Precious Gifts

Born October 31st 2008

The day I lost my sweet Nina. 

But God had a precious gift in mind. 

He brought these two tiny creatures into this world.

Here they are our two little girls, just tiny babies at only 7 weeks old. This was the last time they saw each other for about a year. Then when they were 3 they were reunited to be together. Now Stella she was the spoiled rotten sister who from the time she was brought home was put inside her new mommies vest and that is where she nestled and slept. She was so very tiny and stole everyones hearts. All of the residents at Crystal Haven thought she was adorable. The stories I could tell..... Mr. G said when she was running across the floor and tumbled "oooooh a mosquito hit her." And Grandpa S would try to hide her from us. He thought she was his. I found her once in his sock drawer napping and another time snuggled with him on his bed sleeping. Just some of the stories I could tell. She grew up a bit snooty though. she was little miss queen bee and spoiled rotten. From jackets to dresses to wear and going everywhere in the car. My darling Stella. 

Then there was Koko, She was taken and went to live with a sweet little lady. There were two dogs and they lived in the laundry room and later the garage. They played together and were fed well. Sometimes they would escape and was soooo hard to catch them. They finally had freedom.  Well sad to say this little lady had to go to a nursing home and they needed a place  for her to go. My sweet Joey, (who then I called my brother :) ) was the first person who came to my mind as he had lost his sweet little baby Angie in a tragic car accident. I called and asked him if he would like to have this little baby. She was way over chubby and had lost most of her fur. He said he would take her. So I went and got our precious little Koko. She knew me because I had gone to visit her often when she was a puppy. She was always happy to see me because I would snuggle her and love on her every time I was there. Needless to say that Joey was so happy to have a little baby. It took her a little time but soon she felt loved and spoiled. Joey was in Heaven and Koko became a precious little baby too. Forever loved. 

 Then one day Joey and I started talking everyday and through the months of talking we knew that we didn't want to call each other brother and sister anymore and we decided to start dating. We had fallen in love. Both of us had been down some tough roads and learned so many things.  So the long story short is Joey got on his knee's and asked me to marry him.  So a few months later the girls were reunited together. At first Stella was not sure. She had not ever been around other dogs. But they grew and are doing much better now.

 My sweet Joey built them steps and carpeted them so that they could get on and off our bed when ever they wanted. Spoiled you say??? Maybe just a wee bit.

 Early mornings or anytime I would get a chance to sit down a spell the babies would come and snuggle with their mommy. Precious times and moments. My quiet times with my Jesus and these two little girls. God created the animals during creation week for us to enjoy. They give such love and adoration to those who care for them. They need you and they love you no matter what you do or say.

 Sabbath naps. We only got naps on Sabbath. The rest of the week we were busy with the residents.  Our worker stayed longer on Sabbath so that we could go to potluck after church and then we could come home and sleep a couple hours.  Babies loved it. So did we.

 Resting in the sunshine and these two thought that was just the place to sit.  Our two little cuties.

 Look at the love and adoration.  They feel so safe and loved.  I think this is the way we should feel when we place our lives in the arms of Jesus. Warm safe and protected. He promises that when we feel alone we are not. We are held close under his wings.  Look to Jesus with love and adoration in your eyes.  He feeds you, He clothes you, He provides everything for you.  Give Him your heart today.

 Yes held close in the loving arms of your Savior. Daddy loves his girls. I think this is one of my favorite photos of my Joey.  He loves these babies so much. I believe that Jesus looks at us with such love and compassion.  Can you imagine??

 Two of my loves sleeping. I know though that God neither sleeps nor slumbers. He is always watching over us. Joey is always waking though when our  two girls or I stir. 

 The day is done and the time is quiet and we find ourselves studying our lessons and learning more about God and these two little peanuts are quite happy that we are all together. What better way to end the day??

 Koko out on one of our nature walks. This just happens to be a huge puff ball. She loves going on walks. But we have to keep her on a leash. She runs full steam ahead and hits the end of her leash. Smelling all the smells along the way. They sure love the walks we take.

 Hmmmm I wonder what animal was here last?? Perhaps it was Festis the skunk who passed by.  God created all creatures all nature for our enjoyment. Do you take time to smell the roses along the way take in all the sights and sounds.

Our family 

Well those still left living at home. 

Remembering a special bright Diamond in my life.

Today I want to take time to remember a very special lady in my life. When I first opened Crystal Haven it was because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of the elderly. Give them the love and care and compassion they deserved.  Nina and her husband Wayne were our first residents. Nina was one of those little ladies that was selfless her whole life.  She and the love of her life were married for over 65 years. Never having any children of their own, they gave of them selves to their niece's and nephew's. Nina was a nurse and was there to love so many people. She worked for several years at the nursing home in Clare. Also she taught the CNA classes in Harrison. But what I want to share is how she impacted my life. 

She was out helping when she couldn't even walk. She helped can pickles and peaches and tomatoes. When I was out working in the yard I would put a blanket on the ground and lift her from her chair and put her on the ground beside and we pulled weeds together. This is where she wanted to be. Working beside me every chance she got. She would tell me, " Your going to think your young and then your going to wake up one day and be sitting in a chair like this."  We talked for hours and she shared lots of her nurses wisdom, She shared her faith and her love for God with me. I would sit and sing to her for more then a half an hour nearly everyday.  We became so close. She loved doing rock flower beds just like I did too. She would say when we get to Heaven we are going to both be young. We should live beside each other on the new earth so that we can help each other do rock work on our places. We would talk about how pretty the stones and jewels would be there. We talked about being faithful and making sure nothing stood between us and God so we would be ready. We prayed together for those who didn't know Jesus. 

Then one day my mama fell on the ice.  We begin the long days of mamas sickness. Nina also begin to fail in her health. I told her that I needed her and she said ok.  I would come home from a day or two of being in the hospital with my mom and come in and sit at her feet laying my head in her lap. She would stroke my hair and face and pray and cry with me. We talked of a better world that was coming. She was my comfort and strength through those first few months of losing my mom. Also during those months Nina new her time was short. She wanted to be sure and be ready for Jesus. She took the Bible and read it clear through again in 3 months. She would read until her eyes hurt so bad she would feel almost crazy and shaky. I would read to her as well.  Such precious times. During the last week of her I lay in her hospital bed beside her and held her close and prayed and sang softly. The last few days I brought a recliner in and sat beside her and held her hand.  My son and I sat there together while she breathed her last breath.  

No I didn't make the difference they were making a difference in my life. Showing me Jesus in so many ways. This little lady I can not wait to see in Heaven. I know that day is coming soon. So to you my sweet Nina, I love you with all my heart. Everyday is a struggle but I am grasping the Saviors hand and letting Him lead. I will see you soon. When Jesus comes. 

If any of you have time take it and find someone who is older who is lonely and doesn't have family close. Visit them and make a difference. Give of yourself. Because you truly won't be giving but you will be receiving a blessing without measure.

Sweet hour of prayer sweet hour of my prayer. Does your heart long to be in prayer with Jesus? Sitting at His feet and laying down the burdens of your heart? I can promise you that nothing here in this world can lift those burdens or heartaches like our loving Savior. His tells us that His burdens are light. Let Jesus fill you with His love that He can shine out of you and you can sparkle like diamonds in this world.

Safely Through Another Week

 This week has had its ups and downs. But there was not a day that went by that as I drove to and from work each day that I did not see the glory of God. So many times I would breath deep as I passed fields that were ready for harvest, the suns setting rays shinning through the golden cornstalks and the trees that were brilliant in fall splendor. I wanted and wished I could capture each moment of my drive to share with each of you. But this was not possible. There were the old barns with fields around them and the maples in full glory standing near while fluffy white clouds slowly floated by. Or maybe the millions of stars that sparkled in the dark velvet sky with the moon sending its silvery light that made the deep frost look like thousands of sparkling diamonds. Then there was the dark of the morning dawn and far on the eastern horizon the sky was a thin line of a rosey glow as the sun was just coming up to thaw the earth with its warmth. These are just tiny glimpses of the way that God says to me "Shellie I love you: and I made all these beautiful things for you."  

There are so many lessons of love in each picture that I saw as I passed these splendors.  Already I shared this week some of the thoughts and lessons that I learned from them. It is my prayer that each of you desire to know the Savior. His word is so full of  many promises. I love how the Bible shares Jesus love of nature. He used nature in the parables He told to help the multitudes and the disciples understand His mission here on earth and how we each can attain Salvation. If you have never read the book "The Desire Of Ages" I highly recommend it. It is the number one book on the life of Christ according to the library of Congress. And so nicely goes along with the reading of the Gospels. 

Best of all this week though; as I stepped out of work this evening, and saw the sun was beginning to slip toward the west giving pink hues to the clouds in the western sky. I began to sing "Day is Dying in the West, Heaven is touching Earth with rest. " Breathing a prayer and thanking God for His thoughtfulness of a day of rest. A day set aside for no cares of the world. A day to think of just Him. A day to celebrate our love for Him. I believe with all my heart that how we keep His blessed Sabbath is our love gauge on how much we love our wonderful Savior. Read Exodus 20:8-11

"Remember the Sabbath day to keep it Holy, six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, in it thou shalt not do any work, thou nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor the cattle, nor the strangers that are within thy gates; for in six days the  Lord made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore He blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it."

My family repeated this verse of love every Friday evening at Sundown worship. We began the Sabbath with singing praises, reading of Gods love, and prayer. My grandma Carter I remember how she would play the piano and Sing the song 'Safely through another week, God has brought us on our way"..... God is bringing you safely too. He is calling your heart. He wants this special day with you. Please let Him in and know the peace that only He can give. 

Happy Blessed Sabbath to all of you. 

Jesus Our Example

Golden fields in the early morning! Can’t you just see our Savior walking through the ripening fields early in the morning talking to His Heavenly Father. When was the last time you woke early to take a walk with Jesus. He came to be our example. He showed us how we can keep a close walk with Him. Starting the day with study and prayer and contemplation. Breathing deep the clear fresh air into the lungs. Exercise too is wonderful. We need to be wise stewards in all things. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. So everything we do should be to keeping it whole and healthy and clear mind. I hope that you gave all had a wonderful day. May you have a good rest of the week. Preparing for the precious Sabbath not only physically but mentally as well. Love to each of you!!

Trusting In The Lord

When life is weighing you down just remember what the word of God tells us. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 this is just one of many many promises in Gods word. I am so thankful for each!! Share with me your favorite promise in the Bible. Find your blessings in everything and write them down. Look to the positive and not the negative. Trust in The Lord.

The sun is quickly setting in the west drawing our blessed Sabbath to a close. Someday soon we will be celebrating the blessed Sabbath in Heaven with its wonderful creator. Oh beyond the sunset some glorious day I long to be with Jesus and live for all eternity!! For this world is not my home. The only thing my heart yearns to take with me is my sweet children, my husband, my family, my friends and each one of you out there. Jesus is calling and pleading with you. He is not willing that any should perish. There is Nothing in this world worth having in exchange for Heaven!!!

Shinning With The Glory Of God

Have you ever longed with every fiber of your being to be able to see Jesus? To see our Heavenly Father? Oh to be able to look into their loving faces and thank them for all that they gave up for you and me? There is a story in the Bible of one such man that wanted to see God's face and he told God so. Here is an account of that story. Or at least part of it found in Exodus 33: 18-23

"And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory.

 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passes by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away my hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen. " 

God was so kind and gentle with Moses. Lovingly placing His hand upon him in the cleft of the rock. Oh how I wish I could feel the hand of Jesus tenderly covering me. There will be a day when I will know what this is like. However; I may not be able to physically feel or see this that way that Moses did. But when we pray and we ask God to be there and put His loving arms around us, He surely does. And when we have been this close to Jesus what do you think happens?

 "After Moses had been with God for forty days and nights on the mountain and received the ten commandments he came down from the mountain. His face was so bright the people were afraid. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him." Exodus 34:29-30

It is my prayer and I hope that it is yours too that as you spend more and more time with Jesus and our loving Heavenly Father that you will feel His glory shinning down upon you. That we may illuminate His character and His compassion and His love to all those we come in contact with each and everyday. And I promise that as you overcome sin.... Well guess what I don't promise but our loving Father does in His precious Bible His love letter to us, that we WILL see Him. 

"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." Matthew 5:9 

There you have it. How do we receive a pure heart? Through the free gift of Jesus precious blood. Except it and believe. Let Jesus in your heart to be your best friend. One more promise tonight and it is found in Revelation. 

And I saw a new Heaven and a new earth: for the first Heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven prepared as a bride adorned for here husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men. and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. 

 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain. for the fomer things are passed away. 

and He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new , And He said unto me Write: for these words are true and faithful. And He said unto me" It is done. I am Alpha and Omega . The beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athrist of the fountain of the water of life. freely. 

"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God , and he shall be my son." Revelation 21:7

I will be His daughter. What do you choose today?? Would you like to be His child? His son or daughter?

Streets Of Gold

I am so homesick for Heaven. Fall has a way with all it’s hues of gold to make me think of Heaven. Especially in this photo. If you look ahead where the leaves are thick and the rays of sunlight are streaming across the path makes it almost look like the streets in Heaven are paved with solid purest gold. I can’t wait to walk those beautiful streets with Jesus. I just know though that as a women wanting to serve Jesus I need to everyday make sure that as I live everyday, and that I live it for Jesus. Every person I meet I should be sharing Jesus with them. I know how much the Holy Spirit pleads with my heart. He loves everyone so much and so that means that I need to share Him with each person that I come in contact with. It is my desire that on that glorious day when Jesus our king of kings comes to take us home that I get to hear Him say well done thou good and faithful servant. I guess tonight the song on my heart is. I want to be ready when Jesus comes. I would love to hear what each of you think about walking on those pure glorious streets of pure gold?

Be Still

It’s a beautiful fall day today!! I had to capture this photo of the sweet alyssum against the lovely shades if autumns golden hues. The air is warm and the scents of the damp earth, pine trees, and the alyssum make me feel happy content and oh so blessed. It’s so wonderful the way The Lord gives us so many things to be thankful for. There are treasures and small and great all around us. Sometimes we get busy with the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Our focus gets all muddied with just making it through the day, through the week. But God promises that if we but just give ourself to Jesus daily He will help us through everyday. We are not alone. Here is a reminder that is so important to remember each and everyday. “Be still, and know that I am God:” Psalms 46:10

Go somewhere and sit still close your eyes and listen to the sounds around you. Open your eyes now and look around and see all the tiniest of beauty around you. Ask Jesus to take your hand your heart and your very soul and create in you His likeness. Have a blessed Monday.

Temptation

How did you start your day? We started ours with worship and prayer. Then I made us yummy vegan blueberry cinnamon pancakes topped with fresh raspberries from the garden and lightly drizzled with agave nectar. Eating healthy and simple is important to keep the brain clear so that we can clearly discern the voice of the Holy Spirit. The very first sin in the human race had to do with food and appetite! “And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” Genesis 3:2-8
I don’t want to ever feel ashamed and want to hide from God when He calls me.
How sad it is. But sometimes we as humans make such poor choices.
Also after Jesus had been baptized He went into the wilderness for 40 days seeking His Heavenly Father. He spent that time with no food. He prayed for God to strengthen Him for His ministry here on earth. When He was coming back the first temptation He faced was food. He was weak and hungry. Here is the temptation; ” 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:3-4
Just some food for thought to be careful what you choose to eat! The devil knows what will cloud our minds. I don’t want mine clouded. I want to here the voice of the Holy Spirit. I want to be ready when Jesus comes. Have a blessed day in Jesus.

God's Promises Are Sure

On my evening walk the air turned cooler as the sun dipped into the western sky.  I stopped at the little hazel nut tree to gather the nuts that had fallen to the ground. I searched among the grass and the leaf strewn ground for the tiny brown treasures; while thanking my Heavenly Father for His bountiful gifts for His children.  My thoughts turned to how Adam and Eve walked and talked with God in the cool of the evening. 

        "And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day"

Genesis 3:8

This was their custom, to walk and talk with God and it should be something that we long to do as well and make it our practice to spend that time with our loving Savior. 

When Adam and Eve were in Heaven living in the Garden of Eden the food that they ate was the seeds, nuts, and the fruit of the trees. God gave this to them to eat. 

"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth , and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." 

Genesis 1:29 

I wonder.....Did they have pockets in which they could collect these wonderful bountiful treasure? 

I must say that Jesus and His wonderful promises are sure. He promises that our needs will always be met and that we will always be taken care of. We need not worry at all. Do you trust your loving Heavenly Father? Do you believe with all your heart that He will provide your needs? 

      " But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19 

I also love the verses in Matthew 6 about how He will take care of us. He covers every question we may ask Him. We may never be rich here on earth and that is ok. It is Heaven where riches matter. Won't you give Him your heart? You will never be sorry if you trust in the Lord.  

"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more then meat, and the body 

than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are ye not much better then they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not neither do they spin:  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore if God clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things. but seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore not thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

Matthew 6:25-34

Oh precious promises that fill my heart with joy.

Looks Can Be Deceiving

I took a walk today in the cool of the evening. The sun was beginning to dip in the west, sending a rosey glow about the countryside around me. Many things that my eyes took in sent spiritual applications running through my mind and how I could apply them to my life. 

I love how God talks to us through nature. All we have to do is ask Him to open our eyes and see the world around us through His eyes. 

Tonight I decided to share these pictures with you that I  captured while on my walk. 

This beautiful apple looked perfect and golden as I saw it gleaming in the evening sunlight. It seemed so beautiful hanging there for all to see. I thought this is perfect such a beautiful apple. 

 But as I begin to walk past the apple I saw the other side of it. I was saddened by what I saw. It was cracked and worms had eaten into the apple. It wasn't pretty at all. But ugly and scared. My mind begin to think about my life. What do I look like when people first meet me?? Do they see someone who is beautiful and sweet and pleasant to be around because they can see the love of Jesus glowing from me? Or when they get to know me do they see someone who is ugly, scared, cracked and worm eaten? 

Sin is a horrible thing. Unless we are willing to die to self daily and surrender our hearts to the Savior we may only appear to be a beautiful person from a distance. But when closely observed we are scared and sin covered. The worms of sin have they eaten through us making us unfit to be called the sons and daughters of God.  Oh how Jesus longs to come in and make a difference in your life today. I want to be beautiful and shine with the warm glow of Christ's love each and everyday all day long. This is my prayer. I know that Jesus promises that once we have asked Him to come in He will cleanse us from all sin and unrighteousness, He will wash us white as snow. We will be covered in His righteousness. I want to shine for Jesus today. I want Him be in my heart. so that I am beautiful inside and out. I want no worms of sin in my life in any way.  Oh Jesus fill me with your love and your sweet sweet spirit I pray. Is this your prayer too?