It seems that our days are increasingly filling up with busyness. Generally, I think that is good; it helps with the transition here. It helps me to not become too introspective.

"The solid earth is a rolling ball....Tides move the seas, winds stir the airy ocean, friction wears the rock; change and death rule everywhere....Men are born but to die; everything is hurry, worry and vexation of spirit. Friend of the unchanging Jesus, what a joy it is to reflect upon Thy changeless heritage...We seek an abiding city....
We shall not be disappointed."
~ C. Spurgeon

Yes, we all have that longing for "settledness", for permanency,
for something of lasting value.

"All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place from which the rivers come, to there and from there, they return again." Ecc 1:7

Perpetual change points us to look at that which will remain.

"...Looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations,
whose Architect and Builder is God." Heb 11:10

"[We look to] the Father of all light....in whom there can be no variation
or shadow cast by His turning." Js 1:17

As activities increase in our new place of residence, I'll keep looking
to the One Who never changes and promises me a sure home.

This amused me. Yes, that is my crew.



"At home" on precarious footing:



I love the setting sun -



...and what it creates.

I just took my first nap in our relatively new house.  'Twas nice, indeed.
Hopefully I won't regret it too much at bed time.

We spent the morning distributing food to the needy in our area. We do it twice a month, and then on a third Saturday we help serve the homeless a meal.
It's great. Truly a privilege.
I've always wanted the opportunity to care in this tangible way.

Our girls are on a retreat this weekend. Today they played in the snow,
which is hard to believe, given that it's 50° outside my window,
brilliantly sunny, and very green.

"God is very good to those who trust in Him, and often surprises them with unlooked for blessings....Chance is banished from...faith...[We] see the hand of God in everything. The trivial events of today or tomorrow may involve consequences of the highest importance."
~ C. Spurgeon

"The Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows grace and favor...No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Ps 84:11

"In quietness and in trusting confidence shall be your strength." Is 30:15

"My times are in Your hands." Ps 31:15

"He will be the stability of your times....
The fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure." Is 33:6

Oh, God - where would I be without You?

****************
Here's my oldest son and his wife on their first visit to the Pacific, back in January:

So delightful. I love how the immensity of the ocean imparts perspective.

I know, I know...it's been a while. Sigh.

Just been busy with life and adjusting, I guess. The latter has had its ups and downs, and sometimes that's what I am - up and down. When down, I don't feel like blogging much. I guess more than anything I'm waiting for life here to feel like home.
We've been here for 6 months - and, only 2 in this house.
I think I need a long range vision.

In the meantime, there's plenty to keep me busy.

"[He] enobles the weary routine of earthly employments and sheds a halo around the most humble occupations....The shop, the barn, the scullery, and the smithy become temples when men and women do all to the glory of God....'Divine service' is not a thing of a few hours and few places, but all life becomes holiness unto the Lord, and every place and thing as consecrated as the tabernacle." ~ C. Spurgeon

May it be so.
"The Master you are serving is Christ." ~ Col 3:24

I'm still learning this lesson - especially when I find much of my week spent alone in the car in between shuffling the girls here and there, or cooking in the kitchen.
I'd like an increased sense of pleasing Him in these everyday tasks.

I discovered in January that Oregon is a prime spot for sheep.

 

The mist loves to hang on the coastal mountain range.

'Tis true for the Cascades as well. We were driving between them.
(That's my oldest son, who lives in D.C., enjoying the western view.)

These are the frosted trees of northern California.

 

And some lovely stream action.

Blurry, but you get the idea - the road was delightful.

 

The California coast:

More to follow....maybe that'll help me return sooner.

     Meanwhile - it's back to school for me, back to unpacking more boxes!

But before I leave ~

Here's a peek at Oregon's winter greenery, just for you :

Sorry about the silence, once again. We had another wave of visitors and just this week are returning to some modicum of "normalcy", i.e., school and work, and our regular activities.

If truth be told, I'm feeling a bit blue today - I'm missing my kids already and feeling the lack of connection that any transition brings. I know it'll change over time, but today my heart matches the rain well. Kind of cozy, but with a touch of sad, you know.

"What but my joy can make Jesus delectable and desirable to my neighbor? ....Should I not  be obsessed by what obsesses God? ...But the Lord knows this about His child: I need to be commanded to rejoice, or I won't ...Joy is no stranger...but comes to stay...It rooms with sorrow...and comes [with] the promise of a distant land where joy is unalloyed with pain."
 ~ A. Seu

"Your strength will come from settling down
   in complete dependence on me—
....in quietness and trust is your strength." Is 30:15

I'm determined to find the joy of quiet trust.....off to read before the fireplace.

Grateful for the last few weeks:

The silly times ~

The happy times ~

The peaceful times ~

"We must not cease to wonder at the great marvels of our God....Holy wonder will lead you to grateful worship and heartfelt thanksgiving." ~ C. Spurgeon

"Is anything too hard or too wonderful for the Lord?" Gen 18:14

"Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done." Ps 40:5

"You are the God Who does wonders." Ps 77:14

"He has made His wonderful works to be remembered." Ps 111:4

And, here's another wonderful work which gives me much cause for thanksgiving:

My Rob is celebrating his birthday today! I've known him for 33 of his 54 years...
and I am hoping for at least 33 more to come!

I love the glory that surrounds us.

"Though we have already been the recipients of God's glorious grace in this life, much more awaits us...The completion of God's saving work lies before us. Set your hope fully on that future grace; it will set you free from short-term fears...bitter disappointments and pain." ~ T. Virgo

We've all experienced plenty of apprehension, disappointment and pain. Most likely most of us will live through more before our journey is done. I'm so glad we have a hope for even more glory than the marvelous glimpses we get now. I rejoice in those bright shadows,for they help me to keep going when my vision is blurred by the imperfections.

"This perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal part of us...must put on immortality." 1 Cor 15:53

"Our light, momentary affliction, this slight distress of the passing hour, is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory - beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast, transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!" 2 Cor 4:17

My heart sings while it feeds on those glory sightings tucked into these imperfect days.

***************
Today's "gratitudes":
     > I'm grateful for hot chocolate, which we consume in vast quantities.

     > I'm grateful for our fireplace which we all enjoy,
 while it gives our house that homey feel.

     > I'm grateful for poetry, which also makes my heart sing.

    > I'm grateful for the sustenance of God's daily words to me.

    > I'm grateful for the provision of prayer when I don't know what to do, which is often.

"Let the thought of what life would be without Him enhance His preciousness."
~ C. Spurgeon

"How precious is Your steadfast love, O God!" Ps 36:7
"How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God!" Ps 139:17
"Thanks be to God for His Gift, precious beyond telling..." 2 Cor 9:15

We had some folks here over Christmas break who had no vision of the family life we know and tend to take for granted.  Their meals are taken on the sofa, watching T.V., or individually while each family member pursues his/her own interests and scattered schedule. A little probing also showed that little vision for the future exists or
any sense of community and purpose beyond one of natural self-interest and fulfillment.

That would be my life, if Jesus had not revealed True Life to me over four decades ago.
So, so grateful.
There's so much more to be had.

Today's "gratitudes":
    > A warm house to awaken within when morning temperatures dropped to a chilly 20°.
    > New flannel sheets which I put on our bed this morning. (Notice a theme?)
    > Grace to start school again.
    > Friends and family coming this week to interrupt that school!

One of the things we did while my older kids were in town was to revisit the ocean.
I just never tire of being there.



Sea foam was abundant on that stellar day. West coast "snow".



Soaking in the rays with my honey:



Here's the crew, enjoying our surroundings and one another:



My oldest daughter took this lovely shot: