Unable to post pictures here, I abandoned WP during these past three weeks and used FB to share our travels with friends. It’s been a magical time in England and Switzerland. If you, my WP friends, wish to travel vicariously with us, do click on my FB link and have a look… you can travel backward with us all the way to London and then to Downton where we were privileged to spend three days with blogging friend, Derrick Knight and his wife, Jackie. When I get home to Montana Thursday, I will resume my “Embrace” series.
I have tried posting on my blog since arriving in England. It won’t allow my pictures. Don’t desert me, though. Hang tight. I’ll be back, it’ll be worth the wait! Meantime, follow me on FB, ok?
Nothing like being prepared! It allows a sense of ease after all the struggle of getting there!
Plane ready – and so were we!Waiting in Chicago for the flight to London
Where’s a gourmet sit-down restaurant when you need it? Heck we can get fast food anywhere. We wanted something special. Message: relax and be patient. Save the fancy meal for when you’re with DeDe!! OK…
De’s there… waiting for us.
Flight takes off in an hour … we’re praying all goes smoothly. Thank you for the good wishes.
“The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”
I embrace prayers And I embrace the pray-ers Reaching out to God
As Bob & I prepare to embark on our trip to London and Switzerland, we are humbled by the number of prayers being offered on our behalf by family and friends. Bob came back from his Alaska trip a week and a half ago unfit to travel again… but with care and prayer, he is so much better – – – and his doctors have given him the ok to take this next trip. It’s been booked since last March! We leave Sunday. Oh, time is swiftly passing!
We know God hears – and we know our dear Lord is holding us in the palm of His hand. We are grateful for the intercessory support.
I know you have faced challenging times, too, and you know the power of prayer when you are navigating rough waters.
I know Jesus is a pray-er. He modeled the effectiveness of prayer for us. I am not sure how many times in the Bible it says Jesus went to a quiet place and took time to pray… but I know it’s a lot! If He counted on speaking to God in order to determine His next steps, who am I to try to go it alone?
So, I am up this evening talking to God, knowing Jesus intercedes for me, too… and I can feel the prayers of friends and family who have shared comments such as, “Let us pray that all goes smoothly,” and “Praying for you and Bob… Seeing family is worth the effort. God’s peace,” and “I hope all of your test come back negative and your travel plans run smoothly.” Thank you, WordPress friends!
With a community of believers out there, friends sharing their prayers and good wishes, and with my faith in scripture such as James 5:16, I can go to bed this night and sleep peacefully. I know the One who holds me also holds the future … and wants only my good.
Thank You, Lord, for the love, support, and comfort You send through my spiritual family.
Thank you for helping me relax and put these COVID test results and travel requirements in God’s hands. If this trip to London and Switzerland is meant to be, all my worries are for nothing. As the meme above says, “Worry is a conversation you have with yourself about things you cannot change.” Instead, Jan, put your hand in the hand of the Man who stilled the waters!
Now that I am safely tucked into the Man from Galilee’s hand, I can relax and go get a good night’s sleep!
Do you love to travel? What is your motivation to travel? Some people travel to study history. Some travel to see the scenery. Bob traveled recently to “catch the big one!” Others travel for business purposes. Why do you travel?
This week my grandson, Mike, who lived in Switzerland took a trip to Greece with his fiance’ Tania, and sent me some wonderful photos. Why do you think they traveled?
At the same time, our daughter, DeAna, sent us pictures of her travel experience. She and Andre’ (our son-in-law) are traveling to Corsica this week. Why do you think they traveled?
Look at the difference in travel mode!!
Bob & I traveled to Bozeman today. That kind of travel counts, don’t you think? It’s an hour’s drive… We went for several reasons: Get my new iPhone, Get help programming the phone, Get a haircut, Buy new clothes for our trip to Switzerland. Why do you think we’re going to Europe?
Snow-capped Madison Range Ennis, MT 9-21-21
No, our trip to Switzerland has nothing to do with Swiss cows. Guess again!
I am praying that all these COVID tests required for flying to London, and then required for staying there, and then required for leaving and going to Switzerland will arrive on time to each of their destinations. I have faith that God hears my prayers, and God knows how much we need to see our daughter and the rest of our Swiss family. Please pray with me for all to go smoothly!
And stay tuned…
I hope to show you my favorite sites along the way.
Our buddy, Rex Hocking, with his award-winning 30″ trout.
Bob says it’ll be pretty hard to beat that wonderful, surreal trip he just took with his buddies to Alaska. Rex sent a photo of Bob fishing (there was a bear on the shore right across the river from where he was)! Just imagine that!
I can’t post that fisherman-bear photo today (gotta figure out how to reduce the size of the file and eliminate some of my WordPress photos so I have room to add more in my media library)… But, it is pretty hard to beat those kinds of experiences, huh?
God willing, and test results arriving on time, we’ll be sharing our fun in the days to come.
Where have you traveled recently? Or what’s your favorite trip?
Elfchen or “Elevenies” are poems with eleven words in a pattern of 1+2+3+4+1
Embrace Spontaneous Leisure as you relax and enjoy life today: Sunday
Sunday mornings always are hurried “UP ‘N AT T’EM” days. Rush!
Shower. Get up. And get dressed. Then gobble your breakfast. Church!
(Click the arrow below)
Listen “Rush Hour” for a minute … Then click it off. Frenzy!
Happy? Not likely. That “Happy Hardcore” Destroys any residual sanity. Yuck!
(Go back and click outta that sound!)
Repetitive, nerve wracking… Who needs it? Put your feet up. Relax!
Wallow in silliness for a while; Find yourself some laughter. Chuckle!
Find some friends to join you. Good for your soul. Laze!
A few friends took me up on my suggestion yesterday. My silly blog was titled, “Embrace a Camel” and I really wentoff the deep end. One little friend got into a box and joined the insanity club!
How about you? Do you take a day to just be silly and relax every now and then?
It’s called “Spontaneous Leisure” and I recommend it!
Today we slept in. We dressed in a casual, leisurely fashion. We ate brunch at 10: am (our church didn’t ZOOM the service today or we would’ve tuned in to it) and then we went up to our sanctuary and had our own worship service up there.
It was just the break from routine that we needed!
Embrace Spontaneous Leisure. Just treat yourself Take an unintentional break – Relax
Jesus Accepts worship Wherever it occurs. God condones taking breaks. Recline!
Question: “What does the Bible say about rest and relaxation?”. Answer: “Rest” is defined as “peace, ease or refreshment.” “Relax” means “to become loose or less firm, to have a milder manner, to be less stiff.” The Bible speaks quite highly of rest.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Doctor ordered relaxation: Just sit back – Put your feet up – Chill!
Embrace each sunset Trust the sun will rise again Pray for clearer skies
Taken on the way home from Bozeman last night with smoke-filled skies
Psalm 65:8 “They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.”
Embrace each sunset Know the sunrise is coming Count on God’s promise
One season follows After another each year Changing day by day
Enjoy the beautiful voice of Aled Jones in this lovely song that reinforces the Sunrise follows every sunset focus… Close your eyes and imagine your most beautiful sunset.
Tomorrow’s sunrise Brings with it great promises Embrace each sunset
See ya tomorrow (God Willing) Make the most of it! What will you do?
Tonight I am praying for my friend, {{{Derrick}}} Do you follow his blog? Check it out. The photography is as captivating as the text. I can hardly wait for the sunrise when we get to see him & Jackie in person! Stay tuned… I’ll share it with you.
His mum peacefully retired over her last sunset on earth. My heart goes to to Derrick & Jackie and their family. Rest in peace, Mum. God bless you. Leave the light on!
