Tag Archives: Rain

The Sun Will Shine Again

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The rain and wind banged against the window screen, water droplets running down the pane like rivulets of tears. The late winter morning was cold and wet. She tightly wrapped the sweater around her, hoping to keep out the chill. Spring was almost here, but not quite. Winter’s icy grip was not yet ready to let go and usher in warmer days. She looked out the kitchen window, straining to see even a sliver of early morning light. The sun was not going to be able to make its glorious appearance this morning, hidden behind the storm. The meteorologists were calling for snow today, along with the rain. 

The darkness was inky, as she waited for the sun. She knew that it was there, even if she couldn’t see it. It occurred to her that this morning was much like the hard times of life. Some days can seem dark, even cold. Tears can flow like the rain on the wet soaked windows. It is during those times that one must remember that THE SON is still there. In fact He never left. You might not be able to see Him at the moment, but don’t give up hope. He is real. He is here, and He loves you. 

 

 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”  John 3:16-17 

Summer Storms

I am back on the blogging trail after taking the past few weeks off. Those weeks off, I spent visiting with family and making memories.

We’ve had some crazy weather out here in the country.  I managed to get some interesting, stormy pictures. Everyone knows I have a thing for clouds, and living out here in the country, they really are a show. I thought I’d share some of them with you.

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These clouds are interesting, and a little bit intimidating….
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I love this picture. The light shining through the storm clouds. Isn’t this a picture of life?
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Ominous and calm all at the same time.
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Looking out over the front yard…which, at the time, looked like a swamp. Amazing how fast the rain came that day!
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It’s A Great Day For Ducks

It’s raining, it’s pouring….

I managed to capture this lightning while taki...

I woke up this Monday morning….

 

to gray clouds and a light drizzle.

 

Then it thundered.

 

And, more rain came. And more…and then some more.

 

The front yard looked like a lake and the culvert was overflowing. The neighbor’s llamas had a weather constructed pool.

 

It is a great day….. for ducks:)

 

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Today I am thankful for:

 

* sleeping in an extra few minutes

 

* a rain day

 

* sump pumps that are working

 

* soggy dog walks

 

* emails from friends

 

* yummy leftovers

 

* laughing with my husband

 

* taking some great pictures

 

* getting some inside chores done

 

* some new, bright picture frames

 

* sweet summer time, laid back days

 

When he utters his voice there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses.    Jeremiah 51:16

 

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The Storms

Sometimes the storms of life come hard…

Storm Clouds in OKC 6/17/2006

The sky grows dark, the winds blow

And the rain pours down.

This past week I was caught in a severe storm.

Eighty mph straight line winds, hail, thunder, lightening, and rain.

Unbearable summer heat brings on the storms…

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When the storms of life fall hard

and the winds threaten,

I am thankful that Jesus never waivers

and He can calm the storm…

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Thankful for:

* no damage during the storm on Friday

* that we weren’t hurt in the storm

* rain

* yard sales

* good deals

* eating at a local Mexican restaurant

* “I love you” from the kids

* my husband’s arm wrapped around me

* kind acts

* early morning sunshine

* getting things checked off the to do list

* unexpected good news

* the harmony of wind chimes

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For All That He Is

a group of Canada Geese flying in Michigan in ...

Image via Wikipedia

It’s raining.

I love to watch the rain.

I enjoy hearing the rain pelt our metal roof.

There is comfort in seeing the bad weather outside, knowing that I am warm and safe inside.

A Monday morning in late October…

The corn stalks across the road are brown. On a quiet evening, one can hear the corn talking to the night, a dry, rustling sound.

The sound of  honking Canada geese, as they fly overhead in perfect formation,  always makes me stop and appreciate…

the sights and sounds of late October in the country.

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Thanking my God for all that He is…and for allowing all that He does…

*my back feels a little better–not completely healed, but better than it was–when I hurt, I learn to appreciate my health more.

*my son reading quietly… I study his profile. I think back to him as a baby, and how I wondered what he would look like when he was a teenager? Now, I know. Time goes so quickly, doesn’t it?

*a daughter who walked with me, when I was forced to walk slowly.

*sitting in the living room, petting the dog…it’s a win/win situation. Petting him reduces my stress–while it feels great to him to get belly rubs.

*the smell of coffee

*rain pelting the windows

*time–appreciating this moment

*snuggling while watching TV

*faces smiling at me from time worn pictures

*knowing what it is to love and be loved

*memories tapping me on the shoulder this gray, Monday morning

*friendship

*Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. It is He that makes all of life worth living…apart from Him, I am nothing.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  John 15:5 NIV

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Bring The Rain

Raindrops falling on water

Image via Wikipedia

I woke up this morning to hard rain, beating against the house. A dark, wet Monday.

We need the rain here.

Everything looks clean when rinsed with rain.Lush. Moist. Life giving.

I know there are people in our country that long for a good, hard rain.

Dry cracked ground. Brown. Hot. Dying.

The rain would be a gift. Please rain.

Instead there is fire. Burning. Licking flames. Destroying all they had.

In other parts of the country, not long ago, hurricane rains ravaged.

Swollen creeks and rivers washed away all that was.

And they were left with nothing.

Rain. It’s the same, the world over…

The amount, is what changes things.

“…The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
   may the name of the LORD be praised.”  Job 1:21  NIV

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I’ve been thinking of a blog post that I reread recently. It was written by Sara Frankl, an (in) Courage writer, who died this past Saturday night….from a harsh, and unrelenting disease that robbed her of living a “normal” life.  Her words echo back to me from a post written a couple of years ago. The rain reminds me of it…

“But like Chan pointed out on page 114, people in the Bible who wholeheartedly followed God “were far from perfect, yet they had faith in a God who was able to come through in seemingly dire situations.” I always believed I had that faith… but mine was a faith of conditions. I had faith He would take care of me, but I assumed that meant I would be cared for with good health. I had faith that I would prosper, and assumed that meant my career would follow a good path. I had faith that He wanted the best for me, and assumed that meant my life would unfold in a way I envisioned.

But as the years progressed and I lost more and more of what I thought defined me, as I found myself in the hospital, unemployed and on disability, I realized that being a servant meant all or nothing. A line was drawn in the sand and I had to choose my fear, or I had to choose to completely trust Him. It had to be an all or nothing choice because one cannot exist if the other is true.” —- Sara Frankel (Gitzen Girl)

If you’d like to read her entire blog post (and I recommend it!) you can zip over to it here.

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*I am thankful for Sara. A young woman who knew Jesus, had a servant’s heart, and reached out to others far beyond the confines of her home.

*I am thankful for words that touch me.

*For a God that understands.

*For a life that is not perfect, but is enough.

*For times that bring me to my knees, so all I can do is look up.

*For rain. Glorious rain.

*For water that brings life.

*For friends far and wide, although we may never meet in person, whose words touch my soul.

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First Day Of Fall

Autumn trees and clouds

Image by rkramer62 via Flickr

Early morning darkness.

I hear the steady drum of the rain on the roof. The rivulets of water stream down the windows.

I flip the switch, and flood the room with the golden light of a new morning.

Looking out the kitchen window, even on this gray day, I see a world drenched in color.

The rain makes the grass look greener, the sky more like slate, the trees just beginning to burn with color.

There is a chill in the air.

The morning is turning towards Autumn.

Wrapped in a wet, new day.

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Happy first day of Fall,  my friends.

 

 

 

 

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Weathering Life

Lightning

The morning sun pours in through the windows and puddles golden on the floor. It is a bright morning following a stormy night. The lightness is in direct contrast to the steel gray of last night’s weather. I think that life, in general, is a lot like the weather.

*we can try and plan outdoor activities, schedule things on the calendar….but, sometimes it rains and plans change.

*storms are unpredictable, and sometimes scary….but, they don’t last forever.

*as much as we enjoy the sunshine, we need the rain. Rain helps things to grow.

*sun is important and our body needs it for good health and for our moods, but too much sunshine and we get hurt.

*Sunshine and rain are both important in nature…and in life.

Enjoy the sunny times of life, appreciate them. Embrace them. Remember them.

But, also remember that every life is going to have rain…need rain. Learn to weather the storms. Hang on tight. Ride them out.

Both sunshine and rain help you to grow.

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-thank you God, for the sunshine and the rain

-puddles of sunlight

-doggie licks

-the smell of coffee

-holding hands

-good morning hugs

-friendship

-good ideas

-comfy pajamas

-a fresh start to a new week

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Stormy Saturday

A wall cloud with tail cloud.

Image via Wikipedia

My alarm clock went off at 7am. I heard the thunder in the distance.

I listened. I heard it coming closer.

Then I heard the rain.

A nice sound, early in the morning.

After about an hour and a half, I decided it was safe enough to walk the dog.

There was a huge, dark, wall cloud at the front of the house. I could still hear thunder and see lightning in the distance.

I told Lonnie to hurry up.

He didn’t.

I was fascinated with the clouds. I am a storm watcher. I did not like being the tallest thing in the field, when I could see lightning…even if it wasn’t right near me. I didn’t want to take any chances, so I squatted down with the dog and reminded him again that he needed to get the show on the road so we could go back inside.

I took him back inside and grabbed my camera.

I ran back outside and snapped some pictures, even though in just a few minutes the clouds had already changed and moved.

I do love summertime storms.

 

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Row The Boat, Ashore….

Lakeville funnel cloud

Image by soozums via Flickr

It’s raining. A lot. Again.

This Spring has been wet and volatile.

At least there have been no funnel clouds in sight. Yet.

Even though I love to watch the tornado documentaries, I don’t want to be IN one.

Just sayin’.

I have to drive two of my kiddos to a town that is an hour away.

For some academic testing.

That happens each year, at this time.

The test proves how brilliant they are.

Really. I’m not lying.

They are.

Of course, they have wonderful teachers.

I love homeschooling:)

Well, I had better go.

Stuff to do before we leave

I hope this trip doesn’t call for an ark….or red ruby slippers and a trip to Kansas.

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