find confidence and strength in myself

I am thankful for His blessings, including His gifts of love and grace.

A New Day, Another Attempt

I had attempted to start a blog a FEW months ago and got side tracked. So, here I am again, with my own daughter's encouragement - to TRY again. The title, Peace Like a River, is my quest for peace. Peace within myself mostly. Peace for my family, friends and everyone who I encounter.

I have just recently finished reading "Irresistable Revolution." Perhaps it is a book about the lack or absence of Christian hospitality towards the poor or outcasts. Perhaps it is a book about trying to find God in one's daily life and to experience the lessons, gifts, and blessings that God offers. Perhaps it is about one trying to find his or her purpose in life as God has planned. Needless to say, it is a thought provoking book.

Today I picked up a book titled,"Having a Mary Spirit." Written by Joanna Weaver. It opens with Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." I'll let you know more as I continue to read. (Warning: I tend to pick up more books along the way, sometimes reading them as well.)

My daughter picked up "The Color of Law." and we will swap books as we finish reading them. We're also waiting for "The Messiah of Morris Avenue." which will arrive within a week.

Prayer Requests:
1) A young man, by the name of Derik Nielson who recently had joined the army has found out that he is going to Iraq in March. He will be driving a fuel truck. Please pray for God to cover him and to reach out to his parents who need prayers for faith, strength and peace. He is a son of my former next door neighbors of mine.
2) A girlfriend of mine, who discovered nearly a year ago that her husband was having an affair. At the same time, she lost her job. She has decided for the sake of children's happiness to forgive her husband. She believed that by forgiving him will allow her to move on with her own life. Please pray for her and her family. Pray that she will find new employment soon.
3) Pray for my parents who are experiencing stressful times right now. It is a long story, but pray that they will find a new home soon and during the time, may God grant them additional patience and strength during this time.
4) Pray for my in-laws as they work through their health issues.
5) Pray for me as I work through my own self inflicted demons. I look to the skies for peace. I love sunsets and sunrises. That is where I find my peace.
6) Pray for my daughter, who is a wonderful gift and blessing as she prepares for her mid-terms this week. I love her sense of humor.
7) Pray for my husband to keep his eyes and ears open. Sometimes it is so easy to get so bogged down that you forget to look up.
8) Pray for Josh Turner to find Peace too - it can be found in daily communion. . .