A Wildflower Morning

Brodiaea douglasii, Watercolor by Barbara Frohne  My watercolor kit is on the right, beside the jars of colored water.  Brushes are right where I can reach them.  Inspiration is to the left, along with paintings from the past.  I've taken over my daughters school desk while she is away.  (I might not give it back, it has perfect light for one of my favorite hobbies.)   Camassia quamash, watercolor by Barbara Frohne So many things in life crowd out the things a mother really enjoys.  I am so excited that I have made time to paint the last few days.  It is almost as fun as being right out in the meadow on a sunny day.  And there are no mosquitoes! Camassia quamash, watercolor by Barbara Frohne

Want to safeguard your health?  Here are the four steps you need.  You can do it today and every day. 1.  Gratitude.  Tell everyone "Thank you."  Write down what you are grateful for.  Keep a gratitude journal.  Read And Voskamp's book, "One Thousand Gifts."  Counteract negative thinking with gratitude.  "And be thankful." Col. 3: 17.   2.  Rejoicing.  Especially rejoicing in the kindness and love of God.  Sing.  Listen to uplifting music.  Read God's word and rejoice while you are reading it for everything that God has done, is doing, and has promised to do for you.  "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine."  Proverbs 17:22.  Rejoice out loud, if possible. 3.  Benevolence.  Benevolence means act of charity.  Charity means loving kindness.  Do something good for someone else.  An act of kindness, for someone you know, or someone you don't, goes a long way. ...

I am thinking of several people I know and love.  Rotten, unfair things are happening to all of them.  It just isn't right.  Where is the beauty and love and joy in this world. Oh, yes.  I remember.  Sin.  There was an old TV commercial that had a man frying an egg.  The voice said something like "This is your brain ... on drugs."  Well, all this stuff that is happening to my friends,  this is the world, (that was created to be beautiful and full of love) ... on SIN.  It leaves us all wounded, fried, so to speak.  Is there any hope?  Yes. And the link you need to read today is just one example of what happens when we pray and give God permission to do what He is waiting to do.  It is called " The Unimaginable Happened to Me ."   Has it happened to you?  Maybe you will be the next person to be able to write a testimony of the living God in action. *Photo by William at Heavenly Light Photograpy.

Golden Mantle Squirrel on the Continental Divide in Kootenay National Park, Canada Are you hungry for some real spiritual food that satisfies?  Are you getting tired of the meaningless, empty things that come and go?  Maybe you feel so pressed and tired that you are almost ready to give up? The Bible says in Isaiah 55:1-3: "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.  Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David."   There is something available that will satisfy, heal and refresh.  Come ...

For those of you who care, my daughter has been able to stay working most days for the last two weeks.  We weren't sure what was going to happen for a while, but the natural remedies are helping.  She is sleeping better now too thanks to another natural remedy.  It's a blessing.  We are thankful for God's care.  We are thankful for your prayers. She is getting close to the end of her project, and it looks like she will be able to make it all the way to completion.

Friends from Michigan came to visit my daughter this weekend.  They brought some peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil with them, per my request.  On Sabbath, the oils relaxed her lungs and throat, and she could breath without struggle once again.  But this last week has left her very tired.  It is possible for her to canvass, but not with energy.  So our friends took her home for the week for some rest and relaxation.  We pray that in a few days to a week she can return back to her work and sell books for the rest of the program.  I am so glad to have my daughter breathing again, and in a trusted place where she can rest for a while.  Thank you for praying for her.