Farewell to Winter

Before piquing envy of the mild Pacific Northwest climate and glimpses of Spring, I thought I'd share a few winter pics that are rare and delightful indeed on the Puget Sound.

Rolling a snowman in first fallen snow.

Suspended on an icy snow cluster in midair.

White frosted branches.

Snow clad evergreens.

Reason to Worry

I was reminded in the past week that worry is my vice. There may seem good reasons to worry, but in God's domain there is no noble purpose of worry. Worry does not move man or God. Worry most often enters into a situation beyond my control and tears viciously at truth and trust. When I need tangible faith and confidence the most is when I have given worry a foothold that threatens to estrange me completely from the One Whom I can base my hope! Within eight hours of ill news, I had worried myself physically sick. Within twenty-eight hours I was in a spiritual state of extreme agitation and cried out in desperate prayer. I was rewarded with satisfaction of something profitable in those "groans that words could not express". Thirty-six hours later, I was emotionally spent, but refreshed and challenged by words I had to believe. I was left with this final exhortation, an exhortation quoted from the Apostle Paul to the Philippians (4:6-7), "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God , which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Those words, spoken through someone unawares, hit me like a powerful but sweet wind and made me gasp and smile inside. Through the upcoming week, I saw God show Himself. He is ever-present and bigger than our circumstances. He reminds me, as the verses go on to say, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." (vs. 8)

A week ago, we celebrated Valentine's Day. Growing up, my family started a tradition that stemmed from school valentine mailbags made from paper grocery sacks. We decorated our mailbags for home and crafted valentines for each family member, and then waited in anticipation for our own homemade Valentine's party after dinner. We decorated, had sweets, and read our valentines aloud one by one. I'm so glad my husband, even if he had no such family tradition, jumped right on board with mine for our little family. He made time to come home from work with flowers, sweet surprises and handwritten notes, and I just made sure to make a nourishing meal unspoiled by the wait. What better time than Valentine's to make a family tradition of saying, "I love you."

First Blog

Here is my first blog. I've admired others and waited for new postings like one waiting for expected letters in the mailbox of yesteryear. I've been inspired, entertained, satisfied with news and pictures, and have often thought this would be fun to do in kind. I have an unexplained timidity; my nature, I guess. I do not have a clear idea where I want to go with this blog - photos, family updates, writing outlet, sharing of discoveries or favorite things? I could not even come up with an address, a title, a description with confidence. How much shall I disclose, how much protect?
I have started with the posting of snapshots of the children's and my trip to Thailand to reunion with family near and afar.
So hear is my first leap into the land of blogging.

Snapshots in Dolphin Bay

Reflection of joyful abandon.

Profile in evening hues.

House Boat

Crushed shells

Thai Fishing Boat

After three days of rough water, we took a last chance excursion to Monkey Island on a Thai fishing boat.

Chipping paint in a yellow bonnet.
The boats are painted bright hues of red, blue and green.

Naphtali in the protection of Daddy's arms.

Passing the back shore of Monkey Island

Hand in Hand under the Mrigadayavan Palace

Lydia delighted in walking the breezy corridors and open spaces of the queen's summer palace in Hua Hin, Thailand. Here we are hand in hand under the walkway to the sea.