Santa's Helper or God's Joy Giver

I headed out on my morning run -- a different and longer trail this time, but still in my kids' community here in Frisco. When I run, I purposefully keep my eyes open to "God" inspirations. I rounded my turn, and before me I saw this lovely lady picking up things in the street and putting it into a plastic shopping bag. I thought maybe she was picking up pecans -- though it's late in the season to do so. I approached her and said, "What are you doing?" She said, "Oh, I do this every day. I pick up trash that people have thrown into the street. It's a shame that people can be so care-less." I replied, "Well, good for you. Instead of complaining, you are doing something to make the world a better place. Thank you for being such a model citizen. What do you use that big ring for?" She said, "It was in the street. Someone could have run over it and it could have damaged their car." She had a very distinct accent. I thought it was German. She said, "No, I'm from Holland." I asked her name and I told her I would be talking about her in today's blog post. I told her she brought me joy to see how much she cares and what a beautiful example she is for all of us to see.

I left Suzanne, I thought, "What JOY that encounter was to me! That must have been from YOU, God!" And, no sooner had I thought that, right across the street, diagonally, was this home with a big JOY sign out front. I noticed all the little God moments I just had. First, that I ran into Suzanne, a kind, caring and giving gal who cares. Second, that she had what I thought was a German accent, which made me think of my sweet German husband. Third, that she was from Holland, and that thought led me to think about being in Amsterdam, Holland a couple of years ago and getting to go the Spring Tulip Festival. Fourth, that while we are thinking about Christmas and the JOY that God gave us when He gave us His one and only son, just maybe, instead of thinking about how to get JOY, we should be thinking about how we can give JOY to God....just like Suzanne did for me today. And, Fifth -- when I turned the corner to my family's home, straight in front of me was another JOY message on the home across the street. As I was taking this photo, I didn't realize that the owner was standing in her front yard in her robe and hair curlers. BTW -- I DIDN'T ask if I could take her photo (LOL) but I did get to give her the story of Suzanne and the reciprocating JOY that God gives us and the JOY that we give to Him.

Don't you know it must be like "music in God's ears" when we ACT like Him....giving, caring, loving and serving. Just think about it. The more we give JOY to God, the more He gives JOY back to us. No matter how hard we try, we can never outgive God.

God's Creation is Even More Spectacular in Holland

Day 117 of Photo Inspirations -- God's Creation is even more spectacular in Holland!

It was another glorious day as we made our way to the largest port in the world, Rotterdam, Netherlands -- the gateway to Amsterdam, Holland.  We travelled leisurely down the canal, passing by the secret annex of Anne Frank who wrote her famous diary during the holocaust.  I loved hearing Michael Buble' singing as we slowly passed by the contemporary architecture of the bridges and buildings -- certainly not the Holland we imagined.

And, what fun it was to dance with one of the ship's cooks on the upper deck as we made our way to docking.

But, being the adventureous "Fearless 4" that we are -- we decided to once again, set out on our own for a great day of exploration and adventure.  The ship's excursion packages are pricier and safer since if you're not back to the ship in time for it to leave port, they'd wait for you, but in our case -- we're up for the thrill of the hunt and excitement of living on the edge!  We took the shuttle to city center, then we got on a train to Liedem, Holland, then took a taxi ride through what we remembered about Holland -- the quaint homes, green pastures, bicycles ridden by young and old alike, the cable cars, etc., but we were in for the greatest thrill when, since it's the Tulip Festival Season, we went to Keukenhof, Holland.

Keukenhof is the most beautiful spring garden in the world with more than 7 million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths that fill over 77 acres with color, beauty and fragrance.

You'll see what I describe in the photos attached -- my, oh, my -- our Creator continues to inspire and amaze us with his creative genius.  I know I am so blessed to be able to "stop and smell the....tulips" -- and I'm thanking God everyday for His greatness.

I continue to be amazed as I sing "Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder -- consider all the worlds thy hands have made.  I see the stars.  I hear the rolling thunder.  Thy power throughout -- the universe displayed.  Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee -- How Great Thou Art!  How Great Thou Art!