A Happy Anniversary with My Best Friend

 

December was our 38th anniversary, and we celebrated by going for a drive to Red Lodge, a small mountain town that sits at the foot of the Beartooth Mountains and is only 60 miles from our home. It had been a while since we had been there; in fact, it has been a long while since we had gone anywhere, and Lauren recognized my need to get out of the house, out of town, and out in the open, where the sun was shining on the snow and the air was fresh with a bit of chill.

 

We didn't bring our camera, but I found a few photos online that represent our drive. There are quite a few farms and ranches as well as homes dotted here and there. The roads were clear, and the snow made the scenery magical.

 

This photo shows the hills and fields we saw as we got closer to Red Lodge.

 

 

This is a photo of the Beartooth Mountains. You can see the "bear's tooth" for which the mountains are named.

 

 

We were only able to drive a few miles south of Red Lodge on the Beartooth Highway, as it is closed all winter due to the high snowfalls. This photo does not show the winter snows, but you can see that when there is lots of snow, driving the switchbacks that climb the mountains would be impossible.

 

We had lunch at our favorite restaurant and did a little shopping, but it was taking in the beauty and majesty of God's creation with my best earthly friend that made it the specially day that it was. What a blessing the Lord gave to me so many years ago, and I know that we both are looking forward to many more years together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(all pictures are from the web)

 

A Kindergartener's Surprise for Her Parents

Five-year-old Claire was born to two deaf parents, and American Sign Language was her first language. So while 60 of her peers used generic hand motions during their Christmas concert, Claire chose to use ASL, much to her parents’ surprise.

This brought such wonderful memories back to me, as I grew up around deaf relatives

 and I loved reading their expressions as well as their signing.

Little Claire is just delightful, especially as she acts as a typical little girl with her expressions as the program gets longer. 

I hope you enjoy this video  as she surprises her parents and delights the audience!

Ode to Joy

In lieu of the fact that my post-writing days are few,

you may have noticed I have been posting

little tidbits that come my way.

This is one of those posts,

and I think you will be blessed by it.

 

Ode to Joy

 

source 

 

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

November

 

A month of thankfulness ~

 

~ the joy of family get-togethers around the table

 

~ a cozy blanket with a good book and a beloved child

 

~ a warm fire with a cup of tea in the evening light

 

~ the last of the falling leaves and harvest of fields

 

~ the first of white snowflakes and the making of snowmen

 

~ woolen sweaters and mittens and rosy cheeks

 

~ the delightful smell of roast turkey, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie

 

 most of all,

 

 my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

 

 

 

 

You may remember this beautiful song by Don Moen,

 

Give Thanks

written by Henry Smith

 

(YouTube)

 

 

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say "I am strong",
Let the poor say "I am rich",
Because of what the Lord, has done for us

And now let the weak say "I am strong",
Let the poor say "I am rich",
Because of what the Lord, has done for us
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks unto the Holy One,
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks unto the Holy One,
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say "I am strong",
Let the poor say "I am rich",
Because of what the Lord, has done for us
And now let the weak say "I am strong",
Let the poor say "I am rich",
Because of what the Lord, has done for us
Give Thanks!
Give Thanks!
Give Thanks!

Who You Are

click arrows to enlarge

 

For my daughters, my granddaughter, my sister, my nieces, my aunt...

 

and for all of the women who are His daughters...

 

I pray you will be blessed.

(I forgot to say that a friend shared this on Facebook recently,
and I cannot find the source. If anyone knows the source,
please let me know so that I may credit it.
Thank you.)

A Letter From Fred ~ A Love Song

I first saw this on Facebook, and I want to share it in case you haven't seen it.

It is beautiful and touching.

The Facebook link came originally from Jim Daly of Focus on the Family.

I would like to quote from Mr. Daly's blog, as he says it so well:

  

Fred Stobaugh is 96 years old, and he misses the woman he spent 75 years of his life with: his wife Lorraine. So when he read in the paper that Green Shoe Studio held an online songwriting contest just six weeks after Lorraine’s death, Fred (who’s not a musician) submitted via postal mail the handwritten lyrics to a love song he wrote as a tribute to his late wife – “Oh Sweet Lorraine.”
 
The simple words of love after a life well-lived touched the core of the younger men and women running the contest at the studio. They recorded Fred’s song with professional musicians. In the video, you have an opportunity to listen to the song for the first time along with Fred – and it will be difficult to keep the tears from flowing.

You can read more of Jim Daly's blog post here: http://community.focusonthefamily.com/b/jim-daly/archive/2013/08/27/video-a-96-year-old-man-the-wife-he-misses-and-a-love-song.aspx

video from You Tube

Born to Sing!

Our grandsons Jack and Eli have been hanging out with me this week, and

I have noticed one trait they both have - they burst out in song as they are playing.

I asked them where they hear these songs; does their mom play them on the radio?

They both informed me that they learn them from Erin as she sings around the house, which they say she does quite a lot.

 

Then, as if I should know this, Jack said,

 

"Nana, we were BORN to sing!"

 

 

I have been writing a few of the grands quotes on our chalkboard,

so it was Jack's turn with this one.

 

(heartlight)