Saturday, August 16, 2014

Blessings Journaling: Today's List Part 2 (Aug.16.2014f.)

Blessings Journaling: Today's List Part 2 (Aug.16.2014f.)

2014-08-16 18:33:00, Sat.

I am grateful and thankful for these blessings, Lord:

A quiet day.

Spaghetti, sauce, and parmesan cheese. (Yum!)

'Homemade' iced coffee with a packet of sugar substitute and some cream. This is my new indulgence. I make a coffee pod, with six ounces of water rather than my usual ten ounces. It's important to start with strong coffee so the ice doesn't water the mixture down too much.

The health benefits of coffee: help decrease different types of cancer and dementia and Alzheimer's, which run in my family. Also is a diuretic. Helps decrease chance of developing diabetes, which also runs in my family.

Ice water. It's nice and refreshing.

Allergy medicine.

The television show, 24, with Kiefer Sutherland on Fox. Hubby and I are about to finish season five of our summer 24 marathon. It's a show that keeps us on the edge of our seats, that's for sure.

Zack tri-colored Beagle is snuggling again. I don't think I've ever tired of that or ever will. The older he gets, the more I'm reminded he won't always be around... Sigh and sniff. But, the vet says he still has a few years left in him. (I sure hope so.)

The way Zack looks at me and depends on me, and loves me unconditionally, is the way I should look at and depend on God and show Him my loyalty and faithfulness. I can learn a great deal from him.

Zack's vet and clinic. They have been phenomenal the last three years.

Zack's medicines, which help him live a better quality of life.

Our currently antisocial cat, Sinan the orange Maine Coon. He is such a lover and is a laidback cat. He also is sensitive to our emotions (my husband's, Zack's, and mine). He's also protective of us.

Sinan snuggled with us a couple of times last night. Love it when he does that.

Air conditioning on hot, humid days.

My favorite coffee mug. It is quite a bright spot every time I use it and see it. It's an iced blue color with a hint of green. It's a light turquoise. (However, I might need to make a slight confession of how I have several other favorites.) It somehow makes the coffee taste better.

My husband's, B, and my vacation for the last ten days, plus tomorrow.

For sunshine that warms the skin and infuses the body with vitamin D, which leads to better health and a slight tan (even when I use spf 50 sunscreen). It helps make moods and spirits better as well.

A day of rest today, where I've been able to journal and hang out with You, Lord. I realize I don't do nearly enough of that. I should really make it a priority at least once a week.

I know, Lord, You will get my mom a job. I pray that it will be sooner rather than later. Please, Lord. Have mercy on her.

Ground Brats in a patty. I have to admit, I love their taste. The spices explode on my tongue, but aren't too much. They are subtle. Add some ketchup and it adds a pop of extra flavor to savor when mixed with the meat of the brats. Never mind how their smell is absolutely delightful.

2014-08-16 20:02:07

It's time to go deeper--in the here and now, but also is time to look at what has brought me here on my journey with You.

Lord, how fortunate and what a blessing to know my life is in Your hands. You are in control. Nothing escapes Your notice and You have a plan. You have a perfect plan, as a matter of fact.

Thank You that B didn't get bug spray in his eyes, nose, or mouth, when it's stream hit the house just right for it to splash back on his face. Thank You, Lord.

For healing B's back, which is bothering him today. I thank You in advance.

I also thank You in advance for a good night's sleep with plenty of rest.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC. August 2014. The Virginia Living Museum.)

Get the Most Out of Life. Journal.

Get the Most Out of Life. Journal.

2014-08-14 13:42:37

Get the most out of this life. Journal.

It's really that simple.

Do you want to live the best life possible? Do you want to enjoy your life the most? The answer to each is to journal. Period. End of story. Any questions?

Journaling makes you go deeper. It helps you gain a new and proper perspective.

So, if you don't want to get the most out of this life, to live the best life possible, to enjoy your life, go deeper and remain shallow, to have a new and proper perspective, then keep living as you are fail to journal.

Do you doubt what I'm saying? If so, and.even if you don't, I want to challenge you to a journaling challenge. See the next blog post about this Journaling Challenge for 45 Days.

#Diary #Journal #Journaling #BenefitsOfJournaling #WhyJournal #JournalingChallenge #JournalingChallengeFor45Days #Journaling Stuff #Blessing OfTurningForty

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC. August 2014. Shirley Plantation.)

Blessings Journal: Counting of My Blessings Today (08.16.2014c.)

Blessings Journal: Counting of My Blessings Today (08.16.2014c.)

Original title of journal entry: Prayer Journal and 40 (08.16.2014c)

2014-08-16 11:41:40, Saturday (Aug. 16)

Lord, there are times I approach a blank page and have no idea what to journal.

My next forty years come to mind, along with my life verses:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

16 Rejoice(A) always!
17 Pray constantly.
18 Give thanks in everything,
for this is God’s will(B) for you in Christ Jesus.

Cross references:

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Give thanks always. It's Your will, Abba.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 The Message (MSG)

16-18 Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

The Message (MSG)

Your Word, Lord, tells me to give thanks in spite of everything and everyone else. Give thanks at all times for all things. Give thanks. Have gratitude. Count my blessings.

A CONSCIOUS EFFORT

I need to make, and want to make, a conscious effort every day to count my blessings of the day, of the past, and for the future.

THE LAST FORTY YEARS AND THE NEXT FORTY PLUS YEARS

What would the ideal and perfect journal look like from the last forty years?

What would the perfect and ideal journal look like for the next forty plus years?

The answer to both questions is the same: I would count my blessings each day.

Period. That's it. It would be a great treasure and would mean more to me than anything else I could possibly do, have, or keep.

WHY DO I WANT TO KEEP A BLESSINGS JOURNAL?

There is nothing and no one more important in my life than You, Lord, and Your Word. Searching for You, Your work, and Your glory every single day are the best things I can do each day.

You tell me in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 how I am to be constantly grateful and always give You thanks.

BLESSINGS JOURNAL (08.16.2014)

Lord, I thank You for basking and swimming turtles with incredible personality. They are quite social and it touches me so. They are loving and curious critters.

Computers, laptops, and cells, even when they are having issues running.

Coffee. It's a pick-me-up and reminds me to slow down.

Snuggling beagles. Zack snuggling on the couch.

My husband, B, even when he's grumpy.

My journal, a bright spot in my day. After all, it brings me closer to You, Lord.

Clothes. I am glad I have clothes to wear. I know I have an abundance and there are some who don't have enough clothes for a week.

My washer and dryer. Again, there are some who don't have one or cannot afford to go to a laundromat.

My throw blanket I use on the sofa when I get chilly, which is often in this humidity.

The pillow I use on my lap to make it so I can use my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 8.9-inch tablet, so I can journal. The pillow makes it easier for me to use the tablet.

My tablet and cell, so I can journal, read the Bible, check my email, use the internet, from anywhere at any time.

Penzu... my journaling platform and where I keep all of my writing and life mementos (not including my photographs).

A quiet morning.

Time with You and in Your Word.

Going to dinner at a Mexican Food Restaurant with hubby and our friend last night, then seeing the movie, THE GIVER.

The USA.

The revelation that counting my blessings means more to me than any other kind of journaling I can do.

How turning forty in less than a month has made me reflective and has helped me to zero in on what's most important in my life, past, present, and future.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 and it's reminder to give thanks always, for it is Your will, Lord.

My favorite chocolate protein shakes I enjoy consuming.

That Zack Beagle, who is fourteen years, seven and a half months old. He's our elderly dog, that's for sure. He still gets around fairly well and doesn't look or act like he's that along in years (unless he's having a dementia episode).

Vacation. They are so few. Thank You, Lord, for this vacation. B and I both needed some time to have some fun and get away from the daily grind. We saw some new places, experienced some new perspective things, and saw Your glory, Lord.

The realization that Blessings Journaling is how I want to remember the last forty years and spend the next forty plus. I know I said this before, but wanted to write it and pray it back to You, God, again. Because it came to my mind and heart. I don't want to waste a moment by failing to give You thanks, particularly for something that means so much.

When technology finally starts to cooperate.

B and I are going to celebrate our thirteen year anniversary in a few weeks.

Turning forty and finding it a blessing, not a curse or something to mourn.

Answered prayer.

The ability to pray and communicate with You, Lord.

Books to read. I've started to read WINTER'S TALE by Mark Halprin.

I read THE GIVER in its entirety between Thursday night and yesterday afternoon. It's a book and movie which describes the philosophy of and dangers of socialism, communism, and Marxism. (Lord, help others to see this.)

#Journal #Journaling #BlessingJournaling #GratitudeJournaling #Diary #Thanksgiving #40 #CountingMyBlessings #TheBlessingOfTurningForty

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC. August 2014.)

What is a Blessing?

What is a Blessing?

2014-08-16 16:57:31

What is a blessing anyway?

DEFINITION OF BLESSING
BLESSING is defined here:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Blessing?s=t

And here:
http://www.studylight.org/dictionary/ved/view.cgi?n=306

THESAURUS AND BLESSING
http://thesaurus.com/browse/blessing

Blessing is to offer favor, to offer grace, to show approval, beauty, and an asset.

A blessing is mentioned in the Bible in these verses:
https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=Blessing&qs_version=HCSB

Ephesians 1:3-6 The Message (MSG)
3-6 How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

James 1:17 Expanded Bible (EXB)
17 Every good ·action [or act of giving] and every perfect gift ·is from God [L comes from above]. These good gifts come down from the ·Creator of the sun, moon, and stars [L the father of lights; C referring to God's creation of the heavenly bodies (Gen. 1:14–19; Ps. 136:7–9; Jer. 31:35)], who does not change like their shifting shadows.
Expanded Bible (EXB)
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

James 1:17 is my key verse, when combined with 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

A blessing is seeing God. It's seeing Him at work and is seeing His creation. After all, when God blesses us, He shows us His favor and mercy.

Blessed is a gift given by God. A blessing is how He shows us favor. How does He bless us? He shows us His glory and creation. He answers our prayers.

Psalm 19:1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky proclaims the work of His hands.(A)
Cross references:
19:1 : Ps 50:6; Rm 1:19-20
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

I will daily count my blessings, the favor showed to me by God. I will count my blessings all day and night long and live 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

--Stacy Duplease
http://BlessingsJournaling.blogspot.com/
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Tablet

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC. August 2014. The Virginia Living Museum.)

My Journaling Platform

My Journaling Platform (BJ.Aug.16.2014.Sat.)

2014-08-16 14:45:49

I use Penzu as my journaling platform. In other words, I use it for all of my journaling and have used it since November 2012. So can you. Go to this link:

http://penzu.com/r/34f16257

It's $19.00 per year without the 20% off coupon. However, since I paid full-price, you don't have to do so. (That's my last shameless plug. I promise.)

However, you can also use a FREE version, which is more than.adequate. It's quite awesome, actually, and I used it for a year. Go to this link for the free version:

https://penzu.com/p

I pay the yearly fee so I can also save a pdf version of my journaling and it gives me the ability to use tags, which helps me organize my journaling.

WHY DO I USE PENZU?
There are numerous reasons why I use Penzu as my journaling platform and use it for my journaling:

1 It's simple to use.

2 It has unlimited space. It will never run out of space. Hence, I can use it for all of my journaling and writing.

3 It has a really good search engine,so it's easy for me to find something I'm looking for later.

4 I can use Penzu on my pc, tablet, and cell.

5 Penzu is permanent and cannot be lost or stolen. If my house is destroyed by a fire or hurricane, if I use movers and they lose/steal some of my stuff, my Penzu journaling will always be safe.

6 It's password (you can use one or two) and encryption protected.

7 I can change the background's and the pad's looks.

8 Here are more reasons to use Penzu:
http://penzu.com/content/why

9 It saves the everything I wrote as I write it, so I won't lose my writing like I.do in other journaling or diary apps or programs or computer programs.

10 I can use multiple fonts, multiple colors of ink.

11 It has a time and date stamp.

12 It has a spellchecker.

13 I can import my blog posts to my journal.

14 I can email my entries if I want.

15 I can add photos.

--Stacy Duplease
http://BlessingsJournaling.blogspot.com/
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Tablet

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC. 2010-2014.)

Penzu Coupon

Penzu Coupon

Get 20% off Penzu Pro, the best way to keep a journal or diary in the cloud, when you use this link:

http://penzu.com/r/34f16257

Enjoy,

--Stacy Duplease
http://BlessingsJournaling.blogspot.com/
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Tablet

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC. 2011-2014.)

Blessings Journaling (Aug.16.2014e.): A Welcome and Introduction

Blessings Journaling (Aug.16.2014e.)

2014-08-16 13:41:58, Saturday

I've been a journalkeeper for well over three decades now and turn four decades old in less than a month. Hence, the realization of this momentous event in my life has made me reflective. I've journaled more since August 04 than I've journaled in a long time and I usually journal at least six days per week.

I am about to turn forty. Yep. Four decades old. Middle aged. Two-fifths of a century old.

Furthermore, my journaling is about to turn thirty-two years old.

The truth, though, is I've journaled more in the last thirteen years than in the totality of my thirty-two years. Moreover, I've journaled the most in the last four and a half years. Therefore, I'm reflective of my life and of my journaling because of this turning forty milestone and it's made me think think about what I wish I journaled over the last thirty-five years, and wish to do so, over the next forty plus years.

The truth of the matter is counting my blessings of the past, present, and future is my idea of the ideal or perfect journal. Nothing would mean more to me.

My idea of Blessings Journaling is counting my blessings each day, looking back and counting blessings of my past, and counting them of the future.

Blessings Journaling is looking beyond people, circumstances, and things to see where God is working and moving around me, and through me, and in my life. It's looking for His beauty and splendor. It's looking for Him and His creation.

Blessings Journaling is taking the focus off of me and is putting it on Him.

Hence, I am going to stop doing my mainblogging at:
http://rypjournaling.blogspot.com/

I will still put blog posts there, but this other blog will be my main blog. Consequently, I'm moving my journaling blog to:
http://blessingsjournaling.blogspot.com/

Stay tuned.

I'm going to start over, for the other blog has all sorts of different facets of journaling. This blog will focus on gratitude, thanksgiving, and Blessings Journaling.

I will coach you on how to keep your own Blessings Journal and will keep my own, which I hope will inspire you and your own Blessings Journaling.

Welcome.

--Stacy Duplease
http://BlessingsJournaling.blogspot.com/
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Tablet

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC. August 2014. Berkeley Plantation, James River, Crapemyrtle.)

Prayer Journal (08.16.2014a.)

Prayer Journal (08.16.2014a.)

2014-08-16 08:42:36, Saturday

Thank You, Lord, for Romans 15:14-33, my morning New Testament Reading.

BIBLEGATEWAY.COM VERSE OF THE DAY

2 Corinthians 7:1 The Message (MSG)

7 With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.

The Message (MSG)

Wow. Wonder of wonders.

We need to get rid of everything in our lives that isn't of God or the Word. More of Him, less of everything else. He is the priority. We are to seek Him first and above all (Matthew 6:33).

2 Corinthians 7:1 Expanded Bible (EXB)

7 [L Therefore] ·Dear friends [Beloved], we have these promises from God, so we should make ourselves pure—free from ·anything that makes body or soul unclean [L every defilement of flesh and spirit]. ·We should try to become holy in the way we live [or …and in this way bring our holiness to completion/perfection], ·because we respect [out of reverence for; in the fear of] God.

Expanded Bible (EXB)

Look at this link of parallel verses:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%207%3A1&version=EXB;MSG;HCSB

I need to purify my life and get rid of the impurities, through God's help. Anything or anyone that doesn't lead me to Him, I need to give their rightful priority in my life, toward the middle to bottom of my list of priorities. The things and people that lead me toward God need to be at the top of my priority list.

More of Him is what I shall strive for and seek.

2 Corinthians 7:1 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

7 Since we have these promises, dear friends, we need to cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit and live a holy life in the fear of God.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Why cleanse and purge my life of all that isn't of Him, through His help, and properly prioritize the things and people in my life? So, I can revere God and fear Him (in the positive sense of the word).

Psalm 51:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

12 Restore the joy of Your salvation to me,
and give me a willing spirit.(A)

Cross references:

51:12 : Ps 13:5

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

That's a cross-reference of 2 Corinthians 7:1. If I get rid of the stuff in my life, or at least put lower on my priority list, I am more apt to have a willing spirit.

Psalm 147:11 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

11 The Lord values those who fear Him,
those who put their hope in His faithful love.(A)

Cross references:

147:11 : Ps 33:18; 149:4

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Amen.

Psalm 147:11 The Message (MSG)

7-11 Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn,n
    play music on your instruments to God,
Who fills the sky with clouds,
    preparing rain for the earth,
Then turning the mountains green with grass,
    feeding both cattle and crows.
He’s not impressed with horsepower;
    the size of our muscles means little to him.
Those who fear God get God’s attention;
    they can depend on his strength.

The Message (MSG)

Wow, once again.

I will try to read this journal repeatedly throughout my day.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC. August 2014. Norfolk Botanical Garden.)

#Journal #Journaling #prayerjournaling #timewithgodjournaling #biblicaljournaling #bibleandjournaling #Diary #Christian #ChristianJournaling

Friday, August 15, 2014

Journaling is Joyful and Brings Enjoyment

Journaling is Joyful and Brings Enjoyment

2014-08-14 12:26:47

An enjoyable life is what I seek.

Infused with joy, not happiness.

HAPPINESS VS. JOY

Happiness is short-term and is fleeting. It changes with the wind. Happiness depends on people and circumstances. Happiness is shallow. You cannot always be happy. You can sure try, but it just isn't possible.

Joy is long-term, God given, and isn't dependent on anyone or anything. Joy runs deeper and can be found anytime, anywhere, and with anyone. Joy is found only in God, His Word, and in His blessings. Joy can be found in any storm. Joy is independent of people and circumstances, but is dependent on the Lord and His blessings. Joy is always possible. And, joy lasts and is lasting.

Whenever someone tells me they are happy or seek happiness, I cringe. They want a shallow, short-term, dependent emotion. I feel sad for them and wish they wanted and sought more. They seek the lesser, for happiness is so much lesser.

Hence, I seek an enjoyable life.

JOY AND JOURNALING

Let's face it. People and circumstances are part of this life. So, how can we see past them? How can we seek more than happiness? Is it possible and achievable?

The truth is unless you know God and believe in Him and follow the Bible, you will not know joy. Happiness is of the flesh. Joy is of the Spirit. Happiness is human. Joy is spiritual.

If you know God, and are in His Word each day and pray to Him, you can then know joy.

I also believe joy and gratitude to hand-in-hand. You cannot know joy unless you count your blessings.

If you count your blessings, meaning you look for your blessings in each moment throughout your day, you can know joy. As a matter of fact, I do not think we can ever know the fullness of joy, and live an enjoyable life, unless you count the blessings of each moment.

How can you count the blessings of each moment? Particularly because we have to work, do household chores, run errands, and exercise, how can we find the time to count the blessings of each moment throughout the day? This can only be accomplished through journaling.

Joy is found through knowing God. Knowing God allows us to see all of His blessings, if we stop and take note. We must do so of all the moments of each of our days.

JOY AND JOURNALING

Why should we journal? Journaling brings enjoyment. Moreover, joy comes through journaling.

We stop and take note of at least the three most memorable parts of our day, each and every day. Moments that stood out, whether for the good or bad, are moments we should take note of and journal about so we can find the blessings of each moment.

Joy is found through being open to be blessed and through looking for the blessings. We become cognizant of our blessings only when we search for and look for them in our lives and in each moment. Journaling helps us do this.

Count your blessings each day in your journal.

#Journaling #Diary #Blessings #Gratitude #Thanksgiving #Journal #Journalkeeping #JournalingStuff #BlessingsOfTurningForty

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC August 2014. Norfolk Botanical Garden.)

The Ideal Journal and Journaling: A Journaling Prompt

The Ideal Journal and Journaling: A Journaling Prompt

2014-08-15 15:47:17

1 If you were to keep the ideal and most perfect journal, what would it look like? Why? How can you make your journal like this, starting today?

2 If you were to do the ideal and most perfect journaling, what would it look like? Why? How can you make your journal like this, starting today?

Prayer Journal and 40 (08.15.2014a)

Prayer Journal and 40 (08.15.2014a)

2014-08-15 12:39:56, Fri.

BEAUTY AND SIMPLICITY

It didn't go as we planned. But, it sure went how God did--and what a blessing.

B and I slept in today and took our time getting started. We had breakfast at one of our favorite diners, then headed home. When we got home, we discovered the lawn people were here and had our driveway blocked. With how our house is situated, it meant we had time to kill because we couldn't pull in the driveway and it would be a pain for all involved to make them move. So, we went for a drive. We explored our city a little more.

I love looking at houses as we drive by. It's when I wish walls could talk and cannot help but wish I knew their story. We found the older wealthy side of town, which the houses make me drool. But, they make me appreciate what I've got. The truth is even if I had 'll the money in the world, I wouldn't want one of those homes or a fancy car. I would want a simpler house out West and the vehicles we have now.

This is a wonderful realization, once again, that I'm joyful. I don't need a fancy home or vehicle to make me feel fulfilled. Money cannot buy joy and the lack of it cannot steal joy. I'm content with the life I've got. Sure, I wish for more and different at times, but would that increase my joy? No. Being content where I am and with what and who I have increases my joy.

We also drove down to the water's edge and went to a place where we've seen aquatic turtles before, along with all sorts of birds. We only saw two turtles, but did see three different types of seagulls and a white egret. Glories of God. Wonder. Beauty. (Things money and prestige cannot buy.)

It's in the beauty and glory of God's creation I find joy and the most contentment. It's in nature we can see the world through Pre-Fall eyes. We see the creative and loving side of God, the playful and deep side l, through nature and God's critters.

This is what I want for my next forty plus years. More beauty, critter spotting, wonder, and sights of His creation. More of His glory.

Life doesn't get any better or sweeter.

To think, we would have missed all of that if the lawn guy wasn't here.

Sure, at first, we sighed. Of course the lawn guy was blocking our way. How inconvenient. But, as quickly as those thoughts arose, B and I pushed them back. It gave us time to go and see what God wanted to share with us. It gave us time to explore and see new sights. It gave us time to hang out together and with the Lord.

We could have been upset and ranted and raved. But, we didn't. We know, and knew, God had something else in mind. We drove. We explored. We went to the water and enjoyed the bigger sky, the critters, and time to do nothing and just be. Glory.

Critters and seeing the beauty of God's creation has always been high on my list. These are the moments when I have been, and am, the most me. Busyness and the world don't barge in and get in the way in these moments. Life at its purest and simplest is found in these times.

This is why I want a back porch in the house in which we retire and buy. I want to watch the birds, watch sunrises and sunsets, observe lightning storms. Drink coffee, have a meal, journal, read. These are some of my most memorable moments of the last forty years and I want to continue this with the next forty plus years.

Life simply doesn't get any better.

Time with God and my best friend, observing the glory and wonder of God is the ideal life. Just being. No expectations. Simplicity.

More isn't better. Less is. (Except when talking about the glory of God.)

Things don't make us joyful. God does. Moments doing nothing but hanging out with God are the best. This is enjoying life. This is living life to its fullest.

Sure. I wish I had a kiddo. More than words can express. But, God has said no or not yet. (B and I both are infertile. Not just one. Both.)

I cannot help but think these moments might be sweeter with a kiddo. But, the truth is if I cannot enjoy my time fully with God alone, no one and nothing else could compare.

I forever want more of Him, less of me.

THE BLESSING

The truth is it's been an honor to live the last forty years with the Lord. What a blessing. This is abundant living. It's being with Him, no matter when, where, with whom, or how. This is THE blessing of blessings.

How fortunate it is we can be with God in the here and now, no matter the past.

Living forty years with Him has been a supreme blessing.

SUN AND CLOUDS

My last forty years have been full of sun and clouds. The good times and the not so good times.

I've experienced more challenges than I can possibly count. I haven't had it easy. It has hardly been fair. God has trusted me with much.

I've messed up. I've made mistakes and stupid choices. I'm my own worst enemy at times.

However, life means sunshine and clouds. Nothing remains stagnate. Things change. Except for God. He alone never changes. He is consistent. He alone is a rock and is steady. He is my strength.

Thank God.

Sun and clouds exist to point us to the Light, to the one and true God.

BLESSINGS, GRATITUDE, AND THANKSGIVING

About a year ago, I found a way of life I wanted to start living. I started to live in this way, and have at times since, but I haven't been consistent. I want to live the following verses.

My life verses for the next forty years are:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

16 Rejoice always!
17 Pray constantly.
18 Give thanks in everything,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

I want to live these verses, and look for and enjoy His glory for the next four plus decades. This is life at its best.

#PRAYERJOURNALING #JOURNAL #JOURNALING #MEMOIR #THEBLESSINGOFTURNINGFORTY #40 #BIBLE