Another First!!!!

Very early in the morning on October 8th, I witnessed something that I have longed to see my whole life - my very first shooting star! No one has ever believed me when I say that I've never seen one - they usually respond with, "No way! I can't believe that," a comment that is always accompanied with a look of sheer unbelieving surprise!

But that Friday as I prepared to make the drive to Chattanooga to celebrate Silas' 2nd birthday, God gifted me with that beautiful sight. And on such a special day!

An unexpected encouragement

I go to a rather large church that has three services on Sunday mornings and two on Saturday evening, so, it's really fun to see someone that you know in the crowd and get that all-wonderful hug and short conversation.  Today a woman approached me and said, "I think I know you." I refreshed her memory of who I was and she said, "I was just thinking of you this week! Do you remember me?" The face was familiar, but after living out of state for nine years I just could not place her. She went on to identify from where we knew each other and then told me that I was always an encouragement to her because of how I was as a mother. She said she always remembers the stories I told about my daughters and she used to think, "when I'm a mom I want to be like that." Amazing.

She has four children now and she strives to build a relationship with her kids like I have enjoyed with my girls. How cool is that!? God "shouted" to me His love through this wonderful encouragement from someone who was "watching" my mothering when I didn't know I was being watched.

A brilliant reminder that it is NOT what we wear, or drive, or where we live, or how big our bank account is that people remember -- people mostly remember how we live out our faith in our daily lives. Thank you for the encouragment today - I needed that!

Rosemary

"Summertime and the livin is easy...."

Just had one of my favorite summertime meals: chicken, grilled to perfection, corn on the cob roasted on the grill, fried potatoes with onions, and a beautiful green salad (Thank you, Lainey!). Meals like this just scream summer to me! What's your favoite summertime meal?

Now I think I'll just sit back and listen to Louis Armstrong crooning Gershwin's wonderful song....

Summertime,
and the livin is easy
Fish are jumpin
and the cotton is high....

One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky.

Enjoy the summer!

The Journey

If you've not listened to David Arthur's teaching, "The Boat Chronicles," I urge you to find it, buy it, and listen to it...over and over. During this journey of unemployment I have been in the boat that is caught in the storm on the sea and I have to say, I've gotten a bit seasick at times! What I've found is that the seasickness comes when I take my eyes off Jesus and put them on the circumstances instead.

Jesus is in the boat with me, of this I am sure. When I know this the seasickness subsides even if the "sea" is still turbulent. Jesus has the power to immediately end the rolling sea and as long as my eyes and heart are focused on Him, I will not drown. Ever.

Rosemary