2016, A New Year!!!

“Thus far the Lord has helped us."

                              1Samuel 7:12

                      

These words, these inspired words in today's devotion, December 31, from Streams in the Desert, are my sincerest salutation to  All of you!

'The Alpine shepherds have a beautiful custom of ending the day by singing to one another an evening farewell. The air is so crystalline that the song will carry long distances. As the dusk begins to fall, they gather their flocks and begin to lead them down the mountain paths, singing, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. Let us praise His name!”And at last with a sweet courtesy, they sing to one another the friendly farewell: “Goodnight! Goodnight!” The words are taken up by the echoes, and from side to side the song goes reverberating sweetly and softly until the music dies away in the distance....'

As we bid farewell to 2015, I pray that this song I sing to you will also be carried long distances,  'Thus far the Lord has helped us, let us praise His name!!!'

A safe, warm, inspired and healthy New Year!!

Winter Trees...

There is something so beautiful to me about the late afternoon light any season of the year. Here we are, it is early February. The 5 o'clock hour, is no different on bare trees, maybe even more beautiful, as the trees show their complex design. With the big Colorado skies as a background, I was happy to capture this one shot as we drove through the park on our way home yesterday. Bowls me over every time...and then this morning in my readings from Streams in the Desert, this, love this: 

'Be like a bird that, halting in its flight,
Rests on a bough too slight.
And feeling it give way beneath him sings,
Knowing he hath wings.'

BOUGH: a main branch of a tree, branch, limb, arm, offshoot

"apple boughs laden with blossom" 

'snow-laden pine boughs'

New Year, 2013....

This has been a most memorable year, 2012. We relocated from Rhode Island and kissed the ocean goodbye, we said hello to Colorado  and the majesty of her mountains, as we adjusted to living 6000 feet in the air, we lost Mom in August. We gained a deeper faith and hope, we made new friends. We have seen sunrises and sunsets of awesome beauty which were previously unimaginable to us. We saw the Canyon burn, and met heroes along the way. We have wept w/ the nation upon seeing Sandy and Newton, Ct. Yet and still we can say, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us', (1 Samuel 7:12). 'Whether through poverty, wealth, sickness, or health, whether at home or abroad, or on land, sea, or air, and whether in honor, dishonor, difficulties, joy, trials, triumph, prayer or temptation - 'Thus far the Lord has helped!' (Streams in the Desert, December 31).

It is our hope and prayer for you to have a blessed and healthy 2013, with glorious and miraculous prospects!!!!!