Soaring High

Early this damp morning, I am watching them soar in the air. Seemingly with no effort on their part, they float one way, then the other way, rising higher with the current. They appear so graceful, so confident in their surroundings. Eagles and hawks encourage me not to get caught in the downdrafts of life, but to rise calmly, with faith, above our unwanted circumstances.

Wow! Doesn't that sound profound?

Are you in a downdraft of discouragement today, especially when life doesn't happen as you plan?

The writings of Isaiah are full of advice and encouragement. My most favorite lines read: “Those who trust in the Lord, will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Are you ready to soar and run and walk with me? The sun is out and the Son is with us!

I renewed my commitment to exercise at the Oakway Spa three times a week. You paid for a permanent membership, so no more excuses, Juanita.

I have a good medical report to share with those of you who know I had bladder cancer a couple years ago. It had returned several times, but today during my quarterly exam, there was no cancer to be found. I'm very thankful.

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend. Remember the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service to our country and those who continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.

 Happy Birthday, Leela !

 Sincerely, Juanita

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Mothers, It's Your Day!

This weekend we honor memories of our mothers. The Internet encyclopedia says it is a day to celebrate by going to church (yes, that's what it said), giving of red and white carnations, and enjoying family dinners. We are going to do all three items this year.

Did you know honoring mothers officially dates back to the American Civil War days?

When Daddy's driving made Mother nervous, she would crochet to take her mind off the road. My dad was someone who passed everyone in front of him. At least that is what I remember. It works. While my husband drove us to Boise recently, I finished writing chapter one in my next short story.

Half of my readers probably know my mother. When Janice and I moved her to an assisted living home last year, we found an abundance of treasures: dozens of doilies (probably crocheted while Daddy drove), an unfinished embroidered tablecloth (which I reluctantly finished after lessons from Margaret) and hundreds of photos previously unseen by me.

I’m excited to show you one sexy lady! This is my mother, probably taken in 1944 while Daddy was in the Navy. This is one of my favorite treasures.
Isn't she beautiful?

May your Mother's Day weekend be filled with pleasant memories! Take time to reminisce plus create new memories with your family.

Love, Juanita

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As We Begin Our Day

Good morning, dear friends!

      How do you start your day? With coffee/tea, food, exercise, prayer? 

 

      If we are half-way organized, you and I both have a to-do list for today. The most vital activity on my list is talking to my Lord. So many styles of prayer—singing, chit-chat, formal conversation, reading from a prayer book. I'm confident our Lord is pleased with any type of sincere worship we use. 

     Think of how He speaks to us—reading His Word-the Bible, promptings of the Holy Spirit to our spirit, conversing with a godly friend or pastor.

      The most amazing written prayer I have found is this one used by John Wesley in the 1700's. He did not actually write this prayer, but he used it in his devotions. I challenge you to thoughtfully read this prayer ten times right now and be prepared for a change in your thinking and priorities in life. Oh, for the same commitment as this unknown author!

A COVENANT PRAYER

used by John Wesley

I am no longer my own, but Yours,

Put me to what You will,

Put me to doing, Put me to suffering,

Let me be employed for You,

or laid aside for You,

exulted for You,

or brought low for You.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things,

let me have nothing.

I freely and wholeheartedly

yield all things to

Your pleasure and disposal.

And now glorious and blessed God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

You are mine and I am Yours.

So be it.

And this covenant now made on earth,

Let it be satisfied in Heaven.

AMEN.

Amen and amen!

     Have you read my new Inspiration column to the left?

Sincerely, Juanita

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New Life

Come in!

      A large round thermometer hangs nailed to the tree outside my library window. The temperature this early morning hour shows almost 60 degrees and it looks like snow is falling, but instead, the white star magnolia flowers are falling from the tree in a warm breeze. There's an east wind causing all the flowers to land on one side of the tree. The white is in stark contrast to the freshly-mowed green lawn. I'm sure you noticed how exceptionally bright the green grass is in the spring, no matter where you live or if it is just crabgrass.

      Yesterday, I mentioned to my husband the leaf buds on the red horse chestnut tree were swelling with life. This morning I see the first leaf popped open. There's no stopping them now. Next comes the big red flowers.

      It is such a pleasure to watch the progress of life returning to our personal paradise here after a cold winter. Have you ever watched a leaf open? It's like watching a baby being born—it takes time. 

      I wonder what I miss on days I think I'm too busy to relax and gaze out my library window?

      Time for another cup of jasmine tea.

      Let's talk next week after I return from Boise.

Your friend, Juanita

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A Redhead Comes to Visit

Good morning, nature lovers!

He decorated our holly tree, but I never caught him at work. Isn't the design intriguing? So precise, too! This pattern appears strange work for a woodpecker since they drill holes, so who is guilty of making rows of squares?

I barely contained my excitement this week when I finally saw him near the path to the old barn. Wow! He can peck fast and move quickly around the tree, making it difficult to take a satisfactory picture. He wasn't in the mood for posing. He preferred dining on holly sap.

Patience paid off. After a zillion clicks, I managed to capture a few clear shots of this amazing bird for you to enjoy.

Yesterday, I was in the library when our bird flew into the large picture window. Wham! Scared me and him too, I imagined. I opened the window to get a better look and there he lay on the ground, not moving. I feared that he broke his little neck. This usually happens when birds try to come in without asking me to open the window first. I quickly called my husband and we both stared down at him and exclaimed together, “ Ohhh”! 

We were so sad! My new discovery looked dead.

We decided to go outside for a closer look. The bird's eyes were open and I noticed he blinked, so Craig gently picked him up. He didn't struggle, probably nursing a headache. What a colorful red-breasted sapsucker! Craig held him and I stroked him.

We enjoyed talking to him for a few minutes, then the bird appeared ready to fly away, pooping as he went.

“ But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. . . .”    Isaiah 40:31

Let's soar together!

Happy birthday, Susan!

Your friend and bird watcher, Juanita

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On the Wings of a Dove

As I destroyed the nasty spring weeds in my garden today, I heard you crying. So mournful, so sad! You hid among the branches in the cedar tree. Why were you crying? Had you lost your mate or were you remembering your fate so long ago?

You had been sent on a mission to find dry land, but it became a difficult assignment. You returned from your first flight discouraged, finding no place to land. Later you returned with an olive branch in your mouth. How surprised you must have been to find plant life after more than 190 days adrift in an ark on the high seas.

Occasionally, I see you walking under the bushes with your mate. You run fast, then fly away. Next time, please stay longer. I promise not to hurt you, I only want to share a candid picture of you with my friends.

In ages past, you were used as a sacrifice of worship and purification by the poor of Israel, but you were also honored as a symbol of the Holy Spirit of God. In the first century, the early Christians designed a drawing of you as a secret code. Today, you represent Christianity and peace.

King David wished he had wings like a dove, so he could fly away and rest in the quiet of the wilderness.  Psalm 55:6.    Like David, I could use a break. Yard work is tiring for this old lady. The minutes have turned into hours and it certainly is time for a much-needed rest!

I always look forward to the music of your sad, but peaceful song. I hope to hear your cooing again tomorrow.

Sincerely, Juanita

Happy Birthday, Vicki !

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Easter Greetings

Are you visiting in the afternoon? In the library, I will be serving the infamous Neiman Marcus chocolate chip cookies with your choice of tea or coffee.

From the window, we can see the royal pageant rose bushes with their little copper-colored leaves beginning to uncurl. The new leaves give me faith in its promise of many fragrant flowers of a blend of rich apricot and golden yellow to open in the summer. Here in the valley, it's amazing how quickly the naked, thorny canes develop tiny new leaves, seemingly overnight.  Before we know it, there will be flowers to pick and bouquets to arrange!  I won't mention the inch of hail we had this week.

This magic of spring gives me another thought. As winter is cold and dreary, we know warm weather will follow. Jesus gave a prophecy regarding world wars, earthquakes and famines. He called it the beginning of sorrows (winter), but he promised He would return from heaven with power and glory (spring), bringing everlasting peace (summer).

As we celebrate the Easter season, remember He promised to rise again. He did! He promised to return for us believers. And He will! Expect Him!

Your friend, Juanita

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Snow and Bunnies

Good morning!  Yes, it is good and early!

The sun will rise in two hours, but at five o'clock this morning, it's almost bright as day because the porch light and the loom of the city is reflecting on the fresh snow. This view might be common for you in Montana and Idaho, but here on the valley floor, it's an unusual event. The scene this morning is so pretty ~ calm and peaceful. The snow is heavy with moisture and the tree branches are drooping under the weight.

Our long-awaited spring arrived yesterday, but old man winter is refusing to go home. I'm retired, so he's welcome to stay a few more days. But I told him to leave by Friday because all my grandsons and their folks are coming to visit for Spring break. When I was young, we called it Easter vacation.

Speaking of Easter, remember the yummy chocolate Easter bunnies? My husband loves them, even though they have nothing to do with the real spiritual meaning of Easter. I see the cocoa bunny now has competition. Russel Stover makes a solid milk chocolate fish—the Christian symbol. Surprisingly, the company was brave enough to place the name of Jesus on the fish in English, not Greek.

Of course, I bought one for Brayden, Brogan and Erik. Craig pouted, “Where's mine?” I'll use this opportunity to tell them about the traditional story of the fish figure.

It's hard to read in the library this morning with this lovely scene in front of me. It's snowing again! The God of the Universe is painting a beautiful picture for you and me to enjoy with a thankful heart! We can ignore the broken branches for a few days.

Happy Birthday, Taelor !

Happy Birthday, Margaret !

Thanks for the visit!

Juanita

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Bombs or Peace

Dear Friends,

I'm glad you joined me in the library this morning!

Since we visited last week, the weather has been rainy, snowy and windy. The jay birds have eaten all the seeds in the hanging feeder and I'm impatient for a warmer season.

My library contains several books over one hundred fifty years old. A great family treasure! This week I settled into my cozy maroon chair in the library and read an original book by John Richard Hersey. He was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American writer and journalist. In 1946, one year almost to the day after we dropped the A-bomb on Japan, he wrote “Hiroshima”. The true story centers around six Japanese citizens and the effect of the bomb on their city and their bodies.

The book wasn't a delight to read and I won't read it again, but it reminded me the bomb is still a horrific present-day concern. The A-bomb contained uranium and plutonium. The nightly news reports Iran is enriching uranium for destructive purposes. What can we do? Pray for the world leaders and pray for peace.

“I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns.” Philippians 1:9-10 (NLT)

Happy Birthday, Jane!

Happy Birthday, Suzanne!

Happy Birthday, Sharon!

Happy Birthday, Lois Ann!

Have a great week and read a delightful book!

Love, Juanita

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Memories

Dear friends,

All the birds are here today: the brilliant blue steller's jay, the colorful varied thrush, the little black-hooded Oregon junco and the scruffy western scrub-jay. They are not concerned about the hail coming down. They are focusing on the recently filled bird feeder hanging in front of my library window.

Today, I was reminiscing about the songs Skip Marks sang at our wedding. Last Sunday at church, Luwayne sang one of them, “The Love of God”. The original song was written in 1917. Some fifty years ago, Mrs. Foster wrote an additional verse for her daughter's wedding.

“What God hath joined, let no man sever,

These sacred vows are heaven made.

May they behold a vision ever

From His true light that cannot fade.

Their talents bring to serve the King

The power by God endowed,

With one accord, extol the Lord,

Their hearts in reverence bowed.”

I remember Uncle Gordon, six foot four, crying at my wedding. Maybe that song was the reason. As a little girl, we played a game called Odd or Even on my arm. “Ouch”! He took me to the soda shop where we sat on high stools and drank strawberry sodas together. I was his oldest niece and he loved to spoil me. He proudly played his 78-speed records as we played 'Name that Tune' way before the TV producers created that popular show.

Another wedding memory: my mother broke her high-heeled shoe at my wedding and Aunt Leona loaned mother her shoes to wear.

Did I bring back a few old memories of your own?

Spring is less than two weeks away. Hooray!

Happy Birthday, Barbara !

Juanita

Our Assignment

"Sing a new song to the LORD!

Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!

Sing to the LORD: praise his name.

Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.

Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.

Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.

Great is the LORD!

He is most worthy of praise!"

Psalm 96:1-4

What more can I say? I hope you have a week

full of blessings from the Lord.

Sincerely, Juanita

Age Is Just a Number

Welcome my library this morning!

Did you notice yellow blooming forsythia as you drove down the driveway? One of the first promises of spring!

I suppose you saw our metal Christmas trees still displayed in the front yard. I have a good excuse this time. My young grandsons from Idaho are coming in March and I told them I would turn the lights on for them since they couldn't come for Christmas.

I met a precious lady last Sunday. “I'm 105 years old,” she stated early in our conversation. What a joy to talk with Vereah! She doesn't see or hear as well as she used to, but she's so proud of her age.

I was proud when I turned thirteen, and then sixteen. A sign over my desk at work read, “Age is just a number and mine's unlisted.” I didn't freely tell anyone my age until I turned seventy. Now it's fun to reveal my secret.

Grandson Brayden says he is excited to advance into the double digits next month.

Are you comfortable with your age?

A few of us act peculiar about telling our age. I know someone who kept her real age from her younger husband. How about the ancient people in the Old Testament? Their age became no secret. God told Moses, then Moses told everyone when he wrote the book of Genesis. Can you imagine living 969 years as Methuselah did? I suppose he finished a lot of projects in his day. He probably said, “I remember when . . .” hundreds of times.

I asked my LORD for at least another twenty years so I can write more stories and maybe even publish a book. 

Happy Birthday sister!  Happy Birthday CJ!

Enjoy your week and your years!

Thanks for your visit!

Juanita

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