Today is my birthday.

All 48 years of living compressed into one 5’3″ woman.

Tomorrow is my 6 year blog anniversary.

Today is also moving day for Courtney.

There is all sorts of activity around here.

The kids are making a birthday breakfast feast so

while I am shunned from the house, I will sit outside and

compose a love list of sorts.

There used to be a tradition among bloggers to write 100 things

to mark milestones.

I did this years ago and it was tough.

I will spare you 100 things but I will divide my age by

years blogging and compile my list of the 8 things

which added sunny summer love to my life.

It’s only 8 so I won’t include food and drink items.

Unless I get stuck.

1. This very morning with all it sunshine and shadows.
This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice.
How fitting that I read all of Philippians in the Message.
I have tried to downplay my birthday as it now conflicts with
Courtney’s college days but doing that presses down God, who
made me on this day for a reason and a purpose and with lots and lots of love.
Thankful for this day and when days  begin with simply Him
even when the sun isn’t shining.

2. The book of Jonah.
I spent time with two friends studying it this summer.
I didn’t think I had much in common with this prophet.
I was wrong.
Jonah has taught me to listen better, take better steps
and think better thoughts of others.
The God who created a plant and a worm is the same
one who other people need desperately.

3. The table Carl built.
It has been the setting of joy this summer.
Any meal any time with anyone.
A beautiful gathering of people and food.
Seated upon wood and nails has built-in
us priceless material hammered deep into
our souls and memories.

4. Our sunflower patch.
Our friend Laurel gave us a big bag of harvested seeds from
their “sunflower country” and we planted thoroughly.
Usually the seeds have become a feast for birds and squirrels but not
this year.
Despite Hazel’s affinity for eating the leaves, they grew and grew and
now are a delight whenever I step out my back door or catch a glimpse as I
turn into the driveway.
Thanks Laurel!

5. An Altar in the World
I read this book in  a couple of  days during my respite.
I could write a full post on it.
It resonated so deeply with me as it is all about paying attention.
Paying attention is something that God has been building into me
over many years and I believe much of this blog is simply my
attempt to pay attention and not miss the spiritual God
surprises with right in the midst of  the natural.

6. The best 10 dollars I spent all summer.

Farkle has been a fixture in our house this summer.
I can’t tell you how many games we have played as a family
or with friends.
Oh the laughter and the risk-taking involved make for quite
a wild ride.
It’s the perfect game for those that don’t really like playing games and
those that really do.

7. This pooch

I make no apologies.
I have become one of “those people”.
The ones who are always talking about their dogs.
But pardon my redundancy but I have complete and utter unmitigated
affection for our sweet Hazel, a mere 11 years old.
Summer time and dogs go so well together.

8. These verses

In the book, I mentioned above, the author
writes of being asked to speak and when she inquires
further as to what her theme might be.
She is told to speak about what is presently  saving her life.
She loved this thought.
So do I.
Possibly my love lists or Friday High-Fives or Favorite Things
are my attempt to express what is saving my life in little ways each day.
I looked through my journal and these are the verses that have been saving
my life now.

What’s saving your life today?

These two verses are my one-two knock-out punch to worry:

That is why I am suffering as I am. 
Yet this is no cause for shame, 
because I know whom I have believed, 
and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
II Timothy 1: 12


Don't fret or worry. 
Instead of worrying, pray. 
Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, 
letting God know your concerns. 
Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, 
everything coming together for good, 
will come and settle you down. 
It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Summing it all up, friends, 
I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and 
meditating on things 
true, 
noble, 
reputable, 
authentic, 
compelling, 
gracious—
the best, not the worst; 
the beautiful, not the ugly; 
things to praise, 
not things to curse.

Philippians 4: 4-8 (MSG)

I am asking God to reveal just what are compelling thoughts.
Thoughts which do not propel or compel me to worry but land
my mind and heart upon Him.

Two verses which beckon me to seek Him early and daily:

Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: 
"It takes more than bread to stay alive. 
It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth."

Matthew 4: 4 (MSG)


O satisfy us with Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning 
[now, before we are older], 
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Psalm 90:14 (AMP)

Time for breakfast!

Have a blessed weekend.

I am praying it is filled

with good things,

the things that save your life

bit by bit.

Peace!