The Beauty that Surrounds Us

Six months! Six months since my last blog post! My goodness I have a lot of catching up to do.

Where in the world do I start? First, three of those months were spent at home. Yep, some might say that I had me a nice three month vacation...well, that couldn't be farther from the truth. I was ready to get back in the truck just so I could have a vacation. From the time I got home until the time I left back out again it was go, go, go! I am always amazed at God's goodness. I can be gone for months and months and not have any requests to make a sign but as soon as I start home, I begin getting requests like crazy. The Lord knows how I like to stay busy when I'm home without Carlos and He certainly made sure that boredom or depression did not have room in my life for those three months. The next time I stay home though He and I are going to have a little talk cause I'm telling you...I was exhausted! It was a good exhaustion and I am thankful for all the work but still a nap every now and then should would have been nice.

I also started a new business with Rodan + Fields...it's clinically proven anti-aging skincare lines created by the same Drs. that created Proactiv. (Yes, I had to get a little plug in.) So, between getting my business started, making signs, church and family, I was a busy girl. What's the saying, "No rest for the weary!" Nope this weary little chick didn't get much rest at all. But, I wouldn't have had it any other way! I told Carlos when I got back in the truck not to expect any work out of me for two weeks. I was on vacation! Yea, that didn't happen either!

My mama asked me one time why I never write blog posts when I am home. "You don't have anything interesting to write about when you're home?" is actually what she said to me. "Yes, I do! I just never seem to have the time to sit down and do it." I was thinking about that question one morning as I was out walking when the Lord started pointing out all the beauty around me and said, "Lynne, here's your next post. I really think He meant for me to write it as soon as I got back home but sometimes I just don't catch on as quickly as I should. So here we are a couple months later but it's as fresh in my mind as the day I took that walk. I am always left in awe as we travel around this beautiful country of ours but on that early, crisp, overcast morning God showed me that I don't have to travel to the west coast or to the east coast or through the Rocky Mountains or the Great Smoky Mountains to see His beauty....it's right there out my front door! It wasn't just the things I could see but it was the sounds all around me as well. It was the beauty of dew glistening on a shiny, green, heart shaped leaf...the cows as they grazed in a green pasture and watched my every move as I walked past them...the wild flowers that grew in the ditches...the enormous oak trees that stood tall and strong...the rustling of the water as it flowed across the rocks in the little creek...the heart shaped rock on the dirt road...the birds as they sang to one another and after a very long walk it was a house that we call home! It's nothing grand or extravagant but it's where memories are made, stories are told and an overflowing  abundance of love is shared.

 

Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God!" NIV  We get so busy and so caught up in our everyday lives...in just being...just doing...that we forget to stop to listen to God's voice or see His beauty that surrounds us even when it's out our front door. One of God's most beautiful creations is nature. Through nature, God is able to speak to us, teach us, and provide for us. Job 12:7-10 says, "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." NIV

I challenge you today and everyday to stop what you're doing and just be still...listen for God's still small voice...see the beauty that's right out your front door; whether it be the sounds of the birds, the sweet smell of the blooming flowers, the artwork of a sunset or sunrise, the wind blowing softly through the trees, or the sound of your children laughing and always remember that "The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love." Psalm 33:5 NIV

Till we meet again!
Only By Grace!
Lynne

From Truckin' Duo to Truckin' Trio

We have a new addition. We're no longer the truckin' duo. We're the truckin' trio!

I can't believe it but Carl finally agreed to let Spice (our 4-legged daughter) travel with us in the truck. Well, I don't know if it is fair to say agreed...more like threw in the towel, gave up and gave in. I think he just got tired of me begging.  "But Carl, she is so lonely at home. She is sad and missing us. I think she is depressed. She isn't eating like she should. Her sisters are gone;Timothy works all the time and now we're leaving her." "No, not having a dog in my truck! No, there's not enough room for a dog! NO, NO, NO!" Well, what's the saying "Never say never!"

We were able to go by the house for a short visit this past weekend. While we were there Carl just out of the blue says, "She can't go with us because we don't have a collar or a leash." "Oh, yes we do. There is a black leash in my car and a red collar....somewhere." That was it, nothing else was said. Then Sunday when we went to the grocery store he started looking at the dog treats...claiming we were almost out at the house. I was just about to explode inside because I knew what he was up to. But as time went on, and as we started talking about all the different items we had to buy for her, I could see his stress level rising. "Now, if this is going to stress you out, we will just leave her here with Timothy." With a stern voice and a very serious face, he said, "You are gonna take care of her!" And with that...the conversation was over and our shopping continued.

Spice was so excited when I said, "Come on lets go." She usually runs away from us when we are trying to tell her bye. But this time her tail was just a wagging and she had the biggest smile on her face. We loaded her up...took off...and bless her heart she didn't know what in the world to do. She stood between our seats for about 3 hours. Wouldn't sit, lay down or anything....just stood there staring straight ahead. She finally walked to the back, laid down on her pillow and like a hot potato was right back up. Then she decided to lie down between our seats and we thought good she is finally going to rest. Nope, five minutes was as long as she lasted. Up down, up down, up down...her little legs were worn out by the time we stopped for the night. She was as happy as a lark when we stopped and we ALL got in the back and sat down. I don't know who slept better, us or her.

She loves her daddy and watches his every move. When he gets out of the truck she jumps up in his seat and sits there watching and waiting for him to return. I am talking 30-40 minutes. I can pet her, call her, offer treats but she will not get down until he gets back in the truck. She is going to be sitting in that seat a mighty long time when we go to Walmart.

Waiting on her daddy!

It's been 4 days and I must say she has done really well. She loves when she is able to run and play without being on a leash. Carl says we won't be able to let her do that when we get to Arizona. One whiff of a prairie dog and I will be chasing her across the desert. The first night we stopped was at a little Mom n Pop truck stop in the middle of nowhere surrounded by fields. We...I decided to take her leash off and let her walk around freely. She caught the smell of something and off she went. Carl started after her...stopped...looked at me...smiled and said, "You better go get her. You're the one taking care of her." So, off I went. She didn't go far...she's not getting far from her daddy. This week she played in the snow, next week she'll be playing in the desert.

Oh, by the way, Carl has also adjusted very nicely. I knew he would...he just likes to talk big and bad. He loves that little girl just as much as I do!!

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you: or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?  In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:7-10

Till We Meet Again,
   Lynne