2023. August. Long

August 2023 long

Summertime is here with longer days, more light, warm temps.  Montana has so many beautiful mountain lakes to climb, with wild flowers, and wildlife to watch for; when reaching the top of a trail and looking back over your travels, sometimes it seems like a long trail so one is gifted with a humble heart and a thankful spirit.  Summer seems long when dreaming about it in April yet when the weekends start rolling by it can make one feel like they won’t get all their summer goals completed.  Work is abundant too during summer, getting hay up and winter feed stored away is a priority for sure. What matters most is that you’ve made some more memories, we are blessed. Let’s take the long road with a habit of gratitude 🙏 

Did you know   Canis Major with the bright star, Sirius is the brightest star in the summer constellations. The stars and the Milky Way have been so beautiful every evening this summer   Gives new meaning to God’s word being a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. It is so fun to stare up at the ✨ 🌟 on a summer night.  I hope you have a starlit evening this summer as well  

‘Classic BC ‘painting 

     We have had a lot of sun ☀️ (Sunny days) and thunder (evenings) this summer. So much to be thankful for. 🥰

Mom’s fave psalm 23

I am going to Try waking up each morning and saying this little prayer (inspired by Bethany Hamilton)

Dear God, I thank you my heavenly father with Jesus Christ your son, you have kept me this past night from all harm and danger.  I pray that you would keep me this day from sin and every evil and that you may also be pleased with all that I do today ; for into your hands I commend myself my body soul and spirit. Let your holy angel be with me so that the evil foe has no power over me   in Jesus name 🙏

Summer’s sky changing

July 2023.

True.  JULY 2023. 🇺🇸

Summer poppies 

What comes to mind when you say the word true?  (True blue, true love, tried and true, true friends, ). Thinking about what is true to you can be fun …

 “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are good  if there is any virtue and if there is anything praise-worthy - meditate on these things “

Things to do in July :

* ride a horse and listen to so many sounds: to the birds, the swishing of the grass, the wind or breeze, don’t forget to breathe and smell the air, plants , wildflowers and trees. Thank a 🐮 cow 

* Plan and go on a picnic or visit  a national park 

* Do what you love and work hard at it even on challenging days

* clean out an old closet or trunk and enjoy the memories

*. Honor a veteran or hang our flag on your entryway 

     What’s that something that puts a spark in your heart and lights up your steps right now for me it’s working my dogs. They are becoming sheep herding pros.  It’s always been horseback riding and usually in the summer water sports which I still love. Working hard on the farm or ranch has always given me stamina to do the things I love. Many thanks to my parents. How about you

  Rustic with flax blue eyes 

  Let’s not forget to look for help from Jesus... also, it is still hard for me to imagine being as obedient and steadfast as He was to overcome all the challenges of life and death here all for us; so I remember this verse “He is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  “ I hope you see many things that light up your life like sparklers in the night✨🐾

Summer classic 

Bailey painting 

“Therefore since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses let us also lay aside every weight and sin which cling so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the father our God” Hebrews 12;1-3

 

JUNE 2023 RAIN OR REIN OR REIGN

June 2023 

Word/ words of the month

rain /rein /reign

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish so it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater. Isaiah 55:10. A blessing for sure. Thanks to God.   The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad…psalm 97

Painted tiles by Bailey 

I guided them with human kindness, with loving reins. I acted toward them like one who removes a yoke from their neck I bent down and fed them   Hosea 11:

7 GREAT THINGS TO THANKFULLY DO IN JUNE

Dig in the dirt (maybe 🌿🌿🌿plant herbs) 

Take a walk in the 🌧 rain or 

Walk in the early morning to see the wild birds 🦢 

Go strawberry 🍓 picking 

or make strawberry rhubarb pie 

Drink and dine outdoors (some favorites iced tea,steaks, 🌽 

Hike for wildflowers 

or a night walk to see the ✨ and moon 🌙 

Build a stone 🪨or rock project 

Make summer blue Jean patches 

Summer officially begins June 21 also the longest day of the year. Summer and sunshine ☀️ go hand in hand and I for one will appreciate the sunshine and the extra daylight hours we receive this year   God is always present to strengthen us and enlighten our paths psalm 84. You can see I’ve been reading psalms lately 🤩

Choose to follow the light🌤🌖🌤

MAY. 2023 shall

 MAY. 2023. SHALL

Happy Memorial day 🇺🇸

  Memorial day began as Decoratiin Day after Gettysburg in the Civil War for all the lives lost in that battle and the war to unite us   Let us remember all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms this day

It is also the start of 100 days of Summer enjoy your adventures let us be prepared responsible and thoughtful 

Also that same weekend is Pentecost the 50 days of Easter has ended so we are to embrace the Holy Spirit and thank Jesus for eternal life

We here in Montana shall cherish  our summer as we had a long and amazing winter   The word shall makes me think of Psalm 23 and my mom   They have revived it in the church services lately too💕😇🙏

The dogs and ducks are enjoying the pond each and every day They have the play all day mastered These are moments I shall cherish as well 

Summer brings sunshine that’s what we all remember yet the wildflowers are just popping up so take a couple home and press them in between pages of your books and you’ll remember and cherish summer all over again another time.  Rides, hikes, water ways, and work give us plenty of sunshine  

 I shall cherish all the little things and moments of the summer for sure probably better now   Forget me nots are special  

APRIL 2023 RISE

April 2023 

Rise 

May Jesus be the light of your life

I have always been an early riser, the morning light is always so hopeful and peaceful, I call it God’s time The mountains show their strength and sovereignty, the light streams in at a perfect angle and you rise with a grateful heart, enjoy the sunrise!

HAPPY EASTER 

March always has had both lion and lamb moments. Mostly an iced glaze over everything. In grade school, it was the saying “in like a lion out like a lamb or vice versa but this March has been lion,lamb,lion, lamb, lion, lamb, etc.  working with livestock and newborn calves has been challenging ; thank a rancher if you get the chance.  Also, skiing has been snowy with lots of unstable layers so thank the ski patrol if you get the chance. And if you’re down south enjoy the sunshine.

 Rise and Shine!

Mornings are great to see or hear signs of spring; the Sandhills cranes are back, even saw some robins, sparrows, and starlings, ducks are looking for open water and are paired up. Crows are still annoying the owls, the calves are trying to warm up and move around, sheep are ready to lamb and And we love looking for hopeful signs!

For I have told you these things, so that 

in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble but take heart, I have overcome the world. John 16

What to do with old jeans. Patch them with flowers!

2023. MARCH. Grow

MARCH  

 2023

Word of the month. Grow. 

We need to grow in so many ways. Grow more patience. Grow more wisdom. Grow more in our faith (love) are three ways that come to mind immediately. What are your three growth areas?

I have been envisioning Spring a lot lately   Don’t get me wrong I still love skiing and working with my animals but with these extreme weather swings I am hoping for spring a little more than I should be therefore I have brought a twig from every plant that blossoms into my house and am forcing them to bud out so I have lots of little green buds growing on my table  I am encouraging willow, dogwood, and lilac buds at this time.  I have now set a table with turquoise and greens for st Patrick’s day which always make me think of treasure hunting (last year I really found my first 🍀 four leaf clover.  Thank God 

 My lemon tree has three 🍋 almost ready and my saved summer geraniums are loving the few extra minutes of daylight  

Now to grow a smile I am resorting to some teaching memories…I used to tell the littlest ones about a grandma making yummy pancakes for her grandsons Ryan and Kevin and as they raced down the stairs they were fighting over who should get the first pancake so grandma thought she’d use this time for a life lesson so she said, “boys if Jesus were here He would say I would give the first pancake to my brother…so Ryan turns to Kevin and says, “okay Kevin, you BE Jesus “   

 We all Enjoyed  ☘️ shaped pancakes, with whipping cream and syrup as they listened to Tim McGraw song, “always stay humble “so I hope your smile is growing as well

Happy Lent, hope you're growing closer to our Lord.  Happy St Patrick's Day on the 17th.  Happy spring equinox on the 20th of March. Hope you see lots of spring signs: seven dandelions, bluebird or robins, a gopher or two, spring calves, a lamb, and more sunlight 🌞Happy Birthday to my sister 💗

2023 FEBRUARY. LOVE

 February.      2023         4*word -  Love

Whatever is true

Whatever is lovely

Whatever is admirable-

If anything is excellent or praiseworthy—

think about such

Love is probably the number one need of a human being. So find time to share moments with those you ❤️ 💕 💗 love. 

OK my blog has been pretty reflective and thoughtful for a while so

since what I most want to share is a smile or laughter with my family and friends I’m going to try and tell a joke in hopes that whoever reads this will share a smile with me.  keeping with my theme of unwavering faith here It is. (I learned this from EM a few years ago) 

A soul came to the pearly gates and Saint Peter said “well if you want to enter here you must answer three questions correctly”

“OK what’s the first?”

“ what are the two days of the week that begin with T?asked Saint Peter. 

The soul thought for a minute and replied “I’ve got it today and tomorrow” just as he replied the Holy Spirit  flew by Saint peter was about to say no but the spirit said I think you have to give that one to him , it’s kind of clever. 

So Saint Peter said “OK are you ready for question number two “

The soul said “yes what is it?”

“How many seconds are there in one year?”

The soul thought for a moment and exclaimed I know there are 12”

Saint peter shook his head and said “what made you say that number “and the Holy Spirit was cruising by while the man said “well there is January 2 February 2 March 2 April 2 May 2 etc for twelve. “

Saint Peter looked up and the Holy Spirit said “I think you have to give him that one , that was pretty clever”

So Saint Peter said “are you ready for question number three?”

The soul replied yes 

Saint Peter said “what is God’s first name?”

He said “oh that’s a tough one let me think... oh I know it’s Howard”

Saint Peter  tried not to roll his eyes and said how did you come up with that name as the Holy Spirit was hovering by and the soul said “well our prayer is said, “our father Howard (hallowed) be thy name and of course the Holy Spirit said that was clever as well so Saint Peter let him through the pearly gates.  Ha ha ha

Love God with all your heart and mind and love your neighbor as yourself 💗. God loves you 💕