Visiting Gainey Vineyards

Things to love...

Ron and I are headed to Solvang for a few days for our annual "Marriage Check-Up" with Lynn and Terri. Over the last ten years, we've typically stayed at a beach town - so this is a departure for us to be so far inland. We are fairly close to the water, so if Lynn has any withdrawal symptoms, we can get him to the beach pretty quickly. :)

Looking forward to having some time celebrating God's goodness to us and reviewing evidences of His grace in our lives and marriages.

So grateful for a husband who takes time out each year to make this happen. Praying for a refreshing, encouraging, and fruitful time together.

Guess I better go pack now...

Figuring Life Out - One Thousand Gifts

Looking forward to leading a book group this month with some friends at church. We have about 7-8 groups of women that are meeting together in small groups in homes to read through various books.

I am so excited to start ours this Friday! Last fall, I had a group of women that studied through Colossians - what a great way to build friendships and grow in your faith at the same time!

This time, we're going through the book: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

It is a beautifully written book that speaks to:

~how we can live fully - right where we are - no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in

~how we can cultivate gratefulness as worship to God

~how we can commune with the very present God - in all the moments of our day

~how to make sense of our lives and the world - even the difficult situations

~how to find joy

Here's a little trailer that talks about the book:

So... I'm singing a song of anticipation and gratefulness for new friends and old - who'll be sharing this journey with me over the next three months.

Hello February!

Good bye, January! While I usually love January with all it's fresh starts and new beginnings, this past month has been very difficult and I am so glad that it's behind us!

I spent most of the month out of commission with a problem with my back - precipitated, I think, by helping set up bunk beds for the girls. I'm so grateful for Ibuprofen, my constant friend the past few weeks, which helped me get through various commitments and responsibilities.

Our trip to Cambria was a breath of fresh air in more ways than one, and although I was still in pain, it was so good to get outside and off the couch!! Sea breeze, sunshine and blue skies -- just what I needed!

Happy to report that I am feeling MUCH better! Now that the pain is in the intermittent and manageable category, I have a lot of catching up to do! Unfortunately, homeschooling was a "fail" for me - and we are a bit behind. Hoping to make up for it this month - and get back to our regular routines and on track with our schedules.

So, here's to fresh starts and new beginnings - in February!