Well, I'm afraid the last two days have been difficult to bear, and I'm sorry that I've forsaken my little attempts of words left here. I learned yesterday that a lifelong friend of mine was deserting everything of the life he has always known in Christ and is leaving his family to follow a path completely opposed to all that God has ever set forth as honorable, just, pure, lovely... and my heart is reeling with sorrow, as I watch what my friend is doing. God created me as an exhorter in spirit, and almost all I do is motivated by a passion to help others be all they can be in Christ. When, suddenly, a loved one has "gone off the deep end" and the only one to hear my words is my Savior, my soul finds that even in pain, God will be my refuge and peace. So, tonight, I'll leave you dear ones with some Scriptures that He's brought to strengthen me, during these past two days and, actually, many in the years long since gone. Perhaps, some of them may bless your soul in a time of need...

Psalm 62:1-2, Psalm 63:1-8, Psalm 43:5, Deuteronomy 4:29-31, Jeremiah 1:7-8, Isaiah 35:3-7, Isaiah 40:11, Romans 8:26-28, Ezekiel 37:23, Matthew 10:26-31, John 10:10-11, Genesis 50:20...

In these coming days, I'll be doing all I can to fulfill what I believe God's asked of me. May He give me strength to faithfully follow His leading. "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstance; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I Thessalonians 5:9

So, my friends, I will rest myself tonight in the promises and purposes of God. I know they are so far beyond the earthly paradigm that mortal eyes can behold at this time. Above all else, I know that I can trust my precious Savior to be faithful and to be working "all things together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose".

A busy day is drawing to its close, at long last. It's so good to finally sit down and just take a moment's rest. :) Our family's Sundays begin very early, as we are responsible for leading worship in a Baptist church about thirty minutes away. It's always a great blessing to be before the Lord in such a way, but a tremendous will power is required of me during the first service's sermon, in order to keep my eyes from "glazing over" in sleep deprivation. :) I must, however, not lead you to believe the expositions dull in any way. I commend my pastor for the excellence of the word he shared today from Philippians 2. It's rather humbling, honestly, that the Son of God would, "not counting equality with God a thing to be grasped", choose to take on the form of a bond-servant of a fallen humanity. How very much that thought fills me with a desire to be ever willing to serve, no matter what He requires of me.

"...But drops of grief can ne'er repay

The debt of love I owe.

Here, Lord, I give myself to Thee.

'Tis all that I can do..."

After the morning services were completed, I stopped by a friend's horse farm for a little while. It was a glorious day out, and the hour spent in the company of such a dear woman could not have been more pleasant. My little sister, Anna, is getting a miniature horse from this farm very soon, and we all wanted to say hello to the little mare, Joanna, too. You must understand that our family already has a very well established menagerie, but "where there's room in the heart, there's room in the home", or stable, in this case. :) Dear Anna couldn't be more thrilled, especially since we're building Joanna her own miniature yard and tiny stable to match her slight build.

Papa and I went to buy all the posts and planks for the fencing today, and the excursion turned out to be more enjoyable than most would think. (I love the scent of freshly hewn lumber, always have.) :) As I was helping Daddy hoist all of the boards atop our Suburban roof-rack, another shopper came out to the parking lot and, after a few moments, could no longer stand the sight of me and my feeble attempts at helping. I was on my very tippy-toes, reaching as far as I could to get the lumber where it belonged. The man came over with a good-natured grin and absolutely insisted on taking my place; he chuckled and told my father that I was "vertically challenged". I have to admit, 5'3" doesn't "go too far". :)

Anyway, all is well here, and I'm a blessed woman, indeed. I'm surrounded by a family I adore and a menagerie of which I try to be fond. :) God has seen to it that my life is full of many people and creatures to nourish in some way, and that makes me both contented and fulfilled. :)

Goodnight, friends!

I've just finished a delicious lunch of crackers, raspberry-jalapeno ambrosia, and cream cheese. (Ah, life is good.) :) It seems that steam cleaning is to be the "order of the day", and I'm a little less than enthused. :) I had to move a humongous rug and two 75 pound harps out of the living room already, and I haven't even begun the real cleaning yet. It's alright; I know the day will turn out just fine and all will be well, in the end. I may even have an opportunity to steal away outside for the most lovely hours of the afternoon. :)

"The fullness of joy is to behold God in everything." Julian of Norwich

Therefore, I'm setting out to find the hidden joy that must lie somewhere in the "art of spring cleaning" :) and hopefully, be a blessing to my family so that they may see God in me.

Have a blessed day, my friends.

Tonight is a night of beautiful rarity. I've mostly finished all of worth that needed to be done, and I think it shall not be long until I can rest. God has been very gracious simply to multiply what I was able to accomplish in the hours given, this day. :)

I've already completed my journaling for the evening and just set the last word to the last page of the little volume. I'll look forward to purchasing a new one tomorrow. This is my sixth journal to finish in the past two years, since I began the nightly writing, and I'm so blessed to see that God has strengthened me to stay faithful to the cause. (Someday, I pray my progeny will find many lessons of worth and even some glimpses of humor in the humble happenings of my everyday life.) :)

For now, I must turn to my devotions for the evening. However, I think I'll share a small portion of my reading with you, my friends, before I say farewell...

"...In a time of favor I have answered you; in a day of salvation I have helped you; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages, saying to the prisoners, 'Come out,' to those who are in darkness, 'Appear.' They shall feed along the ways; on all bare heights shall be their pasture; they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them, for He Who has pity on them will lead them, and by the streams of water will guide them." Isaiah 49:8-10

May you each be greatly blessed by the Lord, this evening. Rest well. Goodnight! :)

I've just bid a friend farewell, a friend that I didn't have even a month ago. She's grown dear now, however, and my heart is heavy, as I allow my Korean guest to travel on to her next destination. She will be tremendously missed by all in our family, and I hope it will not be long 'ere God allows us to share fellowship, once more.

May all who read this be much blessed of God this day. I know, already, that I have been blessed, for I have been given the privilege of having a friend...

I've just returned from a blisteringly hot walk. The Texas Hill Country is lovely, indeed, but at times, its heat can be cruel. :) I was about two miles from home when a landscaping company's huge trailer passed me by and sped up a hill in front of me. In a few moments more, a fragrant zephyr made its way back to me, carrying with it the scent of rosemary. Ah...in an instant, I'm back at a favorite little restaurant enjoying the flavor of rosemary and some gourmet cheese. :) Oh, I'm sorry about that slight diversion...back to the topic at hand. As I crested the hill, I came upon a large bush of the herb which, apparently, had blown from the trailer. So, I did what any other "average individual" would have done and picked it up. My intention was to tote it home and have my brother plant it in his garden for my later enjoyment. (He has an incomparable "green thumb", while I have the "black thumb of death". ...Hence his garden.) :) I hadn't walked another quarter mile before vehicles began passing me again. I can only guess what their drivers were thinking as each one answered my "hello there" wave with a quick, friendly smile. "What kind of girl simply walks over to someone's garden and brazenly pulls up whatever she wants for her own?" :) I didn't much care, however; I'm from strong stock and try not to be too dissuaded by others' ill-informed opinions, so I kept on walking homeward with the gleaned rosemary in hand. :) Well, the little plant's now happily planted in my brother's garden, and soon, I will able to enjoy some of its plenty in my meals.

Scorching as the hours were, actually God gave me a beautiful day. He even gave me a good reason to laugh at myself, and such opportunities should never be squandered. Some of the most fun I've ever had in life have been those times when I've looked at myself and enjoyed a good dose of humility. :)

Have a wonderful day, my friends. Find something to bring you a smile, and hopefully, your weather will be a bit milder than mine. :)

It's been a glorious day in my sleepy hometown. However, my life has been anything but lulling. :) Hours and hours were spent in teaching music lessons. I've had the great joy of watching a certain young fellow really blossom in his studies during the past several weeks. A short time ago, the little seven year old was just about ready to "quit piano". (I have to recount such things in hushed tones; the word "quit" is utterly forbidden in my home.) :) Well, I urged the boy's mother to make him "stick with it" for just a little while longer, and I'm thrilled to see that he's developed wonderfully in the past month. He's truly putting his heart in it and being quite inquisitive, too. :) It's "one of those moments" that makes a teacher's spirit soar...one can actually see the positive change in another's life.

Earlier this afternoon, I was teaching my baby brother, Peter, his kindergarten phonics. He's a little over six now and has reached the near-end of his first year in school. He's still saying anything but "crash"...cwash, cwaps, etc. Finally, when he's nearly "blue in the face" from exasperation, he actually positions his tongue and lips, as I suggest. Then, with great drama, he "rolls out" a perfect "crash". :) I love to help my mother with the children, but the teaching became, quite suddenly, even more intriguing today...

For several weeks, I've been hosting a Korean girl in our home. This is her first visit to the States, and she came with great hopes of learning the English language and, also, American methods of home schooling. For weeks, I've been teaching her "in-depth" lessons in English, and she's progressed very well, thus far. Today's phonics lessons with Peter provided the perfect opportunity for some study in pronunciation with my sweet guest. A mispronunciation of "crash" turned out to be the very least humorous of the words said in the next hour. :)

All in all, the hours spent in helping others gave me a good perspective on why God allows us to learn, in the first place. When I've tried to be faithful to "study to show myself approved unto God", He has continued to give wonderful opportunities to share what's meaningful with so many others. God has been very good, indeed. :)

I musn't tarry here long, for I've much study and writing to do 'ere the dawn comes. :) Blessings on you, this night.

To the mothers of this world I nod my head with deep gratefulness--both heartfelt and sincere. There are few words which could ever give thanks worthy of the great love that has been given by so many. I know many beauties in my life have been borne of the sacrifices of her who bore me. Bringing me into this world was the least of my mother's worries, although I left her with a broken tailbone :); the real challenge came in staying by my side, adjuring me to not give up my instruments when my heart was young and weary, the night was long, and the tears were many. :) Precious woman...she could see so much more than I ever could. She knew how very greatly God would use the musical equipping in my life as the years passed. Through her influence, my heart has been fashioned in its inexpressible love for Christ, for I have followed in the steps of one who has loved Him more dearly than many can ever even dream. I only hope that I will, one day, be even the faintest reflection of the woman that my mother has been. May God be praised for His immense grace in having given me a gift so cherished.

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband, also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

So, to those mothers who are beloved, to those who are forsaken, and to those who have reached Heaven long before I ever shall, I commend you for all that you are and ever have been. My life has been made more meaningful by your influence today and by the memories thereof in times past. I call you blessed...

I must, first, inform you that I shall likely be the most lacking in constancy of any writer of whose life you shall ever read. :) God has seen to it that my days are fulfillingly busy, and I would not wish it any other way. I greatly love my devotions and journaling in the evenings. It is during those last, sacred moments of my day that my heart remembers all that the Lord has done from me, and it is very beautiful to recount His goodness. I know there will be times when I neglect my little column here in hopes of surviving the great struggle for slumber :), but I hope the little portions of life I leave written here will bring some joy to the heart of someone somewhere.

"But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, 'Let God be exalted!'" Psalm 70:4

May many blessings of God's grace fill your hearts, this night. :)