My walk this morning

I'm basking in the joy of caring for my little grandson, Jaxon. He is the sweetest little guy, and spends much of his day napping and smiling. As I was walking this morning, I couldn't help but soak in the many blessings I've been granted. God is so good and so amazing, He overwhelms me often with his beautiful creation and many gifts. 

I'm feeling a bit melancholy and seem to be experiencing more "mood swings" than I usually do. I'm not sure it's my age, my hormones all being shut off, or simply "life on life's terms", or….all of the above! Whatever is causing this hormone dance; I am very grateful for the upswings that follow…(at least they have been so far!) About the time I'm wallowing in my pool of self-pity, God reaches out with His hand and pulls me out. He never fails me, thank goodness! 

When I was all snuggled in bed this morning and Daisy woke to go out-

I thanked God for my sweet, brilliant hearing dog.

When my hands and hips were achy and stiff (possible side effect of hormone stopper drug)-

I was thankful for a drug that will possibly save and/or lengthen my life.

When Jack wasn't beside me in bed to snuggle-

I thanked God for his great job-'feast or famine', as it is.

When I drove through rush hour traffic on the freeway-

I thanked God for the privilege of being alive and healthy, and able to drive to care for my grandson.

When I went to Bible Study last evening, lamenting about my aches and pains-

I counted my blessings as I listened to prayer requests for the wife of a 50 yr. old man who died from brain cancer.

I have countless blessings to be thankful for. One is being in this place to experience our granddaughter's 4th birthday tomorrow! Seven years ago today, I would have been preparing my classroom for 30+ 4th graders, and my excitement and enthusiasm would have been on overload! Today, thanks to God opening another window when my teaching career door closed; I will be here with our granddaughter to spend another moment in our "Secret Place". It just doesn't get any better than that!

When I came up to visit Tatum in the past 4 years, I stayed in our camper trailer several times. It's parked across the Nagle ranch in the far corner of their property. The breathtaking view includes an old pine tree stump surrounded by other towering whispering pines and a hillside covered with wildflowers and native grasses. When Tatum was 1 year old, we started visiting the stump and christened the area around it our Secret Place. We made many trips on the path across the field to our Secret Place. Together we gathered dead branches and pine cones and created our very own "house" in our Secret Place. It will always be special to Tatum and Nana-a place for prayer and meditation, watching butterflies and catching lady bugs and simply sitting. 

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall
abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1

Tomorrow our little princess celebrates her 4th birthday! I will be posting a new "4 Year Old" picture soon. Here is a recent picture that I've posted earlier. Tatum will also be getting her very first haircut tomorrow (just a trim), and I look forward to experiencing another blessed milestone. Most certainly there will be pictures of that as well!

PRAYER WARRIORS: Please continue prayers for Steve Hammer-for healing and less chemo side-effects, and praise for Steve and Sylvia's new grandson, born to Sacha!  Please pray for all those who are struggling with cancer, hunger, homelessness, mental illness, developmentally delayed children and/or family members, and/or unhappiness. 

GOD BLESS ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING and PROTECTING OUR COUNTRY!