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My Morning Walk

June 13, 2017

One of my favorite things about summertime is that life seems to move at a slightly slower pace. I’ve been able to adjust my morning schedule so that I’m getting in a trail walk/jog before it gets too hot. These moments outdoors help me decompress; I can feel the stress roll off my shoulders.

Sometimes I listen to music while I run, and sometimes I listen to the chorus of the songbirds perched in the treetops. I mentally go over my prayer list and especially focus on praying for my family. My heart always feels lighter after this time outdoors.

My thoughts can’t help but go to the beauty that surrounds me. I thank the Creator for allowing me these moments to enjoy His creation.

4 Comments Filed Under: Daily Life, My Thoughts, Outdoor Life, Photography Tagged With: Outdoor Life, photography

A Mid-May Hodgepodge

May 17, 2017

*Thank you to Joyce for hosting the weekly Hodgepodge. She provides the questions, and the participants share their answers.
1. May 17th is National Pack Rat Day. Sidebar-should we be celebrating this? Hmmm…Are you a pack rat? Even if you’re not a full fledged pack rat, most people have one thing or another they struggle to part with. Tell us what’s yours.

Oh, my goodness, where do I begin? I am definitely a hoarder pack rat. I have a hard time getting rid of emails, digital photos, clothes, and shoes. I’m sure my husband could add several more things to the list if you were to ask his opinion.

2. What are two things you know you should know how to do, but you don’t?

I don’t know how to change the oil on a vehicle or how to replace a leaky faucet. I should learn how to do both (but I probably won’t).

3. Do you crave sugar? Do you add sugar to your coffee and/or tea? Do you use artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes? When dining out is dessert a given? Are you someone who has slain the sugar dragon, and if so tell us how you did it.

I have always had a bit of a sweet tooth. Chocolate is my weakness. In recent years, I’ve cut back and sometimes eliminated sugar altogether from my diet. I am usually a water drinker, but I do put French vanilla creamer in my coffee. I’m usually too full from my meal to eat dessert at a restaurant, but sometimes Steven and I split any type of brownie sundae. The only way for me to really lessen my sugar intake is to cut it out completely, cold-turkey. After two or three days, the cravings are gone.

4. What’s a trend it took a while for you to come round to, but now you can’t imagine living without?

I wasn’t an early jumper onto the essential oil train, but I’ve been using oils from Edens Garden for a while and have definitely seen the benefits. I now have an oil for just about any ailment.

5. What’s a song that reminds you of a specific incident in your life? Please elaborate.

My answer isn’t very original, but every time I hear “Pomp and Circumstance” my mind goes back to my high school graduation. It’s hard to believe that next week will mark twenty-three years since I received my diploma.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

After contemplating question #1 for a while, I deleted 1,480 photos from my iPhone. I had over 4,000 on there, so I’m making some progress. Baby steps!

 

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Memes, My Thoughts, Wednesday Hodgepodge

A Hodgepodge of April Showers

April 25, 2017

*Thank you to Joyce for hosting the weekly Hodgepodge. She provides the questions, and the participants share their answers.

1. April showers bring May flowers or so the saying goes. Has your April been filled with showers? Do you carry an umbrella, wear a slicker, or make a run for it? Besides rain, what else has filled your April?

The month of April has flown by. During my time in Florida, it didn’t rain at all. In fact, Florida has recently been plagued with wildfires. The evening I flew home, our landing was delayed by a rainstorm. We have had rain here and there throughout the month. I keep at least one umbrella in my vehicle all the time, but I often wear a rain jacket if I’m going to be running errands in town because it’s too much of a hassle to deal with the umbrella when constantly getting in and out of the truck.

2. What’s something you could you give a 30-minute presentation on at a moment’s notice and with zero preparation?

I could do an impromptu presentation on education, vintage Pyrex, HTML & CSS, my favorite books, home organization, the life of a pastor’s wife, or motherhood. I’m definitely not an expert on any of these topics, so I guess that means I’m just capable of babbling incessantly.

3. Share with us a favorite food memory from childhood.

For my 5th birthday, my mom took me and my cousin to Disney World. I don’t remember much about that day at the most magical place on Earth, but I do remember going through the McDonald’s drive thru on the way home and getting a Happy Meal. Do you remember how McDonald’s used to be really creative with their Happy Meal containers? Well, that particular day the Happy Meal came in a plastic UFO container. Mine was red. It included a sheet of little stickers to decorate the UFO with. It was my all-time favorite meal from Mickey D’s.

4. What’s a song you thought you knew the lyrics to, but later discovered you were wrong?

Growing up, we often sang the hymn “Just As I Am” during the closing invitation. We sang it so often, hardly anyone actually used the hymnal. When I finally looked at the lyrics, I realized that I had been messing up a couple of the verses. I felt silly and wondered if anyone else had noticed.

5. According to one travel website, the most overrated tourist attractions in America are- Niagara Falls (NY), Hollywood Walk of Fame (California), Times Square (NYC), Epcot (FL), Seattle Space Needle (WA), and Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market (Boston). How many of these have you seen in person? Did you feel like a tourist? Did you care? Tell us about a place (not on the list) you’ve visited that might be considered a tourist trap, but you love it anyway.

I am not a well-traveled girl. The only place from the list I’ve visited is Epcot, and that was probably because I lived in Central Florida for most of my life. My favorite tourist trap is the city of Savannah, Georgia. Steven and I spent our anniversary there a few years ago. I felt like a tourist, but it seemed like most of the other people there were as well. I also love visiting Washington, D.C. There’s just so much history there. My hubby has been to Niagara Falls, Times Square, and Quincy Market. One touristy place we would like to visit together is Fenway Park in Boston.

6. Your signature clothing item?

Shoes. Cute shoes. Always.

7. What’s an experience you’ve had you think everyone should experience at least once? Why?

I’ve been blessed to stand on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico many times and watch the sun set on the horizon. I always get goose bumps. God’s glorious creation is breathtaking and is a reflection of His greatness.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

A quote from my husband (not original to him):

April showers bring May flowers, and May flowers bring PILGRIMS!!

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Memes, My Thoughts, Wednesday Hodgepodge

A Reminder When I’m Feeling Discouraged

February 28, 2017


When faced with difficult situations, it’s hard for me to let go of things that are out of my control. [Read more…]

3 Comments Filed Under: Bible Verses, My Thoughts, Photography, Scripture, Thought for the Day

As You Start A New Year

January 1, 2016

Trust-2

TRUST IN THE LORD

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
Seek wisdom and guidance from God.
His blessed presence will not depart
No matter wherever you trod.

Trust in the Lord and do not fear;
Your need He will always supply.
In tribulation be of good cheer,
For He will forever be nigh.

Trust in the Lord; let courage rise,
And finish the course that you run.
Press toward the mark to seize the prize,
For there are rewards to be won.

Lo, He is with you wherever you go
Unto the end of the age.
All your tomorrows He already knows-
Fear not what evil may rage.

He’s ever ready to hear your call;
He knows that your substance is clay.
You are His child and He’ll not let you fall;
Trust Him and walk in His way.
~Dean Beaty

1 Comment Filed Under: My Thoughts, Poems Tagged With: New Year, poems, trust

When Life Is Hard

December 9, 2015

lonetreeSometimes life is hard.

Such a simple statement, yet it’s also a very difficult truth to face. There are days when all feels right in my world, and there are days when it feels like everything is falling apart. I can’t fix the things that I want so badly to fix, and that’s hard for me to accept.

When I’m really struggling to find peace, there is Someone I can count on to uplift me and encourage me. My Saviour is never too busy to listen to me cry out the hurts of my heart. He knows the cause of every ache, and He supplies the comfort I crave for every pain.

When I don’t know what step to take next, the only way I can find direction is by turning to His words. The Bible has the answer for every road block that I stumble upon. When I search the Scriptures, it’s plain to see that I’m really not alone. My heart and mind find calm and comfort from the One who loves me most.

What about you? Are you facing a challenge that is beyond your control? You can rest in God’s love for you. It’s real. It’s unchanging. His grace is everything you need.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2

In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. Psalm 94:19

6 Comments Filed Under: My Thoughts, Scripture Tagged With: answers, Bible, comfort, grace, life

Sweet Peace

March 31, 2015

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Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. ~Psalm 31:24

I read this verse this morning, and it was just what I needed to soothe my spirit. A friend of Bryn’s, just eleven years old, passed away suddenly while getting ready to go to school one morning last week. Needless to say, it’s been a tough week for all of the children at school and for our community, as well as for my youngest as she tried to come to terms with the death of a schoolmate. My heart has been hurting for this precious little girl’s family and friends.

In the midst of difficult trials that we all face in life, I am so thankful for the sweet peace that comes from knowing Jesus. I hope you know Him, too.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ~Romans 10:13

 

 

 

*Image courtesy of Gualberto107 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

3 Comments Filed Under: Bible Verses, My Thoughts

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About The Author

I'm Paula, a pastor's wife, a mom of four blessings, a collector of vintage Pyrex, and a firm believer that chocolate and cute shoes make everything better.

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