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Do you ever feel STUCK? In 2000, I began looking for answers to some tough questions in my life. I'd searched high & low and finally conceded to search the promises found in the Bible. Those promises have sustained & guided me through the loss of a parent, the struggle with anxiety & depression, the loss of a valued relationship and so much more! I've found joy amid the pain. And, I want to share it with you!
Showing posts with label schedules. Show all posts
Showing posts with label schedules. Show all posts

05 February 2016

Silence Can Be Deceiving

I love finding quotes that hit a chord within me. Here's one that grabbed me a while back:

"The fact that I'm silent doesn't mean I have nothing to say."
~ Jonathan Carroll

Today is busy - like most days. But, I want to write and share -- especially with a community of writers whom I've grown to love. I haven't written much in the past few months. I've managed to keep jotting down three blessings each day. (My #JoyDare / #1000gifts lists.) But, I've even been slow in editing and posting those. Other things have filled my days. 

I guess, with regard to writing, you could say I've been silent. But, in those times of infrequent blog posts, my writer's mind hasn't been silent at all. There are few things that happen in my normal day-to-day life that don't evoke a flood of thoughts... 
All 5 eggs were laid in the same box by the Golden Comets one cold morning... Coincidence? Well, I make a note of the low temp in their coop on the preceding night & come to the conclusion that sticking together is warmer. My crazy brain immediately envisions 5 hens crowded in one box with each one wiggling out when she's laid her own egg. It reminds me of how important "community" is for all of us. I'll write more about that later.
I vigorously scrape off frost and ice from the windows of our daughter's car in the wee hours of the morning before she takes the Little to school. I pause and snap a shot of the glints of diamonds that shine in the snow as her headlights illuminate the crystal forest that was made of our property in the night while we slept. It occurs to me that I'm freezing there in my jammies, boots and a heavy coat. I walk in and am warmed by the sight of the little seascape I placed above the sun room door years ago. I'm reminded that I can be at the seaside anywhere I am on this planet. Happiness is in me... not in a place. I'll write more about that later. 
I wake in the middle of the night for no logical reason other than "I ,myself, am no longer a spring chicken." I pray for everyone I can think of - at the same time really wishing I was sleeping. Just as I begin to drift off, I hear the pitter-patter of little bare feet running from the east side of the house. I think to myself, "Wouldn't it be nice to sleep in today." And, within minutes I'm drowning in hugs and kisses from a toddler giggling and proclaiming, "You're my best friend, DeeDee." I'm reminded that sleep can be highly overrated and that life often happens just as it should happen... not as we had envisioned or planned. And, I acknowledge that even the most difficult chapters of our lives are filled with sweet, sweet blessings we might not otherwise have received. I'll write more about that later.

Each morning I wake and know there are some things which absolutely have to be done that day - commitments, appointments, etc. And, each morning I wake with a long list of what I'd like to do that day. Truth be told, some days I just desire to hide under the blankets for the day. But, life pushes me out of bed. I go about my day-to-day life - making mental notes and writing blog posts along the way (in my mind). I'll write more about that later.

Whether the day ends up being great or grave, it always contains blessings - just waiting to be seen. I write daily in my mind. I record those thoughts for others to read when I feel I can. But, don't be fooled... "The fact that I'm silent doesn't mean I have nothing to say."

Join the conversation with me on Twitter & Instagram at @stuckinindiana And, hop over to the Facebook Page stuckinindiana :) Oh, and I'm on Pinterest at "stuckinindiana" too... but, don't do so well keeping up with that one :)


28 October 2015

sunrise thoughts 28 October 2015

Rainy day again... and, I needed to get out early to make sure the girls had plenty of water. I'd been out a few times yesterday but, had made the choice to change out the water in the morning instead of last evening in the rain. I went out this morning. I got rained on. 

It was cool, windy & rainy throughout the night with the temps barely reaching the low 50's. I heated up a dish of homemade apple sauce and donned a baseball cap, waterproof jacket and boots. I headed

27 October 2015

sunrise thoughts 27 October 2015

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down. Do you remember those lyrics? The Carpenters... a brother & sister singing duo... was a group loved by my father. I remember going on family rides in the station wagon on Sunday afternoons & listening to them on an 8-track cassette tape. (Anyone remember those?!?!? And, did anyone else just ride around in the car with your family for entertainment??)

I often think of those words on Mondays or when it's raining - especially at the beginning of the day. Sometimes, I really relate to that melancholy feeling. But, truth be told, I kind of like Mondays & I kind of like rainy days. And, this morning I got a rainy day...

23 October 2015

sunrise thoughts 23 October 2013

Today took a major turn when a family friend & I talked on the phone. He said that today would be a good day to ride along on the combine with him.

I managed to catch a few shots of the sun rising & then headed that way to hop on a combine for a 10+ hour day in the fields for me.

14 October 2015

sunrise thoughts 14 October 2015

Long before the sun came up, my mind was wide away, mapping out my day and thinking:


"There are way too many things on my schedule for today. How am I possibly going to do it all? I'm going to have to hit the floor running."


A few minutes before 6am, we heard the small voice of our "Little" as she entered our room. She sweetly called out to us:
"PapaBear & DeeDee, cam I cuddle with you in your bed?"



17 February 2012

Wasting Precious Time


Tick Tock! Tick Tock!
There aren't enough minutes in the day. 
Do you ever feel this way? Are there things that you are convicted to do on any given day that don't happen? 

I struggled with those regretful feelings for years & years. I still have to remind myself that God doesn't intend my sincere service to Him to be a struggle. 

When walking early in the morning a few years ago, I was talking to God about not having enough time. I "heard" a voice in my heart say, "You have just as many minutes in your day as everyone else on the planet. I've given you enough time to do what I need you to do TODAY!" Since that time I've tried not to rake myself over the coals for what might have felt like missed opportunities AND to trust that God's timing will cover my service for Him.

Even for those who don't claim Christ as their Lord, I think this is a great thought:  

"Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And, if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?"

Don't waste precious time second guessing things that are in the past OR how God will use what you offer up to Him in the moment of genuine love & service!

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today...