My Dog Hobbes // a fun post

~~ well, he's the family dog, but I'm the "mommy" & he is such like a child... sooo smart & intuitive and , well, a mama's boy ;)
We adopted him 5 plus years ago (when he was 4) .We are all in agreement that he was a gift from the Lord in a time when our family needed a diversion. He needed us, as he had come from a pretty rough place in his life and needed a respite and a family to dote on him. Like I said, God knew-- Hobbes was special and a fit for us...yep, we needed him. Sometimes in life , there come blessings in packages that we ordinarily wouldn't look for them in.... Hobbes was one of those. This is a tribute to our sweet, faithful Hobbes.
PS.. yes, he is winking... and he shows his teeth & squints when he's happy to see us as well... and for the record, his ears usually stick way up... (big ears!) LOL!

Live and Shine
(the TV addiction poem)

Our Source of time and light and life,
forget Him not In the midst, and as blight prevails in time and space
capturing egos amidst self exaltation lusts and guises ,
however chosen to pose for capture …

scourge seeps in amidst the furious green and blue, the glow of the orb, that sits exultant in an idols stance, by chance , though no-one notices,
they wink and lounge in it's midst… reveling in the iniquity , relevant to our time, transcendent, they view it as sublime, to each his own …
it covertly errodes the mind...

Come away and live, or lie down and sigh, in the, seemingly serene, in the repose of self sacrifice to the darkness
Flee, fear, fly away!
relinquish to the Light, there's still a chance
come away~~ Live and Shine

little by bit...

A few misc. snapshots that capture an ecclectic view of my life and that of my families, and a few of their loved ones, over the past (few?) ha! years. Not nearly in order... and not nearly a complete portrayal.. . it gives a peek into some fun, poignant, joyous, reflective and a couple regrettable times in my life and our lives together.

A Heart of Hope, New Beginnings, and Old Places Revisited

Wow, it's late and I have much to share, but I need to get some sleep. I will see how far this is gonna go :)
First off, I am heading back home! To Pgh, PA to visit my dd, Brandi and my ds, Josh... and... my mom & my dad & step mom... and hopefully a friend or two...( so...if anyone thinks of me on the 29th of Sept.. . through the next week or so thereafter)...please send up a prayer for me, for closeness and reliance on the Father. I also ask for prayer for my family here in the UP -- as well as my family there (in Pgh) and all that we'll be collectively going through. I am sure this is going to be a trying as well joyous time. Ihave seen the Lord's hand has orchestrating this whole thing from the beginning. He is confirming in so many ways. First off, it is for my kids... I believe He wants me to intercede for them and be there to share many things in ways that can only be shared by living out your convictions and your peace (from Him) amidst lifes barrages of unpredictability! He's looking to do only good things I know, this as well as others. That is so like the Father, to take care of so many intricasies of things in one feel swoop! There is a lot of healing that needs to happen and His time is perfect. I also see how incredibly, wonderfully, perfect His timing is for my own healing through this (which has everything to do with and directly affects the relationships and issues of my family here as well)

My husband and I are in the midst of some pretty intense counsel... prayer... repent and re-learn... etc...type of things together. I would love to share more on the medium the Lord chose for us (and I will later, Lord willing) as a tool to enlighten us to some blind spots and to work through repentence and forgiveness issues .. etc... and I just know that my visit home has everything to do with seeing things / facing things in new light and deeper ways that were heretofore (msp?) too painful to delve too far into... His time is perfect (I said that huh!?) ;) and I praise Him..and though I am apprensive, no matter, all things work together for good....


on another note.. I am sobered in huge ways by the state of our economy and the state of the underworkings (covert and sinister) not to sound like an alarmist ...of the government's plans to overthrow and undermine with the end goal to knock out of the running... the natural health and nutricuitical companies... etc... so as to monopolize things even more-so than already-- and that is only the beginnning of things.. I would go on, but that's all out there for anyone who wants to get into it and be more privy and look deeper into these things... many blogs and sites expose are alive and kicking... sharing the real deal on these and so many other similar and just as relevant (and eye opening at times) issues... I just thank the Lord that none of this is news to Him :) In any case, the heart of my blog isn't geared to these things... (though I've been tempted) :) and I may post a section with links to the best of the best (by popular consensus) where this type of info is to be found. I am hoping my husband will begin (when his work slows down this winter) will blog on some of these issues himself...I am excited for that :)
well,
goodnight all...
have a blessed tomorrow,
In Jesus,
Suz

It seems like an age since I've posted... But it's been good...

...Being away that is... as the Lord has been at work in my heart in ways that only He can. I knew I was getting to be in a stale place and it grieved me. He knew it too... and again, is ever so faithful not to leave us in these barren places forever. He heard my heart-cry for revival and a renewed zeal. Though God's time is not our time and it seemed like forever that I felt dry and deserted... I did know better as His time is perfect. I didn't call out to Him for renewal so that I could "feel" better... but so that I can again have that calm purposeful insight and assurance that He is in all and that therefore -- "All Is Good!" I long to be used in any way he chooses... So I continue to grow... and love basking in that very process. Hope rekindled is all I needed to be content as he sifts me... as I know how it all ends! (big smile)

~So, anyway, thanks for visiting :) Here are a few pics I thought I'd share. I have really neglected my photo blog... but , well... all in due time. I surely have enough shots to build it up-- in the thousands... no doubt, as I just cannot stop capturing life and it's moments, via looking at everything partially filtered though the eyes of photography!...
~but first things first... I think they'll still be there!

About the pics below...

~This sweet little bird, well, It flew directly into our closed window and seemed to be experiencing a bit of brain fog... I could definately relate! LOL! I took pity on him sitting there in a daze on the porch and made him a cave like place to feel safe as he tried to get a grip and catch his breath ... which he did, and was soon off again, on his way home, I suppose, :)
Just wondering...Anyone have any idea what kind of bird this was?

~ The next photo is jsut an evening shot up on a ski hill the other day ~It's called Mt. Zion... and has a beautiful view.. for miles and miles!
directly above the ground off the far horizon, before the sky... you can, just barely see Lake Superior...

~The other photo is a chipmunk under our tree (that holds our bird-feeders)... (the birds are really droppy/sloppy, which he loves!-- and visits often ... doing his part to keep the ground clean :)

~That's about all exciting photo-wise going on around here lately. Things will look up in that arena too I am hoping-- LOL!
~Though, I do have my hands full lately...and I also have much to share--including more thoughts on the different aspects of the causes and cures of fibro....
~Well, I'd best take my tired bones to bed...
Nighters all!


~ isn't he just adorable? he makes my mama heart swoon ;)
~he is beginning to have his wits about him again...
~he seems to be thinking that he'd best get going!
~that's a plane off in the distance. We are close by small airport ~the little chipmunk cleaning up the fallen seeds.. he munches while his cheek/pouches are full of loot to carry on home for the long winter...
Doesn't it look like a fairy tale scene the way it is misty looking?

I believe the majority of people want to sing, but die with the music still inside.

photo compliments of a photographer on flickr :)

The Child

This is a piece my daughter Noelle wrote at 12 or 13.

In it, she shares some of her innermost upon us moving North... It tells of her, while a 10 yr old child, confused and a bit apprehensive. It is a provocative piece that captures these feelings poignantly... I think you'll like it too ...

The Child

The truck lurched and rumbled gruffly as the wheels cringed into the small entrance of the gas station. The child stared out the window soberly. It was dreary and muddy, and dusk was very slowly happening upon the little family in the Penske truck. They were in Wisconsin. They were almost there. They were almost home.

And yet, what really was home? Had they not just left ‘home’? Or were they on their way ‘home’? As the child stepped out of the huge truck, holding her daddy’s hand, her heart leapt at the thought of their destination. Yet somehow, deep, deep inside of her, she knew there was something she had left behind that she could never recapture. Her roots had been yanked out of her native soil, and brought to a foreign land…for what? For the sake of life and hope. Yet what was really in store?

Her mama squeezed her shoulder as they walked side by side into the convenience store. Fluorescent lights glared inside, steady and strong; the outside breeze, dizzy and unsteady, swirled and churned, kneading the air. The child smiled softly and tucked a wisp of sunny hair behind her ear.

With bright eyes she peered around the store as they stepped inside, curious to know what it was about this strange area that so intrigued her. Suddenly her eyes fastened on some objects hanging on the far wall, and she felt herself moving toward them slowly. “Wait for me,” she heard her mother say. Suddenly forgetting her former distraction, the child winced as the strained, tired voice of her mother pierced her heart. Oh, what lay ahead? And would it be worth it?

They made their purchases and walked outside. Their legs were cramped from the tight cab of the truck, and they so wanted to get a bit of exercise; but they had to keep going. Pressing on, ever onward…would it never end?

So the child walked on between her parents, slowly, heavily, tiredly toward the huge truck that would take her away from all familiarity, and slam her down into a garden with soil she was unaccustomed to. Almost tearfully, she plodded on. Suddenly lifting her head to look at the sky; so grey, so bleak; she gasped and stopped in her tracks. Big as life, colorful as hope, beautiful and heart-wrenching as a rose being tramped upon by the feet of men, was a rainbow in the sky…

Oh, what was the meaning of life?

--Noelle Mathison, 2008--

Thy Soul Delights In Me

Thy Soul Delights In Me

Thy soul delights in me:
I, depraved with sin,
Am actually loved by Thee;
With all my faults, my rebellion within:

Still, oh perfect Love, I am loved by Thee.
I am Thy servant, whom thou upholds;
Thy Love, oh Love!, around me folds;
And though I flounder, though I fail,
I am upheld by a Love too sweet to describe...
Oh Lord, Thy Love is ever upon me;
Though I see it not at times,
It is there -- wastefully abundant;
Thy Love is like an ocean, Lord --
Oh, let me return it to Thee full.
Thy soul delights in me:

I, depraved with sin,

Am actually loved by Thee;

With all my faults, my rebellion within:
Still, oh perfect Love, I am loved by Thee.

--Noelle Mathison, 2008--

~After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor slowly stood up,walked over to the pulpit and, before he gave his sermon for the evening,he briefly introduced a guest minister who was in the service that evening. In the introduction, the pastor told the congregation that the guest minister was one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service. with that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak. "A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast ," he began, when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to the shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized.' the old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking some what interested in his story. the aged minister continued with his story, grabbing a rescue line, the father had tomake the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy would he throw the other end of the life line. he only had seconds to make the decision.the father knew that his son was a christian and he, also, knew that his son's friend was not. the agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, "Ilove you, son!" he threw out the life line to his son's friend. by the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black of night. his body was never recovered. by this time, the two teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next words to come out of the old minister's mouth. "the father", he continued,"knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus and he could not bear the hought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus..therefore, he sacrificed his son to save the son's friend." how great is the love of God that he should do the same for us. Our heavenly Father sacrificed His only begotten son that we could be saved. I urge you to accept His offer to rescue you and take a hold of the life line he is throwing out to you in this service.' with that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room. the pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered a brief sermon with an invitation at the end. However, no one responded to the appeal. within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side. "that was a nice story," stated one of them politely, but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his only son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a christian." "Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. a big smile broadened his narrow face. he once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it?" but, I'm standing here today to tell you that story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up his Son for me. You see... I was that father and your pastor is my son's friend.

shared by ShuttersBuddy

~found a few more minutes... to post a couple more pics before retiring

-- Hobbes thoroughly enjoyed his day at the beach

-- the driftwood sat like a bump

-- and my sweet husband made me smile

a day

things were ho-hum.. a little dull... maybe 2 dimensional? Noelle tried to liven things up a bit...
they got a little brighter after a while... Whats going on here?
things got really bright! you never know what will come about in...
a day.

Me Again...

As a Christian woman, trying to grow closer to the Father, mentor a 13 y/o young lady and grow into grace and truth with a husband who also shares the heritage of a decimated past, with many similarities to my own…I have developed a myriad of chronic problems.

Some of you would recognize these symptoms as the affliction coined fibromyalgia. Fibro (as some all too familiar with it say) is an autoimmune disease brought on by stress, environmental factors and trauma. Some believe it is a genetic mis-configuration. (Is that a word? Seems like one! :)

Or could it be something more akin to “Consequences Shrouded in Grace”… allowed by an Omniscient Loving Father as a result of these things stated above, examined below...or for reasons we haven't even yet figured on?

Could it be that He allows this -- as well as other afflictions -- to help us to grow up, grow beyond, and grow closer to Him, and our fellow sojourners on our pilgrimage through life as we know it?

This is one of the questions I have begun to ponder as of late. As I strive to grow and move beyond, I am getting small windows of insight and becoming more able to see things through different eyes which is bringing me closer to the Lord and is causing me to look -- open faced -- into His love and His desired purposes for my (and all of our) lives... and closer to the realization of the deep trenches of shame, regret, fear, bitterness and pain that often lie buried...the pain of seeing…with an open and vulnerable heart. The pain that my sin of self protection and keeping all at arms length trying to make sure that I'm safe has on other's lives.

~Meanwhile, I come to see that all the while I have inadvertently defrauded and stolen from so many others who I may have been able to reach or touch with His love...or encourage or share my hope with, if only I would have taken another path and not turned inward with the junk of my own past.

When we do this… I believe, many times, consequenses follow (the inward stuffing) and we become sick.

Our bodies cannot contain all of the toxic emotions we harbor. With some of us, our vessels are overflowing with toxicity by the time we begin grade school. This is a
tragedy, but unfortunately , the case for so many.

What do we do with all of the junk we carry through those years?…these things, one building upon the other till they become big and formidable elephants that situate themselves -- one day -- smack in the middle of our family's living room -- our family -- us -- our spouse -- and our children if we are so blessed.

--and the elephant!

Often, while trying to live our lives hindered by our pasts, we are trying to do everything outwardly ok… but not leaving the past baggage at the Fathers feet… where he bids us to leave it... for our own good.
~So here we go again, because we are full of fear... and shame in
the first place, we try to ignore the obvious, and make things work out anyway… while carrying this load around that hinders all of our best efforts in life.

Now, we know that surrendering our past hurts to the Father is an option (and a commandment), but the knowledge of this stops at the gate of our minds and never quite makes the journey down the path to our hearts where we would be
inspired to really do something about it!

So where does all of this junk go? (that we would/should have left at the Father’s feet)

~ I dare-say, it is shoved inward...

Stated another way, it goes underground, safe (or so we think) keeping us temporarily sheltered from this rogue pain.
However, this turmoil finds vent for itself one way or another...this is just the way it goes, and I think, many times it all comes out in the form of chronic illness.

How does God fit into this?
Well, it's obvious to some of you -- and others of you will have an intuition about what I might be getting at next. In any case...

You may ask: Consequences? A loving God doling out consequences for our having experienced pain and suffering?

No, not at all...but we do have consequences for our responses to the sin in this world... the sin that was inflicted upon us... and the sin we ourselves perpetrated in response to those people and sins.

I want to continue this...

but I think I'm gonna stop here this evening

and pick it back up in a day or two.

I would like to continue expounding on these thoughts.

Until when?
I have no idea. I'm letting the Lord lead in
this... and whatever happens and wherever it
goes, I'm there ;)

Please come back & join me on this
exploratory journey if you wish.

I’ll welcome you here... and it’ll encourage me as well… to
know God might have a word to share with
someone through this writing... a bit of hope
or solace maybe?

In any case, I wanted to share a video… to bring us to the end here, on
a lighter note ;)

This is what I had originally intended to post... I had thought I'd begin
posting about fibro, and more specifically, brain fog... but it ended up taking a
bit if a different direction... so I'm gonna keep going with it.

About the video…This guy is so
funny... as he just hits the nail right on the
head!… like I shared, the subject is "brain fog" or “memory
lapses”

More on that later but suffice it to say, on a practical (and humorous) note, it all looks something like this!...

click video below :)

And don't forget to turn off the music first!