Mother of 5 beautiful children, friend of books, avid reader, bubble baths are life! I enjoy long walks and hiking, I seek adventure. Writing makes me a better person, I love to share my thoughts.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! I pray that this new year finds you well, and that you are somewhere finding what brings you joy and peace.
My YEAR 2025
What can I say it was a bit of a blur, so many things happened that I almost forgot! I knew that my husband and I felt a stirring in our hearts to sell our home and move. We really were looking for a fresh start, and a new career for my husband. Well the unexpected happened and we decided instead of just moving to a new home, that we would also leave the state for the new job opportunity. WOW! I still can’t believe we have been here in our new home for five months already! We like it but, the climate change has been a bit of a shock. I have never seen this much snow in one year, and winter just started! Oh man, I keep asking myself, where did we move to?
Anyway, the move was long, challenging, and stressful; but we survived! Our family is starting to settle into our new life. It is not without grief. It’s funny how it can hit you at the most random times. I am thankful for the courage to step out into the unknown. I keep thinking, God what else do you have in mind?
THE NEW YEAR 2026
The time has arrived to begin thinking ahead, to open both eyes to what goals and mission, will I embark next? I have many things that are still on the bucket list of life, so to speak. I want to sing in front of a crowd, publish a book, travel abroad, buy a vacation home, start a garden, get in better shape, and take a trip solo to spend time with God. This list seems a bit short, compared to the vast array of things that I want to do, but I have time. I must remember to stop and actually experience the moments and accomplishments. I aim to lean into the gentle surrender, to trust that God has a true plan for our lives.
Where do they lead? (My photo)
Reflection:
What did 2025 teach me? Maybe, that I am stronger than I think.
What was the hardest thing about 2025? The feeling of not understanding my own body, as I experienced health issues. These are the foes of a woman, type. (Sigh).
What will I take with me into 2026? “This is not an unknown place, this is a new place.” -The Alchemist
It’s okay to grieve the familiar things from back home, but think of this place as a new start and a way to grow, and learn. Instead of dreading the changes, embrace them and adapt.
Thank you for walking with me this year as I blogged through the emotions, and shared some of my journey with you! I hope I was able to be encouraging to you all!
“Music is the divine way to tell beautiful poetic things to the heart.” -Pablo Casals
The title of this blog, was inspired by a song, that I was just listening to as I sat down to write. This song is called “Simple Ways,” by: Zaharia Zachary. It’s a jazzy, R&B like tune, that’s a worship song about getting back to what is most important. Lately, I have been really enjoying jazzy melodies that are full of soul and emotion. I love to turn on worship music and get my day started. I sometimes need the boost of energy that music offers, and it feels good to sing from the heart. To feel each lyric in my bones, as if I wrote it myself. Life can leave you speechless and sometimes a great song can correlate what you are wanting to express.
Verse 6: Let’s go back to the simple ways Let’s not make it complicated and celebrate I don’t wanna miss out on right now The way You first loved me Jesus take me right back to the simple ways.
“Life is simple but we insist on making it complicated.” -Confucius
The singer is desiring a more realistic and simpler standard in her relationship with God. As humans often do we overthink, have an unhealthy desire for control, are seeking validation, or have unrealistic expectations, and maybe a lack of focus, etc When we operate in these areas too heavily we make things complicated. The Bible has a standard for living, that we realized quickly we didn’t measure up to that standard. However, it wasn’t because we couldn’t do it but rather desired to be more than necessary. We still are not perfect, and cannot attain perfection.
“Be ye holy as I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16
God expects us to live by the standard that he set for us, but he knew we would not be able to do it alone. I truly believe that was the whole point, God never wanted us to depend on our goodness, or our capabilities alone. Rather, he wanted us to depend on him and operate in who he called us to be. We are his children. To be a redeemed child of God, you must turn from sin. The turning of sin is repentance. When we repent, we confess our faults to God and one another, and then we put off the shame and guilt from our past failures.
“What does it look like to follow JESUS simply?”
I believe the first step is simply coming to him. This morning I was reading in the book of Jeremiah, and I saw the Lord pleading with the children of Israel to simply “Return to ME.” He compares his relationship to us as a husband and wife, he is our husband and he takes us back over and over again. Even when we strayed and had other lovers. This form of adultery is our sin, that separates us from God, remember he is HOLY and only can be HOLY. When we are separated from God, we become open to the attacks of enemies, our lives are less fruitful, and we carry the weight of what we have done and it weighs us down.
The Lord says, “I will not remain angry forever.” Jeremiah 3:12
The singer says, “It feels so good to breathe again, I’ve been holding on too long It’s not meant to be this heavy Cause your burden is easy.”
Sin entangles us with debt, fear, anxiety, guilt, shames, anger, hatred, jealousy, envy, famine, lies, doubts, gluttony, etc. On and on the lists of things that hinder our relationships with God. So many people desire to hear from God; to know his true existence, but their frequency has been compromised. There is just noise all around us when we find ourselves in this condition. Friend, there is a remedy!
““If you will return, O Israel,” says the Lord, “Return to Me; And if you will put away your abominations out of My sight, Then you shall not be moved. And you shall swear, ‘The Lord lives,’ In truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; The nations shall bless themselves in Him, And in Him they shall glory.”” Jeremiah 4:1-2 NKJV
“Take me back, Lord.”
There are many mysteries in life, but one thing that is evident WE ARE LOVED by our creator! Nothing will ever satisfy the longing in our weary souls, but a relationship with Jesus. Many people are awakening to the realization, that of all the things we have gained, it all means very little. My knowledge is limited and my eyes are often led astray. However, God never takes his eyes off his beloved children. Whether you acknowledge his presence, he is there and waiting for you to return to him.
Simple Ways:
1. Pray daily
2. Read the Bible
3. Love yourself
4. Love others
5. Submit to the unknown
6. Understand God’s will
7. Seek God’s best
8. Persevere in trials and storms
9. Worship with song, dance, creativity, etc.
10. Share your life with others
Become made new.
I hope I was able to bless you with some encouraging words today! Happy Reading!
The way I see the world may be different than your perspective. I will always see God in my story. Before I knew what faith was, I believed. I knew God was there, I felt him as I looked up at the moon, praying little, childlike prayers. I have no memory of seeing my parents pray as a young child. However, I recall praying often as a child.
Faith is in the unseen realm, the belief in what cannot be reasoned with logic.
As I move through my journey, I can truly say that faith was easy in God, although doubts have crept in, at low points of life. I have always felt small and insignificant in the big picture, I was quick to give God my hand. Now in this season, I feel that I have had to learn to have faith in myself too.
To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible” — Thomas Aquinas
I told my eldest son the other day, “Now is the time to start applying what I have taught you, go out into the world and use it!” God whispered the same to me. He reminded me that I am a well, full of knowledge, wisdom, strength, resilience and I must “Go Forth” with what I have acquired. Like my son, I have wanted to stay in the safe space with Jesus, not fully wanting to embrace the unknown. The safety net we build around ourselves can be hard to penetrate.
The little boy I once knew is quickly becoming a man. I have prepared him all these years for his journey. I want him to know I am his safe place, just as Jesus is to us both, but he must be willing to move. To try new things, open doors, get lost and find your way. To use the light of your own, to empower the way. If Jesus referred to his people as light of the world, we are guiding forces for ourselves and others.
Matthew 5:14: Jesus tells his followers, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden”.
This metaphor calls believers to live visibly and serve as a beacon of truth and righteousness.
The journey was and is the point. I am walking with my eyes open, capturing the big and the small. And if I am honest, the little things mean so much more.
As you know I love taking photos, I have an eye for beauty. I want to share some of that magic with you. It’s been a couple of months in my new home and state. Everything is so new and yet so fitting. I really like it here, but I find myself in wonder at all there is to explore and see.
“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.”
See what I see.
Quiet Time with God Room of mirrors Light up the sky The tears of sinners A new thing, a fresh start Awakened to reality, dreaming of perfectionLoved I am not alone
May you know God’s love, may you trust in your abilities, and keep showing up!
What’s a topic or issue about which you’ve changed your mind?
First of all, I have missed this beautiful community of writers and readers, it has been A WHILE! I hope to get back consistently into blogging, our long distance move really took a lot out of me! Anywho, I am willing myself to sit in this chair, at this desk and produce something from my heart.
Beautiful Park in my new state!
If you have ever heard the phrase “chasing after the wind,” what did it make you think about? For me, I had a reminder this week in my Bible study! Sometimes we have good intentions, that just don’t lead to lasting results! All too often we are living for what is temporary and in a sort of survival mode. We each have talents that we have been blessed with or have worked hard to perfect. My questions to myself and YOU:
ARE YOU USING YOUR TALENTS WISELY? ARE YOU WASTING THEM OR HIDING? ARE YOU SHARING YOUR WISDOM WITH OTHERS?
“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how,” -Friedrich Nietzsche
We are all in a shared human experience, and we each have a worldview shaped by our circumstances. When God created us he had a design, a mold, a way in which we should live. We were given a purpose to create and take care of God’s creation. We all know that life happens to us all and sometimes we loose sight of our purpose. Death, grief, loss, abuse, betrayal, manipulation, slander, hurt, pain, illness, shared suffering, burnout, fatigue, mental health issues, etc. these are just a few of the many human experiences that can take us off course. Friends, I ask you to remember who you are and WHOSE you are: our lives where created by God for his good purpose. We are his workmanship!
DON’T start the eye rolling I know, it may sound cliche, but it’s the truth! Your life matters and it brings something that intricately connects with others and creates something beautiful! The imagery in Jeremiah 18, of the Potter and the Clay is a parable of God using his hands to shape, mold, and refine us. If you have ever seen a person make a clay vessel, it’s quite fascinating that they do not throw away clay that has imperfections. However, the marred, and imperfect lump of clay gets reused into something else. Clay can be dried up, misshapen, and seems utterly useless but when water is applied, the lump can be made pliable again. You CAN be made NEW!
When the Potter, who is our God who loves us beyond comprehension, gets back on the wheel refreshes what has dried up in us, he takes away the hardness of our heart. He breaks up the fallow ground, and starts watering the seeds that have lain dormant in our life. The dreams, goals, hopes, and things long forgotten can be brought back to life. No more chasing after what does not matter, we can let go of the old wounds and trust the Potter. A broken clay vessel can be restored as if nothing ever happened!
Let God put you back on the wheel.
“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand,” Isaiah 64:8 (ESV).
The vessel doesn’t talk to the potter and say what they should be formed into, rather the clay is dependent on the potter to finish what he has begun.
Maybe, you have been stubborn, prideful, ignorant, or traumatized as I have been so often in my life: that I thought I knew best. I realize as each year passes that I know a lot, but nothing I know compares to HIS infinite wisdom. I have chased success, money, fame, relationships, things, and all have fallen short of the fullness I feel when I am alone, and quiet with God.
Jesus is the water that nourishes our lives, remember he told us that he would be our rest, our drink, our sustenance, our friend, portion, Lord, savior, and so much more! Don’t get off the wheel too soon, don’t worry he’s not done yet!
“As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand,” Jeremiah 18:6b (NLT).
I am learning that chasing after the wind, is a waste of time. My job is to be willing to stay flexible with God, continue to go back to his wheel and let him work on me. If we abandon God, we loose sight of our way. We may not realize it until the troubles start coming. A lump of clay is useless, until it is shaped, created, reformed into something of value and purpose. God told us he created us from the dust, he made what is insignificant, beautiful.
“ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them,” Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV).
Our lives can become full of worthless pursuits, vanities, and in return, leave us feeling empty and longing. A question God asked Jeremiah:
DOES THE CREATION HAVE A RIGHT TO DICATE TO ITS CREATOR?
This relationship between God and creation, must be built on trusting who God is and is unchanging character.
I hope that I this blessed you today as it did for me, I pray you are encouraged to connect with God and let him mold you. His plans are better, he has it all worked out.
Today I have been thinking about all the nature shots, scenic views and beautiful displays I have captured! I truly love to take pictures of nature. I am thinking of buying a fancy camera one day! However I think I do pretty well just on my phone! I would like to share a few with y’all. I normally have a lot to say but lately it feels more like quotes or phrases of gratitude.
Your Grace and Mercy Brought Me Through
I took this one the other evening on a drive home, the sunset was breathtaking!
Summer Clouds
Beneath an endless sky, my eyes come alive.
Hope of the horizon
Rainbows seem to follow me. I am truly blessed!
Blush ☺️
This beautiful foliage makes me think of being in love.
Rain on the Lake Hike Views
I hope these brought you as much joy as they did me, a photo still doesn’t do God’s Earth justice! As they say…”You just had to be there!” Blessings to You!
I anticipate opposition but I do not fear it where I set my vision is the part I play straight position To the joy that is set before me I remain pushing Beyond the limits I must stretch let the struggle cushion my hustle The more the God of all teaches me each moment of pressure creates eternal wishing waiting upon your return the cares of this life no longer my concern.
Our life should be one of progress! We may struggle, stumble or maybe even fall in certain areas, but we should have some positive progression. I just turned thirty-seven a few days ago, and I look at myself and I am happy to see the growth. I still have a ways to go, but so grateful for growth!
2025 Growth:
Less time on social media, I used to be on socials around 4 hours a day! I was addicted to scrolling and time wasting. I was addicted to the validation of others.
I have read twenty books this year, compared to thirteen books last year. Reading is a passion and I am happier when I am doing what I love! My goal was twenty books this year and I will most definitely supersede that goal!
I am learning to pray more, I used to think I had to pray in certain settings, now I pray in my heart, I whispers prayers as I fall asleep, as I am driving, or just doing the mundane tasks.
I have read my daily Bible verse for one hundred and four days and been on the Bible app one hundred and forty-five days this year so far! Not to mention reading the physical copy of the Bible with my children.
I am learning the power of “NO,” I don’t have to say “yes” to every opportunity, event, or unwanted interactions. This one was hard because I always wanted people to like me.
Learning to rest more, and not feel guilty about it. Busyness is not a sign of achievement!
I have been writing more, which is another thing I love.
Drinking more water and less sodas!
I have so much to be grateful for and even though this has been a trying time of life, I must trust the process. My growth is what will sustain me through the next levels.
2025 NEW SEASON (Pexels Free Library(
My husband and I have been quite busy, he has been offered a new job in a new state. The job will be a traveling position, we are excited but also nervous!! This is a big change and probably somewhat uncomfortable, we are trying to prepare for it. We travelled to the new state last month, it was really beautiful. The climate is different, the people, lingo, everything! I always felt in my heart that God wanted me to move from my state but I was always too afraid.
I moved a few times away, but always came back to what was familiar. As we embark on this new journey as a family, I hope that we will find a rhythm and be able to maintain all of our responsibilities well. This is a big job for my husband and we also have a large family. Our relatives are sad, but we have tried to reassure everyone that we will be coming back often as we can! We will keep our current home for now and commute between the two states regularly; it’s exactly six hours away.
I have been so busy with everything that I haven’t made much time to blog. I have missed all of you! I will try and get still more to write. Summer is always a busy time of year, but one that I love! I hope you guys are having a great week! Happy Reading!