To Really See

Every day after school she stops at the mail box before walking in the house.  The day she ran in all smiles and grabbed my camera caught my attention.  What on earth is she doing?  I can't catch her words through the excited giggles as she ran back out scanning the lawn, shuffling her flip flops through the grass.  A sudden stop and a smile like she discovered a secret treasure, she leans down close and focuses in.  I'm intrigued at her find.  She clicks away, brown hair blowing in the warm wind.

She runs over to me and shows me her find through the camera.  "See it?  Don't you see it?  There are the eyes and that is the smile!! God put a smiley face in the yard!"  My heart overflows.

Oh, how she gets it and I so often don't.  Taking the time to slow and see.  Finding God right there in the dandelion's.  What a special gift! A reminder to this weary soul...

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is.  ~Psalm 34:8, msg

How Great Thou Art

Over the weekend, my daughter Natalie and I were able to visit the Equine Affair in Columbus Ohio.  It was a field trip (of sorts) for our 4H club.  The crowds were filled with boots that clanked spurs, sparkly belt buckles and cowboy hats.  As we walked around all I could do is smile over the kids excitement!  One of them said..."We are with our people!"  It was so cute I could burst!

There were a variety of clinics you could go to and learn about a bit of horse everything, and one of those clinics was from Stacy Westfall...Natalie was thrilled!  She has YouTubed Stacy Westfall to the hilt!!
 
{and let me just add here that you should take a quick look at one of her runs if you are able -Amazing!}

To give you the short version,  the clinic was to talk about Musical Freestyle on Horses.  She asked three ladies to participate in a freestyle and we learned about technique, scoring ect...

All three ladies were FANTASTIC but one stood out to me.
Her name was Emmie. She rode to the song 'How Great Thou Art'.

Let me just tell you ~I still get goosebumps just thinking about it!  I found a video of it on YouTube and though it does not give the real performance justice it shows you a bit of what I'm talking about.

(please turn of blog music)


There is something pretty amazing about a beautiful hymn blasting from a set a stadium speakers! Every corner of that arena filled with His blessing of Hope and message of Truth that flowed right out to the street!

People from every walk of life were sitting in those seats.

My eyes filled with tears as I thought about how glorifying it was to God and that He would use it to change hearts and speak truth and reminded me again of how important it is to use every single gift and talent to glorify Him!

As I heard the people cheer and applaud in all their hats, spurs and sparkles I couldn't help but smile and think...

Yep...we are with our people!

Yay...Free Friday!

Would you like to win a $56 BbB Gift Voucher??

To enter:  Simply leave a comment in the link below.  And would you share this Giveaway with your friends?  You will receive an extra chance to win, just leave an additional comment to let us know!

Winner will be chosen Monday! 

Bits of Grace...

Sharing a bit of His wonderful Grace...oh how this boy can make me smile!

{Hope for the Home}: Let's Marvel

I'm blogging over at {Hope for the Home} today...CLICK HERE to meet me over there!

Journey in Hope

Last week, I stood before all those sweet faces and spoke the words...

"Scriptures each day keeps the spiritual sickness away!"

This keeps coming to mind this week -I have been feeling a little sick.

In a devotional book by Sarah Young, I read:

"I am calling you to a life of constant communion with Me. Basic training includes learning to live above your circumstances, even while interacting on that cluttered plane of life. You yearn of a simplified lifestyle, so that you communication with Me can be uninterrupted. But I challenge you to relinquish the fantasy of an uncluttered word. Accept each day just as it comes, and find Me in the midst of it all.

Talk with Me about every aspect of your day, including your feelings. Remember that your ultimate goal is not to control or fix everything around you; it is to keep communing with Me. A successful day is one in which you have stayed in touch with Me, even if many things remain undone at the end of the day. Do not let your to-do list (written or mental) become an idol directing your life. Instead, ask My Spirit to guide you moment by moment. He will keep you close to Me."

Things are crazy busy! He hasn't calmed the waters as I have prayed and asked Him to do. He is teaching me to lean into Him no matter my circumstances. To "accept each day just as it comes and find Him in the midst of it all". To stay spiritually healthy through His word.

"Come to me, all you who are wary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3


Would you share what the Lord is speaking to you today?
Maybe a scripture He has been cultivating in your heart?

{Thank you! May the Spirit use our words to remove clutter and debris from our heart and draw us near to Him!}

Too Cute...Tuesday!

HI, This is a picture of my granddaughter, Lydia Montroy just after she opened her BbB doll. She loves her as do I (I bought one for me too :) )


Thank you for all you do
Marie Montroy

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~So very sweet, thank YOU!!