Join me on a 31-day adventure?

Hello friends and fellow travelers,

Inscribed in a journal given on my wedding day...

"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered."  - G.K. Chesterton

Evening walk at New Smyrna Beach

Marriage has certainly been an adventure for us. With sand between our toes and the sun slipping behind the skyline, we reminisced over the joys and sorrows we've shared. Thankfulness and joy have blossomed out of the fertile and sometimes broken soil of that first year.... recorded in the aforementioned journal as everyday blessings from God (discussed in this book).  The path is more level now, in many ways, but there are still bumps and valleys.

Christ is very near, and I sense Him lifting my burdens daily.  Though I love worshipping God in song, my heart does not turn there instinctively....  So I've picked up The 30-day Praise Challenge, Becky Harling's newest book.  I want to grow in my desire to praise God for WHO He is, not just the blessings He provides.  I have no idea what this journey will look like...well-said here by Mr. Bilbo Baggins:

“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

Listen to author Becky Harling share on Midday Connection about her journey through cancer and how praising God changed her life.  She is one of my favorites--author of Rewriting your Emotional Script and Freedom from Performing.  I love her conversational writing style combined with her years of experience as a pastor's wife, mother, ministry leader, speaker, and writer.  Check out her website here.

Would you like to come along on this journey?  I'd be honored to share the road with you.  If you have a blog.... jump in and do the 31-day blogging challenge with me! (Read this post for more info.)

It's my goal to read and share what I'm learning here daily--starting Oct 1st.  I'll post some of the worship music videos suggested in the book as well.  More coming soon...

Bless you, friends.

Ruth

Power of Praise series links:
Praise to the God of all Wisdom
Praise His Strength
Praise the Creator {for beautiful YOU!}
Praise His Goodness

Praise His Unchanging Character
Praise Him for His People
Praise Him in the Waiting
Praise for His Everlasting Love
Praise the Hope Giver
Praise the Conqueror of Fear
Praise the Spirit, our Advocate
Praise the Indescribable One
Praise to the Living Water
Loved by God
Praise the Friend of Sinners
Praise Him for Difficult People

A Righteous Oak Has Fallen

Hello blog friends,

Thanks for stopping by!  I know we all have a lot going on, so I don't it for granted that you'd take time to read my musings.  June was emotional, having lost my grandmother just a couple of weeks ago, but I was able to get some thoughts down over at Letters to My Sisters.  The topic for last month was 'steadfastness' and I knew I had to write about my Oma.

There is also a video link at the bottom of the article, which I didn't explain there, but it's a great song that reminds me of going to be with Jesus.

Resting in His Love,
Ruth

I've been avoiding you...

I'm sitting on my lovely back patio, enjoying the sunny but not-too-hot afternoon here down south.  Yes, I live in Florida, and it's okay for you to be jealous.  :)  I have no idea how long we'll be here, but we're enjoying it while we can.  I digress....I was struck by this article and knew I'd been avoiding you, my blog friends and readers.  To be frank, it is hard to be honest, to share vulnerably, and risk being misunderstood and judged and who knows what else might go on after I hit 'publish'.  But I believe God has called me to that honesty here, for my growth, and hopefully your encouragement and edification.  I've had my ups and downs this past month, and I'm not even sure how to distill it all into an understandable post, but I'll try.

I have a fabulous husband, an encouraging work environment, and a loving church family.  Unfortunately, I am a sinner, and that makes all of those wonderful things hard to manage.  I have faced  challenges in each area, and haven't always responded well to the discomfort.  I guess that vaguely sums it up.  Ha!  I just told you I am called to honesty, and I guess that wasn't very honest.

Contentment. Joy. Patience. Thankfulness.  Forgiveness. Those would be some areas I have struggled with.  Most of all, however, I have sensed a renewed presence of the Lord in my life, and a greater desire to pursue Him, be in the Word, and live the life He has called me to (even if I don't know where any of it is leading! :) Taking things one. day. at. a. time. Trying to be faithful even as I long for a family and a house and the chance to share my story with hurting people....the list goes on and on...back to contentment!

This past month, just a couple of weeks ago, was a dear friend's son's 6th birthday...okay...not important to you?  I'll explain.  The sweet boy's birthday coincided with my move from CO back to PA, 6 years ago to the day, and ushered in a new season of growth and healing for me.  She and I will never forget it.  I started writing about it here, but then stopped.  I just couldn't put into words all God has done.  I can't believe that 8 years ago, my life had fallen apart, I was distant from God, my health was a mess, and I had really just given up on everything.  Quite a change to where He has me now...and I feel like another new season of growth is right around the corner!  I am cautiously optimistic.

For months, I have felt a call to share my story more honestly, with more people, or just with the hurting people God might bring into my life.  I don't know who those people are, or when they will show up.  But I want to be ready, and am praying about what that will look like.  It feels sort of like undressing on the wedding night-- terrifying and exciting all at the same time.

Thank you for stopping in as I have sporadically shared my year with you, and stay tuned for more info as this next season unfolds.  Please pray for me too!  Specifically pray that I will be faithful where I am, that I will not be afraid to move forward with what God may be calling me to, and that I will not force any of it.  May God be glorified in it all.

And a word to you, sweet friend....know that your life and your story matters, whether it is sweeping up your children's lunch crumbs, reaching out to your new neighbor, or having the conversation you've been avoiding.  Let's all take that 'next step' together.  You know, the step He's been calling you to, and you've been trying to push aside?  Take that scary step with me, and come back and tell us all how it went.  I dare you!

Blessings, dear one.

Ruth

A day to remember sacred little lives

"Raise your hand if you love little babies," my pastor teased this morning, while trying to get nursery volunteers.  But really, whom among us doesn't coo, cuddle, and pinch the little ones we see in the grocery stores, our neighborhoods, or our own homes?  It is especially hard for me to understand why so many little lives (click here for stats) have ended in such a tragic way, as I long for children of my own.  Tuesday, January 22 is the 40th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the historic (and devastating) court-ruling that allowed this horrific practice in the U.S, a place claiming to promote life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  But today we honor unborn life, Sanctity of Life Sunday 2013.

I sat with a friend at lunch today, who is both pregnant, and also works at a crisis pregnancy center here in the central Florida area.  She recounted the story of a young woman who inadvertently showed up at the center, hoping to get an abortion.  Meghan was very saddened by the conversation, as she offered a free ultrasound, and the mother refused to even look at the evidence of life.  It struck me, thinking of how we all do this in some way:  we turn our eyes from our sin, and pretend it is not there.

Abortion is sin, and sin separates us from God, and others.  My heart breaks for the women who are deceived into thinking that an abortion will somehow make their lives better, but live with guilt and shame instead.  They are separated from the joy they can have in Christ, co-creators of new life.  It's equally shocking to me that such a large percentage of abortions are done by those who call themselves 'Protestant' (see stats above.)

But God is truly able to do all things, we must remember.  Tomorrow is MLK Jr. day, and the work this faithful man did to end segregation can remind us that truly hopeless situations can be redeemed and restored.  I've included a sweet video for you, and hope that you will join others in praying this Tuesday, for this great evil to be ended in our nation.

Amazing August 2012

Hello friends,

I trust you enjoyed this week thus far, as I have (my school week is over, so the weekend starts tomorrow...).  Now that it's September, the weather is getting crisper, the leaves will turn soon, and the hot tea....wait....it's Florida!  Okay, so at least I'll be sipping hot tea (currently, peach is my fave :)  Though the summer doesn't officially end for a couple weeks, with school starting it feels like fall is right around the corner.  And I must say, August was a month full of awe.  Not awful.  How did we twist that word?  Here are some highlights:

~starting on J.R.R. Tolkein's masterpiece (Lord of the Rings) with hubby
~welcoming Florida friends back who were away for the summer
~beach trip
~Costco membership (yes, that place is great!)
~listening to One Thousand Gifts, again
~learning growing in contentment
~first few weeks with my sweet students
~easier transition (than I expected) into my *very own* classroom
~my patient, wise, and long-suffering hubby
~Starbucks dates and board games (I think Scrabble is the only one I can win, however...and that is because of Mom!!)
~surprise Panera lunch & chai tea with a friend (brought to my doorstep--can you believe it?)
~phone calls with old friends
~updates from the Perry Farm
~back-rubs!
~dinner guests
~visiting with friends
~forgetting my password to Pinterest (a hidden blessing!)
~and many, many more....

Blessings on your evening from sunny (and stormy) Florida,

Ruth

Memories from Landing Drive...

Remembering is something that God tells the Israelites to do all throughout the Old Testament.  And don't you find it is easy to forget the things God has done for us?  It seems like God is sending us into a wonderful new season of life; we don't want to forget His goodness to us since last September when we moved in....  Some of the highlights:

~Friday movie nights, cheddar popcorn and hot chocolate/tea

~watching and laughing at the silly ducks...which are all over the place here!

~looking for 'Mr. Owl' in the evenings

~morning and evening walks and prayer time

~walking the laundry to the laundry room

~doing dishes and chores together (not sure if Paul enjoyed it, but I appreciated his help!)

~dancing

~hosting friends and family

~learning to care for our home

~the bugs outside our door

~celebrating our first anniversary and first holidays together

~swimming in the huge pool

~learning to trust God

~reading together in the evenings

What has God done in YOUR life this past month, season, year?  Don't forget...and remind me not to either!

Blessings on your day,

Ruth

Marvelous May

Now that it is June already....I thought I'd share some of my joys from last month with y'all here at RL (ha ha yes I did just say ya'll!).  It might give you a reason to come down and visit us in FL, but it also helps me remember the goodness of the Lord to us.  Here are my top three faves:

~ the airboat tour on Loughman Lake with Jesse and Kelly

~ my new Chocolate Blueberry Smoothie recipe

Makes two 16-oz servings:

3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup pomegranate juice
6 oz. spinach, optional
1 frozen banana
dates/date paste to taste
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 cups frozen blueberries

Puree all the ingredients in a high-powered blender until smooth.  Enjoy!  (Thanks Forks over Knives cookbook, for the yummy recipe!)

~becoming members of River Oaks church--we are so happy to have found this fabulous church!  So Christ-centered, wonderful pastor and church family, such love among us, and the many opportunities to grow, help others grow.  Thank you, Jesus.  :)

What did you enjoy from your past month, week, or even today?   There is so much that God is doing in and around us--take the time to do some remembering and rejoicing!

Blessings in Jesus,

Ruth :)