FOR TODAY (October 28, 2008)...

Outside My Window . . . I see a few yellow leaves on a wild cherry tree. They are moving in the breeze on this beautiful fall day in Florida.

I am thinking... that the day has gone by very quickly, and I didn't get everything done that I had hoped to do today.

I am thankful for... the beautiful place we live. So thankful!

From the kitchen... the wonderful aroma of chicken and rice cooking for dinner.

I am wearing... jeans, tunic top, no shoes.

I am creating... a new scrapbook page with photos from this time last year.

I am going... nowhere. I've already been today for groceries.

I am reading... The Total Money Makeover, by Dave Ramsey. EXCELLENT book. I highly recommend it to everyone.

I am hoping... the cool weather will continue. It's nice to not be running the air conditioner.

I am hearing... snoring dog, curled up by my desk.

Around the house... my dinner is waiting for finishing touches.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week. . . prepare for my sister's stay with me during our mother's heart surgery next week.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Isn't it romantic? This is from the recent cruise we were on (see previous post) to the Caribbean. And there's nobody I'd rather have shared it with than my sweet husband.

I'm so glad to be able to participate with the others in this Notebook entry. You can visit The Simple Woman's blog HERE!

God's Faithfulness

After saving and planning for almost a year, Dan and I were privileged to recently go on a cruise to the Caribbean. What a great vacation!! The food, the pampering, the opportunity to rest - all wonderful. And then there's the sunrise. Sunrise over the ocean has no competition from streetlights or landscape. It's just water and light, and it is an awesome reminder of the faithfulness of God.

Max Lucado is one of my favorite writers, and he is truly gifted by God to convey spiritual truth in a manner that is easy to read and understand. He wrote this in his book, A Gentle Thunder:

"God's faithfulness has never depended on the faithfulness of his children. He is faithful even when we aren't. When we lack courage, he doesn't. He has made a history out of using people in spite of people. I simply think God is greater than our weakness. In fact, I think it is our weakness that reveals how great God is."

The news is filled with accounts of faith-LESS-ness in every area of life, from the people in our neighborhoods to those in Washington. Weakness. Lack of courage. If our trust is in other people -or in ourselves - we will certainly be disappointed. BUT, God is always faithful. Scripture is filled with assurances of this truth. In the midst of great affliction, Jeremiah wrote, "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning: great is your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:21-23.

Whatever happens in the world, my confidence rests with The Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, The Ever Faithful Creator and Sustainer of the universe, whose mercies are new every morning.