April Blessings ~ Counting It All Joy (Week 4)

COUNTING IT ALL JOY

April Showers

April 25~ Toss and toss and turn. Dang it's time to raise and shine. Sleep would be awesome...but...time to get ready to see new chiropractor today that I was referred too. Excited! Bubble busted! Denied service's. Don't except my medical coverage. Oh joy! Tears and being mad truly aren't the answer...but feel good for the moment. This day truly is going sideways quickly. Liquid sunshine and lots of it. Just breathe and accept. Can I crawl under my covers instead please. Forget this day and come back tomorrow to try again. No this is the day you've been given. You can and will see the goodness and beauty in it. Always something even in the darkest of days to be thankful for. Oh I'm so thankful that I have friends I can vent with and pray with. A gift that is so sweet and kind that we take for granted. Thank you to each one of you that allow me to be me, no matter how small or big the situation. You give me the gift of allowing me to be me. To vent, cry, be mad, then pray and whatever is needed. Laugh, and play on the good days creating magic and beautiful memories to last a lifetime. As I sit in my car listening to the rain pounding down in musical notes as they dance across the hood, and windshield of my car; thinking how wonderful it would be to be a kid again with no thought, care, or worry. The gift of my life wrote in little notes daily finding the positive and beautiful breathe taking moments, things I'm thankful for daily. Yes I'm thankful for even this day of dancing rain, and disappointment that shows the love and support of my family and friends. The grace and mercy of the Lord comes shining through every situation giving me His divine peace as we walk through this together. Thank you Lord! Blessings

April 26~ Waking to the rain coming down. Wondering when old man Winter will quit holding the sunshine and warmer weather hostage. It's Wednesday smiles of beauty. Time for me to rock this day as I get ready to head to the salon. Had eight on the books and only one canceled today. They had me hopping. No rest for me today as they were lined up at the door waiting their turn in the chair. Sure do love my ladies and gentlemen. Praising God for everything going well for Katherine Fischer Huston today in surgery. Came home to my quiet home and kicked back and did lots of praying. Excited about hearing from my friend. More prayers needed for him. Lots of prayers and praying today. Lots and lots of needs. God's healing balm of Gilead poured out upon every need and prayer request spoken and unspoken. Yes! Today Beth was in constant prayer for so many special request along with my daily prayer list. I'm so thankful I know my Father in heaven hears my prayers and answers each and everyone. Geo Sutter thank you for dinner. What a lovely time. Praying for your specific needs as well. Home back in prayer and thanking God that He is in control and He is the God that heals and meets every need above and beyond in His perfect timing. Some days you just need to be on your knees. I'm blessed to be able to stand in prayer for those I love and care for. So as this day closes I will continue in my prayers for the many requests and also pray the yellow ball of fire be released from being hostage. And old man Winter be sent packing. Made it through another day. Grateful for my prayer closet today, and the quiet. Blessings

April 27~ Thursday rise and shine for more beauty at the salon today. Oh no! NO COFFEE! This isn't good. Not the way I want to start my Thursday. Well...God protect me from myself and all the crazy idiot's that will test me today and my nerve that hasn't had coffee or my quota of caffeine. This should be interesting.... Blessed to have a full day at the salon today. Ended up having a perm, a shampoo set, and three haircuts. Not to bad for a Thursday. Thank you Lord for blessing the work of my hands. The old man Winter is still holding the yellow fireball hostage. Sick of this rain and cold. Feels more like late Winter than mid Spring. But...I know it will bring beautiful May flowers. And if I stand long enough in one spot I may even get all four season's. Geo Sutter came by and picked me up. We went on a culinary dessert tour this afternoon. Oh what fun for the taste buds. Thank you for coming by and taking me on this delicious culinary adventure this afternoon. Found two new yummy dessert places. And one I want to go back and eat a meal at. Oh and let's not forget the walk around town in Gresham and the popcorn too. And all this adventure was laced with Spring rain storms. Oh wait I think the weather man called them light showers. Not thinking so! We even had hail; thinking nothing light about that. What fun! Home to do my laundry and pay bills. So thankful for my taste buds. Something we never really think about being grateful for. Imagine all the wonderful foods and flavors of all kinds we would miss out on without our taste buds. For the work of my hands that God blesses me with so I can pay the dreaded bill collectors. Hey I guess they need a slice of my pie too. It's been a full day of small blessings that have brought sparkle and joy into my day. I did have a delightful tea with Geo at the Pie V Pie in Gresham. It was soothing and warming to my soul. Blessings

April 28~ Hello sunshine! Yes! This is a very good morning! I see sunshine! I love sunshine and blue skies. Thank you Lord! This is a Blessing for sure. Happy girl! Coffee, sweet roll, hot shower, God's blessings are already pouring all over me. Yahoo! Today I pick up my new glasses. Geo Sutter called. She has errands and appointments too. Yes we can do them together. Much better with friends. This day gets better by the minute. Thank you Geo for making errand day and appointments a bit brighter and fun for sure. Thank you for healthy lunch choices. Hello Randi Hilary! Yes, let's get together. Late coffee date turns into a great bible study. Thank you Lord for always surprising me. Coffee with Randi and catching up. The reading of your word and prayer. Life just got better with each step today. Surprises around every corner bringing me smiles and laughter. Soaking up the sun and having fun with friends life couldn't be better.....unless you can find away to pay all those nasty bill collectors off. Oh....and get this feisty redhead a haircut too. Thank you Lord for the funds to pay them. Yes folks Beth had a great day today. Even though I think the juror is still out on my new glasses. Thankful for this day filled with errands that had lots of surprises waiting for me as I went to each one. Now my day is closing as I make this thankful list with a huge smile. Blessings

April 29~ Waking to another beautiful sunshine day breaking through my drapes kissing me good morning. Happy birthday to my beautiful granddaughter Sammie! We were blessed with this amazing young lady 14 years ago. What a light of joy she brings to our family. Cindy Forsythe Riederthank you for the wonderful invite this morning. Truly an answer to my prayers. Great way to start my weekend and day. Geo Sutter and I went on a wonderful country adventure this afternoon through Barton, Estacada, Colton. Such fun and so relaxing. Thank you for going on the adventure with me this afternoon Geo. What a beautiful drive and scenery. Then the rain came again on the drive home, to rain on my parade. But still a beautiful drive. Lord it's a beautiful world you have created for me to enjoy. Thankful for all the beauty I'm surrounded by in my own community. I never have to travel far to find solace and your peaceful beauty Lord. Feeling very blessed. Blessings

April 30~ Just awake wondering why I'm wide awake so early on a Sunday morning. Guess I will say some prayers and just lay here and rest a bit longer. Have a late breakfast date. Always nice when you don't have to cook. A game of pool...and my bum was handed to me. Guess I need to get out more. Best part of this morning I got told I looked very nice today. And another told me I looked hot. Nice to receive compliments from the opposite sex. Thank you to those you complimented me today it made me feel good inside and out. Thank you. Heard some sad news today. Makes one think about their own mortality. Prayers going up for the family wrapped in love. Loneliness and quiet sure gives one lots of time to reflect and pray. Thankful today for my daughter Amber Webber calling. Love hearing her voice even if she had sad news to deliver. Each day we have a choice to find the positive or negative. My grateful is me daily looking for the positive even when it's difficult and would be easier to just focus on all the crap and negative. So I'm extremely grateful for my personal challenge daily to find the good and being thankful for it. Even when it's difficult. So today I'm grateful to Amber for the call that brings a host of emotions. My love to Debbie, and the family. I'm grateful for the memories we have made; though we haven't seen each other or spoken in years. I'm thankful for all the laughter, tears, and life we shared. Hugs wrapped in prayers sent your way old friend. Thank you Lord for those you send across our paths for every season of our life. So love those around you. Hold tight! Cherish the moments even in the difficult dark days and the storms. Because that's where you'll find your strength, and hidden gifts and blessings. Thank you Lord for for the gift of prayers. Blessings

April Blessings ~ Count It All Joy (Week Three)

COUNTING IT ALL JOY

April Showers

April 17~ Good morning Monday! New day new week. Its time to get your motor running. Get that coffee! Out the door running. Pick up Tanina Cossimina Giarrusso and run an errand. Time to get tires rotated, lined, balanced. Thank you Tannina for spending this time with me while waiting. Meet up with Geo Sutter for lunch. What nice time we had. Car is finished and they say major work required.....what? Your kidding? Right? Thank you Kurt and Cindy Forsythe Rieder for the correct information on my car. So happy to hear they were just trying to sell me a bill of goods. Relief! Was great to catch up with you Cindy. Thank you Tanina for the ham dinner and dessert. Yummy! Yes some days you run into the prickly yucky thing's in life. Today seemed to be one of those days. Grateful for supportive friends and those with the knowledge that make the prickly days less painful and not so hard to deal with. Happy my friend Mary McCormick Loomis is home from her trip to Alaska. Family and friends along with laughter is of good medicine to your heart and soul. Thank you Lord for placing the best in my life. Feeling relief from my prickly day and looking towards tomorrow. Blessings

April 18~ Good morning sleepy head! Time to rise and shine. You have a new day of 1440 minutes to find your gifts and treasures that have been sprinkled throughout the day. Get that morning cup of coffee your going to need it along with those morning prayers. Hate good byes.... chiropractor is leaving this office. Last time here and a good bye to Doctor Dearborn. I will miss her and her smiles andhelpful insight. Enjoy your new journey Doctor Dearborn. New office new doctor next week. Then a few business errands. Geo Sutter has me over for breakfast. Oh it was so very yummy! Amber Webbermy friend Geo made me homemade bacon pancakes. So delicious! Thank you! A Lovely visit with Geo, before having to leave for my next set of appointments. Lots of laughter and smiles fill the room. Sun and blue skies bring warmth throughout the day. Birds singing their love songs. The beauty of flowers in bloom leaving a sweet scent of sweetness in the air. A breeze that kisses my cheek as it brushes by rushing off to the next unsuspecting person. A walk through the neighbourhood to collect my banquet of flowers all held in my camera lens. A quiet night at home reflecting on all the Lord has blessed me with. A call from mom holds so much love. Thankful I still hear her voice and the words "I love you honey." Good night mom "I love you too!" Blessings

April 19~ Oh wake up and get ready for this day Beth! Can I was stay in bed instead? No! Today is your day of smiling beauty. Your ladies look forward to seeing you. Raise and shine. Grab that cup of java and the Lord's hand for this day. You will be glad you did. Five beautiful smiling ladies today and two cancellations and one went home to glory. Thank you Lord for the time I had with her bringing her smiles of beauty in these past weeks. It's always a joy to see each lady leave with smiles that light a room. Their beauty shines brightly coloring the facility with their radiant beauty. Lunch with Geo Sutter, thank you so very much. So glad you are healing and getting better everyday. What a lovely time we had today. Banking is never fun, but Chelsie Lanning and her bank tellers at the bank make my experience so much better. Thank you for the smiles and laughter you each bring me when I come to take care of my banking business. The busyness of the day sometimes hides in so many things we should be grateful for. In the "why do I have too?" "I would rather do this." Changing it to, "You can do this." The days gifts hidden even in the ordinary course of doing life and everyday business. Each laced with "I could be doing...." As each activity is marked off the days schedule, the closer we come to being able to kick back and relax for the day feeling accomplished. So as this day quickly comes to a close I'm grateful to have this day and am blessed in the "You can do this." I'm reminded that each day has its hidden gifts in the ordinary course of living life. So it is in doing life everyday we find our bouquet of blessing. In our jobs, our friends, even in our errands. Just being grateful for what we have been provided. Thank you Lord for this day. (Not the original post. Lost first one to cyber space. Second one tonight.) Guess a lesson learned here. Grateful for lessons learned. Blessings

April 20~ Good morning Thursday! Okay coffee and sweet rolls. Yum! Already feeling challenged; grab the Lord's hand and with Him you will knock this day out successfully. Morning appointments. Rain, rain, go away and come another day. Wait it's raining pink, white, blossoms. So beautiful! Eye appointment today was an interesting adventure. Thank you Amber Webber for helping me even long distance. I truly feel for Geo Sutter, my eye was giving me some issues. They couldn't even compare to hers. You would have thought I was the biggest baby this side of the Mississippi. Sure glad that's over with.....irritation on my left eye was causing much grief. So thankful for my eye vision. Eye care and the my eye glasses. Something we take so much for granted. Road trip to vacation home in Central Oregon to see Katherine Fischer Huston. Lots of laughter and R&R. A wet rainy drive over, but still such a peaceful and beautiful drive. Even a hail storm was thrown in for good measure. So much laughter and fun already. So blessed to be here. Lord thank you for all the many blessings you add to my life daily as l journey through this crazy life. Grateful to see all the beauty around me. Blessings

April 21~ Waking at the vacation home to total peace and relaxation. Morning coffee and beautiful breathe taking views. Katherine Fischer Huston had errands to run. So after morning haircuts for her and her dad we headed out the door. No rest for a hairdresser, "Have scissors will travel"; oh wait that's " Have Hair Will Travel". What a beautiful day filled with lots of sunshine from that beautifull yellow fire ball in the sky today. Warming me from the outside in. Home to start getting ready for the Cowboy potluck this evening. But wait.... we have time for a beautiful walk up to the ridge and back down along the canal. What a wonderful time we had. And finding out how truly out of shape I am. Not so fun! Meet some four legged fur babies. Wanted to take them home. Life is good and having a great time in Central Oregon. Cowboy potluck seeing old friends and meeting new ones. This day perfectly designed with love from the Father above. As this day comes to a close so thankful for each opportunity to enjoy the beauty around me. Thank you Lord for hand painting this day especially for me. Blessings

April 22~ Sleeping in a cozy bed waking to yet another beautiful day. Sipping my coffee taking in all the beauty around me. Excited for the adventures that await me today. A little later start than planned...but we will conquer this day with enthusiasm and anticipation. Prineville for lunch. Then on to our hike. What amazing beauty and scenery awaits us. Pictures don't even do it justice or even come close. At Steins Piller Trail head withKatherine Fischer Huston. A place one has to experience in person. Thank you Lord for creating such majestic mountains and beautiful breathe taking scenery for me to take in and enjoy. So worth the adventures and experience. More activities as we head towards town. Pick up donations then unload. Head back home just in time to take in the hand painted beauty of the evening sunset. Thank you Jesus! I so wanted to see one of these hand painted sunsets before I have to go back to the city. Then hot tub to relax. Wondering why I'm still up. Enjoying the peaceful quiet....thinking how truly blessed I am. As some people will never see or experience the mountain top views or hand painted evening sunsets. Thank you Lord for giving me the ability to do so. I'm so blessed with legs and feet to do these amazing hikes and adventures. Blessings

April 23~ It cannot be true! Its time to raise and shine already for yet another day?! I'm so tired! Time to raise for the Bend marathon. The reason you came to help Katherine Fischer Huston with. Okay Beth you can do this. You are stubborn and tough enough to handle this. Oh Katherine thank you for my magic juice COFFEE! Just want to crawl back in bed and sleep. Come on girl you can get your bum moving. Everyone is here and ready to roll. Heading to Bend to work our station. Beautiful morning. GPS wants to send us on a feature route. Not where we want to go. Arrival....sweet someone has already put our tables together. Thank you Lord for the help; after our detour that the GPS took us on. So many features to see when using GPS. Lots of runners...so glad I did this event. They are so grateful. Not sure I could get into a run...but bless them each one. The medic had to help me this morning. My eyes didn't like me. Thankful she was there and one of the runners helped me too. Thank you. Rough day for me. Body and eyes both giving me grief. I will see this through. Time to wrap up. Katherine and I head to Drake Park to get my shirt. Mine was absconded by another volunteer. Then a kombuscha for our hard labor. Lunch at Olive Garden in Bend then back to vacation house for a well deserved nap. Thinking yes! A nap...Thank you for sharing today's activities with me and holding me together even in the pain and lack of rest Lord. My favorite part was truly my nap. But it was good to be a blessing handing out water to the runners today. Just as your living water feeds our soul; the water keeps the runners hydrated. A cool reminder life runs better with water. Ready for yet another nap or early to bed as this day and amazing weekend comes to a close. One more night at the vacation home. Truly I am blessed even in my pain and lack of energy. Blessings

April 24~ Good morning Monday! Oh no it's raining and calling for snow on the pass. Want to stay at vacation home. But... must head home and get back to my life. Load my car, coffee, hugs and good byes until next time. Off to not such a good start. Thank you Lord for watching over me. Rain until Blue Box then turned into snow. Crazy like Winter weather, were is Spring hiding? And were is that yellow fireball that hangs in the blue sky and brings warmth and smiles to me? Lunch with Geo Sutter. What a lovely visit and lunch we had. Thank you for meeting me before my afternoon appointment, were giddy smiles and laughter is in order. Home to unpack and relax. Catching up with Sally Mazza, could have talked all night. Thank you Webber Heather, for reminding me of all the things I am grateful for and the things I have no control over. Yes life throws curve balls and some days you just want it to stand still in time. Like an old wagon wheel caught in time; the beauty is in each moment we are blessed with. How we conquer the mountain before us. I conquered my mountain today and am grateful for all who helped me through this day with smiles, prayers, laughter, advice, and wisdom. Yes God you held me in your palm today and I'm thankful to be at home and knowing I'm loved. Blessings

Three Word Wednesday~

Meander, verb: zigzag, wind, twist, turn, curve, curl, bend, snake, stroll, saunter, amble, wander, ramble, drift, maunder, mosey, tootle, toodle.

Nameless, adjective: unnamed, unidentified, anonymous, incognito, unspecified, unsourced, unacknowledged, uncredited; unknown, unsung, uncelebrated, unspeakable, unutterable, inexpressible, indescribable; indefinable, vague, unspecified.

Oafish, adjective: stupid, foolish, idiotic, cretinous; ungainly, loutish, awkward, clumsy, lumbering, apelike, cloddish, Neanderthal, uncouth, uncultured, boorish, rough, coarse, brutish, ill-mannered, unrefined, rough-hewn; informal blockheaded, moronic, boneheaded, half-witted, lamebrained, thickheaded.

Life is passing by

As the days and months 
Have meander by
This oafish
Which shall remain nameless
Has truly shown 
His true colors
Each passing day
That turns into weeks
Then into months
This oafish
Becomes more apparent
As he meanders through each passing day
With no thought of his behavior
This nameless oafish
Continues onward
The course he is heading
With loss unspeakable
Which shall remain
Nameless
As his life meanders by
The days and weeks turn into months
For this nameless oafish
Who is lost

~Beth~

http://www.threewordwednesday.com/

April Blessings ~ Count It All Joy (Week Two)

COUNTING IT ALL JOY

April Showers

April 9 ~ Waking up to the sun shining through sister's bedroom window. What a wonderful way to wake up. Time to load the car up to head back home. Stop for coffee at Dutch Bros. Then hit the freeway for a beautiful morning drive back to town. My usual little stops to take some snaps. My day had some wonderful plans in them. But the Lord had other ideas. So they got switched up. Unload car head to church. Then off to do a haircut for a young lady that is in hospice care. Glad I got to go over earlier than planned. Traffic going and coming back was at a stand still. Grateful I could be of service to her. When I left she was smiling. Praise God! Groceries to fill my cupboards, so thankful for the funds that purchase the groceries. Then I have been fighting ants in kitchen. Not Fun! Hope I have them knocked out. Then the rejection of the taxes. Lord I'm trying to keep my peace and find my joy. Help me here. Now we wait some more. Lord...its be a tough day. I'm thinking where are you? But you have given me sunshine that woke me in morning and followed me all day. We celebrated and worshiped you at church. And found places of beauty and peace at different intervals throughout the day. My stomach is full along with my cupboards, I have a roof over my head, and I have a family and lots of friends that love me. I'm thankful for this and so much more. Blessings

April 10~ Do I really need to get up? It's so early! Yes! It's time to get Mary McCormick Loomis to the airport. You can do this. It's dark and oh my bed is so comfortable. Okay Okay! I'm up! Life is good crawl back in bed for a little bit. Oh must I rise again. Doctors appointment. The laugh is on me.....wrote doctors appointment for wrong day right time. Call Geo Sutter....and spend the morning with her. What a wonderful time. Breakfast and coffee. Nice trade off I would say. Much rather spend time with my friend then being at the doctors.Then off to Best Buy for office supplies. Home for lunch. Off to more appointments. It must be Monday! Thank you Edie Ricker Cowell for the referral you found for a hairdresser. A new client. I can hardly wait to meet them tomorrow. What a Monday! So as I sat with Geo the highlight of the day came as a surprise good morning text. We chatted back and forth a bit. So not such a bad Monday after all. Got Mary to airport about 4 am, breakfast and chat with Geo, a new hair client, and a good morning text. I would say even though I have had little sleep on this very long Monday, that I goofed up with my appointments, it turned out pretty darn well. Blessings still abound even on long sleepless days. Which is when we need them most. I'm so grateful for each one as I close this day. Thank you Lord! Blessings

April 11~ Good morning Tuesday! Wake up Beth. Time to get up. You have a full day ahead of you. Prayer and coffee. A morning call with Crystal N Koch. What a blessing and a wonderful way to start my day. Out the door to see the chiropractor. Then morning errands. Called to check on Geo Sutter, and went and picked her up for lunch at McCrae’s Country Cafe in Gresham. Yum! So glad you felt like getting out. Then off to next appointment. Lots of laughter is of good medicine. Then it's time to head over to meet new client and bring smiles of beauty to her. She was very happy. Thank you Edie Ricker Cowell. Then an evening out. What a wonderful time I had. It was a day of smiles and laughter, closing with possibilities. Love how this day was decorated with life, friends, laughter, and new doors with possibilities. Thank you Lord for opening my eyes to this day and a hopeful new chapter. Blessings

April 12~ Feels like I just went to sleep do I really have to get up? It's Wednesday smiles of beauty you don't want to miss out on those smiles. Oh Okay! Up and moving, coffee, prayers, and another chat with the beautiful Crystal N Koch before leaving for work. Another day of possibilities. Never a dull moment here-. A full day at the salon. Six beautiful happy smiling faces. Interesting day at the salon; met the Executive of Parkview today Kevin. I had never meet him in all the years I've been there. Elevator went down today, was hard on the residences and the CNA's. Pray its up and running tomorrow. After work headed over to see Geo Sutter and sit with her this afternoon. Praying for her speedy recovery. Thank you for lunch and enjoyed sharing my adventures with you. Then home to do R&R. Just a quiet day that was just rather ordinary. Blessings of having leftovers for dinner. Being able to stretch out on couch and prop my feet up. Taking pictures of the Spring blooms. Loving the colors of the tulips. Absolute quiet! Listening to the rain pider pader on the house that will bring May flowers. Just to mention a few of my blessings I'm thankful for. Blessings

April 13~ Good morning Beth time to rise and shine for another day of beauty and smiles. It'll be an easy day. (Surprises await!) WOW! My schedule is crazy full. When I left only had two perms a hair cut and shampoo set. A third perm! Woozer! It's going to be one long day. I'm thankful I listened to the birds sing to me this morning before work in the quiet of the morning well drinking my coffee with my prayers. A phone call from daughter Webber Heather, "mom are you coming to Sacramento when Anthony DeSouza is here on leave?" "Prayers Heather!" Or maybe that's what today was about silly Beth! Home to do laundry and lots of it from the salon from all my hard work. Three loads of towels. Ugh! So very thankful I don't have to do laundry at a laundromat. Love my washer and dryer. Bought airline tickets to Ca. Mema will be seeing her grandson that's on leave and all the others as well. Praise God for the work of my hands yesterday and today that purchased that airline ticket. Now to rest my tired hurting body. I'm thankful I can feel these aches and pains, means I'm alive and breathing. So with this day coming to a close; I'm so thankful for prayers, provision, unexpected smiles, beauty in the garden, and the magnolia trees in full bloom. My feet being propped up. My mom getting to sister's safely for the Easter weekend. Yes even when we don't have time to stop and breath, or see the beauty around us, there is so much to be thankful for. Blessings

April 14~ Good morning! It's Friday and not just any Friday; it's Good Friday. Which means Easter is this weekend. So it's wash all those wisdom highlights out of my hair. Just as the Lord washes us clean. Fresh new beginnings. Need to get my errands done. Darn car light came on. Another errand added to my day. Thoughts are deep today. Wondering about the direction of my life. Prayers! More deep thoughts. Let's head out to parts unknown. Beautiful late afternoon drive to sister's house. Mom is here for Easter weekend. Time with family. More deep thoughts on the drive. Missing puzzle pieces of my heart. Life changes and leaves empty voids in my heart that only God can fill. Popcorn, movies and family time. It's a slumber party. Sister says time for PJ's. Wait hold the party. There is a beautiful evening sky painted just for me. More deep thoughts. Thankful for prayers and love of my family, the beautiful sunset hand painted by God for me. Even when I cannot move past my deep thoughts God brings His perfect peace, and love down upon me. His peace and love that brings joy and hope for my tomorrow's. Thankful to be present in this moment to enjoy all that the Lord has gifted me with. Blessings

April 15~ Good morning family! It's Saturday activities, even though the calender says tax day. So glad I got mine done last week! Yea me! No time for rest. Time to get up and enjoy the day I have been given. Coffee please! Then time for fun. Fun with momma, fun with the sisters and great nephews, along with extended family. Cake, eggs, Easter bunny, Easter egg hunt, shopping, visiting, just living life to the fullest with those I love. Blessed to have this family and the love that they pour into one another daily. Yes,Jennifer Merritt-Estep, and family, you are a big heart beat to our family, thank you for all you add. We are blessed to have you and your family in ours. So giving of themselves each and everyone. Got to see Cathy Phelps Winters, and Jeff too. Loved seeing them. My grandchildren adopted them, so they are family too. My family grows in leaps and bounds. Those we add not by blood, but by the love given with their heart that we chose to be in ours. Sun is shinning brightly warming right to my bones. Yea!. Life is in full bloom everywhere I look. Love, laughter, smiles of joy and happiness. The gift that continues to fill my heart just at the memory and thought of each treasured moment. Time spent with mom is a gift everyday. Really had lots of fun shopping with her today, and taking her to see her friend Ruth. What a lovely time we had. As the day comes to a close and the quiet falls upon this house. I'm grateful for my quiet home. Thank you Lord for filling this day with so much love that it over flows with the joy and happiness wrapped in the beauty of my family. A treasured day that filled my pages for this chapter in my life today. So blessed! Thank you Lord! Blessings

April 16 ~ Good morning! It's Resurrection Sunday! Happy Easter! Its the day the Lord rose from the dead and beat death. HALLELUJAH! Thank you Jesus! Time with family and the celebration of life and life eternal. Time with my beautiful niece Corie Coggins and my great nephews. Watching the boys play with their mom. Time just spent living in the moment and the time given with those we love. The beauty of my drive home from my weekend with my family. Just taking my time taking in the beauty God has blessed me with. A short trip to Walmart provided an unexpected gift and blessing from complete strangers. While waiting to check out a young woman with her young son where behind me. We struck up a general conversation as we waited. My turn arrived. I thanked the cashier for being here on Easter Sunday and wished her a blessed day. As I got ready to leave the young boy ran into my legs and gave me a huge hug and wished me a very happy Easter. Than the cashier looked at me and said you are a sweet and beautiful lady. WOW! My heart is full. Kindness and love comes when we least expected from places we never dream. We just never know how important a moment can be. Thank you and blessings to those three strangers that filled my heart today. An evening out to close this beautiful day that I have been blessed with. Cheese and chocolate. Yum! Thankful for the love and encouragement my family and friends give me daily. Now as I lay here in bed listening to the wind and rain storm; I'm grateful for the safety of my home and the protection it provides me daily from the elements. Thank you Lord for this life and life more abundantly. Blessings

April Blessings~ Count It All Joy (Week One)

COUNTING IT ALL JOY

April Showers

April 1~ It's April fools day! A new month and the weekend. Yes! Beth this is your life and it's no joke! You truly are highly favored and loved by the Lord and your family and friends. Mom made another wonderful breakfast this morning. A few chores mom had for us today. Completed. Then a trip to Silverdale for shopping. Home for lunch. A walk to dumb moms yard debris. That was a bit of a walk. Glad we had the wagon to haul it there. A Lovely evening out with mom, Rosie, and Terrie Bariletti Dunn-Daggett. Ate way to much at the buffet. Thank you Mom! Thankful to be blessed with my wild family. Plenty of food to eat and being loved. And that's no April fools joke. Thank you Lord for this day of activities with my family. Blessings

April 2~ Rise for one more fun adventure with mom, Rosie, and Terrie Bariletti Dunn-Daggett, before we have to head home from this wonderful weekend with mom. Thank you Rosie, and Terrie for including me on this birthday weekend of fun. A fun text that put smiles on my face; and laughter and ....don't blow it on everyone else's lips. Thanks Terrie for the encouragement. I'm excited to see what happens. A few more morning chores for mom and packing up and loading car. Finally got my coffee and it really was worth the wait. Coffee with coffee liqueur and vanilla ice cream. Yum! Ann Stewart invited us over for a wonderful champagne brunch. What a lovely time we had with her in her beautiful home. Loved hearing about her stories about her life and playing with Ashok. I think my favorite was about the champagne glasses. Thank you for sharing your home and life with us today. What a blessing. Then on the road again heading home. Wish I could have said to parts unknown. Wouldn't that have been fun? But life is calling us back to reality and our daily grinds. Then an unexpected surprise. Off to see Geo Sutterand an early evening dinner to close this weekend with. WOW! So many things to be thankful for. So many treasures and gifts found. Loved the memories made to store in my heart and mind. Lord you fill my cup to over flowing thank you for the beauty of this day and weekend. Just as the dew kisses the flowers in the morning; you wake me with a sweet good morning kiss of sunlight; then fill my day with zillions of gifts waiting for me to find. Showing me how much you love me. Thank you! Blessings

April 3~ Waking in my own bed, wonderful! Morning coffee, sunshine pouring in the Windows lightening my home with warmth. Time to get my engines running with errands. Setting up and rescheduling appointments. Thankful I'm able to do that. Great seeing Rebecca Sherrett this morning. Love those leggings, thank you. Then time to get my oil changed. So well I waited I had a relaxing lunch. Love that when I get oil changed in the car it gets vacuumed and washed. Looks so nice. Ready to roll into Spring all clean and shiny. Enjoyed watching a squirrel today playing in a tree. Worked in my yard; started that Winter clean up. Saw a snake! Hate snakes! I ran to other side of driveway and worked over there instead. At least the yard is taking shape. I filled the debris can. Now it's time to work on the dreaded taxes. I much rather enjoy the beautiful evening. But chores call. I have had many small joys slipped into a day of errands, chores, and work. It's the little slice of heaven found in the daily grind. I'm so thankful for the little simple breaks and playful moments in the day. Thank you Lord for filling this day with sunshine and a playful squirrel, a fish tank to sit next to at lunch and so much more. So many little things that add up to an amazing day in my life in the mundane of every day life. Blessings

April 4~ Good morning Tuesday! Sunshine kisses, lighting my room with your morning rays. Wake up and enjoy another day another day of possibilities to write a new page in this chapter of your life. Morning coffee with prayers as I bustle around getting ready for morning appointment with the Chiropractor. After head to Silky' s for my free coffee and morning paper. Love the feel and smell of the news paper and coffee. Still enjoy the news paper and the rustling of the pages as I read it. Home until my afternoon appointment. Off and running. Homemade cookies, hot orange spice tea. What a great way to start this afternoon appointment. Thank you to those who supplied the fresh yummy treats. Home to work on taxes and getting them ready for my sister Rosie to help me complete them; so Uncle Sam will be happy. Some dandelion sunshine, reminding me of my favorite childhood bouquet of flowers delivered and received; to my mom when I was a child. And from my beautiful daughter's Webber Heather, Amber Webber, and Racheal, even from the grandchildren. Missing those little hands and eyes of love giving me the most beautiful bouquet of yellow sunshine from the yard. No longer a weed but a burst of yellow sunshine, when given with a heart of love from the heart of our children. A day drizzled with lots of little flavorful delights and scents. Thank you Lord for always surprising me with the unexpected. Feeling very blessed by your love. Blessings

April 5~ Good morning Wednesday the day of beautiful smiles of beauty. My day to create happiness and beauty filled with lots of smiles, at the salon. Get that coffee to get the motor running. Prayers to make sure the day goes smoothly. Besides it's always a good thing to say good morning to the Lord and thank Him for another day. Sat outside on the bench this morning listening to the birds sing and the sun break through the clouds. So amazing to start my day this way. My mini morning vacation before work. Glad I did too! Fourteen on books twelve showed up. Thank you Lord for blessing the work of my hands today. Truly exhausted after today. But filling very exhilarated. Love those smiles of happiness and beauty. Home to do the dreaded laundry. Thankful for my washer and dryer. A voice on the other end of the phone that felt good to hear. Maybe one day we will talk. Be blessed. I'm glad you okay and alive. A text letting me know my friend Geo Sutter is recovering comfortably. Praise God! An afternoon early dinner with Mary McCormick Loomis for happy hour. Great seeing you and relaxing after my crazy work day. Feeling like I'm hopping down the bunny trail into relaxation as this day comes to a close. Thank you Lord for blessing me in so many unexpected ways today. Some are answered prayers. Thank you! Blessings

April 6~ Good morning Thursday and rain showers. Don't want to get up. Wish the rain would go away and come again other day. Okay so it's April and April showers bring May flowers. Got to love Spring and it's ever changing weather patterns. Coffee, prayers, out the door for morning appointment. Home to watch the sun break through the stormy rain clouds to create a beautiful sunshine afternoon. Mow the yard and absorb those sun rays. A surprise referral for "Have Hair Will Travel". Loved speaking with her and look forward to meeting her this Sunday. A beautiful drive through the country on the river road. For my evening appointment to see the lovely Melissa Simmons. The evening turned into an evening of great company and fun. A phone call from my nephew brought huge smiles of joy and happiness to my heart. Love you so much Jon! Thankful for another day of possibilities filled with surprises of astonishment and joy of happiness. Blessings

April 7~ It's Friday! It's Friday! I'm so excited....I love the weekends. Leisure morning coffee. Time to clean up for the day. So windy...change of plans. Taking Geo Sutter lunch and sit and visit with her for a bit. Prayer for quick healing and recovery in Jesus name Amen! My youngest daughter Racheal brought a smile today when I heard from her. I love hearing from my girls. They fill my heart. Winds are crazy today with rain showers. As I watched and listen to the crazy weather I captured a beautiful double rainbow this afternoon in the court yard. His promise, which brings peace and hope to my heart. Looking through old photos today and seeing the many changes over the past four years. Thankful the Lord has walked every step with me. So many changes, love, pain, loss, growth, laughter, hope, family, friendship, travel, places, and so much more. Grateful some is behind me, missing some of those who helped me through and brought smiles along the way in my journey when I didn't think I could. Hopeful for today and the future that lays ahead of me. Yesterday is a memory, today is here; enjoy to the fullest as tomorrow isn't promised. Thank you Lord for this day and the small treasures sprinkled with tears of love and your promise. Blessings

April 8~ Early Saturday morning rise. Road trip to sister's to get the dreaded taxes done. Beautiful early morning drive down the Gorge. Thankful to get there early and get those nasty taxes done. Thank you Rosie, for helping me complete my yearly chore and duty to Uncle Sam. Playful fun with all the great nephews toys, as well as with all the pets in the house. Brings me peace, harmony, joy, laughter, and the crazy kid out in me. Which makes this dreaded tax event tolerable. Lunch with Terrie Bariletti Dunn-Daggett, and Rosie, with more laughter and fun. Afternoon movie "Pete's Dragon", and some R&R. Even though I hate taxes my blessing is that I made it fun, playing with the toys and animals. Blessed to have a sister willing to help me do them. The beauty of having family that is willing to help in areas of need. So thankful for my sister and the taxes being done till next year. Thank you Lord for this day and helping me make an ugly day fun and finding the beauty. Blessings