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Light, Love, Hope

Light in the Darkness Surrounded by Love with Hope for those in need.

Shirley

About Shirley

https://lightlovehope.com

Shirley is the proud mother of two beautiful young ladies. She enjoys spending time with them on their ranch in the deep South with their three paint horses. Always looking for an adventure, she looks forward to hikes in the mountains chasing waterfalls, or scouring the coast for beautiful lighthouses! Shirley writes to encourage others and often times shares things that motivate and inspire her. She believes in living life to the fullest because no one is promised the gift of another day. Join her as we honor our bodies, minds, hearts, souls, and our Almighty Creator, God above!

Posts by Shirley :

We Are What We Believe We Are

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We are what we believe we are.

C.S. Lewis

It really is true what C.S. Lewis says in the quote above.  We truly are what we believe we are.  That is why you must speak life into yourself.  If you wait on others to do this, you may be waiting a very long time in complete unhappiness.  While there are some that will validate, compliment and even praise you, the vast majority will snub their noses at you and pick you apart.  I’m not sure if this is due to jealousy or bitterness deep within their hearts.  What I do know is that it is up to YOU to be your biggest fan.  Yes, it is nice when you receive recognition, but don’t get down in the dumps or sink low in depression just because someone hasn’t lavished you with words of affirmation.  Know your own worth.  Don’t wait on others to tell you how valuable you are.

Words have power – those both spoken and unspoken. Your thoughts swirling around in your head have the potential to make you or break you.  If you look at the reflection in the mirror and don’t like what you see, then maybe it is time to change a thing or two.  I’m not talking about physical looks, though.  I’m more referring to you looking yourself in the eye each and every day and not liking who you have become on the inside.  Constantly bashing yourself will only bring you further down.  Take action, instead.  Do something about what you don’t like. That is the only way it will change.  Work at it!

Retraining your thoughts to be more positive instead of focusing on the negative is hard work.  It takes very little effort to find something to complain about, but sometimes we feel like we’ll work up a sweat trying to find a positive in the situation or even in us.

Think about the words that you speak to yourself.  Now ask yourself if you would say those same words, with the same tone and all, to someone else?  Would you say it to your spouses?  Your children?  Your parents?  How about your best friend?  If not, then why are you saying those hateful things to yourself?  Ease up a little, because chances are that you aren’t as bad as you make yourself out to be, but if you are … work on yourself so that you can face that person in the mirror and be a little bit better tomorrow morning.  Show signs of improvement until you can smile back at your reflection and know that you’re trying hard and it is paying off.  That is something to take pride in, working on yourself from the inside out.  Believe me, others will notice.  If you don’t like yourself, how is anyone else supposed to?  Embrace who you are, change what you can, and learn to LOVE yourself!

God created you, and Jesus died on the cross for you.  You are a child of the King.  Keep that in mind.

Unoffendable

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In this day and age, it seems that EVERYONE is offended by something.  Recently in our state, they were offended by the Confederate Flag that was flying high above the State House.  After several rallies and protests, the governor sought, and later succeeded, the removal of the flag.

If it’s not the flag that people are offended by, they are easily offended by other things.  It seems that people feel they are entitled to be offended.  As Brant Hansen points out in his book, we think we are entitled to our anger and resentment that go along with being offended.  It is like we’ve got something on someone, and as if we have moral superiority over them when we are offended.  However, you can choose not to be offended.  That is not an easy concept to swallow, but it is a choice that we can make in the moment when we feel it rising up inside of us.

Ask yourself this.  Is your anger, resentment, and bitterness pleasing to God?   I realize there is a bible verse that people love to quote where it says not to sin in your anger.  A lot of people don’t realize (I didn’t) that this often quoted scripture also goes on further down in the passage to say NOT to be angry or bitter.   Take a look:

26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”   Ephesians 4:26-32

What would our world look like today if we all chose to be unoffendable?   What if we actually lived by the above bible verse?  Now isn’t that something to consider?!

Being unoffended strikes at our pride and forces us to be humble.  Being unoffendable also takes us from being the center of attention with our anger, our hatred, our resentment, our feelings of injustices, and our raging emotions, and it puts the focus on OTHERS!  That is a hard one for us, isn’t it?  We are all, whether we want to admit it or not, self focused and self absorbed.  We don’t want to put others before ourselves, and yet, what if we DID just that?  If we were to forfeit or deny our anger, and give up our “right” to be angry as if it does not even exist, and we FORGIVE and let go of our anger.  Christ calls us to do just that.  We are to love, offer mercy, and extend grace.  Truthfully, how often do we do this when others have offended us?

Do we stop to put ourselves in other people’s shoes for just a minute?  Take the flag situation I mentioned at the beginning of this post.  People on both sides of the argument thought they were RIGHT!  The ones that wanted the flag to remain said it was heritage and not hate.  It is a part of our history, and yet the ones that had so much hatred toward the flag saw it as a sign of when their ancestors were in slavery.  One side refused to see the other side’s point, though, and so they continued with their bitterness and anger.  What if the side that said “Heritage, not hate” put themselves in the shoes of the black people saying “All I see is a symbol of slavery of my ancestors.”  What if the blacks put themselves in the shoes of the white people and recognized that it was a part of our history and heritage instead of choosing to see it as a symbol of hatred?  If we stop to consider where the other party is coming from, maybe … just maybe … it would make an impact on us and how we respond.  Maybe then we could truly become unoffendable.

I’d like to challenge you on this, just as I feel I have been challenged by the words in Mr. Hansen’s book.  I will not issue this challenge, though, without offering you the tools in his book.  I have his brightly colored orange and white book in front of me so I can soak up all that he has to offer on truly being unoffendable.  I’d like to equip you as well with the tools to fight against anger and, instead, be able to offer the love, mercy, and grace that we are called to extend to others.

Below is a giveaway for a $25.00 certificate from Family Christian.  In just a few clicks, you’re entered to win.  This certificate can be used to purchase the book, OR to purchase anything you desire at their store.  They have so much to choose from, and I, personally, love shopping there!

I will be going through this book in more detail, and I intend to share it with my family.  We all can benefit from being UNoffendable.  Just as I talk of choosing joy a lot of times on this site, you can also choose to be unoffendable.  Mr. Hansen will show you how, and I will share with you the knowledge I gained from his book, spread out in separate posts so you really “get it” and not just skim through the post.

Here’s to being UNoffendable!

And here’s your chance to enter a giveaway for a $25.00 certificate from Family Christian!  A special thanks to Family Christian for this opportunity to partner with them as a blogger and to offer such awesome giveaways!

Here

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Today I got a rare opportunity, and I took it. I seized the moment, right here and now, to let my long lost niece know that I love her.  I let her know that things are not as they seem, nor as she was told.  While it started off kind of rough in a Facebook message, with my detecting her sarcasm and angry tone in her postings, I knew deep down inside that this 14 year old child needed to hear what I had to say. And … I think she wanted to or else she would not have engaged me in conversation.  It would have ended with a few cross words from her, but it didn’t.  I have been waiting for the past four years to tell her, and I had the chance I’ve been looking for.  The chance to tell her I love her, even with no response back from her.  That was okay that she didn’t return the words of love to me.  It is okay if I tell her a million times and never hear it from her lips or see it on a screen.  It is only important that I tell her, and I let her know.  I also had the chance to tell her that she was taken from us years ago, and we were forbidden from having any further contact with her.  At one point, she was to come live with us as her father asked this of us four years ago, yet shortly thereafter, her father and his family snatched her back away from us.  I told her that I wish things had been different and had I been given the chance, I would have raised her as my very own.   She is bitter, and I can sense through her hostility, that she is just a lost little girl that needs love. She needs to know that she matters and that above all, she is loved completely despite how she is right this very minute – distant, bitter, cold, and hurting deep inside.  I told her that today.  I let her know that I am still a part of her family – whether she wanted me to be or not – and I love her.  Oh, how I wish my sister was still here, things would have been so much different if she would not have ended her life 14 years ago due to postpartum depression.  But today, here and now, I got a chance to tell her daughter that her mother — my sister — loves her (I refuse to use past tense), even still today from Heaven.  She loves her daughter — my niece — so much, and this little girl, who feels so lost, unloved, and unhappy, is still her mother’s pride and joy.  All the way from Heaven’s door, here and now.

I thank God for this opportunity today and my niece’s openness to a conversation with me.  Although she made negative remarks about her dad and step-mom, I focused on stating what I knew for a fact from my perspective, as I am sure no one told her why we are no longer a part of her life.  It is not by our choice.  She learned the truth today.  Here and now.

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This post was inspired

by the prompt word of “Here”

for Kate’s Five Minute Friday.

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One of the last pictures we have of Melanie from 2011 when we were allowed to have her.  I treasure our time together.

Here

National Lighthouse Day

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“Lighthouses stand as beacons of light;

guiding ships safely through the night.

May this lighthouse stand as a symbol of guidance for you,

reminding you of the people in your life

who have helped guide you on your journey.”

~Isabel Bloom

How beautiful are these words as we celebrate National Lighthouse Day?!

Each year, we celebrate National Lighthouse Day on August 7th.   This day is set aside to honor   the beacons of light.  Just think about how, for hundreds of years, the lighthouse has been a symbol of safety and security for ships and boats while at sea.  Imagine all the people that this beacon of light helped find their way on a foggy night!  Think of the lives spared by this one light shining brightly, guiding them safely to shore!

Why August 7th, you may ask?  It is due to the United States Congress approving an act on August 7, 1789 for the “establishment and support of Lighthouse, Beacons, Buoys, and Public Piers.”  Approximately two hundred years later, Congress designated August 7th as National Lighthouse Day!  

I often think of the lighthouse as Jesus Christ guiding us in life.  As the old gospel song says, “If it wasn’t for the lighthouse, where would this ship be?”  We are nothing without Jesus, and we would be so lost in this cold, dark, and evil world.  Jesus provides a way for us, lighting our path as we journey through life.

This evening, my family and I went to an Amish restaurant in a small town where they serve delicious food and homemade bread.  Upon stepping foot into the door, I noticed a lighthouse lamp sitting on a shelf.National Lighthouse Day

There was an older gentleman seated nearby that appeared to be a part of the family that owned the restaurant, so I inquired as to whether they were selling the lamp.  The former owners used to have an antique shop under the same roof as their restaurant, and I loved to visit to enjoy the food but also to see what treasure I would find there after the meal.  Since they changed hands, I wasn’t sure if this would still be the case.  This time, I spotted my treasure shortly after walking through the door, and sure enough, this lighthouse lamp was for sale after all … and I made it mine tonight!  I almost squealed with delight when they said the lamp was for sale!!  I know I cheered, “Yea!” and my husband just laughed at my excitement.   I had to share with the owners that lighthouses are my favorite, and what better day to find such a treasure than on National Lighthouse Day!

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I have various lighthouses on displayed in my home.  From little what-nots of the lighthouses we’ve visited, to lighthouse pictures, and even a lighthouse table, it’s safe to say that I have a “thing” for lighthouses!  Here’s a sneak peek into my living room.

Lighthouses

My most favorite lighthouse of all time is the Morris Island Lighthouse near Folly Beach, South Carolina.  If I’m ever stressed, walking out on the white, sandy beach toward the water’s edge seems to help melt away all the cares of the world even if just for a little while.  With sand between my toes and the roar of the waves as they roll in and then crash against the rocks, it feels as if all is right in the world as I stand so small against the magnificent lighthouse.  I think of Jesus and how He provides peace.  I also think of how small I am in this big ole world, but Jesus sees me, cares for me, and loves me.  I matter to Him!  And He is there, shining His light in my life guiding me safely to Heaven’s Door.

I think of how Jesus uses me – and any one that is a willing vessel – to share His light with the world.  There is hope in Jesus, and there is love … the sweetest love you will ever know!

These are just a few things that lighthouses make me think of as I marvel at them reaching up from the ground so high in the sky.

Take time to appreciate the beauty of a lighthouse near you, and while you’re there, it is my hope that you, too, will think of our Guiding Light, Jesus Christ!

Happy National Lighthouse Day!

LightLoveHopeCover Morris Island Lighthouse2 Morris Island Lighthouse1 Morris Island Lighthouse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Is Not A Test

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Fond memories rush in of a time when my family and I were a part of God’s Copy Cats at a church we attended for several years.  God’s Copy Cats put on a major production in the Spring of every year, which was free to the public.  The whole reason and purpose they put on this show annually was to glorify and praise God as we ministered to the whole community.  This gave us a chance to reach hearts that may have never come to know Jesus if it hadn’t been for hearing the Word of God during our show or having words of a song touch their heart as they sat in their seat taking it all in.  Having served on the welcoming committee, I lost count of the mass of people that flooded the theater the weekend this event was held.  What a huge platform to reach lost souls!

We had black light, puppetry, hip hop dancing, and interpretive movement, and it was all based on and performed to Christian music.  My daughter was a member of God’s Copy Cats, and she has many fond memories, too, of her time on stage as she served in every capacity while on the team.  I will never forget seeing her little 10 year old self on stage doing the hip hop dances to none other than TobyMac!  Having served back stage as well during the show, we knew every single song that they would present that weekend no matter what form they were presented in.  We practiced with the team so much that TobyMac’s lyrics flowed from our lips as we sang along to his feel good music, his album fast becoming one of our favorites.

There is just something about TobyMac that makes you want to move your body as it improves your overall mood.  There is no way you can stay depressed once turning on a TobyMac song.  It is a get-out-of-your seat-and-to-your-feet type of album, no matter which you choose to listen to.  His songs are upbeat with a truly positive message and meaning behind them.

I do love taking a walk down memory lane!

As reality zaps me back to the present day, imagine our excitement as we learned of TobyMac’s newly released album, This Is Not A Test.  When my family heard me say that I was going to listen to TobyMac, their ears perked up as they all followed me into the room.  They wanted to listen, too!  I smiled and cranked up the tunes as we all four enjoyed the new sounds of Mr. TobyMac!

Whether you’re a TobyMac fan or have never heard of him before, I’d like to recommend this album to you.  If you need high energy music that speaks to you and causes you to tap your foot or even dance in your seat, this is the album for you!  And here’s great news!!  Thanks to Propeller/FlyBy Productions, we have a copy just for you.  What’s more is that this prize pack features the This Is Not A Test Deluxe Edition CD, Vinyl, Tank, and a TobyMac hat!!

Are you excited yet?

What are you waiting for?  Enter our giveaway now, and share it with your friends as well!

Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

 

A Letter To The Past Me

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Dear One,

You’ve been through a lot in your lifetime.  Sorrow has touched your heart at times and has brought you to your knees, but you don’t stay down for long.  That’s what I love about you.  No matter what you are faced with, you choose not to be the victim.  Instead, you are a survivor!

You have encountered those that have mistreated you time and time again.  Yet, another chance is given to those individuals not because you wish for more ill treatment.  No, instead, you see the good in that person even when they don’t see or exhibit that good with their behavior and actions.  You see past the hurt and pain they have caused, and you hold out hope that things will change for the better.  You do not want to give up on people, and so you hold on.  No matter what, you hold on, probably longer than you should in some cases, to hope.  A hope for a brighter future, a better life, a happily ever after.  It doesn’t have to only be something that happens in fairy tales, you tell yourself.  You seek it out.  You truly want your happily ever after. The riding off into the sunset together kind of happiness.

Even when life happens and a wrench is thrown into your plans, you keep on trucking.  Remaining focused is the key.  Not dwelling on the bump in the road or the shattered dreams, yet picking up as many pieces that you can fit into your arms, you carry them on down the road to build upon and slowly put back together.  Even still, the jagged pieces aren’t tossed aside, they are loved, tended to, and nurtured, as you do for others along your path in life as well.

You have flaws just like the rest of the world, but here’s the thing.  Your flaws do not define you!  (Your daughter would be proud that you used and built upon Damion Fizzy’s quote “Your flaws don’t define you” in this post.)  They are just a part of what makes you the wonderful person that you are.  Feeling flawed, battered, bruised, and tossed aside at times, you are still not those things.  None of that defines who you are deep within your heart down to the very core of your being.

Who are you?  YOU are a child of God.  You are deeply loved by Our Heavenly Father.  He took great care when he developed every single thing about you that makes you uniquely yourself.  God does not make mistakes so rest assured that you are exactly the way God wanted you to be.  And … you are pre-approved by the only one that really matters.  Your Master, Your Maker, Your Savior!

Dear one, you don’t have to strive to get from man what GOD freely gives you!!  You have His approval, His love, His validation, His promise that He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Others may come and go, but Your Heavenly Father will NEVER leave your side.  People can steal from you material possessions, but no one can EVER steal the love you have in your heart or the love that flows freely from your Heavenly Father and from your children directly to you!  Those are the only things that truly matter in this life.  And you’ve recognized this early on.  You don’t base your worth on material things.  You know that real wealth is not measured by anything you can buy.  To be wealthy is to know love, true love, and have the ability to feel it, express it, and share it with others.

When once anxiety would consume you, now you have realized that you are not in control of the universe and are okay with that.  While we would like things to be a certain way, they won’t always be. With this knowledge, you have been able to let a lot of things go.  Thus, you have relieved some of the weight of the world that you carried on your shoulders for so long.  The weight that you placed there or felt was placed by others.  How freeing to realize that God has the final say in how things work out, and no matter what, He sees the bigger picture when we are not able to do so presently.

You have been able to do exactly what the scripture says.  When you don’t know what to do, you just be still, sweet one … and know that HE is God!  He will work it out.  Just place it all into His very capable hands and watch Him work!

You have grown, sweetheart.  It has been a pleasure reflecting back on just how far you have come.

I love you.

Me

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A Letter To The Past Me was inspired by the prompt phrase on

Karen’s Tuesday At Ten.

Be sure to join us each Tuesday and link up your post!

 

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Ten

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She bounces across the yard, wide smile on her lips with long blonde hair flowing behind her.  Throwing her head back, the sweetest laughter fills the air as she runs after her goats.  They scurry, buck, and hop to get away from her grasp, and she laughs even harder and deeper than before.  A full belly laugh experience for my husband and I as we are nearby watching this scene unfold.

This is what ten looks like.

Out on the trail, sitting deep in the saddle with her back straight, heels down, and arms extended forward she clicks her horse into a trot.  Almost immediately, she clicks again, occasionally giving a soft kick in the ribs, and off they go into a gallop … my daughter and her beautiful horse.

Ten.

Without a care in the world, enjoying life, finding peace in nature, and loving all of her animals.

Sitting quietly in the corner of the barn with “Little Buddy” in her arms as she strokes the kitten’s soft fur.  Putting it down now, she takes a string and begins to bounce it up and down in the air until the end dances wildly.  Within a split second, the kitten lunges toward it, determined to grasp that string between her paws but falling forward with each attempt while my daughter giggles …

This is what ten looks like.

Ten

 

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This post was inspired by the Five Minute Friday prompt word of:  Ten.

It is dedicated to my darling ten year old daughter who, along with her 18 year old sister,

are the reason my heart beats and the reason I’m here on this earth.

I thank God for my “babies.”

Success!

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A few weeks ago, I shared the heartbreaking story of little Riggs that passed away at just a little over a year old.  His mother, Caroline, sought to bring awareness to Bereaved Parents Month.  She reached out to local newspapers and news stations.  While it took a little bit of time, Caroline has had success with what she set out to do.  Bloggers shared her story and brought attention and awareness through their posts, our local newspaper ran stories on the Farmers, and then Caroline met Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina!  WIS TV, a news station out of Columbia,  shared her story. NOW they have set up a time this Thursday when Caroline will be live in the studio and on air with them.  Not only that, but Caroline announced today that Governor Nikki Haley will be signing a proclamation Thursday recognizing July as Bereaved Parents Month in the state of South Carolina.

If you haven’t followed Caroline’s Facebook page Remembering Riggs before now, please do so to show your support and offer prayers for her and her husband, Justin.  Caroline shares her inner most thoughts, raw feelings, and beautiful pictures of Riggs with the world.  She has been forced into a life she would have never thought in a million years that she would have had.  In the mist of her pain, she reaches out of her own grief to help those around her that are hurting.  She shares about Jesus, and this is HUGE!!  When tragedy strikes, often times people will either run away from God or run TO God.  I’m thankful that Caroline has fallen into the arms of her Lord and Savior so He can comfort her as only He can.  God is close to the brokenhearted, as scripture tells us.

Caroline sought to bring awareness … and boy has she ever in such a big way!!  Way to Go, Caroline!   You did it!!!

 

 

What Brings You Joy?

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Have you ever really thought about it?  What brings you joy?  I’m talking joy deep down within your heart and soul.  The smiling all day long type of joy.  The skipping down the sidewalk with a cheesy grin on your face joy.  The humming a tune as you go about your day whether you’re at work or at play, just humming along or whistling to that tune that is stuck in your head.  Your feel good, happy dance, basking in the memories joy.

There are several things that come to mind for me.  Receiving flowers picked fresh from my yard from my baby girl brings extreme joy down deep within my heart and soul.  Whether it’s roses that she picks from my rose bushes or even just yellow dandelion yard flowers that pop up in the grass that she gives to me.  Each and every flower is precious and thrills me completely.  Just last night as I was riding my horse, Sugar, my daughter came bouncing down the driveway straight toward me with our two goats hot on her heels.  As she reached my horse and I, she smiled widely and said, “Close your eyes, Mama,” as she took two fingers and swiped in the air in a downward motion.  I could feel a little grin forming on my lips as I did as she asked.  When I opened my eyes upon her prompting, I saw a pretty mini rose that she picked just for me.  I thanked her and told her how special that was to me, and then I tucked the rose in a loop on my saddle where it stayed secure the rest of the ride.  She bounced around the yard, skipping and smiling, as she played with such delight.  I smiled deep within my soul.

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Another thing that brings great joy is seeing my 18 year old daughter enjoying her new job at the bank.  She’s held jobs before, but they’ve been at different fast food restaurants in town where she was on her feet all the time.  She had to deal with harsh customers at times, clean up duty, and working long hours for little pay.  Now, though, she’s working a job where she exclaimed with excitement after her first day, “I get to sit down now, Mama … the whole day!”  It’s the little things that mean so much.  Never before has she appreciated being able to sit, until she worked three part time jobs where sitting was not an option unless on a quick break.  I have joy in my heart as I watch her go through my closet and pick out clothes to wear to work.  Clothes that she once wouldn’t be caught dead in, and now, she realizes the value of these clothes as they are appropriate for a business setting.  She has even received compliments on her attire from coworkers at the bank. She says she smiles and tells them that they are her mother’s clothes.  Then she adds, “Do you REALLY think I’d buy stuff like this?  Pul-lease …” and she laughs as she throws her head back.  Ah, but while she jokes, I know she really doesn’t find them unflattering or undesirable, as she is back every morning to “steal” more clothes from my closet to wear to work.

Early mornings are filled with joy as God wakes me with sunlight streaming through my window.  I am thankful for the gift of another day with my family.  As I hear my husband in the bathroom getting ready to greet the day, I smile inside as I’m ever so thankful that he’s here, a part of my life, and that I get the privilege of being his wife.  Just as I snuggle back into the sheets and pull the plush comforter over my shoulder, he comes out of the bathroom and slides his hand into mine.  I begin to stir and reach for his arm to pull him closer to me to give him a kiss and hug before he leaves for work.  And I smile, deep within my heart, as there is sweet joy to carry me the rest of the day until we see each other again after the work day is through.

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Then there’s my parents … watching them interact together after 49 years of marriage.  Yes, they have their moments as all couples do, but they get past them.  They work it out, and they move on to happier times.  They are still making memories together, and I am thankful that I have the honor of being their daughter and a witness to their love and life together.  I’m filled with joy when I see my daughters interacting with their grandparents, running into their arms when they see them whether it’s been a few weeks or a few days, the greeting is the same.

And last, but not least, among the things that come fresh to my mind that bring me joy … my animals.  Ah, first I have to  mention the goat baby, as I call her, that we brought home at just two weeks old and had to keep in a crate in the house due to the cold weather.  We bottle fed this little baby every four hours for weeks, changed the crate, took it outside to play, and loved on this little girl every chance we got.  Because of how we handled her, she has no idea that she is even a goat right now.  As she’s grown, we had to move her outside with our other goat, but you can tell a difference in the two.  While Angel was handled as a baby as well, she doesn’t have the bond with us as our goat baby, Tory, has.  Little Tory will come over to me and get in my lap, settle in, and let me hold her for long periods of time.  She is so content being in my arms, and that brings me great joy.

Goat Baby Goat Baby1

All of my animals bring me joy.  Every single one.

Precious, the little Toy Poodle that we had for 13 years, passed on July 9, 2015.  Our hearts were broken, yet we knew the end was near.  She hung in there as long as she possibly could, and we had quiet moments with her before her passing.  I’ll never forget the weekend before she passed as I sat out on the hammock, and little Precious came hobbling alongside me, her back permanently arched from the arthritis that set in.  I leaned down enough for her to climb into my lap, and she sat there with me for the longest time just letting me hold her next to me.  As the days went by and her health declined, I wondered if that was her way of saying that the end was near and to just enjoy the moments we do have together, hold on to them and remember these good times we shared as it gets harder in the days to come after I’m gone.  Oh I miss that little white cotton ball of a dog.  Tears fill my eyes now as I think of her and the history as she was there during both of my children’s childhood.  They had so much joy in their little hearts loving on this little puppy that looked like a teddy bear when we got her.  There is still joy in our hearts when we relive the moments with her as we think of my oldest carrying Precious around like a baby and dressing her in frilly clothes, to my youngest daughter pushing Precious around in a baby stroller and taking her “grocery shopping” in her little grocery cart.  Yes, these memories bring us joy, even on days when it’s hard and we are missing Precious so much.  I still find joy in my heart thinking of this little four pound dog that had so much love for our entire family.  Even my husband had a soft spot for this little dog.  We got her just before we got married, and he was affected by her passing as well.

Precious

My horses – oh do I even need to say that they bring me joy?  It is obvious by the many pictures I take on trail rides and the smile plastered across my face every time I speak of them to my family, friends, and coworkers.  Even when I feel as if I don’t have anything to say that day, if someone asks about my horses, I can talk for hours on end just about them!  Yes, I am that horse crazy and in love with them.  They bring me joy from the hours we spend on their backs trail riding, to the quiet moments in the yard watching them graze, to the counseling sessions where they take my heartache and pain and replace it with nickers, neighs, and lots of horse love along the way.

Yes, this is the joy I speak of …

What brings YOU joy?

 

Free

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I heard about another senseless act of violence again today.  Marines and a police officer, from what I understand, were gunned down in Tennessee.  I’m not sure of any other details as I refused to watch the news, and I didn’t click on the news story when it came up in my news feed on Facebook.

Yesterday, I did watch the news, and I learned of a shooting in the small town of Holly Hill in South Carolina.  This is way too close to home for me.  Five people were gunned down in their home.  Two adults – ages 50 and 28 – and three children were involved – ages 17, 12, and 8, I believe.  Two of the three children died at the scene along with the two adults.  The third child – age 8 years old – was airlifted to a hospital in Charleston, South Carolina, where he remains in critical condition.  The last I heard on this case, the suspect was still at large, and they did not have a motive in this shooting.

My heart was overcome with sadness upon hearing this not even a month after nine were gunned down in their church!

Oh my heart aches for this world and what is happening in this day and age.  From fights regarding a flag, a piece of fabric that others were so offended by that waved over the state house and on Fort Sumter in South Carolina, right on to racial organizations — on both sides — rallying at the state house this coming weekend, to innocent lives being lost once again.

Lord, we need you!  We need you now more than ever.

Why can’t we live in a world without violence, without the need for gun control.  I wish God would reach down His mighty hand and save us from ourselves and our fellow man that has hate in their hearts.  And if only … if only we could reach a point to where one day there would not be any more racial discussions, rallies, or fights needing to be resolved.  If we could do away with the racial tension and accept each other with open arms and love – red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.  So should they be with all of us as well!   Each and every life is precious – no matter the color of our skins!  We are all beautiful creations from God above.

It is my desire that peace, love, and harmony would prevail.  It sounds so simple, for us to all just get along, and yet, it’s just out of our grasp when people are so set against something — and often times, each other — with no compromise in sight.

Love your neighbor as yourself.  Why is that so hard to do?  When will we be free of prejudice, racism, hate, murders, and fear of what is to come?

This post was inspired by the Five Minute Friday prompt word of: Free.

Love Yourself God's Creation

National “I Love Horses” Day!

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Imagine our excitement when we realized that today is National “I Love Horses” Day!

While we have been horse owners for a year and a half now, we have been horse lovers since we were children. I remember longing for a little pony of my very own when I was just a little girl. My parents were not able to afford a horse, and so my dream did not become a reality until my early 40s. With such a passion for these gigantic, yet magnificent creatures, our hearts were thrilled as we worked hard around our house putting up fencing, getting troughs, salt blocks, and building a shelter preparing to bring these gentle giants home! After begging and pleading with my husband, as we surely had enough land to accommodate horses, he finally said, “Yes!” And … I took off with it! I set out to find THE perfect horse for us … and purchased three in one weekend. 🙂 Yes … I … Did!! I ran with it because I did not want my husband to have an opportunity to back out of this one. My dream was finally becoming a reality!

Our Horses

The three horses turned into five horses over the course of these 18 months, and we couldn’t be happier. My 10 year old daughter has horse fever as well, and she rides with us on the trails. We love that we share this passion for the horses together as a family.

Visit

My 18 year old daughter was interested in the horses for a short while. Then her interest turned to boys, music, and bands. It is our hope, though, that our youngest daughter will keep this passion alive within her heart for her horses and will be committed to this lifestyle. It really and truly is a way of life now. It isn’t a phase we’re going through. We are in this for the long haul. We understand that horses can live to be 30 years old, and we’re praying that we’ll be here to grow old with them. Then, when we are old and gray, we will still go out to the barn to love on our beloved horses.

Arizona

These horses are more than just a hobby that never stops eating, as we’ve heard them called before. They bring us so much joy and happiness. Honestly, if I’m having a bad day, all I have to do is walk to the barn, grab a lead rope and halter, open the gate, and bring my beloved horse out to join me for a grooming session. With every stroke of the brush over their mane, looking into there dark eyes, feeling the soft velvet muzzle, and whispering my cares into their big ears … my cares seem to fade away as the stress leaves my body. These horses are more like therapists and counselors. Without saying a single word, they are there, ever present, offering their love. Horses are so calming and soothing as well. I can go outside to work with the horses and come back inside tired but feeling like the weight of the world has been lifted off of my shoulders.

Shirley and Arizona

In all my life, I never thought I’d say that I do not mind the smell of horse manure. It does not gross me out to see it or smell it, and I’m not embarrassed when my horse has to stop right there in the middle of the trail to do it either. It comes along with horse ownership, and I proudly clean up after my horse and pause for “poopy breaks” out on the trails as my daughter and I like to call them when the horses stop without warning on the trail to relieve themselves.

Yes, I have it bad if I’m sitting here even talking about horse manure and how I don’t mind that either. hahahaha

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We are blessed to have these beautiful creatures as part of our family now.

Mother's Day Ride

For all you horse lovers out there, Happy National “I Love Horses” Day! For those that haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing being on the back of a horse, I encourage you to consider it in the near future. There is something so exciting and exhilarating about getting on the back of a horse. You are trusting these massive creatures literally with your life, and they respect and honor you in return. It truly is a partnership with your horse. Any time you get on the horse, you become a team. You are bonded as one, and you work together to accomplish things out on the trail, at a horse show, or even at a jumping event. You have to have a connection with your horse, and once you do, once you develop this bond … there is no breaking it and no turning back. You will never be sorry to have given your heart to a horse.

My Girl

Even on days when I don’t feel like working them, as we have given them a break in this 100 degree weather this past week, you still go out to the barn to bond with them. We spend time with the horses, from sitting out in the middle of the pasture with them as they are busy grazing on all the available grass they can find, or giving them a cool bath in the hot Summertime heat and heaviness of the Southern humidity. You will make any excuse to be with your horse, even if all you do is give extra hay or apple horse treats, which are their favorite, by the way! The more time you spend with the horses, the more you are cementing the bond you share.

Notice

Prayer

Here’s to horse lovers every where! And … to future ones in the making right this minute. Reach for the stars, and live your dream!

Hitchcock Woods

Beach

Our Little Getaway

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Have you ever just opened your eyes in the morning and had this overwhelming need and desire to get away for a little while?  With July 4th upon us, we had that very feeling Saturday morning.  Thinking that trail riding with our horses would “scratch that itch,” we loaded up the horse trailer and spent several hours being one with nature.  While that helped, I still felt a strong pull toward something greater that evening.

With my newly graduated daughter starting her “big girl” job at the bank on Monday, I had a desire to throw a few things in a bag and head to the ocean for a celebratory trip for her landing that job!  So, we did!  Our little getaway was a spur of the moment decision to go where we find joy.  I do find the greatest joy in being with my family!

After hours of trail riding fun Saturday, I turned to my husband who was in the driver seat and said, “Let’s go to St. Augustine!”  I’m sure he thought I was nuts, but he did not hesitate.  I called my daughters and asked them to pack their bags, and we would be home to get them.  They were EXCITED, and that thrilled my heart completely.  My 10 year old always wants to go on outings with us, but some times our 18 year old would rather not.  This time, though, she was rearing to go, having herself and her sister ready, as well as having both of their bags packed when we entered the house.

And away we went as a white and black striped lighthouse with a red top was calling my name.  It was none other than the St. Augustine Lighthouse in St. Augustine, Florida.  Ah, yes, I find joy in family time, lighthouses, and beautiful scenery!

I have been following their page on Facebook for a while now, even sharing some of their pictures and quotes from their page.  I actually saw where they “followed” the shared post over to my Light Love Hope Facebook page and “liked” it, too!  I felt a special thrill when I saw that.  Yes, it is the little things that make me happy!

Seeing the newly renovated pictures, I was, indeed, drawn to this beauty.

St. Augustine Lighthouse

 

We knew we would not have long in St. Augustine on this spur of the moment, spontaneous trip.  Yet, we packed as much fun as we could into the time we did have.  I wrote on my Facebook status a few of my favorite things, which are my family, lighthouses, and waking up in St. Augustine to see their lighthouse, and that IS how we began the next morning.

Shortly after the lighthouse opened, we were there to get our tickets for the tour.  There were 219 steps that would take you all the way to the top of the lighthouse, and I walked every single step with great determination.  While the others were panting, taking breaks, and slightly complaining, I was on a mission to get to the top.  I took every step with great pride as I thought of the lighthouse keeper that would carry oil to the very top.  While others complained, the keeper had an important job to do.  There was no time for complaining for him!  I was mindful of this as I made my way to the top.

Stairs inside the lighthouse

I’ve heard that this particular lighthouse is haunted.  There have been several deaths at the lighthouse through the years, and after hour tours are held where you will hear several of those stories.

This lighthouse is just intriguing to me.  It is still a working lighthouse today and has the original lens from 1874.

While we did not encounter any ghosts on our trip, we did enjoy the breathtaking view at the top.  You can see for 25 miles from there, and after hiking up steps equal to that of a 14 story building, the welcomed breeze as we stepped out onto the deck at the top felt marvelous.  One tip, though.  If you are afraid of heights, this would not be a good idea for you to try!  Honestly.  If you just want to say that you did it, just don’t look down when you’re up there.  Look around … look left, right, and out in front of you.  But, do NOT look down!

Our getaway

After our morning at the top of the lighthouse, we wanted to see the view of the historic city from the water!  We set out in search of a cruise but did not have to go far as the marina was maybe 15 minutes away.  We chose the one hour and 15 minute cruise, and we were delighted as we took in all the sights as the tour guide told all about this beautiful city.  We even got to see the draw bridge open up to allow an extremely tall sailboat to go through.  My 10 year old was fascinated by this!

draw bridge

We stopped for lunch and to browse a few shops along the way.  Then we found the oldest house and the oldest schoolhouse, too!

The Oldest House

Oldest School House

We ended our time in St. Augustine at their wax museum.  We saw famous people like Elvis Presley, Britney Spears, characters from Seinfield, and even Maleficent, too.  They had people from history, also, like former Presidents and First Ladies, as well as members of Congress from many, many years ago.  I was very impressed with this exhibit!

Congress

Initially, I wasn’t sure how my children would like the wax museum, but they said they loved it!  Score one for Mom!

After playing around and posing like the statues, a huge thunderstorm rolled in … and we made our way to the car to roll out.  We began our journey back home having enjoyed the holiday weekend together as a family doing things that bring us the greatest joy!

Ah, St. Augustine … with all of your history and beauty, we will see you again soon!

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This post goes perfectly with Karen’s prompt phrase of “I find joy in …”

Visit her each Tuesday for a new prompt phrase/word.

 

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