I'm doing a little house cleaning and painting my bathroom tonight while listening to a really good oldies station. Boy, every song has been so fun to listen to. So, I thought I'd share a little "blast from the past" with you guys.









Ok. . . EVERY song sung by Cat Stevens is so poignant and beautiful. It's very difficult to only include three, but I've got work to do! How many hundreds of times did we listen to these songs and how did they shape our hearts when we were so young?

Praying this Morning

Today is the last day of my beautiful eighteen year old daughter's senior year in high school. She has one test left to take today, a portfolio to finish up, and a checklist to get signed by the principal to ensure she has everything needed to graduate. She's exempt from her finals so she doesn't have to go to class next week. Graduation is June 2. While celebrating with her and feeling her joy in this time, it's been a time of stress as well, as we all know.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul,
He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for Thou art with me,
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies,
Thou hast anointed my head with oil,
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

I know summer will soon be here, full of relaxing, sunny days.
I pray that God will be with all of you too, as you go about your lives and days!

Born Free

Who remembers this movie? Isn't it funny how the movies and books and music we love as children stay with us? We rented this movie on Sunday and so far I'm the only one who has watched it all the way through. My old paperback copy of the book is missing its front cover, but still on my bookshelf. That's amazing. I remember what a powerful effect it had on me as a young girl and whatever pull it had on me then is still there. I love the song. I remember the cover of the sheet music, so I must have learned to play it on the piano. I'll have to look for it and see if I can still find the notes on my out of tune piano!

I will soon be moving to Africa and raising lions. I'll continue blogging from there. My heart is full!

Looking through the backyard of my life
Time to sweep the fallen leaves away

Paul McCartney

Love this song

It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time to make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
All I can do is surrender

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Revaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow your will
or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is you want from me
I give everything I surrender...To...

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to to release all my held back tears

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly
Something heavenly

It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out

Thoughts for the Day!

Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, it empties today of its strength.

Corrie Ten Boom

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Abraham Lincoln

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Luke 11:9-10

I've been thinking lately about beauty and wisdom. I know we will see what we look for, whether it is in our own lives or in the lives of others, or in the world around us. If we seek beauty, we will find beauty. If we ask for wisdom, we will be given wisdom. I for one, intend to start seeking and asking! I hope to make my blog a place of inspiration, where both can be found. Who wants to walk with me up to the door and knock?

Today

Dear God, I'm sitting here looking out at the deep green of the trees, the rain drops on blades of grass, the gray of the sky. Focusing on your power, your love, your strength. So many details to take care of. So many obstacles to go around, looking for the smooth way through this time. This should be a joyous time really! My daughter is graduating from high school in less than one month! I think I'm feeling a mixture of sadness, the stress of getting everything done by the deadlines, and trying to enjoy this time for her.

upcoming events

• pick up prom ticket
• daughter takes college entrance test
• Call the school to excuse her from classes
• Pick up prom dress
• order boutonniere
• pick up senior pictures
• pay for senior pictures
• rent carpet cleaner
• clean house
• pick up repaired trombone
• work
• drive to Oklahoma to pick up grandparents
• son's band concert
• work
• work
• Prom
• church
• Mother's Day
• work
• work (got sick, so I didn't have to work!)
• work "
• work "
• work "
• work
• drive grandparents back to Oklahoma
• squeeze in another college visit or two
• amiably discuss and agree with her dad on school choice and finances
• accept financial aid package for chosen school
• find a summer job for myself
• find a full time job with school district for next year
• Band field trip
• register son for summer camp
• take English, Language Arts and Reading test for grades 4-8
• daughter's graduation June 2

I look back over this list, and in addition to being weights on my shoulders, each and everyone of these is also a privilege, and a gift. Lord, thank you for the jobs you've provided for me so far. Thank you for the job you will provide for me this summer. Thank you for meeting our needs. Thank you for the financial aid for my daughter to attend college. Thank you for my wonderful kids and their full and wonderful lives. I pray for your protection for them as they make their way in the world. Be with my daughter today as she takes her test. Please don't let her add my stress to her own. I lay all of these things at your feet. I know I'm trying to carry too many things at one time. You are able to carry all of us and our burdens!

My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Post Post!

I apologize, because this list could just as easily have been placed on a piece of paper on my desk or kitchen counter, but since it's here, I have highlighted all of the items accomplished so far in this purple color! How about that! Somehow the days have a way of taking care of themselves. I think I've read that somewhere. . .

Have a great day!