Practicing the Presence of God

Sunset over Long Lake
Central Adirondack Mountains
July 2013

I opened my journal that I keep on my "Adirondack book" shelf in my living room.  This bookshelf contains all my hiking books and Adirondack history books. It also contains a small wicker basket where I keep my journal, pen and devotional book to record the 1000 gifts based on Ann Voscamp's book and challenge of finding 1000 gifts from God in a year.  Well, I opened that book this morning and realized that in over a year I have only written down about 380 gifts/blessings.  I guess I didn't meet the challenge.

But then I pondered..............

Why is it necessary to actually write it down?  I mean, I understand the exercise and the practice of doing it.  It is great to record those blessings we can find in every day happenings.

But...I do this every Friday while linking up with the other bloggers doing the Friday Fave Fives hosted by Susanne!!  I just don't then go to my journal and record them with my own handwriting.  But those faves are really blessings and gifts.......so...I guess I have done over a thousand!

But....numbers, in my opinion, are not what's important. 

What's important is practicing the spiritual discipline of being in the Presence of God.......

and the discipline of being thankful for all things He brings to us......ALL things.

Sometimes it is just a sunset like the one I captured on my cell phone camera during the first part of our mountain vacation last week. (photo above)

Sometimes it is moments like this:

Courtney and Claire walking to town in Long Lake
July 2013

my precious daughters, ages 20 and 14....how honored I am to be their mom.............my greatest blessings................

and this one..........

Dave on the summit of Owls Head Mountain
Long Lake, NY
July 2013

my husband...........for whom I am most thankful for..............doing life together.............

for blessings as simple as these...........

Morning coffee on the dock
 Shamrock Cottages
Long Lake, NY
July 2013

Sucker Brook Trail
Adirondack Interpretive Center
Newcomb, NY
Central ADKs
2 August 2013

a solitary walk in the woods.........

..........worshiping the Creator.........

thanking Him for all the gifts He brings.............

.........practicing His Presence.................

How are you practicing the presence of God today??

Leave a comment and you will be automatically entered in my "end of summer" giveaway (a special summer treat and a devotional book)....winner will be chosen by random at the end of summer!

treasures and a promise of things to come

...............twirling, swirling, wild, wet flakes falling gently on mud-stained playground swings...........

..............children laughing, tongues lapping wet snow and faces aglow with the wonder of a late winter day............

..............birds at the feeder and on the branches heavy and wet

..........steaming mug of coffee and the well loved Book............Words of God leaping off the page and into the heart............

.............warm, fuzzy sox on feet that want to run through green grass but spring seems to be taking forever to get here to eastern New York........so............

........................ grateful for a warm house, warm kitchen............

............and family safe inside........

...........for the assurance of God's grace.......

.............................and mercy.....

...........the message of an old friend still fighting his battle but clinging to the knowledge that he is not alone..................

............the whisper of winter as it wraps us in fallen snow.......................

.................and the promise of things to come.............

Counting the gifts from God........

..................the treasures He gives.........

even in the midst of a winter afternoon.............

.............................. the day before spring..........

and daring to fully live to live fully..............

this continues my list of 1000 gifts based on the challenge by Ann Voskamp , Holy Experience blog.

Slow Start........

image taken from ADKExplorer website

A slow start to the morning...........

.........schools delayed for 2 hours..........

.................freshly falling snow.................wet, will be gone by day's end with the warmer temps..........

........................a slow start to the day means time for meditating..........

.......................................counting my blessings towards my 1000 gifts goal..............

not minding that I only made it to 300+ the past calender year......life happens......busy days and busier evenings..........

and summer...ah....summer....that blessed time for me..............

there is no excuse why I can't journal at least 3 blessings per day to get in 1000 in one calender year but why be so rigid??

I like to journal as the time and thoughts allow..........

.................like this morning............

• God's treasures for today include the freshly fallen snow so pretty in my backyard..........and my mind going to the spot in the photo above.....a place I would love to live but my home right now is here in suburbia and the mountains an hour drive north.

claire practices

• the hugs and smiles of my 14 year old ballerina....so set on getting high marks on her mid-terms at the junior high this week............already well on her way to another report of high honor roll...so thankful for this daughter of mine....this driven, high-achieving, determined young dancer, violinist, student and compassionate friend...lover of musicals, elephants and computer games that involve animals........how I love her so........

Courtney on the trail back from Gull Pond
Gordon College campus

 

• thankful for the oldest daughter and her text that she successfully got another on-campus job with more hours...a dining hall weekend job that will be perfect for her busy academic schedule.......thankful for her high grades, determination, caring of the earth/nature, her friends, her devotion to God......so thankful for this oldest girl who is becoming a wonderful woman..........

image taken from dreamstime website

• the time to watch the bluebirds at the feeder.....so many with their junco and nuthatch friends.......and the knowledge that God takes care of them like He cares for us.........His eye is on the bird....and on me....so comforting to know He is all-powerful............

loving this slow start to the morning..............

enjoy the day everyone, snow included!!

Thankful for the Memories

It's been awhile since I posted more from my One Thousand Gifts list.......the idea being from the author of the book by the same title......do you ever check out her blog, A Holy Experience? It's amazing...she is very talented!

It's been a holiday weekend for us.....Columbus Day.....and my Canadian friends are celebrating their Thanksgiving.....which led me to remember that it's been some time since I listed some blessings He has brought to my mind.

so......I'm thankful and thanking Him for these special little things that made their way into our weekend...........

............Blueberry pancakes and hot coffee on a lovely log cabin porch on a sunny Saturday morning...with extended family.......

on the left front to back: Kathy(Pete's wife) Me, my husband Dave
on the right front to back: Claire, Courtney, Pete (Dave's older bro)

.........soothing sun and sea..........

............steaming hot tea, flavored with apple cinnamon spice........

.............Sisters laughing...............

...........family get-togethers.......making memories..........

Thanking God for family....some of whom are like close friends.........

............for beach house getaways..........laughter, love............

.........food and fun.........

.............and realizing we are getting older.........and only the One who made us knows when we all might be together again...........

...........time is running out at this house...........but we will be forever grateful we had these years............these moments and these memories.......

Early Summer Gifts

enjoying this warm, sunny Sunday.....reflecting on these first summer days and finding I need to add to the 1000 gifts...those treasures from God.....I'm up to 350!! This writing exercise is based on the challenge from the  book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voscamp

image taken from birdsflight.com

~~the squawk of the blue-jay outside my bedroom window, welcoming us to worship............

~~ a warm shower after 2 days of no shower in the house..........and the plumber willing to come on a Saturday and not charge us extra money......for this we are most thankful~~ 

~~time to read good books....for fun....

and for learning......

~~sermons that challenge.....and lead to worship....and even though worship is tough for me right now I am so thankful for praying friends....who "get it"...they understand the struggle because they've walked it too.........

~~friends who text and keep in touch...........

~~friends who call for prayer and we end up praying for each other......and hold each other accountable..........

~~ for friends who don't need to keep in touch constantly, yet know I am there for them and they are there for me~~

~~leaders who represent Jesus well........and help me to feel safe....

who know how to listen, and care, and not judge, and.....just listen. and relate......and aren't afraid to speak Truth...........

~~my church, safe haven that it is......for this I am thankful....it is solid and there...and when we travel and are away our hearts are knit there and friends are praying~~

Thank you God for these early summer days......and for the Sabbath sun........

Memories are Treasures

sitting in the beach house kitchen..............

.......sounds of the birds, the ocean waves, the scent of salty sea waters........

...........sunshine slipping in through the flung-wide open windows........

and reflecting on the treasures from God that surround me.  All these things and more.......all good things He gives us......

Family.  Extended family. Rough patches that don't get smoothed over by grace and mercy because they don't know Grace and Mercy but they are family. Different in belief. Different family standards. Yet.....

Family.

They are important to my husband and I. They are an extension of him, belief or not. We need to be salt and light and it can be DIFFICULT!!!!

But memories are treasures and memories are made and memories hold us close.

c. GoldintheClouds-faithe May 2012
Buzzards Bay behind the beach house

~~watching the tween cousins splashing in high tide and swimming through to low tide and laughing, loving~~

~~extended family enjoying late lunch with yesterday's college graduate...our first nephew....his charming good lucks, his sense of humor, his knowledge, his service to our country.......his kindness to all the younger girl cousins~~

c. GoldintheClouds-faithe.May2012
our niece Hanna(20) our Claire(13) nephew Adam(23) our Courtney(18) our niece Debi(10)
and missing our niece Beth(21)...nephew Ronnie(12) was already in the car!

~~favorite reading spots in sun-soaked deck chairs~~

the main deck at the beach house
c. GoldintheClouds-faithe.May2012

~~sea-side fires and roasting marshmallows and laughing family~~

Claire, Hanna, Debi, Pete, Ronnie (Debi's bro), and Karen (Hanna's mom)
c. GoldintheClouds-faithe May2012

~~all the chaos and family dynamics......sometimes loud, sometimes hard, sometimes sad, sometimes funny, and always endearing.........

Thank You, God for these memories...............

may we always remember that You made each and every one of us. Whether they believe or not............help us to be light and salt in our families' lives.

My Hiding Place

~pondering the words from Psalm 32:7

"You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;  I will guide you with My eye."

~pondering the goodness of God and past miracles....healings....physical, emotional, spiritual......


and knowing deep in the dark places of my heart that He still sees, still guides, still teaches, still surrounds me with songs.............


and this time embracing the trouble, the pain, the feelings of disappointment in human leaders.....


........embracing the command to bear one another's burdens.........


.........to reach out for help........


........and not hide.


Except in Him.

image taken from worshipimages.com

 Counting more treasures.....on the 1000 gifts from God journey...........


~~morning sunshine streaming through windows open........


~~hugs and kisses from the 13yr old ballerina bringing laughter to the day..........


~~knowing that a godly leader is praying and the assurance of trust.........


~~texts from solid friendships built upon doing life together, lifting each other up and praying for one another as we struggle through trials.........


~~morning chores accomplished for later quiet times.........


~~the hope that lies underneath the confused feelings and the hope that those songs of deliverance will be sung because His promises are True..........

image taken from wehuntbutterflies.com

Are you hiding in Him today?

Taking Time To Count

Taking time today.....amidst the busyness of working mom, working wife's life.....to find the treasures....from Him....and counting it all joy...........

..........enjoying late afternoon sunshine warming the ground......

............waiting....for rehearsal to end......the ballerina being rushed home our tongues loose with laughter and talk of our busy day.......

.........eating dinner fast to go to ballet class....

yet taking time to count.....

the blessings......in our day.....busy though it is.......

~~a message from a friend reconnected......

~~soft cushions plump and perfect for leaning~~

~~hot, fragrant coffee~~

~~sales at the grocer~~

~~college girl tomorrow home~~ surprising us with a few days early

and these sights in my world...................

crocuses
c. faithe MTpics 2012

..........taking the time to count......

to the days until Spring..............

Savoring Sunday......

...........waking to the smell....savoring richness......savoring time....

..........savoring the Sabbath and all that is holy...........

.......savoring treasures He gives in simple mornings........

                               ....Sabbath mornings...........

~~quiet house~~

~~morning streaming sunshine...........

image taken from fitforlife website

~~soft, savory scrambled eggs..........

.............made special by a husband who creates in the kitchen............


~a new devo book.........words of wisdom packed through-out........

"may you live all the days of your life" (Jonathan Swift)

~~savoring Scripture.....


~~the gift of His Words~~

"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."  I Peter 4:10 

Staycation Treasures

......contemplating so much this morning......winter recess is upon us.......husband is at work, quiet house settles around the cold, sunny morning...........ballerina daughter sleeping in........

contemplating the struggles he shared with me yesterday.......

...........struggles only the Savior can reach........

..................I am honored to be his helpmate and saddened that I can't fix the struggles.........he wants a listening ear......"I can do that, Lord!"

............contemplating the power and peace of prayer........so thankful we have a Savior to turn to in our time of struggle..............

...........so thankful he joined a small group......a gathering of men to encourage, edify, embrace with the Words of God.........

.

...........treasuring the text messages from friends going through the fire.....

..........treasuring their answered prayers we've lifted up............

~~the simple things He allows us to enjoy............

~~books~~
to nourish the soul,
renew the mind,
relax the body
to inspire~

~~the English Ivy~~

~~ special gift from one of my best friends~~
she knows my style!

~~ the opportunity to spend time with my 13 year old......a mall trip.....a lunch date....

~~the chance to journal my thoughts on paper and to process the things He has shown me in the last 2 years~

~~the chance to pray for friends over the phone, through a text, and silently.............

~~the chance to write letters to far-away-friends and relatives

~~the chance to relax and organize my home~~

Thank You Lord for allowing me to have this week off from work........to contemplate on You and the treasures You bring........

Wrapped in the Robe

A favorite robe........

plush....soft.....warm.....blue.........

hands reaching out on chilly, winter mornings...

....wrapping around while bare-feet slap against cold, stone kitchen tiles..

..hands waiting to hold a steaming mug of coffee.......

.......wraps me warm while watching the daughter go to the bus stop.....

.....wraps me warm while finishing the morning meal.........

          ..wraps me warm while kissing husband good bye...

                    ..wraps me warm until stepping into the shower..........

                                a treasure....warmth on cold.......

...........and this robe of righteousness from my Savior.

..the One who wraps me in His Love.....

...........this robe of righteousness 

from the One who forgives.......

........Who helps us to forgive easily.........

..........wrapping our souls in warmth...........

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God;  for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness."  Isaiah 61:10

.....His love....spilling over our shoulders..........

.............into our hearts.........

.............................minds................

................................souls......................

infusing us with warmth...........the warmth of His Love...............

.................wrapped in the robe of righteousness...................

................waiting for us.................

are you letting Him wrap you in the robe of righteousness today?

Winter Gifts

~~~ footsteps crunching leading to gifts formed by the Creator....

...frozen ground with trails winding 'round...........

~~the gift of companions hiking in spacious blue sky's majesty......

~~silence in the stillness, awed by what He does.....

amazed by the season drawing me near to Him and beckoning to come.................

Treasures from above.....

               from our God......

                             Creator of heaven and earth..........