SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Around the neighborhood

6/30/13 Sometimes beauty is right before your eyes. It's like "seeing God's hand." It's there all the time; one just has to notice. Beauty of friends & family helping with grandson supervising, children laughing & playing and yummy s'mores when temps drop.

Dance, anyone?

6/29/13 As a mom, as a grandmom (aka Shug) as a teacher, my desire has been, and continues to be, to live a spirit-filled life. Not just that those whom I nurture or come in contact with at church, at work or thru my blog hear my words and see my, hopefully worthy "walk," BUT also are encouraged to "follow suit." To pursue a life filled with the vitali-TEA of Christ. To not just walk but to "dance!"

To dance with the "Lord of the Dance."

I keep calling out because I want everyone to "join the dance." "My" Ukraine ladies dance. Thru them the ladies in India are dancing. I want Memphis to dance.

But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance..." (Matthew 11:16-17) 

Our lives matter. Our days matter. Won't you join me in the dance? 

"Pouring Out ......

6/28/13 What is a life of simplicity? To the Christian, it boils down to "simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3) How does one "share" that life with others?
For over a month, I scripturally explored such a life in order to "pour out" into the lives of others. Pouring out those truths which the Lord had shown me.  Though the group represented only 

1½ generation span, my desire for each was similar to Paul's for all God's holy people "......you will shine among them like stars in the sky."(Philippians 2:15)

My prayer for the group is "that their life is "played out" before the world-----fully lived and Spirit-filled." Then, others might see folks who love the Lord more, and love others better while blessing Him and benefitting others through God inspired service.

Pouring out a full-bodied pure assam leaf tea from the Brahmaputra Valley of India to promote the  rich,  refreshing  enjoyment of a cuppa and the practice of hospitali-TEA! 

 Service is the "pouring out" (practical application) of one's life to profit others. It flows from the heart.

Simplici-TEASession #4 practicali-TEA w/ generosi-TEA & hospitali-TEA Notes
Fosters's Outward Expressions of Simplicity Notes

WACKY WEDNESDAY

6/26/13 Wacky Wednesday.....it's that time of summer when we head to the art gallery to learn about artists and create our own art that is "similar" to that of the "masters." "My" Molly does a great job co-ordinating the activities for the kids. So.....Shug and Pop-Pop, both like to go to WW with 6 yr. old Owen. Our big day ended w/ everyone going to Theater Memphis for "Singing in the Rain"---a MUST SEE!!! Shug & Pop-Pop went with friends and Molly & Owen had a mommy-son date night.

WACKY WEDNESDAYS----DON"T MISS---FREE ADMISSION --10-12

Aspiring artists see movies & create Claude Monet flowers as they learn about the artist.

This month's activities are co-ordinated with the Carroll Cloar exhibit.

Snaggle-tooth mails his picture postcard at the Carroll Cloar  interactive gallery for kids.

Play with color and light--- important aspects of art 

Art books provided--more inspiration. Owen's fave was Magritte's Marvelous Hat  with 

transparent pages adding another level of surrealism.

Mommy & son "date night" at Theater Memphis. 

GREAT FINALE for a Wacky Wednesday full of "the arts."

Owen "meets" Lydia Hart, the STAR of the show and a friend of his mommy.

Ah-h-h, that we all should have more Wacky Wednesday's in our lives. They're there. Glorious things are hidden in the ordinary days. The more we celebrate those, the more extraordinary they become.
As the Belgium artist, Rene Magritte (1898-1967) said, "Everything we see hides another thing, we always want to see what is hidden by what we see."
I say, "Celebrate the ordinary! When we celebrate the ordinary, the extraordinary becomes visible."

Emergency Meditation

6/24/13 Cling to God's Hand. Hold His hand that you might not stumble or fall headlong. But God is the One who holds your hand. (Psalm 34:23-24)

Therefore when phone calls interrupt one's "peace" he/she can remember the One who is actually doing the holding......

My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5-6)

.....even sitting in the emergency room waiting on tests for "my" Molly.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Michèle!!!!!!!!!!

6/23/13 Michèle!!!!!!!!!! THAT'S 10 EXCITEMENTS! (Owen's perfect definition of exclamation points.)
Michèle Phoenix, with whom I share not only the 1 John 1:3 type of believer's fellowship but also the 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 fellowship which is shared by sisters in the faith on the same side of the struggle. Her MAC cancer journey began a year ahead of mine. She lived in Germany at the time, but God....brought us together using daughter Molly's relentless searching on the internet. Michèle even involved her choral students from Black Forest Academy----who "sang" from afar, songs of encouragement to me. We have sent met stateside 4 times and now that her ministry to MKs (missionary kids) has her living in Wheaton, IL I hope He blesses us with lots more meetings.

"Scar to Scar" celebration at Charlie Gitto's "on the hill" in St. Louis with Michèle Phoenix and her mom.

This weekend we met in St. Louis to encourage her as her book "Tangled Ashes," a great novel with a little mystery intertwined, is in the top three finalist for the ICRS (International Christian Retailers Show) "Christy" award. Being a finalist is BIG and I hope she wins----but regardless,  Michèle is the WINNER in my book as she has continued to live out 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7 for me.

St. Louis pix for Michèle & Sally.

Saturday Conviction

6/22/13 Saturday Conviction came in the form of a question seen in a store window in St. Charles.

Cute cobblestone town---the question, not so cute?

"Have you prayed about it as much as you have talked about it?

Convicting is a better question descriptor on this Saturday in Missouri.

Night-Watches Note-Taker

6/21/13 Being the time compulsive planner that I am---I have a watch that glows with the pressures of my thumb. No light needed from bedside lamp, thus allowing hubby to sleep, undisturbed.

For as long as I can remember, I have kept a note pad and pen on my bedside table to “jot” down all those thoughts that come in the night----thus, enabling me to return to sleep. However, said notes are written uphill and down hill & are often indecipherable the next morning.

But….recently, Betty Ferrell, a fellow “Revival” prayer warrior, gave me (a night watches note taker / jotter) the perfect gift! A ball point pen with a lighted tip. Just a “quiet” click and I’m in business during the night watches as hubby snores on.

Beasley Law Firm provides a great gift---pens with lighted tips. Now if I can just  find where to order them so I can pass on this gem to all my night owlish note-taking friends.

My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word. (Psalm 119: 148, NASB)

When I remember Thee upon my bed, I meditate on Thee in the night-watches. (Psalm 63:6)

For me, night-watches meditation needs to be accompanied by night-watches note taking or I can’t remember when the mornig sun comes up.

Simplici-TEA session 3, Mentali-TEA/Clari-TEA notes, updated 4 pm CST 6/21/13

Dreg of Excessive Planning addendum

6/20/13 Two days ago I posted the "dreg"(sin) in my life. Excessive overplanning. With further research  I "stumbled" on "Over Planners Anonymous." Everything from an "empty blog" and discussion groups---with some like gripe sessions others like funny confessionals (I'm such a super planner that I have to plan time for spontaneity) to thought-provoking devotionals. Funny and convicting. There was even a blog for "Disney trip overplanners." More conviction!

Just naming said dreg as sin was convicting enough for me. But God......didn't leave me there wallowing in  anguish and defeat.

Example of "old school" excessive planning---add to that...electronic calendars w/ audio prompts & emails and piles of post-it notes and you have an idea of the weight of my "dreg."

My blog entry ended with my confession but God began to bring scripture to mind. Reminders for one who trusts in the Lord and not in self from Proverbs 3: 5-6 soothed me with the words of reassurance,  "that as I acknowledge Him, He will direct me, making my paths straight."
Other verses of comfort:

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." (Proverbs 16:3, NIV)

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21, NIV) 

And we know that all things God work for the good of those who know Him.. (Romans 8:28, NIV)

So grateful that God's word always gives hope---even for  "excessive overplanners."

Simplicity group members access to "Overplanners Anonymous."

Hones-TEA

6/19/13 Rummaging through a friend's "fridge" I found a "tea" that I had never seen before. Though I was taken back by this discovery, I loved seeing one more affirmation from the Lord. He continues to teach me in such creative ways---even through word play on "tea."

Our summer refreshment group, dubbed "simplici-TEA," has been doing a lot of that.  Fellowship has occurred in an unusual way as we have been seeking clari-TEA from God's word on living a life of simplicity and devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthinas 11:3). It has become for me a "safe" group. A group which allows its members to be honest with each other. Uni-TEA has resulted in honesTEA!

How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

For those "accepting" group members, the links below are for the 2 forms I neglected to pass out last night. Hopefully, 6/18 lecture notes will be added by Friday.

Simplici-TEA Bibliography
Sweet Tea ABC's---A few examples are given, but please add to this list as "tea" words come to mind.
Dregs ABCs---A few examples are given, but please add to this list as "dreg" words come to mind, even if not ending in "ity or TEA. 

"HOUSE RULES"

6/18/13 Rushing in the door after our simplici-TEA session, I heard "The Voice" blaring from the TV so I knew I had made it home in time to hear the winner announced. This is the first season I've ever watched the show but when 4 singers from Memphis were selected, I was hooked. 

As I dropped my bags on the couch, 4 of the former guys sang "Ain't Too Proud to Beg".....so-o-o-o hubby and I danced. We always do when "our" dancin' song plays. It's the rule---no matter when or where it plays, we dance. We hadn't  heard it in a good long while, but we got our groove back.

Tonight it was a house rule! What a fun rule!


The Voice Update: Danielle Bradbery, a 16 yr. old from Cypress, TX, won. She and the other top 2 contenders also won a car, whic is sort of ironic since she doesn't even have her driver's license. At least she's from another favorite state (5 of my grands live there) and Sarah and Kris, two Memphians were also featured in the finale.

Sarah Simmons was a student at the Visible Music College on Madison Ave., a school that not only trains vocal artists in music, but in discipleship, worship and ministry as well. Kris Thomas grew up singing in his church choir where is father was the preacher. Grateful for the exposure of these two and hope they remain true to their "roots."

DREGS

6/18/13 In previous blog entries I have given a variety of euphemisms to the word "dregs." Dissatisfactions. Disappointments. Leftovers. Remnants. Worthless parts.

Last weeks simplici-TEA assignment /discussion encouraged looking at a specific "dreg" in one's own life. Identifying and dealing with dregs in our lives is one part of the meditation process. This week the focus was to be on that component. Component #3.

Using the Tea with Thee form, to aid in the blending, brewing, steeping and serving of our scripture meditation we were to ask God to show us our hearts....to see if there be any hurtful/wicked/offensive way in us. (Psalm 139:24) Allowing God to investigate/ cross-examine/test us can be so revealing, and even painful. But God....can use it to bring one to the point of crying out to Him, to "create in me a clean heart, O Lord" (Psalm 51:10) which can lead to a renewed Spirit within, i.e. a change in attitude or behavior.

1. Sip---find a verse or passage of scripture and "steep" it in prayer
2. Savor--think on it with prayerful guidance of God's Spirit 
3. Discard the dregs--eliminate the distasteful parts shown in your life
4. Pour out--not only to yourself but share what God has shown you thus benefitting others as well

The dreg, which God brought to my mind, was EXCESSIVE PLANNING. Though difficult to savor (think on) something so "bitter" in one's own life, it is necessary in order for God to teach truth and for change to occur.

I had to ask myself these hard questions:

• What brings on this distasteful "driven" attribute? 
• Am I still desiring  perfection, even though I know that's unattainable? 
• Is it fear based? 
• Is there a root of unbelief?

In Jesus Calling entry 4/25, author Sarah Young states, "fear often manifests itself in excessive planning." Christians know that fear is not from God because He has said, "I will always be with you." (Hebrews 13:5) Do I truly believe that? If I do, then my actions are not showing trust. Certainly a lack of trust can thwart intimacy with Him.

This dreg my friends is nothing but sin. By any other name, it's still sin. 

It's taking God out of the equation of my life's activities and actions.

It's a lack of trust. Lack of trust is rooted in unbelief.

That's not just a bitter dreg. That's sin. 

mentali-TEA Meditation

6/17/13 Preparing to teach on the importance of spiritual mentali-TEA, I hope to encourage folks to seek God through His word, that they might know Him better. (Ephesians 1:17-18)

I want them to "desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" (1 Peter 2:2) and be ready for the "meat" that comes from meditating on God's Word.

Thanks to neighbor, Jane who shared her beautiful hydrangeas with me.

"Pitcher" perfect for aiding my meditation on desiring God's Word/ 

May all discover the joy and delight of Jeremiah 15:16,

Your words were found and I ate them,
And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart;
For I have been called by Your name,
O Lord God of hosts.

Think (mentali-TEA & beyond) on that verse until you can truly "taste and see" that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

6/16/13 As Owen asked Molly, "Why are there 3 excitements after Happy Father's Day!!! ?" Well Owen, those excitements (also known as exclamation points) do indicate excitement. Excitement for all of us who have sons and son-in-laws who are dads today, because that means we are grandparents.

So....today is exciting....except, not totally. 

Two years ago today, Daddy died. And that takes a good bit of the excitement out of the day. 

But God....reminds me of the 89 years I had with a father who loved me, never raised his voice and was known "about town" as a quiet and gentle man, noted for his integrity.

Both of us with a head full of dark hair.
 I don't remember the picture--but  I so-o-o remember Daddy!

Much like King David, Daddy "walked with integrity of heart and uprightness..." (1 Kings 9:4) 

Praises that the Lord was Daddy's shield in WWII and through many years of good health as he "worked" until he was 88. Proverbs 2:8 says, "He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints."

Fancing a Re-Brewing

6/15/13 Grappa is the leftovers of wine. Grounds are coffee leftovers---some folks have been known to put them in their pipes for smoking. In "my" tea world, the leftover remnants of the tea leaves are called dregs. Dregs are seen as the most worthless part. Negativi-TEA! The parts we don't want to brew or re-brew.

But God.....in His Word has shown me  the worthless parts or the negatives in my life that I had never even noticed before. Conviction occurs.   

Awareness brings me to my knees. Change happens. A turnaround ensues. The dregs served their purpose----rather, God used the dregs in my heart to turn me toward Him and His purpose. 

"O, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.  (Psalm 34:8)

Fresh brewing. A sweet savor. One I fancy!

Simply Sharing

6/13/13 Sharing, among friends in the faith, isn't complicated---it's encouraging. Tuesday night was encouraging for me as gals in our simplici-TEA group "simply share"d with each other. Some sharing was done during the group time but "real" sharing continued as we sipped tea (or coffee) with yummy cake and listened one on one or two or three.

A 2000 Honor Book publication  provided some fun, simplistic tidbits for us to share in the group

.

If I Really Wanted to Simplify My Life, I Would....

• Take the scenic route home. Don't worry. Don't hurry, and don't forget to take time to smell the flowers.--Charles "Tremendous" Jones. You can turn the wheel toward a more serene experience. (emphasis mine, p. 84-85)
• Keep addresses and telephone numbers in the one place. (Information you can't find is information you can't use., 108-109)
• Go for depth over breadth. The best portion of a goo man's life is in his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love. William Wordsworth. To simply live well, dig deep into what truly matters. (p.126-127)
• Turn off as much noise as possible. In quietness and trust is your strength. (Isaiah 30:15) Noise complicates; silence simplifies. (p. 131)
• ....stay focused on the truly important things in my life. If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles. (Don Larson, p.134)

How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity. (Psalm 131:1)

How pleasant it was to "simply share" with sisters in the faith.

Sereni-TEA notes access for group members.

Life of Simplicity: a "re-brew"

6/12/13 Trying to "brew" up a life of simplicity?  Life changes require infusions of new ingredients in much the same way a cup of tea needs to be infused with just the right blends.Often times a little serenity is needed for a lifestyle 0f satisfaction.  Last night's discussion on contentment led to that conclusion. But.....also as in a cup of tea, there are dregs/dissatisfactions that need to be discarded in order to diminish any bitterness.

In life, some of those are anxiety, comparison (which can lead to envy)   fear, (of an unknown future) and greed. All of these "poisons of discontent" can stymie ones life of simplicity and thwart spiritual growth, as well.

 

There are also those dregs from the past that hold us back & keep us prisoners to those "if only" thoughts........ ; diasppointments,  failures,  regret and unforgiveness. 

Rob Bugh, pastor at Wheaton Bible Church, says, "A lack of forgiveness keeps you walking through life backwards and you miss what is in front of you----the joy of the present,"

Trying to brew life afresh so that you con enjoy the moment............... discard those dregs!

"What brings you joy?"

6/10/13 "What brings you joy?" That's what the sign at Yates and Shady Grove asked.

Not happiness, but true joy. Happiness is too circumstantial. Dependent on what's happening in your life. An "under the circumstances" viewpoint/location. A location where Mary Ann Frazier says no Christian should reside. Christ's beloved should rise above their fleeting circumstances and experience deep joy based on their relationship with Him.

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

The "lasting" answer is found in that verse. True joy, in all its fullness, regardless of one's circumstances,  is found in the Lord's Presence. A question and a verse worthy of meditation.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: " signature green apples"

6/9/13 Writers & lyricist often use the literary devices of irony or "opposite truths" to emphasize a point.  Figuratively, the lyrics in "Little Green Apples" let us KNOW the TRUTH that is opposite of the words penned as crooned by cowboy singer, Roger Miller, because.....God DID  make little green apples, and it does rain in Indianapolis in the summer time.  

Not sure if that song inspired the owners of the Alluvian, a boutique hotel in Greenwood, MS but.....they have little green apples everywhere.  Green apples are their signature.

"little green apples" at the Alluvian check-in desk

"little green apples" on the "lounge" coffee table

A bowl "little green apples"  welcome all to the Alluvian lobby. 

"little green apples"  at the 3rd floor elevator

Green apples: an Alluvian signature. Yet, no one knows why---at least no one I asked had an answer. A "true" signature is a "characteristic expression." Of what?" What might little green apples mean? I bet the produce supplier doesn't care, he's just thrilled that they chose one of his products.
For me---simple, crisp, clean eye candy!

Sweet TEAs of life

6/8/13 Tea words have been whirring in my head as I've tried to squeeze in a few simplici-TEA thoughts while on my "Great Escape" weekend. Some teas just aren't sweet. Anxiety being one of the first that comes to my mind. I certainly don't need to brew up any of that. If it does start brewing in my mind I become crotche-TEA---and the irritabili-TEA that flows forth is bitter and that's hard to swallow especially for those closest to me.

My morning quiet time, on the terrace of the Alluvian, with the hotel's Gideon Bible open to Psalm 16 had me meditating on verse 8---a great antidote for anxie-TEA.  Ringing of the nearby Episcopal church bells turned my thoughts away from negativi-TEAs to one of the sweet teas in my life.

Securi-TEA.

I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (Psalm 16:8)

That's real security......and that's sweet!!!

On the Road Again

6/6/13 Hooray Hooray, it's finally the day.! T-Cups Trek #13 begins today. It's my annual girls' trip with five FUN friends---can it still be called a "girls" trip when all are in their 60s and at least 3 are Medicare card holders!!!

Each year it is like a "great escape" for us---no responsibilities, errands, babysitting or  work. This year it's a "mystery trip" and I'm the only one who knows where we are going---scary thought.

Blues Highway Trip started with lunch at The Gallery in Merigold, MS (chocolate cobbler for dessert) & shopping at  McCarty's pottery.

Hot tubs at the Shack-up Inn come with an "outward motor" & guess who has to crank it??? 

A cold cokey cola at the Crossroads of the Blues---Highway 61 S and 49 E---think Delta Blues singer Robert  Johnson. Do you know his story? We do!

Aspects of Simplicity: Slowing

6/5/13 "Simplicity" has been an often recurring theme in my blog posts this year as far back as March 12. At least that's what a "Dotsy Details simplicity" google search indicated. For the next 3 weeks I hope to share more snippets of simplicity from the specifics of a "Summer Refreshment" study,  "simplici-TEA."

"Slowing" snippets from last nights study group:

• All true and lasting simplicity will be an overflow of one's central (heart) relationship with the Lord. 
• To simplify, Dallas Willard says one must, "Ruthlessly eliminate "hurry" from your life. 
• "Multi-tasking" is the newly coined word for "hurry sickness." Americans always seem to be in a hurry to accomplish more. 
• "Hurry sickness" is not about having a disordered schedule; rather it's about having a disordered heart. (John Ortberg) 
• Hurry is an inner condition that is fear-based. 
• Moving quickly while walking in-step with God is NOT "hurrying."
• Everything we do must come forth out of love NOT just from following rules or checking off a to-do list.
• My cuppa "simplici-TEA" could use a little brevi-TEA, and humili-TEA blended in as well a BIG scoop of "intentionali-TEA" as slowing doesn't come easy for me.

For info and assignments needed, simplici-TEA participants may click on these links and sign in with own email address and own email password when prompted. Protected because only you know your own email password.

Slowing

Simple verses

Tea With Thee
WARNINGS from yesterday, in case you missed it.

Today's "simple truth" (for me) came in this morning's Commercial Appeal.   "Labor intensive" value of a great caramel cake caught my eye. Well, that's my all-time favorite cake---I could just suck the icing right off of it. But, who has the time to make it & caramelize all that sugar. At my house, BURNING would come into play.

What I loved was the simple solution given----one with a punch. Just order one from Sugarees, in New Albany, MS makes them, which a previous blog stated but.....according to the CA article, you can request EXTRA icing. So-o-o grateful for that tasty tid-bit!!!

Oh my........ that's worth "slowing" for!  If I practiced "slowing" by taking 5 minutes to walk from my kitchen to the living room with a piece of caramel cake in hand, I'm sure just focusing on & savoring that icing would simplify the process.

Simplicity TEST

6/4/13 "Simplici-TEA begins tonight. In order to allow the participants access to materials, I have "tested" adding an established a link for them from the blog. Hopefully, by clicking on the warning link below this will allow them to choose the item/items needed and then "save as" a Word document or PDF file on their own computer which they can then manipulate without changing my original. For those not in the group, items might not make much sense though they might be open at a later date to anyone interested.

WARNINGS

Remember this is just a test.......do you feel like you should hear beeps and hear the Emergency Broadcast System of the 60s
announcer saying....."This is only a test!"

SIMPLICITY: ART OR DISCIPLINE?

6/4/13 My "working" definition of simplicity is a freedom from worldly values which allow a person to fully embrace a life with the Lord at its center---loving Him, and loving others by blessing (praising) Him and benefitting others---which will overflow in true joy and balance in one's life. This "overflow" will be unique to every individual. This simplicity, when seen as a spiritual discipline, will manifests itself as one does the right thing, at the right time for the right reasons.

On the other hand, simplicity can freely express the diversity, imagination and creativity of each unique individual, created by God.

Art of Simpicity by Candy Paull, 2006

Art or discipline? Maybe simplicity is a little of both.

Corporate Meditation & Prayer: A Blessing

6/3/13 What an encouragement from today's prayer group---not only from the scripture choice itself but also through the praise and petitions of these seasoned prayer warriors. 

Encouragement from a scripture passage (1 Corinthians 2:1-10) which affirms that Paul & effective preachers/teachers rely on God's leading by His Spirit.  Thus, the "hearers" faith will rest on God's power and not human wisdom or effort or tech savvy presentations or charisma of the teacher. Go God!

3) I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4) My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5) so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. (1 Corinthians 2:3-5)

And the prayer group said, "A-men!"

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Extreme Weather

6/2/13 Though we have certainly not suffered the droughts & then floods of Texas or the tornados of OK & MO, we too seemed to have had BIG fluctuations in our weather and temps within the span of only a few days.

From warm, sunny and clear one day........ 

........to chilly and flooding the next. I'm actually standing ankle deep looking across my drive-way and front yard past our mail box in front of the bush & our street. 

serendipi-TEA "Heads Up"

6/1/13 "Deer on the Hill!" the biker called out as he passed Ellen and me on our morning Wolf River Greenway walk. 

As we rounded the corner, we looked up.

"Majestic," was Ellen's comment as we saw the doe on the hill, soon joined by another.

I was grateful for the "heads up" given by the biker. Too often, as I walk (as in other areas of my life), I look down or straight ahead toward my self-imposed goal. I can only imagine the beauty (deer, roses or whatever) I have missed in those moments of my journey.

My study of simplici-TEA is so-o-o teaching me to savor those moments!
Sometimes I get a really big sip of sereni-TEA or serendipt-TEA when God gives me a "heads up."