An Earnest Request

As I have been on my journey of understanding my role in life, I have begun to understand that God wants me to come before Him to request for the needs of the people around me.

This past Sunday, one of the preachers talked about how the whole world longs for a spiritual connection with God. Some people feel that God is always with them and some feel as if God isn't listening to them.  That He never hears them and that their prayers(requests) are just bouncing off the ceiling.

There is no "magical formula" in praying to God.  He wants us to talk with Him about our hopes, our dreams, our desires, our hurts, our disbelief, our pain, etc.

Even the disciples came before Jesus and asked Him to teach them to pray.

Jesus taught them the Lord's prayer.  It is okay to come before God with the same prayer request(over and over and over).  He encourages persistent prayer, when we pray with a sincere and honest heart. He also encourages us to be faithful.

Until others feel comfortable in praying, I will continue to pray for the wisdom/direction or healing that they need in their life.

We are like these "Black Eyed Susans" when we have God in our life.   These flowers are very versatile to heat and drought.  These beautiful yellow flowers with the dark, brown-purple centers with-stand the obstacles around them.  We also with-stand the obstacles around us when we allow God to direct us.

Keep on Praying!

Today, I Wept

This morning I received a text from a friend discussing all the situations going on in her life at this time.  My heart was so heavy burden that I began to weep.  As I wept, I thought about Jesus and when He wept when he heard that Lazarus had died.

As I have emotions for my friend, Jesus also had emotions(compassion and sorrow) for Lazarus.

As the tears flowed, I prayed for my friend.  I prayed that God would give her the strength to endure all that she is going through; to give her the wisdom and the insight that she needs.  As I cried and prayed, I could feel the Lord telling me that He would take care of her.

Jesus doesn't want us to hide anything from Him.  He cares.  Matthew 11:28-30 states "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

A yoke is a heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of an ox.  It is then attached to a piece of equipment so that the oxen can pull.  These heavy burdens(sorrow, sin, weariness, etc) can only be freed through Jesus.  He will give us peace, love and healing.

I dried my tears and decided to take a walk.  It had rained earlier in the morning and now the sun was peeking through the clouds.  With the sun out, the flowers looked more vibrant and alive.  I also felt more vibrant with the sun rays touching my skin.

Our lives are so much like nature.  After the dark clouds and rain, there is always hope with the Son in our life.

Trust in HIm

One would never believe that it is August in Colorado.  For the past few days, it has been cloudy and rainy.  The highs have been in the 60's and it almost feels like a fall day.

The dark cloud has lifted, but the clouds are still surrounding me.

As I look at the attached photo, I wonder how do I see beyond the clouds and remember the days of pink clouds, the baby blue sky and the light of a brand new day.

The verse that comes to mind is Proverbs 3:5-6:
""Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

We at times wonder can I really trust God?  Will He get me through these tough times?  By being in prayer and reading the Bible and allowing the Word to be my guide, God will give me the direction that I need.  It is hard to explain to someone about the peace that overcomes me when I am reading the Word.

I must trust God in every area of my life.  This mean; my values, my priorities, my work, my family and my dreams.  When I allow God to be first in my life, I will accomplish His purpose and He will assist me through those dark times.

I just need to remember to take "one day at a time".  God tells me not to worry about tomorrow. Today is His.  As Scarlett O'Hara, from "Gone With the Wind" said, "After all, tomorrow is another day!"

A Dark Cloud

Have you ever felt as if a "dark cloud" was hanging over your head?  I know I have.  For the past several weeks, I have felt as if all my "joy" has been sucked out of me.  My heart has been heavy for my family and friends that are going through so many trials in their life at this time.

As I am going through this darkness, it has taken me on a journey to find the light that God gives to each one of us.

In the book of Genesis, the story of Joseph shows me that God is always with me.

"But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden."  Genesis 39:21.  The notes for this verse tells me that, as a prisoner and slave, Joseph could have seen his situation as hopeless.  Instead, he did his best with each small task given him.  His diligence and positive attitude were soon noticed by the warden, who promoted him to prison administrator.  As we go through situations, we need to follow Joseph's example by taking each small task and doing our best.  God turned Joseph's situation around.  God will see our efforts and He can reverse even overwhelming odds.

God is with each one of us, as He was with Joseph.

As I look at this picture, I see the "dark clouds" and the light of God shining through.  This week, I will be seeking the "light" that God wants me to discover.

Eagle's Nest Hiking Trail

With our relatives visiting, we loaded up the truck and headed to La Porte, Colorado for a four mile hike at Eagle's Nest.  The weather in July is cool in the morning and hot in the afternoon.  With getting to the trails by 8 am, we felt that we could be finished with our four mile hike within two hours.

Arriving at the trails early, there was only one car sitting in the parking lot.  We were ready for the hike with our water, sunscreen and hats.

There are many hiking trails in our area and this was one we had not been on before.  This area has been home to nesting golden eagles for at least 100 years.  From February 1 to July 15, the area downstream of the bridge is closed to fishing and public access to protect the nesting area.

Eagle's Nest includes 755 acres.  This area has five miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding, as well as the Cache LaPoudre River that runs through it.  These acres are home for deer, elk, coyote, mountain lions and other animals.

As we headed north on the red dirt trail, the majestic view of the Laramie Foothills was breathtaking. You could see for miles.  As we walked, we enjoyed the beauty of the wildflowers.  The wildflowers are so small and dainty.  The vibrant yellow, blue and purplish colors were striking.

To think that cowboys use to trail herds of cattle through this area.  The pioneer settlers migrated west to develop a new beginning.  It is hard to imagine what these people went through to have their own homesteads.

The trail led us to the river and there was a tree stump waiting for us.  It was nice to rest and to enjoy a duck and her ducklings as they swam across the river.  The sound of the running river and the swishing sound of the leaves as the wind blew was so comforting.

We took a different trail as we headed back to the parking area.  This trail was more climbing than the previous trail.  We would go a few feet and then stop to take in the beautiful terrain and the silence.

We were hoping to see Eagles, but we didn't and we were glad that we did not encounter a rattlesnake along the open, rocky areas that we hiked.

Colorado has lots of hiking trails.  This is a nice, simple trail to enjoy the beauty of the mountains and the surroundings.

God Bless the U.S.A.

A fun day spent with family!

God Bless the U.S.A.!

Make Cake Balls Out of a Crumbled Pound Cake!

It is amazing what lessons we learn from our surroundings.  I was having friends over for dinner the other night and I wanted to bake a Pound Cake and have strawberries and whip cream with this cake. I hadn't baked one in many years.  With all of my moves in the past six years, I had gotten rid of the bundt pan that I would bake it in.  I purchased a new one.  After allowing the cake to bake, then cool, I proceeded to get the cake out of the pan.  No luck!  I had to cut the cake out and it was in crumbles. It wasn't in a beautiful ring shape.

I was a little upset.  But I realized, I could make lemonade out of lemons.  That night with my guest, I took out martini glasses, put a layer of crumbled pound cake, then whipping cream, another layer of crumbled cake, and more whipping cream and then added some beautiful red strawberries on top. Everyone thought the dessert was superb!  It tasted great!

Later that evening, I was telling my sister about the disaster and she said make cake balls.  Cake balls originated because bakers would have flops with their cakes or have stale cake.  To prevent waste, someone created cake balls.  They are made by blending cake crumbs with icing, shaping them in form of a  ball and then dipping them in a coating, such as chocolate or white chocolate.  You can then decorate them with sprinkles, nuts, etc.

The next day I gave it a try.  I wouldn't win a blue ribbon for the appearance, but it would win a ribbon for taste and texture.  My nephew loved them!

I began to think of my situations in life.  Sometimes we think things are bad, but God has a different plan.

One verse that came to mind was:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28.  God works in all things for our good.  It does not mean that all that happens to us is good, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good.

Another verse was:

"But Joseph said to them: "Don't be afraid.  I am in the place of God.  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" Genesis 50:19-20.  Joseph's brothers had sold him into slavery many years ago because they were jealous of him.  Through this ordeal Joseph became the governor of Egypt and was able to save many lives during the time of the drought.

So the next time, you think something is a disaster, just remember God has a plan and He will help us through those times.  He will give us the wisdom, insight and knowledge that you need!

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!"

Cake Balls

Strawberry Short Cake in Martini Glasses

The Disaster