the lighthouse

Surely, your Word searches me out when I am in troubled waters.
Your divine beacon shines through the fog of my disgrace
to give my spirit new hope, new joy, new life.

Your Word, Jesus Christ, is a strong and mighty tower,
a lighthouse that stands strong, steady, and sure amidst troubled waters.
Your voice floats over the waves of my being,
giving strength as it travels until in mighty crescendos
it cascades over the polluted shores of my sinful soul,
cleansing each sin in its wake,
and speaking peace and calm to a troubled sea of thoughts, angsts, and emotions.

I turn and walk towards the sunset leaving each empty shell of remorse
on His shore of forgetfulness.

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Photograph-the Oregon coastline 2001

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lovin' my new lens

Thanks so much to MckMama and The Pioneer Woman for their posts on bokeh--(blurry background). And I bought the lens that MckMama recommended in her blurry background post. They both have photography sections that have very informative articles about this and myriad other questions you might have about good photography.

I told Noelle where to stand but I didn't tell her anything to do. She just loves the camera and the camera seems to love her.

happy birthday, precious first daughter

To see a birthday tribute to Kim, please go here.

Of course she is another year older. And I remember when it devastated her to turn 25. smile

summertime

Summertime

and

the living

is

Easy!

Warning: Overload of grandchildren pics this week. We are babysitting Noelle until Friday while her mom and older sister are at camp. Dree is really sad that Noelle is missing her so much. smile

Sunday Sing-a-long

WEDNESDAY'S WORD!

ABUNDANT GOODNESS-FALL BIBLE POST

Ps 145:3-7
3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;his greatness no one can fathom. 4 One generation will commend your works to another;they will tell of your mighty acts. 5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,and I will meditate on your wonderful works. 6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works,and I will proclaim your great deeds. 7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. NIV

AND THE BRIDE WORE WHITE!

The bride wore a paw claw-illusion veil secured by three delicate white roses.

She carried a bouquet of four white roses and seed pearls. Attached to the bouquet were streamers of white satin.



At one point she did give us a peek of her "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" garter that was concealed beneath her lavish gown.

The bride chose to wear satin ballet slippers adorned by one tiny rose and secured by an elasticized band--the better for dancing at the Teddy Bear's Picnic and Reception immediately following the ceremony.

And here she is in all her glory wearing a gown designed by Beara Wang. The gown featured an alencon bodice accentuated by cap sleeves trimmed in white satin. The dress was gathered in at the waist with a bow featuring roses and seed pearls. Cascading from the bow was an over-lay panel of illusion trimmed also in white satin.


The bride and groom will spend their "honey" moon at Grizzily Island in California.

Okay, I am just having a little fun--but there is no way I can think of a "bridal gown" and not think of this precious story I posted a while back starring the hubs. And by the way, she had a dozen red roses with one white orchid in their "honey"-moon suite when they arrived.

Here is the real dress. It really kinda looks like the one above, doesn't it? LOL This was my aunt's dress and I loved it. She is 5 months younger than I and was getting married about 5 months before me so she and I picked out the dress together. Of course, she paid for it. It cost $75 in 1965. I suppose that was a fortune then. My flowers for the wedding topped out at $48. My dad got the invitations free. My maid of honor, Mom and I washed 200 plates, cups and saucers the day of the wedding. I borrowed those and the punch bowl from the university I attended. I think my going-away dress was about $8.00. So I spent somewhere in the neighborhood of between $50 and $75 for my wedding.

Be sure and visit http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/ to see all the beautiful wedding dresses.

Wednesday's Word!

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

Ps 143:88

Blog Hop

The ingredients

Cilantro Chicken Salad

1- 13 oz can chicken breast

1 or 2 (or to taste--I like a lot) chopped green onions --you may substitute purple onions but I don't think it is as good

1 stalk of chopped celery

1/4 to 1/3 cup of Hellman's mayo with olive oil

small handful of cilantro (measurement is before chopping and this ingredient is NOT optional)--chop this to your desired consistency--I like it left kinda big--

some people add a tablespoon or so of low sodium soy sauce--I may try some next time but love it without this ingredient--

2 T. or so of slivered almonds

salt and pepper to taste

Mix together and serve on your favorite whole grain bread. We like it in a tortilla wrap. I added hummus, green onions, celery, and strawberries on the side.

Click here to enter your link in the blog hop and view the entire list of entered links...

I am so sorry that the whole list didn't come up here but you can click on the "click here" red link above and go straight to it.

AMERICAN PIE!

Yesterday we drove to St. Mary 's Church in St. Vincent, Arkansas for a church supper, bazaar, bake sale, and bingo. It was a fun time. Which slice of this American Pie do you like the best?

Slice # 1-Barbecue Supper with all the trimmings--They fed hundreds. There was a long line from 4 until 8 p.m.

Slice # 2--Sit around and visit with all generations!

Slice #3--Homemade jellies and jams at the little country store

Slice # 4-A Silent Auction-This is Vicki. We just met her today. She was a hoot. My hubs kept telling us all the reasons why we should not bid on certain items and she just kept telling us that we needed to lose him. LOL

Slice # 5-Bingo

Slice # 6-The Petit Jean Stand-If you've never eaten any of their meat, you are missing a treat. Step right up, pay 50 cents for a paddle with a number, we spin the dial, you win! There's a winner every time! Even wins sausage, odd wins bacon. Boomama would have loved this.

"Sure, I'll take your money."

Slice #7--A gathering wouldn't be the same without a Cubs' fan. I grew up listening to Harry Cary and the St. Louie Cardinals but when my dad was in his eighties, he switched to the Cubs and me along with him. This guy's ringtone on his cell was Harry singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

Slice #8-A picturesque old church

and an old Lion Oil sign--

<

and winter's sustenance--

all three make great scenery along the way!

And this is the whole pie for me--crossing the Arkansas River bridge and catching that ever-breathtaking view of my beloved, Pinnacle Mountain.

P.S. I gotta tell you this--My dad was in the army during WWII with a guy from Hattieville, AR so for several years after they returned home, we would drive up to their little town to visit. St. Vincent is not very far from Hattieville, so my desire yesterday was to talk to someone who knew this family. I love to interview older folks and did talk to a couple, asking them what their favorite toy was when they were growing up. One little lady said hers was a corn husk doll that her mama made (she was really up in years). And the only other person that I talked to said his was an old Prince Albert can that he put wheels on and made a little truck out of. When I finally thought to ask him if he knew this certain family, he said, "I was just with Jerry about an hour ago." That was the guys's son that I played with when we went to Hattieville. Small, small world in Arkansas. I like that!

Wednesdays Word

Gen 1:1 - Ps 20:1
The heavens declare the glory of God;the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech;night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,their words to the ends of the world.In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, 5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other;nothing is hidden from its heat. 7 The law of the LORD is perfect,reviving the soul.The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right,giving joy to the heart.The commands of the LORD are radiant,giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure,enduring forever.The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold,than much pure gold;they are sweeter than honey,than honey from the comb. 11 By them is your servant warned;in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors?Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;may they not rule over me.Then will I be blameless,innocent of great transgression. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
NIV

How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.


Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!


When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.


Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!


And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.


Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!


When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"


Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!