DRAW ME CLOSE TO YOU

The words to this song came to me today and being Sunday
I felt it pretty well fitted ~ expressed where I'm up to
as I know God's loving embrace.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Draw me close to You, Never let me go.
I lay it all down again,
To hear you say that I'm your friend.
You are my desire, no one else will do,
'cause nothing else could take Your place.
To feel the warmth of Your embrace.

Help me find the way, Bring me back to You.
You're all I want, You're all I've ever needed.
You're all I want, Help me know You are near.

~ Kelly Carpenter ~


Enjoying a lovely visit with my dear niece who is visiting us from Canada.
I hope whatever you do this day, you are loved and surrounded
by all that is good.

We have been reminiscing, setting the world to rights (lol),
recovering from the hectic day yesterday when she arrived,
and adjusting to the time change of not only a continent shift
but also the change of time when our clocks went back one hour.

It's been a day of mixed showers and sun and I expect after our
relaxed day we will be ready tomorrow to begin planning our little
excursions...whatever they will be. Let the planning begin!

BIRTHDAY BOY


Our grandson Matty, taken today


on his 7th Birthday !


I think this has got to be one fantastic piccie...
He sure looks happy
and
you just gotta love that hat! lol


We've had a party tonight, he's had a fun day, concluding
with a party at nana & grandpa's.

We've had games (Pin the tail on the donkey...and the birthday boy even admitted he
peeked and got the nearest to the donkey's tail...lol; "statues" and pass the parcel too).

It's not every day that the party spirit hits so we've made the most of it.

MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY, MATTY

Many of us seek the answers to life’s questions by looking outside of ourselves and trying to glean advice from the people around us. But as each of us is unique, with our own personal histories, our own sense of right and wrong, and our own way of experiencing the world that defines our realities, looking to others for our answers is only partially helpful. The answers to our personal questions can be most often found by looking within. When you realize that you always have access to the part of you that always knows what you need and is meant to act as your inner compass, you can stop searching outside of yourself. If you can learn to hear, trust, and embrace the wisdom that lives within you, you will be able to confidently navigate your life.

Trusting your inner wisdom may be awkward at first, particularly if you grew up around people who taught you to look to others for answers. We each have exclusive access to our inner knowing. All we have to do is remember how to listen. Remember to be patient as you relearn how to hear, receive, and follow your own guidance. If you are unsure about whether following your inner wisdom will prove reliable, you may want to think of a time when you did trust your own knowing and everything worked out. Recall how the answers came to you, how they felt in your body as you considered them, and what happened when you acted upon this guidance. Now, recall a time when you didn’t trust yourself and the results didn’t work out as you had hoped. Trusting your own guidance can help you avoid going against what you instinctively know is right for you.

When you second guess yourself and go against what you know to be your truth, you can easily go off course because you are no longer following your inner compass. By looking inside yourself for the answers to your life’s questions, you are consulting your best guide. Only you can know the how’s and why’s of your life. The answers that you seek can be found when you start answering your own questions.

(taken from DAILY OM, nurturing Mind, Body and Spirit)

I receive these inspirational messages daily to my inbox. This particular message sums up for me the mess I've been in for a few years now. I am very pleased that I am returning to that perfect place of residence...where my intuition (I call it discernment which is God-given) is to be trusted. I will just say...back in the arms of Father God and not following the dictates of man is where I have returned. It feels right and I am blessed!

If you would like to receive this daily meditation, then follow this link....

http://www.dailyom.com

*****************

A Blessing

I have been away with our son's church for the weekend. It's been a very good, positive experience for me. As I read in my room I discovered this blessing and thought I'd blog it today.


For partners who love,
For kids who cuddle,
For grannies who listen,
For friends who care
For the stars above,
For food on the table,
For laughter and tears,
And for so much more.
We say 'Thanks'
To You,
Today and every day.

*I believe I discovered this blessing in the Iona Community Worship Book*
(I neglected to write it down!)

I will be writing more about my weekend and the refreshment of spirit and faith
once I have had some time to digest and reflect on it all.
I am blessed...may you know blessing too this day!

I've made a wonderful discovery today and I wanted to share it here.

Those who read my blog regularly will have known me to mention my late sister, Dorna.

The video mentioned above I would dedicate to her memory and to the
sisterly affection and love which we shared. The words in this song express it all
so well. My regret is that I didn't find this song while she still walked this earth.

There is something beautifully haunting about Antony's voice and the feelings
he arouses in me as he sings many of his songs. If you are moved by the lyrics and
Antony's voice, then I am pleased.

....and can I suggest you visit YouTube to check out some of his other songs too!

Blessings to my readers this day.

IMG_1850.jpg (JPEG Image, 640x480 pixels)

IMG_1850.jpg (JPEG Image, 640x480 pixels)

I'm just so chuffed. My online friend has given birth to a daughter. Congratulations to Kas and Karol. She's just perfect!

I have discovered a blog that is pure escapism. I think Linda (the blogger) is feeding my childhood memories of life in British Columbia where wildlife could be found regularly. Linda photographs the visitors to their property (all manner of birds, bears, deer, racoons, squirrels and more) and I love it. Maybe you will too....

http://www.lindaswildlifejournal.blogspot.com

Take a peek...I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Living on a busy main road as we do there just aren't the opportunities of my childhood days to see much wildlife (although we did see a fox one wintry, snowy early morning trotting up the road!)...but I'm easily satisfied when I spend a little while viewing Linda's beautiful photographs. Enjoy!

Hubby surprised me.

I sent him on an errand to the local thrift shop today to donate
the highchair we have used for Nathaniel when he visits.
It's surplus to requirements and while he was in the charity shop
he bought me this lovely new jug to adorn by expanding collection!

made by Ewenni, Wales
according to the bottom of the jug

I LOVE IT!

I found myself discovering a new blog today.

http://talesofinglewood.blogspot.com/

I am surprised sometimes when I "happen" upon a blog, an article, a post on
one of the many forums I frequent....whenever.....and there is a sense of "alrightness" as I
read and take in the message contained therein.

This blog did it for me. No explanation to offer....it just happened!

Have a lovely day :)


Just to whet your appetite...here's a quote from the above-mentioned blog...

"You should appreciate the small joys of everyday
and try and make more of them,
life is for savouring the tiny, satisfying-making you happy things
as well as the large occasional joys - Daisy"

Uncle Dave & Nathaniel

It looks like Nathaniel is getting some 'puter pointers from
Uncle Dave. Great pals :)

60 years young!

This beautiful bouquet of flowers
was received yesterday
from my lovely friend
Dorothy.

It was a day of surprises!

Our son Dave purchased and prepared
the ingredients for a lovely chicken stir-fry
followed by a cheescake
complete with 60 in numbers and lit up!

I have some huge sunflowers, a thoughtful gift from the above-mentioned son too.
And some lovely cards.
A webcam conversation with our four grandkids....complete with giggles!
(Now that they are living a distance away from us visits are less frequent and as
nana's birthday fell on a school night we'll have to celebrate my birthday on another night.)

It was a lovely day and I dutifully followed the instructions on Dave's card to me....
60 TODAY...put your feet up!
and discovered a new-to-me author Maeve Binchy and her novel
"The Copperwood Tree" (borrowed from the local library and finished in two sittings!!).

Now I'll be entitled to a free bus pass too!
What more could a girl want, eh?

Best of all....I've also got a set of CD's coming from hubby (ordered and coming by post)
of hits of the 60's. I'll be able to bop along while doing the ironing. Such fun!