Embracing Spring - GodVine

 

The following story comes from GodVine.  It was the perfect story to wake up and find, as it is full of hope and beauty.  The writer helps you feel the awakening of Spring, not only with a view of the changing season, but with the hope of a changed future and a better life and renewal of mind, body and soul.

Embracing Spring

After a long, cold, and rough Winter I am patiently counting the days now until Spring arrives here in the mountains of my home. It will be so glorious to see the rebirth of the world once again. Soon the first dandelion will cautiously poke its head through the ground to delight in the newly warm air. Soon the Apple, Dogwood, and Cherry trees will awaken and fill their limbs with brilliant and fragrant blossoms. Soon the mountains will turn a thousand shades of green as the leaves appear and every glance at them will bring a smile to my face. Soon the meadows will be full of fresh, new grass that will an inviting carpet for any barefoot child to walk on. Soon the skies will be full of returning birds and their Heavenly songs will make my heart sing as well. Soon the gentle breezes will carry the dance of the butterflies as they float happily from flower to flower. Soon the beautiful sounds of talking neighbors, laughing teenagers, and playing children will fill the air as everyone ventures out to enjoy the mild temperatures and golden sunshine.

When those days get here I will embrace them with all of my heart, soul, and mind. I will look to the Heavens as well and thank God for once again bringing new life to this world. Most of all, though, I will seek out the Springtime within myself and continue to share it with everyone I meet.

You see, God blesses the world with Spring once a year but blesses us with Spring everyday of our lives. Each time we pray, share our love, spread our joy, stop to help another, or do a single act of kindness it is once again Springtime in our souls. Embrace the Springtime in within you then no matter what the season. Live from the eternal Spring of life, goodness, and love that God gives you and help Him renew this world each and everyday. Spring is the season of new life. May your Springtime last forever.

 GodVine

Oh How My Heart Yearns for Autumn!

Oh how my heart yearns for Autumn!!

We have lived near the ocean for over 24 years and have enjoyed the gorgeous sea, but what I have missed the most was Autumn.  The crispness of the air, the sight of falling leaves, the beautiful colors changing like a masterful painting coming to life, all said to me that this was the time to reflect and be thankful.  We cannot wait until Autumn is part of our life again.  Fall is like a cleansing of my soul.  Oh how my heart yearns for Autumn!!

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All those golden autumn days the sky was full of wings. Wings beating low over the blue water of Silver Lake, wings beating high in the blue air far above it . . . bearing them all away to the green fields in the South. 

- Laura Ingalls Wilder

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. 

- John Muir

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. 
- George Eliot

Children Are Listening!

It is interesting what you learn from children!  Many times what you hear are things that make you feel so special you could almost burst.  Other times, children share things they have learned from other people or media that gives your heart a chill!  You know that children are listening and sharing what they learn.  Be careful what you teach your children.  Be aware that children are listening!!

From:  Into the Woods - Children Will Listen 

How do you say to your child in the night?
Nothing's all black, but then nothing's all white
How do you say it will all be all right
When you know that it might not be true?
What do you do?

Careful the things you say
Children will listen
Careful the things you do
Children will see and learn
Children may not obey, but children will listen
Children will look to you for which way to turn
To learn what to be
Careful before you say "Listen to me"
Children will listen

Careful the wish you make 
Wishes are children
Careful the path they take
Wishes come true, not free
Careful the spell you cast
Not just on children
Sometimes the spell may last
Past what you can see
And turn against you
Careful the tale you tell
That is the spell
Children will listen

How can you say to a child who's in flight
"Don't slip away and i won't hold so tight"
What can you say that no matter how slight Won't be misunderstood
What do you leave to your child when you're dead?
Only whatever you put in it's head
Things that you're mother and father had said
Which were left to them too
Careful what you say
Children will listen
Careful you do it too
Children will see
And learn, oh guide them that step away
Children will glisten
Tamper with what is true
And children will turn
If just to be free
Careful before you say
"Listen to me"

Remember

Remember.

Hunting For Our Dream

Colorado Dreaming

It really takes a lot of patience when you are trying to sell your home!  We have been in the process of selling ours for around 2 months.  The housing market and the economy make things a little harder. But, we feel that timing is important and we cannot hurry the process.  We have to feel good about our buyers and we know when the right buyers present themselves, we will know and it will be time to move forward.  In spite of all the obstacles we are still putting one foot in front of the other with the process of picking up roots and starting our new adventure in Colorado.

It is strange when you finally decide to make a drastic change in your life.  You find that all you think about is the next step forward, even if the steps go very slowly.  My husband and I were talking about the mindset one gets into when they make a major "change" decision.  You suddenly find yourself thinking every day about the next move.  You hardly live in the present because you are constantly thinking about the next step toward the future.  We are staying balanced and realistic though, doing what we need to do in the present, even though are dreams are constantly in our mind and the future seems more real than the present.

We recently took a week's vacation to Colorado Springs, and although we did not make any firm offers (since our house has to sell first) we did fall in love with the area of Woodland Park and Divide about 18 miles from Colorado Springs.  We did enjoy Colorado Springs, but felt that the "city" was really not our niche.  We loved the rural area in the mountains and hope to find a western, country, Colorado home.  We loved the log cabins and country houses that we encountered.  We loved the prairie between the mountain ridges where the beauty was overwhelming.  We loved the idea of living "above the clouds" which is how Woodland Park is known.  We do love being close to Colorado Springs, but far enough away that we can step into 2 worlds at one time.  Now I remember what it felt like to be a kid at Christmastime.  You knew it was coming, but it always seemed so far away.  Anyway, we are anxious for the day when we move our household goods and step into our home and say "ahhhh.....home!"

While we visited and ultimately found the area where we want to live in Colorado, we got to see all kinds of wildlife.  We realized that we would coexist with nature in a dramatic way.  The thought of sharing our space with beautiful wild creatures and being able to watch them from our home was such an exciting feeling and something we cannot wait to see on a daily basis.  To say we are excited is an understatement.  We cannot wait to start this next part of our life.  We are so ready for this new adventure.  While we were in Colorado we saw wild mountain goats, a bear, geese,  and lots of deer.  We saw a 5-point buck laying quietly in someone's backyard.  We saw 2 young deer as they scampered   out of view as we drove up to see a potential house.  Obviously, Colorado is horse and cow country so you definitely had the feeling that you had come upon a scene in a movie.  We half expected to see cowboys and indians appear.  It was so cool!!!

We do not know for sure what our home will look like, or where our home will exactly be, but we know that our life will change drastically.  My sister once said, "Sometimes it is good to shake things up."  I agree!  I think, for us anyway, that this move is going to help us appreciate even more all the adventures we have had in our life and it is never too late to try something new and exciting.  We only have one life and we want to experience all our dreams!  Bring it on new adventure!!  We are so ready!!