Category: Life

Where Peace Dwells

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Restlessness and impatience change nothing except our peace and joy. Peace does not dwell in outward things, but in the heart prepared to wait trustfully and quietly on Him who has all things safely in His hands.

Elisabeth Elliot

Something encouraging this week: I was glad to have come across the introductory quote and to have read the reminder that restlessness and impatience serve no purpose. That type of mindset drains energy, sleep, peace, and joy. Peace is not found in outward sources. It doesn’t come from other people, social media, food, or distraction, but from a trusting and quiet heart. Psalm 36:7, “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.”

Something surprising: Every week, we try to arrive early for Sunday School to have time to fellowship with others and catch up on the week. Some converse quite actively and there are a few elderly women who are a bit introverted and quiet. Yesterday, I noticed one had a bottle of Tea Tree oil she was sharing with another lady. “Oh, you are into essential oils, too?”, I asked. We talked about natural remedies and the complications modern medicine can sometimes have on a body. Her face lit up as she shared her point of view. I was shocked. I hardly ever hear her speak. She sits quietly during the lessons, smiles and nods during various conversations, but that’s about it. We shared what oils John uses to help relieve migraines, and what oils we use to help relieve cold and flu symptoms. It was a fun conversation and I was so happy to see Alejandra open up. We talked about castor oil, too. My dad tells some interesting stories from childhood about having to take castor oil. It seems to have been a “cure-all” back in the day. There are a few women in our church in their 80s and I know there are many experiences they have to share if you only ask. John, Jonathan, and I talked about the conversation on the way home in amazement and wondered what else would spark a great conversation with her again.

Something making a difference: Last week, I wrote about John having a new VA doctor who wanted to change a few medicines. The new prescriptions have arrived. After only a few days of taking them, his blood sugar level has decreased by half. Wow!! His last fasting bloodwork showed that he was near needing insulin if something didn’t change. Thank you, Lord, for the progress and for a doctor who is finally actively working to help.

Something that made me cry: I had made extra Easter cards and sent a few to friends who send out cards regularly. I always hope the cards I make will be a blessing. Sometimes, I hear back from a recipient of a handmade card – that it arrived when they needed encouragement the most that particular week. I do not find that to be a coincidence! Recently, I received a text from a friend to whom I had sent five Easter cards. She shared with me who she sent the cards to and why. Two were for caregivers who are helping her care for her 100-year-old mom (one of them being her sister). One card went to a relative who is a faithful encourager. Another was sent to a long-time friend who is having chemo and radiation for esophageal cancer. The last card was sent to another long-time friend of hers who was soon to have open heart surgery. “Your ministry in cards went to many places”, she wrote. I was deeply moved by her sharing that with me!! To God be the glory.

The Blesser Himself

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Instead of a river, God often gives us a brook, which may be running today and dried up tomorrow. Why? To teach us not to rest in our blessings, but in the blesser Himself.

Arthur W. Pink

Something I look forward to this week: The weather was cool and windy last Sunday – a good day to stay in bed while cozied up under warm blankets, yet I was still looking forward to going to church. I hadn’t felt that way in a long time. It’s been a difficult journey from being full-time missionaries to barely making it to church due to ongoing health issues. John can move more this year than he has in quite a few years and we knew we needed to get back into a fellowship. We recently joined a good church and from our first visits, we felt there was room for us. No one made us feel like outsiders- and even as new members now, we feel like we belong. I love how seamless it was for us to feel a part of this church family. Each week, as we renew the habit of attending a church service, I am happy to get up and be ready- no matter the weather.

Something to pray about: (and maybe you’ll pray, too?) My friend Jonna’s mother passed away last week and the funeral was this weekend. Her mother has been in a care facility for years and Jonna was very involved in her care with paperwork and communication with the doctors and nurses. I imagine there may be more settling to do in days to come. She has a sister who has Parkinson’s and is in the hospital with double pneumonia. Jonna also cares for all things related to caregiving with her. I have never heard her complain even though I know she has had huge responsibilities on her shoulders.

I am also praying for my friend Traci and her family. Their son was killed in a car wreck last October. He was twenty-two years old.

Heavy stuff, I know, which is why these families are on my heart and mind.

Something to feel grateful for: The potential to have a new VA doctor for John was part of the reason we moved from Texas to New Mexico. The doctor he had in El Paso was not a good fit for him, yet as a veteran with no other means of care, he felt stuck. We met with the new doctor yesterday at the Las Cruces, NM VA and immediately felt she was interested in John’s health. She carefully looked through his medical records and after a lengthy conversation, she changed three medications and gave us hope that we hadn’t had before. New bloodwork is scheduled for six weeks, and we can see if the medication and a diet change are helping. This is a huge blessing!

I am thankful the Blesser Himself cares about every one of our needs!

I. Peter 5: 7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

A Music Bath

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Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is to the soul what the water bath is to the body.

O.W. Holmes

I started taking piano lessons when I was twelve years old and by the time I was fifteen, I was the church pianist. Up until then, my mom was the piano player for our mission church, but once I was able to play a few hymns, she changed over to play the organ. Our song leader was very patient and allowed me to pick the songs for the service each week and I practiced, practiced, and practiced every day to get ready for Sunday. Most of my early years were spent on training to be a church pianist. I did take one year of classical piano, but after learning my instructor wanted me to train for recitals, I no longer was interested. I understand that teachers want to show off what they have taught, but I was so nervous, that I completely forgot pages of music during a recital that I had practiced and memorized for months. Being a church pianist is much easier as I am just assisting in the music and am not the main person of focus like the song leader.

I didn’t enjoy the early years too much during piano lessons. My parents were strict on practice time. When they figured out I would move the dial on the timer to lessen my practice time, they monitored my time for me! Ha. Looking back now, I am thankful for their intervention and glad that they caused me to persevere.

Playing the piano has been a source of happiness and stress relief over the years. John and I bought my very own piano over twenty years ago and having it in the home has been such a source of joy for us. For the last several years, I haven’t played the piano very often for various reasons. There were surgeries for John and other trials back-to-back and the music seemed so far away. After our move to a different home, I sat down at the piano after it was moved in just to see how it felt. John and Jonathan joined me in the living room and cheered me on as I played one hymn after another. My fingers are a little rusty as are my eyes in reading music and playing at the same time, but I still know how to play. Stray gift! It was like a music bath with notes washing over us in a healing way. Before long, Jonathan started singing along and soon after, we dragged out our songbooks from our family singing days. Our voices are a little rusty, too! We had so much fun, though, reconnecting with our music.

In the packing and moving, we found CDs and cassette tapes we used to listen to during our deputation days. Hearing the music from some of our favorite groups (and remembering the words to the songs!) was enjoyable as well. It was another way for music to be a source of restoration after the last few trying years.

Connecting with piano playing is something I don’t want to be so far away from again. Maybe I will play the piano in church again someday and I would like that. For now, I am content to play simply because it brings much gratification and refreshment to me and my family.

All Your Circumstances

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All your circumstances are in the hand of God, so never think this strange concerning the circumstances you are in.

Oswald Chambers

September 2023

It all happened so fast. One day Jonathan was looking for work and the next was entering into the Master’s Degree program at New Mexico State University. For months he looked for work here in the city and prayed that the opportunity to attend West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas would become available. He waited to hear any news about a scholarship to help finance his continued education, but nothing seemed to be there. After prayer and consideration, he let the school in Canyon know that he would not be attending in the fall. He had faith that God still had a way open to him with either work or school. Less than twenty-four hours later, he received an e-mail from a History professor at NMSU. The professor noticed that Jonathan had applied for the spring semester and wondered if Jonathan would be interested in attending in the fall. This was the beginning of August and classes started on the 16th! Jonathan said he would be interested but would need funding, a scholarship, or work to help pay for classes. He received a reply to contact someone at the campus museum because they were looking for a graduate assistant. He e-mailed the contact, answered a few questions, shared his skills and future goals, and the next day was told he got the job! The graduate assistant job is a paid position plus his tuition is being paid for as well.

We hurried to get things he would need for his room (as much as we knew at the time) and moved him up there. He enjoys his museum work (20 hours a week) and the classes are going well. He is super tired (there is a TON of reading and a few papers a week due) and is still trying to figure out his daily schedule. John and I have been up there several times to take him out to lunch and to help get things he finds he needs. It was a whirlwind of activity once he was “in” for the semester. We drove up there the Saturday before classes started either looking for a dorm room or an apartment for him to live in. He applied for an on-campus room and got one that same day. It’s an apartment designed for four students. There are two rooms on either side of the apartment with a bathroom on each side, a living room in the center (sort of -very sparse), and a kitchen to share. It’s a small room, the building is old and in need of repair, but we agree it’s a roof over his head for now and it’s on campus with buses that are easy to get on to take him across campus to get near to work and to classes. He does have our truck to drive when he needs to go to Walmart or somewhere if he needs something. Or if he misses the bus! He is starting to get into the new rhythm of days now and John and I can rest a little more as things are getting figured out (financing and meals, to name a few).

November 2023

A lot has happened since I started updating you on Jonathan’s next life steps. We were all excited about the opportunity back in September, but “things” haven’t worked out the way we thought they would. First, the school backed out of the contract they made with Jonathan concerning payment for tuition. (The tuition payment and museum work payment were separate. The museum has paid him no matter what the school was doing on their end.) Second, we all caught COVID at the same time and Jonathan lost nearly a month of classes and work due to being so ill. At present, he is behind on classwork because he was absent for so long. He is finding it difficult to catch up and may not even be able to complete all the assignments by the end of the semester. This would affect any scholarship he could potentially receive next semester. Third, the dorm situation became a huge hassle when he found flying ants under his desk one day. It took several work orders for the maintenance crew to come to look at the situation and a few days afterward before the ants disappeared. He also had water leaks several times due to faulty pipes in the wall that was shared with the bathroom on the other side. Maintenance looked at it once and said they fixed the problem (without ever opening up the wall to see where the water was coming from). It took several minor leaks to an all-out flood in which water covered his whole floor and then spilled out into the hallway and kitchen. The night this happened, John and I quickly threw stuff in a suitcase and traveled to help. It took me over an hour to mop the mess in his room while John and Jonathan emptied the room of his possessions. We stayed a few nights in a motel while Jonathan worked to get another place to stay on campus. We found out later that the overflow drain pipe from the bathtub was not connected, so every time his suitemate took a bath, Jonathan’s room had water pouring from the base of the wall. The new room is dry, thankfully, but now he has a fellow occupant who smokes something other than cigarettes making it difficult for Jonathan to study – let alone breathe in his room.

On the bright side, he has absolutely LOVED his work at the museum and has easily moved through the tasks he was given to manage. He had genealogical research done in the first week that his superiors thought would take months. He had good managers who believed in him and who gave him opportunities to teach others and to lead different projects. Despite missing out on nearly a month of work due to illness, he is practically finished with all the research and documentation that he was hired to do for the semester. The opportunity to work with the museum gave him a great deal of new-found confidence and it was a great experience that will help him in the coming years.

So what does this mean for the future? We have discussed this at length with Jonathan and we agree that nine hours of classes a week plus work was just too much and the hours are a requirement for a Master’s student. He is very meticulous and careful about his assignments which caused too much stress for the amount of reading and written papers that needed to be completed each week. We do not feel this semester was a waste of time, though. The experiences he has been through have been valuable lessons concerning how to handle the unpredictability of life. Just because life doesn’t go as smoothly as we think it will, it doesn’t mean that God didn’t place us in that position to learn something. At present, we are unsure if he will be taking classes again as a Master’s student, yet we don’t feel any discouragement about it at all. We know God will use this time for his glory and Jonathan will be led in the way he should go.

In the life of a saint, there is no such thing as chance. God, by his providence, brings you into circumstances that you can’t understand at all, and the only thing you know is that the Spirit of God understands. Never take your circumstances into your own hand and say, “I’m going to be my own providence here. I must watch this and guard that.” All your circumstances are in the hand of God; never think this strange concerning the circumstances you are in. God is bringing you into certain places and among certain people for a reason: so that the Holy Spirit inside you can intercede along a particular line.
-Oswald Chambers

Where the Buffalo Roam

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The Texas Panhandle is so flat, if you stand on a bucket, you can see tomorrow.

Stories from Texas

The winds of change have been softly stirring in this house lately. If you have followed our family’s journey through this blog, you know that last year was a very difficult one with John’s health. I won’t go into all that here as the entries can be read through previous posts. At present, he is in physical therapy for his back and has another Botox treatment coming up to help with his migraines. The ankle is an ongoing issue. A huge praise is that the VA granted him more disability compensation he applied for which helps him focus on finding a balance with his health issues instead of worrying about how he is going to manage a full-time job. This has been a huge relief!

Jonathan has been applying for work in many places yet hasn’t received any requests for an interview anywhere. We know that there is a gap in his work history that might not look so good on his resumé. It is not that he hasn’t been working, it is a matter of where. He has helped me in more ways at home than I can ever write about with my dad and John. Both have had many surgeries and procedures over the years in which Jonathan was instrumental in their recovery. While I was helping one of the men, Jonathan was helping the other. I could not have done all that by myself! But at this stage in his life, something has to change. We agree that he has a life of his own to live. Through many conversations and much prayer, he said he would like to pursue a Master of Arts in History degree. He graduated from UTEP in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and with a minor in Museum Studies. He excels in research and is passionate about western U.S. history. He is not going to find the education needed for what he wants to do here in El Paso as the focus is on the Borderland. We started looking at other schools and after viewing information about West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, he said that was the one. The same day, he applied for their Master’s program. He has been fully admitted to the program now and welcomed into their “Buff Community”. Plans are in the making. Jonathan also applied for scholarships/financial aid. With his 3.9 GPA from UTEP, we pray he qualifies for one that would pay for the education and living expenses! Wouldn’t that be amazing? We’re praying the Lord blesses him in a special way.

We took a trip to Canyon, Texas a few weeks ago to look at the school and the area. We loved it! We toured the campus and Jonathan thought it was spectacular. In the area, we visited the Palo Duro Canyon State Park and loved being in nature. We enjoyed several museums, too! Jonathan said he could spend days just reading all the information at each exhibit. There are roads that stretch for miles with no stop sign or traffic light in sight. Bliss! Just wide open country. We were in awe of just how far one could see over the plains. John drove for hours on backroads – a favorite activity of ours and also my favorite way to take a nap! It was a much-needed relaxing week. We saw buffalo, cardinals, prairie dogs, and many other stray gifts in our path! We also stayed in Lubbock so Jonathan could compare Texas Tech University with West Texas A&M. West Texas A&M still had a hold on him.

There are many decisions to make if Jonathan goes through with attending classes in the fall semester. It means packing, finding a place to live, and getting settled with household items and groceries. No official plans can be made until we know about scholarships and/or employment to help fund the advancement of his education. Jonathan called the financial office to check on the status and he was told they received his applications for financial aid and are working on finding a good fit for him. Please pray with us that he will receive the blessing of a full scholarship!

This is an exciting time for Jonathan and we are thrilled about this opportunity!

The Real Danger

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The real danger is not in facing the enemy; it’s in failing to trust in the Lord.

Note written in my Bible margin

This year has been a rough one. It started with John having ankle surgery, which was an ordeal in itself, but the surgery site then became grossly infected. After that, he felt as if the screw that was put in his ankle was sticking out from the bottom of his foot. At each follow-up doctor appointment, the x-rays showed differently, yet John still felt there was a knot there making it uncomfortable to walk. During one appointment, the doctor finally looked at the bottom of the foot instead of trusting the x-ray. There was a wart there! Another appointment was scheduled to remove it. In the meantime, we had heard from a friend and had seen on the internet that duct tape will remove the wart. This remedy is called “duct tape occlusion” in which duct tape is placed on the wart to cover it. The tape is to be replaced every three to five days and should, in time, remove the wart layer by layer. John tried this in the weeks before the removal appointment. When he went in to have the wart removed, there was barely anything to remove! John mentioned to the doctor that he had used duct tape on the bottom of the foot and that it had possibly helped dry it up. John said the look on the doctor’s face was priceless. We’re guessing this method wasn’t anywhere in the medical books and he wasn’t amused. We were, though. Haha. The wart is 90% better and the ankle is still healing.

The Alpha-stim apparatus is helping with an overall feeling of well-being, but it hasn’t helped with his chronic migraines. John tried Aimovig for six months and after that, he tried Ajovy injections which were done at home once a month for six months with no real improvement. Yesterday, he had an appointment with his neurologist to receive botox injections (or “snake poison”, John says). Research has shown it to be effective in relieving migraines for some patients. The doctor gave him a shot in the arm of Toradol to help with the migraine he had yesterday and then proceeded with thirty-one injections around his shoulders and neck, in his skull, and in his forehead. He feels a bit numb today but was told that this is normal. He will receive another set of injections in twelve weeks. He may not see any improvement for a few months or even after a few treatments, but he is willing to try. He has been battling migraines for at least thirty years. Surely, there is something out there to help.

Recently, John and Jonathan were in a car accident. Jonathan was driving and had stopped at a stop sign. The men looked both ways and saw no one coming, so Jonathan pulled forward. From the right, a woman driving a small car (who had the right away) slammed into the front right side of the car, smashing the headlight and denting the door a little. There was a line of cars parked to the right on the side of the road making it impossible to see the car coming. No one was hurt, thankfully. We can still drive the car, but we are careful to not drive too much. Repair work is scheduled for the end of December.

My blood pressure is still a bit too high even with increased medication, but I am still feeling better and have more energy than I did at the beginning of the year.

After the year we’ve had, we feel like we’ve been facing the enemy – discouragement. It really has been one thing or another which has tested the belief that “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28). I know we are not the only ones who have had a rough year. I have close friends and family who have had major life changes this year due to health issues, the loss of a family member, financial struggles, and other concerns. The real danger though isn’t Satan who tells us God does not care and is not interested in our trials. The Bible tells us that Christians are not exempt from adversity in Matthew 5:45 – “he [God] maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust”. Forgetting that God has not forsaken us and failing to trust Him to carry us through life is the real danger.

I will close with a few more words and include my stray gifts and in another post. The title of this blog entry is entitled, “The Real Danger”. When I opened my Bible last week to listen to a sermon on Psalm 11, I saw my handwritten note from some time ago which said, “The real danger is not in facing the enemy; it’s in failing to trust in the Lord.” It hit me hard and is something I’ve been thinking about all week. And while the sermon was in Psalm 11, underlined verses from Psalm 9 caught my eye on the left page of my Bible. We have felt discouraged. We have struggled with health issues, finances, and trials. But deep down, we know the truth that God does not forsake His own and I am thankful for the reminders in various ways to keep seeking Him in times of trouble.

“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” Psalm 9:9-10

Stable for the Situation

Stable for the Situation

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My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Psalm 62:5-7

It has been a while since I shared a life update. We have had many ups and downs in the last few months – days of hope and days of “what’s next, Lord?”. John is in physical therapy for his back and is still under the care of a good pain management doctor. He is receiving care from the VA neurologist for his migraines. He is trying a new treatment using an Alpha-Stim device which is supposed to help with overall chronic pain relief. In the short time that he has been using it, he has had more days of feeling “ok”. He is able to stay awake longer and perform small tasks such as walking to the mailbox and back, helping wash dishes, or working on paperwork for full disability compensation. He has trouble sitting for long periods of time. Some days he feels stronger, and some days, not so much. Things I take for granted every day, he has to fight for constantly. He feels more hopeful, though, since he started this new treatment.

I haven’t been feeling all that well in the last few months. It has been quite a long time since I have seen a doctor for any kind of health update. I have been feeling strongly that I needed to see a doctor for a general check-up and with a gentle nudge from a friend who recently had a health scare, I scheduled an appointment with a local family doctor’s office. I have several friends who are struggling with health issues and frankly, it’s scary. I have always been in good health up until recently. My doctor visit naturally started with a blood pressure check – and the doctor and I didn’t get past much else. My blood pressure was (and still is at present) dangerously high and I was immediately told to take medication while I was there. I was given several doses during my visit. While I have other issues needing attention, my blood pressure is the first to get under control. I now have to take medication for that and something to help me relax at night. The blood pressure number has us all very concerned.

Jonathan has been helping me with my dad and with John. At times, doctor or therapy appointments are on the same day for the two men and Jonathan goes with John while I go with my dad to his appointment. Jonathan is updating his Resumé and Curriculum Vitae for employment applications. While not needed for all job applications, they may be useful depending on what he will apply for.

In spite of all that, we are “stable for the situation”. We are processing changes which need to be made. We are working to limit stressors and make wiser health choices.

It has been a while, too, since I’ve shared a few stray gifts! I still look for them and absolutely love when friends text me various gifts of their own they see through the day!

Top left: Our passion flowers have been blooming quite nicely this year! Such a gorgeous flower. Top right: The roses were blooming last week, but have since all faded away. It might be the last time they bloom for the year. This coral color is stunning! Right middle: With as much rock and sand as we have, there is still plant life that does well. The Morning Glory vines need next to no help and they cover bare rock walls nicely. They do tend to grow everywhere, so we have to weed them away from the roses and honeysuckle as needed. Bottom right: As always, the pink oleander is a pretty site. Bottom middle: Jonathan has been making breakfast more often which is a huge help! Bottom left: The last of the butterflies, I believe, for the season. We have enjoyed seeing more bees and butterflies in our yard this year.

The Struggle Is Real

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Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:

Isaiah 26:3-4

Have you ever heard the expression, “The struggle is real.”? We have been feeling it lately with the many ups and downs concerning John’s health. Discouragement knocks on the door as we seek balance in all things. John had an appointment with his rheumatologist this week who prescribed a pain medication that may help with the fibromyalgia. I don’t know what it feels like to be in constant pain, not knowing the right answer as to what will bring a sense of well-being. There may not be one single answer. Watching him struggle with illness and even depression as the days go by is difficult. This week, he is scheduled to receive shots in his back to relieve pressure in his lower back and legs. Migraine medicine is hit and miss as he tries different treatments. It has helped to understand what is happening in doing research on Gulf War Syndrome. While he never served in the Gulf War, his ship which supplied ammunition, oil, and explosives was in the Gulf around those times. Many of the veterans who were on the same vessel as he was are experiencing the same disabilities. Focusing solely on health has brought some peace because he isn’t trying to go back to Radiology school or do too many things at once. We are taking one doctor’s appointment at a time and praying for wisdom.

I saw a church sign a few weeks ago that said, “The struggle is real…but so is God”. Sometimes a statement comes in a still small voice. Other times it pierces through the heart like an arrow. What a timely reminder! Thank you, Lord. I needed that.

While seeking answers, we are still looking for stray gifts in life – bits of God’s presence throughout the day. We have had several really good rainy days here – and in the desert, they are a few and far between. We lost power for just a little bit, too, one night. It was fun to light candles and just sit and talk without watching television.

Top Row (left) Passionflower! We planted this vine last year and never saw one flower. We had caterpillars on the vine, which, at the time, we thought was exciting because we knew butterflies were coming. The butterflies were exciting to see, yes, but the caterpillars ate every bloom. This year, we watched carefully so that the flowers would blossom. We have a whole vine of them now blooming in different stages. (middle) A McAlister’s Deli recently opened near us. We used to hunt for this restaurant during our deputation days because we knew we could find a good sandwich or soup and of course, sweet tea. (right) Mums are still one of my favorite outdoor plants as they need little maintenance.

Bottom Row (left) I saw this art piece displayed in a doctor’s office while with my dad a few weeks ago. It is made from colored glass tile and is stunning. This piece is a depiction of a popular bit of scenery here in El Paso. If interested, you can read about the star on the mountain’s significance here. (right) Our daylilies are back in full force right now – especially after the rain. I may need to repot them next year!

Thank you to those who share your own stray gifts with me through text messages! I love the ripple effect this has had! I am thinking about sharing some of them here on the blog as I think others would love to see them as well.

Exalted Simplicity

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He who marvels at the beauty of the world in summer will find equal cause for wonder and admiration in winter…. In winter the stars seem to have rekindled their fires, the moon achieves a fuller triumph, and the heavens wear a look of a more exalted simplicity.

John Burroughs, “The Snow-Walkers,” 1866

I have been interested in decorating for the seasons versus decorating for any holiday in particular. I do not enjoy putting things up only to take them down a few weeks later. And I am not one who likes to get out the Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. I love arranging seasonal accents, knowing we have three months to enjoy the change of pace each phase of the year brings. This year for winter, I was inspired by the simplicity of winter light. The other day, I was looking outside our living room window at the Chinese elm tree in the front yard. The tree was bare of leaves, the bark a mix of brown and gray and the sky above was a blue-gray color. In the tree, there were finches with the same brown, gray, and blue easily seen on the branches. It was such a simple scene- devoid of the green leaves of spring and summer with just a few yellow leaves left from fall. I realized that this time of year is the only time I can see all the birds in the tree and I was struck by the clarity of the view. I stood for quite a while watching the finches happily singing away.

In keeping with a winter home decorating theme, you won’t find a lot of Christmas decorations in the house. In fact, we didn’t even put any ornaments on our tree! As Jonathan and I were unpacking the Christmas decorations and figuring out how we wanted to display them, we just loved the way the tree looked all lit up with nothing on it but tiny lights and the pinecones and berries that were on the tree when we bought it. With simplicity in mind, we were content with the way the tree looked as-is. What you will find are bits of light here and there through candles and Christmas lights in other places. What you will also see are bits of greenery from the japonica bushes that are in the front yard. Instead of buying greenery that doesn’t match our natural surroundings, I used what we had and cut fresh branches to put in a vase. The branches and leaves which stay green year-round add a natural element to our simple decor.

In the living room, we have tall ceilings with a very high shelf. We have decorated that shelf with lanterns, baskets, greenery, and other home accents. We put Christmas lights up there and I think we are going to keep them up all year. We like to plug them in at night as the sun goes down and it gives the living room a nice glow.

The longest dark hours are in winter and as the sun goes down early, my battery-operated candles light up on their timer, our Christmas lights get plugged in as well as the high living room shelf lights. We light candles and keep the bright lights off enjoying the cozy feel. It makes winter nights a bit more comforting as we settle in for the evening. All of us look forward to that time of day very much.

In the kitchen, I’ve been changing out the curtains to transition into the next season. During the fall months, I had orange, brown, and white in a tablecloth, in curtains, and in accents. For winter, I swapped out the warm colors for cool, using gray and white curtains and tablecloth with just a hint of Christmas in red and green glass bottles with a few japonica branches for more color. The bottles are displayed in the kitchen window and when the sun hits them in the afternoon, the bottles look like lanterns.

A few weeks ago, we were out late at night for an event at the local Historical Society (a 1912 historic home) where Jonathan works. John and I had stepped outside for a few minutes to get some fresh air and we happened to look up at the sky. Orion was right above us- big as life -spread across the sky and the stars were just so bright and beautiful! Later that evening, I went upstairs because I knew there would be an amazing night view of the city lights. Seeing the stars and the night lights confirmed that I wanted to bring that feeling of wonder from outside to the inside of our home.

Whether you love to go all out for decorating every holiday or you enjoy keeping it simple like me, may we all see cause for wonder and admiration in every season.

Working in Shifts

Published on by arecordofgraces

Nature bestows her own, richest gifts and, with lavish hands, she works in shifts…

Gertrude Tooley Buckingham, “The Four Seasons,” 1940s

Our winters are mild here in the southwest, but we are starting to feel the shift of the season. The heat is kicking on in the morning, but by afternoon, the sun is up and the house heat gets turned down. Jonathan opened his bedroom window the other day and there was a nice breeze coming through the back of the house. There’s a shift in the yard as leaves are falling and the plants are changing in appearance. I have a few roses blooming for the last time this year, yet my chrysanthemums are shedding off. I don’t think I’ll see those bloom again until spring. Jonathan put hay out in the dog house for our girl to keep warm at night. I am stocking up on dry beans and canned goods for soups and stews. Fall decorations will be coming down, soon to be replaced with Christmas and winter accents. I’m shifting slowly from this season into the next, enjoying the transition. Do you like to see Christmas come early and already have your decorations up? Or do you gradually move into seasons as they come?

The latest in my stray gifts journey:

Gifts in the yard: (clockwise) I have two roses blooming on the same bush at the moment. Morning Glory flowers are still around in various places. I spotted this yellow leaf on the ground and loved the bit of fall present. The tomatoes seen in the photo are now turning red and will soon be eaten by whoever picks them off first! The passionflower vine had been eaten up by caterpillars earlier in the year. They ate most of the leaves and all of the flowers. The butterflies that came after were pretty, but I did not like that most of our new vine had disappeared. The leaves are growing back now quite nicely and we will be watching the vines like a hawk for any caterpillars come spring. I didn’t buy as many mums as I would have liked this year when they were on clearance, but I did get a few. By now, I have ‘deadheaded’ these and just the green leaves are left.

Gifts Unconventional: Instead of cooking a turkey and having leftovers for days, we decided we wanted to grill steaks this year for Thanksgiving. My dad said we can give thanks for a cow as well as for a turkey for the special day- and we all agreed. We had mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, and peas, too. Jonathan made a pumpkin pie from scratch that turned out amazing.

Gifts in the Kitchen: Jonathan and I wanted a cake mix for something a few weeks ago. I can’t remember what, but I don’t keep cake mixes in the pantry. We looked up a recipe on the internet for a homemade cake mix and tried it out one day. It was very good! We included shredded coconut so that it wasn’t plain. Instead of frosting, we added whipped cream on top before each piece was served.

Homemade bread is always a gift in the kitchen. By now, Jonathan and I have perfected our recipe to the way we like it. We make the recipe and keep it in the fridge in a vented container until we’re ready to bake. Cold dough is easier to work with. Fresh, hot bread goes well with the soups and stews we’re having lately!

Gifts from Others: From time to time, friends and family send me photos of their own stray gifts and I love it! A sunset in New Mexico is stunning! I’ve seen beautiful fall photos from Pennsylvania and a snapshot of snow from the same friend yesterday morning. A friend in Texas shared with me a photo of a new bread recipe she tried which used einkorn and kefir. It looked tasty!

A handmade card from my 10 year old niece in Alabama and a card, also, from a distant cousin in Wisconsin came in the mail last week. What a nice surprise!

Gifts from around the world: Our former church in Mexico is doing really well. The church held a teen conference recently, and the building was full of people. Our hearts bust wide open when we see photos of what God is doing.

Pleasure is spread through the earth in stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find. -William Wordsworth, 1806