The Best Verse in the Bible

French Rock boat launch, Lake Roosevelt

I don't think it is possible to choose the best verse in the Bible, but today our pastor opened the sermon with a scripture that I have highlighted in my Bible and revisit often. The best verse in the Bible is all about timing. It is how the words reach a person at that moment. Today these words spoke to my heart and for today it is the best verse in the Bible.

" Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. " - Philippians 4:6-9

I have spent many days of my life dealing with anxiety. It continues to get better. Rereading this always helps.

The Best Things In Life Are Free

Remember that old saying "the best things in life are free"? Here is my list for today:

Shelby snuggling against me while I nap one more time, sunshine and warmer weather today, Isabelle showing me how to relax , Annie reminding me she needs attention by putting her paw on my knee, being on vacation time, the gift of wood that keeps our house warm, kind words, laughs, McDuff getting his appetite back,reconnecting with friends,having time to reflect, and a decluttering project that will declutter my life!

(above is Isabelle on a beautiful afghan my Grandma West created for me)

Sibling Assignment #114: The Gift of Time

Raymond Pert gave us the last sibling assignment for 2009. "Find a photograph you snapped in the last year that epitomizes 2009 for you and explain." I will link my siblings' posts when they are done.This was a challenging sibling assignment because I snapped hundreds of pictures in 2009. I reviewed picture folders today and chose this one:

This is a photo of our gazebo which sits in the northwest part of our yard. JEJ not only designed and built the gazebo from mostly recylced materials, but he built the chairs and did the rock work around the fireplace. This place represents a gift from JEJ and a refuge for me. When it is just warm enough in the spring to go outside we can built a fire and watch the dogs, cats, and birds enjoy the new season. In the summer it is a lovely place to end the day as the gloaming sheds light on the gardens.

I love it the most in the fall. When the air cools in the evening and I want a place to take my mind off teaching, writing, National Boards, and other struggles in the world I can grab a beverage, choose the view, and warm myself by the fire in the gazebo. This gazebo is not new in 2009, but I chose this picture because it represents a goal I set for myself before school started in the late summer. That goal was to prioritize my time and identify what was important during the school year as I challenged myself to work toward  National Board Certification for Teaching. I felt I am reaching that goal as I am part way through the year. One way I have been able to stay focused on my studies is to give myself treats of time. One treat was to be able to sit in the gazebo. On a Saturday as I sat at my desk gazing out the window, the gazebo was what I could see. That was motivation for me to use my time effectively so I could go there and sit.

When focusing on time management things have to take a back seat. Unfortunately I have not had as much time to comment on posts by my blogger friends. Please know I am still visiting and hope to find time soon to comment again.  We have stayed home more on week-ends this school year, but that has ended up being okay. It has been easier to say no to requests at school that weren't really necessary for reaching my goals. JEJ has volunteered to do more trips to town for shopping. All of this gave me that gift of time. As I begin 2010 I look forward to continuing to hold dear the precious gift of time. I put this quote on my Facebook page this week.

" We all get 24 hours a day. It's the only fair thing; it's the only thing that's equal. It's up to us as to what we do with those 24 hours."  Sam Huff

How do you spend your 24 hours each day?

The Best View in Winter

This month the theme for NaBloPoMo is Best. I hope to post each day in January using this theme. I live in a beautiful corner of the world. One place I love to take in the view in winter is from the greenhouse windows. Something about being surrounded by warm, earthy air and the smell of fresh plants inside while observing the hillside of snow- covered pine trees outside is a nice mix of the senses for New Year's Day. Here is the best view in winter:

What I Have Learned So Far

 images of Lake Roosevelt, winter 2009 (click to see larger)


What I Have Learned So Far

Meditation is old and honorable, so why should I
not sit, every morning of my life, on the hillside,
looking into the shining world?  Because, properly
attended to, delight, as well as havoc, is suggestion.
Can one be passionate about the just, the
ideal, the sublime, and the holy, and yet commit
to no labor in its cause?  I don't think so.

All summations have a beginning, all effect has a
story, all kindness begins with the sown seed.
Thought buds toward radiance.  The gospel of
light is the crossroads of -- indolence, or action.

Be ignited, or be gone.

 

~ Mary Oliver ~ 
from New and Selected Poems,Volume Two

It only seemed fitting to close the year with a poem by one of my favorite writers. Mary Oliver always gives me words to chew on and thoughts that I continue to digest long after I close the book of poetry.  Happy New Year. May 2010 be filled with peace, possibilities, and promise.

Stopping At The Cataldo Mission

 Every time I drive to my hometown of Kellogg, Idaho I pass the Old Mission State Park and look at the oldest standing building in all of Idaho perched on a hill of I-90. My first real tour of the mission was when I took a field trip to the location in 4th grade. It has since been renovated and the Parish house next door has been restored. Here is some information from the Idaho Parks site:

"The oldest standing building in all of Idaho is found here, in the Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission State Park. The Mission of the Sacred Heart or Sacred Heart Mission was constructed between 1850 and 1853 by Catholic missionaries and members of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Sacred Heart Mission and the Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission State Park provide an educational experience not found anywhere else, giving visitors an opportunity to examine the dynamics and complexities between Jesuit missionaries and the tribal people among whom they settled. The park features the Sacred Heart Mission building, a restored Parish House and an historic cemetery. The visitor center includes an interpretive exhibit about the Mission and the Coeur d'Alene Indians. A walking audio tour tape is available."

On a cold December morning I caught a series of photos with the gray clouds as a background. It is worth the stop if you are traveling along I-90 between the Washington and Montana borders.