“Birthdays mark time. But they also give us a chance to focus on what really matters in our lives; to recommit ourselves to the values we believe in, to the people we care about, and to the work still left to do.” (A quote from Michelle Obama as she celebrates Barack’s 65th)
Happy Birthday Barack!
I celebrated my 87th last month, and Michelle’s quote really spoke to me. Yes, birthdays do mark time. But I agree, they give us a chance to gather together with people we really care about, and recommit ourselves to the values we believe in.
My values are mirrored by Pete Buttigieg in his “Rules of the Road”
My faith points to those values and to the greatest of these: Just love one another!May your birthdays be those reminders Michelle talks about, and may you have a long and healthy and prosperous and fruitful life!
In my devotional, “When God Thinks of You, He Smiles,” the message fit perfectly for us today. I was invited to “Think of a time when God rescued you.” Yesterday I mourned the loss of one of our beautiful big evergreen trees. It blew over in a 50 mph wind storm. God heard my unspoken pleas. Obviously Bob & I needed help cutting up and removing that fallen spruce. We didn’t have time to think about that task before three different friends reached out and offered to come and help us. It was certainly something they (and for sure God) knew we could not do ourselves. Our bodies just lack that capability at the ripe age of 87!
So, that tree that once stood at least 20 feet tall snapped off right at its base… and lay there Sunday pathetically waiting to be removed… and dear friends came Monday to cut it up. A big job for two men with chain saws, a pick up and a borrowed trailer. Took three trips to the dump to get most of it removed. Tomorrow the rest will go and the trailer will be returned to the generous owner. We are so blessed to have such caring, capable friends!
The devotional this morning began with, “God’s love leads Him to do more for us than we can envision.” Certainly the Godly servants of the Lord that He sent our way did more than I could envision.
The message went on to say, “No matter how often you need Him, He will always be there. Trust in Him, for He is faithful and true.”
Thank You, God, for rescuing us. I do trust in You. Thank You for sending Your beloved followers to help us. We delight in You.
My devotional says, “When God thinks of you, He smiles.” Well, guess what, when I think of God, I smile.
Hope your day was beautiful and you had (have) that kind of helpful mother (I did!)And I am blessed with this very loving helpful son and…… these two very sweet, helpful, loving daughters.
Traveling from Ennis to Bozeman along the Madison RiverI happily wait for Bob as he gets a haircutOur “Bonus Daughter,” Laina, has a pretty day in Maryland, too. And DeDe, our daughter in Switzerland, sent a picture of the scene from her balcony this morning. Laina is enjoying time with her grandson…While DeDe is reading to her grandson … so cute!Meantime, Bob’s Diggin’ in to our wonderful lunch at Dave’s SushiDon’t you wish you’d had this delightful Thursday with us?
It was an extra 6 hour drive – stressful in torrential rains, but well worth it to be able to spend time at Carmel by the Sea and experience the Asilomar coast. Sooo beautiful!
We lucked out- a break in the storm!
Don’t know what that white is…
Don’t know what that black spot is!
I know what that smudge on the left is… my thumb!The waves were crashing, the clouds parted , and we marveled at the fresh ocean air and gorgeous vistas. And headed back to our son’s in Placerville, the rain was heavy and the traffic was crazy. There was a terrible accident that delayed us awhile – all lanes closed. But on our way again, God sent this reassurance:A full rainbow with a break in the rain for about 15 reassuring minutes!!
God is good! Now, a safe drive to Sacramento airport early tomorrow- and I’ll see you back in Montana.
Kenny will be waiting for us. But will he want to come home? I don’t know. He’s had a wonderful 3 weeks with his Rover dog sitter. Thank you, Jenna. Happy New Year.
