Blue Monday

Happy Blue Monday! Thank you Sally for hosting Blue Monday each week. To join in the fun or to visit other Blue Monday participants, click here.

I'm sure many of you have read about and heard news reports regarding the massive amount of rain California received last week. It rained for days on end and I see we're in for more rain this week.

Last week, my backyard, as well as everybody elses yard, became flooded with all the rain. I shared this photo last Wednesday of the flooding we had going on in our backyard...


It would rain something fierce and then let up for awhile, allowing the earth to soak up some of the water before the next big rain would hit again. This cycle went on and on but there was one day when it cleared up and we were greeted with this clear, beautiful blue sky...


This particular afternoon it had stopped raining so I decided to run out fast and get a few things done. I had just stopped for gas and a raspberry tea and was heading home when I noticed this gorgeous sky right in front of me. Everytime I see something like this I'm in awe and so thankful to God for His artwork and I'm reminded just how small I am in comparison to this great big majestic world that we live in. It humbles me each and every time.

Take care and Happy Monday!

We've Got Great News!

Macey came home from the hospital Saturday afternoon! We are so happy for her and her family and so thankful for her quick recovery. It's a miracle that she survived her injuries but we all know that it's because of the grace of God that she is here with us today. Macey is a testament to the power of prayer!

McKenzie was over tonight and told us that after the accident, Macey scored 3 on the Glasgow Coma Scale. Doctors use the Glasgow Coma Scale to assess the severity of a person's brain injury. Scoring 3-8 is considered a severe unconscious state, with no meaningful response, no voluntary activities. Macey was a 3. Less than 3 is a vegetative state. Macey's recovery truly is nothing short of miraculous.

Macey will be receiving rehab treatment here in town and they have been told it will take up to a year before she is her old self again. Knowing Macey, that means it will be 3-6 months, tops! During the brain surgery after her accident, they took off a flap of skull to help relieve brain swelling. This flap was surgically placed back over her brain last week. Since this last surgery, she's not been able to completely use her left side and it's frustrating to her. Although Macey doesn't remember any of it, her left side was paralyzed after the first surgery too but thankfully she regained function. The doctors feel she will regain function once again soon. A big issue now is her mobility, of which she has none. When she was hit by the car, per pelvis was completely broken in two. It was fixed only a short time ago so she is to have no weight bearing for 2 months I believe. She'll be spending lots and lots of therapy hours helping her walk, but again, these hurdles are nothing compared to what she's already overcome. She's a fighter and she has youth on her side.

Thank you all again for your heartfelt prayers for beautiful Macey. We never know why God allows things to happen but we do know it's not our place to know the answers at this time. We'll have all of the answers and more when we get to heaven. In the meantime, Macey and her family are all home safe and sound.

God is good!

We're On Our Way Home and An Unforgettable Reward

Our bags are packed, "stuffed" is actually a better word for it. There's no way I could possibly put one more item in either of my two bags...stuffed I tell ya! As much as I hate the idea of leaving, I do need to get home. I've got to get busy...the.holidays.are.coming! Plus, I miss Jake! I cannot even begin to describe how much I miss that dog!

I've always wanted to come to Hawaii during Christmas but I've heard it gets crazy busy here. Well, this vacation I've been able to see Hawaii decked out for Christmas. Last night I noticed Christmas lights up at a nearby mall, plus the stores have all of their Christmas goodies out just like home, but trust me, it's not the same. The lights didn't elicit the same joy and excitement for me that it does at home. It all seems rather odd. I'm usually here during spring or summer, and the weather is like summer now, so Christmas displays seem out of place. It just doesn't feel or seem like November, almost December. It feels like June. I think it must feel like June everyday here in Hawaii.

Yesterday morning I headed out for my last long walk of the vacation. I have been religious about walking and as I reached the main street, I got teary eyed. I have treasured my outings each day and realized this would be the last one of its kind for awhile. I've developed a routine and I've soaked up the sights like never before. Again, I attribute this partly to blogging. I'm looking at things differently, or from a different angle at least. When you have the opportunity to share things with others, the world, and life, becomes so much more interesting! Have you felt this way at all since you started blogging?

My daily walks have been long, but with views that go on for miles. It's at least 2 miles up the road to my turn around point, so I started rewarding myself on the way back.


Sitting here has been my reward for walking each day. It's offered me comfort when I've been hot and sweaty, it's offered me peace and quiet, and it's been my prayer bench. How can you not sit here and talk to God when this view is directly in front of you...




My greatest reward for getting out and exercising has been time alone with God. It's no wonder that I love it here so much! I've had many talks with God from that bench, and offered up dozens and dozens of prayers, but most importantly, I've thanked Him. We serve a loving, compassionate God, a God who only wants the best for us.

I will never forget the special time that I have had alone with Him.

I will never forget the unbelievable beauty I was able to see everyday, the beauty which God created.

I will never forget that special bench.

Mount Shasta

Each time we travel to and from Oregon we pass by the most beautiful sight...Mount Shasta in Northern California. Mt. Shasta is not connected to any nearby mountains, it just rises up abruptly from the miles of level ground around it, and it takes my breath away every time I see it.

Mt. Shasta is a dormant volcano. It has not had an eruption in over 200 years yet it has openings on it's surface (fumaroles) which show it is alive. These fumaroles still emit smoke and gases to this day. Mt. Shasta is the fifth highest peak in California and it's majesty is evident, no matter what time of year you see it.

While driving home from Oregon this last time, I took some beautiful pictures of Mt. Shasta. At times it seemed like we were at the base of the mountain yet we were miles away. How would you like to see this view from your kitchen window each day!?!




Mount Shasta always has a humbling effect on me and the beauty of this masterpiece overtakes me. It makes me think about God. It makes me think about his greatness. For as long as I live, I will forever be amazed by the hand of God.