My Rolling in the Hay Adventures

Not only do I blog every day, but I also write in my journal the highlights of each day -- the "God" encounters, the strange, the off-kilter, the wacky, and the wild adventures. Truly I amuse myself. Believe me, I have plenty to write about -- even outside of my normal routine. A couple of weeks ago I volunteered at the "Roar" VBS which spotlighted the wild exploits of jungle animals and in our Faith Station where I was a co-leader, we taught about the wild adventures that took place in the Bible.

Those Bible adventures carry on in the wild adventures I take on when I take care of my family's critters: 8 hens; 2 ducks, a huge longhorn, 8 goats, 3 donkeys, a dog and a cat, plus the wildlife (note the wild turkeys that showed up a couple of days ago) AND all the varmints that lurk in the dark at night.

I read my journal for this date a year ago and I was here, like this time, while the family was on their summer vacation. Oh my! Here's an excerpt: "OMG -- again! I went to check on the chickens and get in the eggs, and lo and behold, two hens were outside the pen. Blistering hot outside and they were running from me. Finally, one flew to the top of the wall and I chased her back into the pen and the other, I finally lasted longer than she did and caught her. Thank you, Lord, for strength in this day!" Here I am one year later saying "Bring it on, girls and boys!" Now we know that those hen girls regularly fly out of the pen for a little adventure of their own, but they fly back in. Now we give them a little leeway and they always come home where they belong. There's just no place like home!

Sometimes it’s a good thing to explore and experience some out-of-the-box times that produce growth, some new muscle, new insight, and a fresh new perspective. When I take on the care of these animals, it is definitely out of my comfort zone. Last year, I knew those animals sensed my trepidation. The goats and donkeys took advantage of me, the novice farm-hand, by overpowering my obvious inexperience. And then some of the chickens escaped under the fence and I was chasing them -- pardon the pun -- like a chicken with her head cut off. And if you didn’t know, chickens are fast. I’m sure you would have been greatly entertained if you had seen me. I finally cornered them and took them home, and then commenced to haul over rocks to the fence to cover the just-big-enough-to-escape holes. This time it’s easy-peasy. Note my relaxing morning devotion location and sweet Bentley, their Havanese dog who is my side-kick!

I am so pleased to report that my mentality changed from “out-of-sync” to “I’ll show you who's boss” this year! It’s smooth, calm and in-sync here at Old Mac-Donna’s farm. In fact, I think I’ve conquered any fears or concerns. The bigger animals respect me when I come out with their feed bowls. Now, I have a well-thought-out plan that calmly separates them, respectfully, at meal-time. They love it when I scratch their heads and backs. The ducks and chickens are behaving like well-behaved critters (instead of “gangsters” like I called those who escaped their pen last year), and those mama hens are producing a lot of eggs for me – so yummy! There’s nothing like fresh eggs.

I am so blessed to have a “King David” moment (1 Samuel 30:6) when he encouraged himself. I encourage myself by God's words about “taking dominion” in Genesis 1:28. “And God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” I muster up that dominion attitude with wisdom and strength and an empowered mindset. I take matters into my hands that are empowered by God's strong and mighty hands and even celebrate His marvelous creation – His critters and His masterfully designed scenic view! Life is good because God is good. All the time.

You Are Always On My Mind

Do you remember that feeling when you first met your sweetheart and you couldn’t get him or her out of your mind? That’s all I thought about – morning, noon and night – that cute, black haired, brown eyed boy stole my heart AND my mind!

This year I found that the principal thing is the simplest thing -- noticing, purposing to be aware of God everywhere, recognizing the beauty in His creation, in the talents and abilities of His kids, savoring the everyday realities of His grace that are so abundant. Willie Nelson recorded the song, "You Are Always On My Mind", and that has been my love song to God this year. In being "tuned in" to Him and being grateful for the simple yet obvious "God" encounters in my day, He has been on my mind...a LOT!

I sincerely want to continue that awareness of Him and having Him on my mind. "Him I will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon Me." Isaiah 26:3. But, I also know the struggle it is to stay "in the moment". It's just so easy to be distracted from the very things He wants to show me.

And that’s what Christmas has been about — finding Him in the midst of the chaos, in the midst of the interruptions and distractions. No question, He is everywhere, but the simplest, purest, most humble and less grandiose place we'll find Him, is still -- in the manger. Wouldn't it make sense that we, too, will find him in some of the least expected places of our life? Perhaps in the homeless man on the street corner, a newborn baby, the hug from a friend, the "My pleasure" from the Chick-Fil-A cashier, in the "answered prayer" story of a friend, or simply, the cross hanging from someone's neck?

This is still His Christmas. Remember the chaotic, stinky, messiness of Jesus' birthplace? That's where we'll find Him in our world too. We'd love to be distraction-less and have ongoing sweet, encounters with Him....but, it just doesn't matter. He meets us where we are -- in our busyness AND in our stillness. He is there. God is always there waiting for us. When we're "practicing His presence" we'll find Him embracing us, giving us aha moments, seeing Him everywhere and in everything.

And if going to the stable and the manger in our minds is too much of a stretch.....after all, it really is quite stinky and messy there.....then we can go to the foot of the cross where He paid the ultimate price for you and me. We were on His mind from the manger to the cross. We are ALWAYS on His mind. Shouldn't He ALWAYS be on our mind?

Thinking Back and Looking Forward

Day 365 of Photo Inspirations -- Thinking Back and Looking Forward
It's the 365th day of the year -- and my last day of photo inspirations that I committed to when I sensed that God was calling me to take my daily blogs and FB posts to a whole new level -- one that included photos that inspired me with special thoughts and words to share that would, hopefully, bring inspiration to others.  I can't begin to adequately explain how rewarded I feel for staying true to my commitment.  Purposefully, I made sure to stay "in the zone", seizing the moments, noticing little and big God-encounters, recognizing that God is always speaking.  I just had to tune in to His still small voice, and, often, His big booming voice as I witnessed His illustrated messages to me through nature, His Word, His kids and His embrace.  Fact is.....I showed up for my daily appointment with God.....and He was faithful and true to His promises.....He ALWAYS showed up for me.

I'm not exactly sure what this next year will look like, not only in my commitment to daily photos and blogs, but in life overall.  But one thing I do know for sure......I know WHO knows and I'm excited for the journey that awaits me.   There will be many opportunities for making FB posts and writing my daily blogs because I'm very aware that God has many more exciting adventures and trails for me to blaze in this new year.  So, I'll continue to be on daily assignment.

#TBT -- The second photo inspiration is from this day a year ago with my two little men -- my annual New Year's Eve dates!   Once again, tonight, these two and I will make toasts with our sparkling grape juice, we'll wear our hats, blow our horns, we'll even shoot some little fireworks, and we'll watch the giant sphere of sparkles descend in Times Square three hours ahead of Pacific time as 2015 makes its exit and 2016 begins.  We'll be silly and dance and give each other hugs and kisses.  Eat your heart out, single women everywhere!  LOL!  

A new year -- new hope for our future.  There is something inherit within us that craves a new fresh start -- a chance to make wrongs right, and good things even greater. The promise of a clean slate is thrilling and stirs up a part of our soul.  We pin so many hopes and dreams on the start of a new year. We set resolutions, create goals, hope to start new habits and break old ones.  I've already begun to think about new horizons, new seasons, and new adventures.   My personal motto will continue to be "I'm still here....so I'm not done."   I'm grabbing hold of this new year by its tail and I'm going to fly by the seat of my pants.  No rocking chair thoughts in this girl's mind!

But, even better than any resolution or goals or new habits that I could set for myself, the knowing that my Father God has my year planned out in detail, gives me great excitement and blessed assurance.    He'll give me courage to face each new day and the best part, His mercies will be new each morning, so I'm guaranteed success if I do my part in staying tight with Him.

The great news is that God is the author of 2016!   He knows each and every twist and turn that lay ahead, both for you and for me. He has planned 2016 down to the minutest detail—all with the goal of His glory, and our good.   Look out, 2016 -- HERE WE COME!  It'll be a GREAT ADVENTURE!