Do Not Fear

"Do not fear."  I recently heard this phrase is used in the Bible 365 times.  How incredible that God would give us the strength and encouragement we need for every single day of the year!  The Lord desires to comfort His people.  No matter what struggles we face, He will give us the courage to make it through each and every day.  And on the days when we can't lift ourselves up, He carries us!  Isaiah 40:11 says He gathers His sheep in His arms and carries them close to His heart.  How comforting is that?!?

Yesterday was a very difficult day.  But I have a God who loves me and cares for me.  Today is a new day, a fresh start, and I have hope beyond what this world can ever offer.  A friend encouraged me with this verse:

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
   along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
   and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
   I will not forsake them."  Isaiah 42:16

These are things he WILL do!  So when those surprises come that throw us for a loop, we can trust that God will never, ever let us down.  He leads us in ways we don't expect, and then always surprises us with how He brings us through!  It is never fun to get bad news.  However, after the shock dissipates, I get kind of excited to see how God will work in that circumstance!  We have SO many stories of miraculous ways the Lord has provided for us in difficult times.  He will provide through this one too.

Here is a recent picture of our family...

The Lord is our strength.  He is our provider.  He is sovereign and He is Almighty GOD!  What could we possibly have to fear?

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

I am comforted to know that no matter what comes my way, no matter where I go, I have my God with me.  I pray you know this same comfort for yourself.

Vashon Ferry

I guess this weather has me dreaming of warmer days and the sun shining in my eyes!  I'm getting the urge to hop on the ferry and head back to Vashon for a day.  Perhaps soon.  :^)  Gotta call Mom and see if she doesn't mind us invading their space for a while!  In the meantime, here are some pictures I took one day when I was feeling nostalgic and artsy.

Our family has owned property on Vashon Island for 30 years now, so I grew up traveling on ferry boats regularly.  If you have never been on a ferry boat ride I recommend you do!  It's one of those things everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.

Here's Andrew, our son, enjoying the ride.  He loves to look over the side and count the jelly fish he sees as we cruise along.

Andrew and I spent as much time at the beach as we could this last summer.  My parents are trying to sell their home, so our time there may be limited...  Have to enjoy as many visits as we can!

Have a wonderful weekend!  Blessings to you...

Treasure Hunting

Treasure hunting.  Life is full of treasures when we take the time to look for them.  What is  considered treasure?  I think this means something different to everyone.  Many of the things I consider to be treasures might be considered trash to others.  What I value and hold dear to my heart may be considered foolishness to others.

What do I hold most dear?  Above all else, my relationship with Jesus Christ.  I truly cannot imagine life without my Savior.  He is my very source of greatest treasure.  He reveals Himself to me in ways that are special, meant just for me.  I may share some of those things here, but I don't expect you to understand quite the way I do.  I love that Jesus is the One and Only, yet, He is personal to each one of us who put our trust in Him.  Only God could know how to love us exactly the way we need to be shown love.

Next to the Lord, come my family.  My husband, Herm, and I have been married for 15 years.  Each year brings new challenges, and with them a greater love between us.  Through the good and the bad, the easy times and the difficulties, we have grown closer and closer together.  The Lord has used our challenges to deepen our faith and to learn that we can trust Him in any circumstance that comes our way.

We are blessed to have our beautiful boy, Andrew.  He is 9 years old this year and never ceases to amaze us!  He has the most tender heart combined with a keen sense of humor.  He is bright beyond his years and I know the Lord has some special purpose for him.  He will impact lives for the better, some how some way.

My heart is at peace at the beach.  Most would likely think of some tropical paradise and soaking in the sun.  Not for me.  I prefer the salty, rocky, driftwood covered beaches of the Pacific Northwest.  Andrew and I have discovered our own special spot where drifts of sea worn treasures collect.  I could spend hours sifting through rocks, listening to the sounds of the waves rolling in and the seaguls squawking in the distance.  The fresh sea air and gentle breezes...  No T.V., no telephone, just peace.

Realizing how much peace this brings me, I've begun to add touches of beach-like decor to our home.  Again, this does NOT mean palm trees and tiki huts.  ;^)  I'm talking about sea glass collections, weathered wood, old bottles and various other "treasures."  I love old, worn, weathered, beat up, paint-chipped, and rusty kinds of things.

I hope to use this blog to share my treasures.  These treasures may be found in God's Word, in something funny my son said, on a trip to the beach, or in a thrift store.  Life is an adventure and there are many treasures to be found along the way!  Happy hunting!