I Declare!

I was reading back over some of my older posts and I came upon some wonderful declarations I had made over this home back in 2008 and I want to "re-declare" them!  I've had such glorious years here and this past one was one of the sweetest yet. The lovely young women that have passed through these doors, spending a season here enriching my life and being enriched.  So many answered prayers and so many more to come! I still want these things for this beautiful refuge the Lord has allowed me to live in and to preside over.  So as we finish off this incredible summer and look forward to all that God will do in this place and in our lives in this coming season...

I declare that this home (God's home) will be a house of rest & peace - His presence ministering to all who enter here!

I declare that God's precious Holy Spirit has free reign in this place to speak, to bless, to convict, to draw - to do whatever He likes!!

I declare that this is Holy Ground, this house belongs to God and the enemy has no authority in this place - all authority in this place belongs to Jesus Christ who has triumphed over the enemy!

I ask that the precious blood of Jesus would be over every doorpost and opening of this home, and that as people enter and leave, the blood of the Lamb would drip down upon them, imparting to them life and healing and deliverance and revelation.

I declare that this is a house of salvation - because Jesus lives here!!

And somehow I pray that the love of God would be made manifest in me so that He would be able to love those that come through these doors through my hands, my voice and my life.

Tourist in my Town

We've had a very dear friend staying with us this past while.  She's just like family and fits in like ... a... family member!
Yesterday the dear daughter in law joined us for a quick little tour of the wineries on our very own street!

Such fun discovering these neighborhood delights and the girls were all much more informed and knowledgable about the world of wine than I am.  As much as I enjoy the occasional glass with a meal or the relaxation that results, I don't really go out of my way for it.  Now chai tea... that's another whole story.  I certainly would go out of my way for a chai latte, for instance.  oh yeah, I would.

And meanwhile, although I don't fully understand this passion for wine and "spirits" that has been increasing dramatically amongst those inside the church as well as those outside of the church, I will pray that we will become a people who truly experience and declare that "His love is better than wine...."

And that instead of being distracted by the world and it's pleasures, we would be the called out ones who are captivated and intoxicated with that incomprehensible redeeming love and the Lover of our souls.  Just gonna call that out for this Valley!

Anyways, we sipped and laughed and munched on crackers and enjoyed the informative stories about the various fine wines and the decor inside the wineries.

In our joyful state of mind we continued on to Costco where a large quantity of groceries and goodies were purchased followed by a party on the back patio with more friends and family.

Just loving these last days of summer holidays - the warm evenings, the fruit ripening on the trees and the lazy, relaxed schedule that I love so very much.

Here is Good

Living in paradise.
I am - very aware of the beauty
the weather the friends the family
So much good happening and I'm documenting it
For posterity and such.












This Tuesday afternoon we packed a picnic lunch
Piled into two cars and zoomed
past vineyards, orchards, lakes
farms, cows and horses and pretty red barns
on winding country roads flanked by large trees
while that heavy afternoon sun bathed us in a golden glow

How can getting lost even matter when you are enjoying this kind of beauty?
It didn't and we weren't late
For the Caravan Farm Theatre.

Oh the great fun of watching live theatre
With family and friends and popcorn
Under the setting sun and soon the star dappled sky.
Such laughter out in the trees

















Clydesdale Horses, Sunflowers, Funny Theatre.
Oh so good.



Tonight we gathered again - almost all of the family
A hot night on the beach
Lawn Chairs settled in the shade
Food piled on the table
Kids running in the sand
Lemonade, hot dogs, salad, cake.
Romping in the lake.

Live music!
Salsa, drums, violin, singing.
Dancing on the grass
Happy Oma clapping
Tante Hilda tapping toes
Becci and Nico swinging round.

The three fellows in the picture above were singing cuban music and it was just heavenly - felt like we were on an exotic holiday somewhere!
Ah glory.  His presence abounds.
I AM seeing the goodness of God in the land of the living.
Surely goodness and mercy ARE following me all the days of my life!


(a side note: I briefly flipped out in the MRI machine yesterday at the hospital and they had to suck my body out of the x-ray tube till I calmed down a bit....closest I've ever been to a panic attack, I believe.  But.  I am.  Alive and Well!)

delicious

after a bit of a rough night
it would have been lovely to sleep in today,
but i had a student coming
so I readied the kitchen, he came
and we worked hard together
sweet little guy
he sure earns those jelly beans!

the rest of the day was spent wrestling
with relentless spasms through my torso

so much time spent in bed again
exhausted and weary from the poor night
and the attack from within

but then!

in trying to rescue my dear mama from hosting a large dinner
i volunteered and the patio party and feasting that ensued
was delicious and delightful
and my body settled down so i could be fully present

family
friends
fellowship

so comfortable, so many conversations
gentle laughter, soft summer warmth
canine comedy, plenty to eat

















God was in our midst
so gentle and so good

and tonight when i eagerly pondered going to bed
i wrapped myself in the very delicious knowledge
that tomorrow morning was mine for sleeping in

squares of summer

I'm looking at the calendar.
At all the squares of summer that are left.
And thankfully there are still quite a few!
Although I'm kinda sad that the other page of summer squares is finished.

The sun has been shining lots with the heat turned on full steam.
Wonderful.
The grass is turning very crispy and yellow in many areas.
Not so good.
The flowers are blooming.

I, however have not been running on full steam.
No.  I have not.
Low ebb, empty tank, little movement or motivation.
Spent what felt like too much time laying on my bed watching Olympics last week.
It was so fun to have the lovely daughter's company though.
Watching diving, swimming, trampolining, gymnastics, rowing...
So much excellence, so many medals and many disappointed athletes as well.
The tension of life.
You win some you lose some.

And I, grappling with my own tensions.
Wrestling with that slimy opponent self pity that has been taunting me, loudly, in stereo.  Frequently.  Far too frequently.
Cannot let him become a familiar presence.
Fight fight FIGHT!!  Can't afford to lose this one.
Weapons are brandished - lists of thankfulness thought up and spoken out.
Sadness recognized, tears wept, pain embraced and then rolled onto another's shoulders.
Too heavy to carry, to dangerous to hold.

I remembered a most fantastic passage that I had memorized years ago and declared to be my life passage.

Psalm 27 begins like this:

"The Lord is my light and my salvation
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life
Of whom shall I be afraid?"


and then it ends like this:

"I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord 
    in the land of the living. 
¹⁴ Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord."

So that's what I've been doing.  Declaring who's in charge and just speaking out what He has promised.
Then there's waiting involved too.
For the parts in between the promise and the provision.

And there's been respite.  Like this morning we went to the kangaroo farm and I got to hold and feed a baby wallaby.  There were pot bellied pigs and tiny goats too. Emus and kangaroos jumping around.  African Greys that said hello and kissed you.

We got to feed them chips.
Absolutely delightful and very therapeutic for this old soul.

Lots of family gatherings because my dear brother is here with his wife.
My sweet niece arrived with a new boyfriend and introductions were made.
A picnic at the beach last night where the sky turned pink and reflected on the water.  The air was soft and warm.  Conversations flowed and a surprise visit from a dear friend with her three gigantic grown sons cheered me on.

See, there is so much weaponry available.  The blessings are unstoppable.
He is my portion and my cup.
And He's incredibly generous with supersizing
Cause He's crazy about me.
He even sent a man and his crying daughter to tell me that this past Sunday at church.  That "He's in love with me" and, that "He is fighting for my life".
It was actually a huge relief to hear that with my ears from another human.
So that's all really good news that came at a really good time.