More Things for Which I am Thankful . . .

This has been a truly busy week, full of ups and downs, uncertainties and promises fulfilled.  My heart is full.  My mind is overwhelmed.  My soul is resting in the Lord.  So, I thought I'd share with you some of the happenings in the last week for which I give the Lord the thanks and praise due Him.

• Danny's successful trip to St. Paul and safe return.  
• Being able to take my mother-in-law to the doctor's, to lunch, and bring her some frozen meal-on-wheels from Danny's kitchen.
• My MIL - she is such a joy!
• My Mom - for being so strong in the face of my Dad's Alzheimer's.  She knows my brother and I are here for the both of them.
• My Mom, for letting me see first hand what courage and faith are all about.
• My publisher for liking my head shot (above) for the book.
• Making stepson, Giovanni, happy with breakfast meals for dinner.
• Seeing my daughter, son-in-law, and grand-girl and loving every moment of the visit.
• Having the first dry spell in writing answered by an absolute gush of productivity and satisfaction.
• Praising the Lord in worship.
• Pastor Wallace giving me more inspirational stories for my blog in one Sunday than he has in the past six months.
• Deciding upon the cover photo for my novel.  Wow!  Big decision!
• Not getting vertigo on the road.  Milestone!
• The birds at the feeder, the squirrels scurrying in the trees, the chipmunks scampering through the leaves, the deer strolling through our yard.
• The cool temperatures and the brisk wind.
• Having the "daring-do" to write spontaneously upon the blog page.
• Every one of my friends who have been so supportive.  Much love to you!

What are you thankful for today?  Would love you to share your most recent thankful experiences in the comment section below.  

In the meantime, may God bless you and keep you in His warm and loving embrace!

Friday Moment for October 26th

ENJOY!!!

Photo by Danny Orlando

Wishing a blessed weekend to all!

With love, 

Martha

How Fortunate I Am . . .

For those of you who follow my blog, Meditations of my Heart, knowing about my husband, Danny, comes as no surprise to you.  He is my rock, my comfort, and my fellow traveler on this Christian road we travel together.

No wonder, then, it is difficult for me when he takes a business trip, and it is one I cannot attend.  Monday morning, Danny leaves for St. Paul for a National Energy Star Products meeting.  Leaving on a jet plane.  Flying.  Away from me.

Away from us . . .

It might not be so hard, so worrisome, for me if I had not experienced losing a former husband to a freak and accidental death . . .

Enduring the loss - the pain, the sorrow, the grief.

I can't do it again . . . I think God knows this.  No!  He knows!

I want Danny to return safely to me.  I expect it.

I pray for it . . .

Lord, I know you hear.  I know you care.  I know you know . . .

And, I pray for the faith to let Danny go, trusting he is safe in Your hands, dear Father.   There is not a day that goes by when I don't thank You for allowing me to be the most fortunate of women, and so blessed.

Bring him back to me safely, dear Lord, I know You can.

I know You will . . .

Travel blessings, dear Danny!

Friday Moment - October 19th

“A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.”

This Moment is a ritual found on Life inspired by theWee Man adopted from SouleMama which was introduced to me by Sarah-Jane, author of Samuel Michael’s Photography. If you find yourself touched by a Moment and would like to participate, post your picture on a Friday and leave your link in the comments section.

Photo by Danny Orlando

Pulling My Hair Out!

Pulling my hair out . . . boy, was this ever the place I found myself in this past Thursday as we were preparing to travel to my husband, Danny's, high school reunion in Brunswick, Georgia.

We babysit for Virginia, our granddaughter, the night before we leave.  Oh, what fun, but, oh, how tiring!  She has more energy in her little finger than I have in my entire body.   No worry though, I think.  I've made a packing list and can easily throw my clothes and other necessities together in the morning.

NOT!

I wake to find an e-mail from my publisher.  What???  You need what by when???  But, I'm going on vacation!  How am I supposed to get all of this done before Monday, October 15th? 

I fly into panic mode.  E-mail fellow writers for supportive blurbs.  Send them the novel and pray all the while that they will have time to read it and write complimentary recommendations.  Belly up to the short-notice bar.  Oh, what a favor I ask!

I need them now.  I needed them yesterday.  Why was the publisher remiss in giving me a longer deadline?

And, then there are the acknowledgements, the dedication, the novel summary, the author bio, long and short . . .

Panic!

You need this by when?  Why wasn't I informed earlier?

Who dropped the ball?

Turns out, someone did drop the ball.  A someone no longer employed by the publisher.  The one who was supposed to give me all this information a month ago . . . and failed to do so.

Failed to care . . .

Failed to follow through . . .

Failed . . .

Fortunately for me, my publisher, Janie, completely understands and grants me a gracious extension.  And, because of her generosity and flexibility, my mind and heart can breathe sighs of relief.  And, my troubled soul is calmed once more.

Because, it is in my nature to care.

To always follow through.

And, "failure" isn't a word in my vocabulary.  Never will be . . .

With a huge sigh of relief, I can stop pulling my hair out, enjoy the reunion weekend, and meet the deadline agreed upon between my publisher and me.
~
If you have some "deadline" or "panic" experiences in your life, I would love you to share them here.  I know we can enrich one another through sharing our life lessons.

It's Friday!

“A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.”

This Moment is a ritual found on Life inspired by theWee Man adopted from SouleMama which was introduced to me by Sarah-Jane, author of Samuel Michael’s Photography. If you find yourself touched by a Moment and would like to participate, post your picture on a Friday and leave your link in the comments section.

Photo by Danny Orlando

Feeling Thankful . . .

Are you thankful?  Every day?  I know I am!  For so many things, large and small.  When we observe life with what I like to call a "Gratitude Attitude", all the negatives and disappointments can't help but take a back seat, and that's exactly where they belong.

I have several blogging friends who routinely post the events in their lives for which they are thankful.  I always find these inspirational as they vary from the profound to the down-to-earth ordinary.  I never fail to be moved and motivated.  I never fail to find myself giving thanks to the Lord for them and for their gifts of observation - when the ordinary becomes extraordinary . . . miraculous.

So, I thought, why not share my own for this week?

Lord, I am thankful for:

• Being able to attend husband Danny's high school reunion in Brunswick, Georgia, and staying on the pristine Jekyll beach.
• My daughter, getting a promotion at work.
• My son, finding a meaningful, loving relationship.
• The responsibility I see step-son, Giovanni, taking on willingly and in love.
• My dad, who had to visit the hospital this week, but is now home safe, healthy, and sound.
• My mom, who cares for my dad unceasingly, and has the strength and the love to stay focused and able.
• Inheriting an extra child car seat so I can transport my granddaughter, Virginia, without a hassle.
• Feeling the warmth of Virginia's hand clasped in mine as she snuggles on the couch with me.
• Appreciating the intricacies of patterns on the seemingly unimportant rocks and pebbles because Virginia notices and considers them all important.
• Danny scrubbing the pots/pans tonight because I had laundry to take off the line.
• Good weather so I could hang the clothes out.
• The prayer chain which keeps me up to date with those in need.
• My blogging friends who always visit, always comment, ever understand . . . What did I ever do to deserve you?

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for every blessing you have given to me.  I pray you grace my friends with that very same love.  Amen!

Freelance . . .

This is something new for me.  I've never just written straight onto my first blog, Meditations of My Heart.  I've always planned in advance.  Composing on Word what will be posted days later.  Letting the words marinate and flavor before the final product is delivered.

Something new . . .

Just letting thoughts flow, right here and right now . . .

The musing part of the moments in life.

So, in faith, and with thanks, here we go . . .

Cool, refreshing breeze this evening reminds me that the Georgia football game is only a game.  This, too, shall pass . . .

A phone call from my son when there's no emergency and all is well.  How could I be more blessed?

Watching the birds at the feeder, hearing their cheerful calls harmonizing with the chirruping cries of the squirrels.  My deck becomes a place of worship.

I read amazing posts by talented writers.  My heart swells.  My soul is enlightened.  I learn and I grow.  They lift me up.  God lifts me up . . .

In a hurry to get errands run, my daughter and son-in-law with Virginia in tow can't stay but a few seconds to collect some things from me.  From the front porch, I wave and greet my sweet granddaughter.  She waves back and smiles with unadulterated love washing over her face.  Love that washes over me . . . Be still, my heart!

Reconnecting with high school friends on Facebook who seem to remember me, too.  Wow!  How amazing you are!

Excited to be going to Danny's 40th high school reunion this week, and turning new friends into those tried and true.

So, what are your thoughts about your week?  What have you experienced?  What miracles have you witnessed?  

Would love to hear from you in the comment section.  Please share! :)

Friday Moment

“A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.”

This Moment is a ritual found on Life inspired by theWee Man adopted from SouleMama which was introduced to me by Sarah-Jane, author of Samuel Michael’s Photography. If you find yourself touched by a Moment and would like to participate, post your picture on a Friday and leave your link in the comments section.

Photo by Danny Orlando