Tag Archives: something ahead

Share Four Somethings ~ June 2020

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Time is strange when it’s not anchored by a calendar! With nothing to do or plan for, the days seem to pass one the same as the other.  Sometimes I feel like they drag on forever and yet, here I sit, it’s July 1st, and I have no idea where June went! I’m glad to be joining http://www.heathergerwing.com today for her “Share Four Somethings”. Maybe it will help me hold on to June for just a moment more!

Something Loved

I’m a storyteller at heart.  I think that’s why photographs mean so much to me! Each picture evokes a memory and shares a story. That’s why I loved participating in the #junejoy Instagram Challenge this month. Every day there was a new prompt and I looked forward to searching through my many, many, MANY photos to find just the right one. Some, spoke for themselves, and others allowed me to tell the tale. Pictures and words….now that’s a combination I love!

Something Read

One of my favorite things to do with my grandsons is to read them their bedtime stories. We often choose long-time favorites like Dr. Seuss, Berenstain Bears, Ferdinand the Bull, and many more. But, what’s really fun for me is to discover new “favorites” like this one! “I Wonder” is a cleverly written book that asks its readers questions that make you, well…wonder. As much as I love this book, listening to my littles offer their own answers to these whimsical questions is the best part of reading it! Something read with my grandsons always brings me great joy!

Something Treasured

We’ve just returned from our annual pilgrimage to the beach. When we first began talking about making the trip, I didn’t think it would happen. Mostly because I’m a Nervous Nellie and was apprehensive about traveling out of state (or anywhere for that matter) with everything going on in the world. But, after a lot of prayer and seeking wise advice, I found no one who supported my worry and so I decided to pack up my concerns as I packed the suitcases and we set off on our adventure. Oh, how thankful I am that we did!

We’ve traveled to the same wonderful spot for over twenty years now. And while this trip wasn’t quite the same as we’ve been used to (masks, take out, crowds) my soul was still refreshed by the rhythm of the rise and fall of the sea; and, in a place where many memories have been made with our kids, we now have made new ones with our grandkids to treasure.

Something Ahead

Do you find it hard to make plans these days? I find myself saying, “if this or that doesn’t happen” or “let’s tentatively set”. It’s as if I’m protecting myself from being disappointed if things don’t work out by just not really planning anything because honestly, who expected to be in the situation we’re in now?  I’ve sensed a change in the last week or so though. I’ve begun to think about the possibility of finally visiting my mom in Michigan. We haven’t been together since October and I’m ready for some mother-daughter time for sure! OK, I haven’t written anything on that blank calendar page yet, but I am looking ahead and hoping that by taking all the precautions necessary, we can safely be together very soon!

Well, there you go: June in a few paragraphs. I’m praying that July brings us all peace, health, and things to write on our calendars! I’d love to hear your “Four Somethings”. Share them in the comments so I can learn what your June was like. As always, I so appreciate you stopping in! God Bless!

Share Four Somethings ~April 2020

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“Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church-a love marked by giving, not getting. Ephesians 5:25 (The Message)

Something Loved

This month I am my something loved! Whether it’s a note left by the full coffee pot when I rise each morning, a bottle of my favorite Dunkin Donuts Iced Mocha Coffee tucked among the groceries (not easy to find in our store), or beautiful spring flowers gathered precariously from the hillside and brought home: I feel loved! 

Because of his offer to do all of the grocery shopping so I don’t have to go out, the prayers said holding hands at the table, and words he’s spoken to encourage my lagging confidence: I feel loved! 

In our almost 37 years we’ve had many ups and downs, but through it all we’ve learned a valuable lesson, one that we’ve been reminded of in these last few weeks: the importance of showing how much we care for one another! And that’s what we try to do. This month as we’ve spent more time than usual together, I’m reminded what a gift God gave me when He plopped me right in the living room of a young farmer so many years ago! There’s no doubt: I AM loved!

 

“Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God-which of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NLT)

Something Read

Oh my goodness! This study has come at just the right time with just the right words I need! Here’s the thing, under normal circumstances I wouldn’t have been able to join in.  Originally, the ladies at Faithfully Following Ministries had planned to study Gideon locally, in North Carolina, where I do not live. But, because of social distancing, they were unable to gather so decided to offer it online. Lucky me! And on top of that, unexpectedly, the publisher has offered the usually costly videos that accompany this study to everyone for free! Everything came together and now we’re about half way through the study. Have I learned so much already! I’ve added it as another “Pandemic Positive” on my list!

 

“I will remember the works of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. I will reflect on all You have done and ponder Your mighty deeds.” Psalm 77:11-12 (BSB)

Something Treasured

As I wrote in my last blog post, I received a note from my mom in which she included two letters I’d written to her in 1985 right after our county was ravaged by a deadly flood. Reading them took me right back to that scary, uncertain time and reminded me of all the emotions that accompanied that devastation. Unexpectedly, those letters have been an encouragement to me in this crazy time we’re in. They showed me first of all, how much better off I am now than I was back then. Rereading them has also helped me remember how God saw us through that time when we didn’t have any idea what the other side would look like. That’s why I’m treasuring these letters today; because, they reassure me He is at work, seeing us through this pandemic, too! 

 

“Children are a blessing and a gift from the LORD.” Psalm 127:3 (CEV)

Something Ahead

As an ole retired teacher, my heart has been heavy thinking about all the students who are out of school, especially the Seniors and the very young children. Keeping my two and four year old grandsons entertained is challenging under the best of times, but now their mom and dad are trying to work full time from home too. Needless to say, it’s rather stressful! So, I’ve been trying to help out (long distance) a little. I must admit it’s been fun for me to search out and mail activities for the boys to do.  I’ve even found a few that we’ve been able to work on together via FaceTime. Those are my favorite, of course! The most recent is this little greenhouse we made. Now, even though theirs hang in a window four hours away from mine, I’m looking forward to all the discussions ahead that the three of us will have as we watch our beans sprout and grow! I’m not sure though, which are growing faster, the beans or the boys!

Well, there you have it! My Four Somethings for the month of April and while it’s been an unusual month, I have been blessed in many ways! How about you? What are your Four Somethings? I’d love for you to share them in the comments.  I hope you know how much I always appreciate you being here with me and if you’d like to read what others have found their Four Somethings to be, just click over to http://www.heathergerwing.com God Bless you and be well!

#Sharefoursomethings ~ January 2020

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Share Four Somethings

A new year, a new chance to reflect on life each month by sharing “Four Somethings”.  The categories have changed a little this year and we’re now highlighting “Something Loved”, “Something Read”, “Something Treasured”, and “Something Ahead”. Here are mine from this past month:

Something Loved

“Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.” Proverbs 17:6 (NLT)

Full house = Full heart! I love when my kids and grandkids are all gathered at our house! It’s fun to go and visit them, but there’s just something that fulfills those parenthood dreams (and a momma’s soul) when they come “home”.  There’s a popular saying: “Home is where your story begins” and that’s so true. Even better now? Home is where the story continues!

Something Read

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)

“Walking With Henry” by Rachel Anne Ridge has been my January read.  I’m actually not quite finished yet.  I’ve been reading and discussing it with a friend which makes the insights and encouragements found within the pages that much more richer and meaningful. It always touches me when someone I’ve never met and who’s living a completely different life than mine, can write just what I need to hear! It just goes to show that we’re a lot more similar than we know! If you are like me and love a book that inspires, makes you laugh and cry, and that resonates with your soul, this one’s for you!

Something Treasured

“I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done.” Psalm 143:5 (NLT)

Look what I found in my mailbox! It took me a while to put it together, but the work was worth it! I’ve always treasured photographs! They adorn the top of my piano, cover my walls,  hang on my refrigerator, and fill album after album (and now book after book)! Special people, places, and events…..Remembering them brings me great joy!

Something Ahead

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 3:3 (NIV)

New Year’s has always been a time of goal setting. I’ve never been too keen on it though. Mostly because I hardly ever follow through on mine. Especially when they have to do with weight loss or exercise! (Which they usually do)  Even as much as I enjoy writing, committing to the goal of #Write28Days took some convincing; but in the end, the challenge of writing to a prompt and the chance to join with other aspiring writers won out. Now, my little mind is filled with a jumble of thoughts and ideas as I look forward to writing for as many of the 28 (or 29 as is the case this year) days as I can in February! And hey, if you love a challenge too, there’s still time for you to join in on the fun!

So there you have them: my #sharefoursomethings for January.  If you’d like to read what others have chosen as theirs, just click over to http://www.heathergerwing.com/january-2020-share-four-somethings/ And as always, I’d love to hear what yours are too! Just leave them for me in the comments to enjoy or better yet, join the link up above!