Confession

I have a confession to make;  I might as well just lay it all out there. I have blogger-envy.  It's an embarrassing thing to admit, but it's the truth. 

I love reading other people's blogs.  I often lose track of time as I flit from one blog to another, relishing the insights, humor and advice that I find inhabiting the words of so many wonderful bloggers.   I love it!  And I hate it!

When I read a beautifully written post that encourages and inspires me I think "What?  Why didn't I write that?"  Or when I laugh at the humorous experiences of some hilarious blogger I wonder, "How come I didn't come up with that?"  It's painful.  It truly is.

The truth is, I am an accidental blogger.  I never planned on writing a blog.  But one Sunday night in November of 2008, my daughter happened to be home.  She had recently started blogging and thought that I should give it a try.  So while I watched with amazement and trepidation, she set up "In The Midst" and immediately handed over the keyboard to me. I loved it! And I hated it!

It's a joy to have a place to deposit the countless thoughts that swirl around in my head on a regular basis.  There is such satisfaction in pulling together ideas in a way that can be shared with others.  It's a pleasure, pure and simple. I love that!

But then there are other times, when nothing comes.  Zero. Zip. Not a single thing.  I struggle to think of something, anything to write. And I hate that! 

That's when I usually hit the other blogs.  And that's when the envy begins.  So there you have it. Blogger-envy. 

I hope that all of you wonderful bloggers recognize your role in this. If you weren't such great writers, I wouldn't have this problem.  But the bottom line is this:  I love you!  And I hate you...just a little!

Heavenly Thoughts

I never used to think about heaven very much.  Of course as a young child I learned about heaven in Sunday School. And as a born-again Believer, I rest in the knowledge that it is my future home.  But I've never spent too much time thinking about just what it will be like when I get there.

However, the older I get, the more I experience a sense of anticipation when I think of heaven.  Don't get me wrong, this isn't some morbid wish to be done with my life here, although there are days when the weariness of living in this world strikes deep into my soul.

Rather, it's simply that every now and then, God gives me the briefest glimpse of what it will be like to spend eternity worshiping and praising Him, and it makes me excited! I had one of those glimpses the other day.

As I drove to work on a glorious sunny morning last week, Matt Redman's song "10,000 Reasons" came on the radio.  While singing along with the music, I was suddenly overwhelmed with what it will be like when I am joined by countless other saints in heaven worshiping and singing God's praises forever.  It was breathtaking!  Yet it was just a preview of coming attractions, and I for one, can't wait to see the real thing!

A Shore Thing!

We just got back from a long weekend at the beach with family. My husband, being from the East coast, would say we'd been to the shore, but we Washingtonians go to the beach! It would have been absolutely perfect had our daughter and son-in-law been able to join us from California, but they weren't able to make it this time.  But that just gives us the perfect excuse for planning another trip when they can come!

On Thursday morning, my hubby and I headed to Seabrook, Washington where we had rented a sweet little cottage called "A Shore Thing."  That evening, we were joined by our son, daughter-in-law, and nearly 15 month-old granddaughter, Ella, and that's when the fun really began.

We had planned for an ever-changing weather scenario by bringing layers of clothes, rubber boots and umbrellas but God smiled down on us and other than a little sprinkle on Saturday morning, we had plenty of sunshine and blue skies! 

Before leaving on our trip, I had been on the look out for the perfect bucket and shovel to bring for Ella's first sand-digging experience.  But every bucket I found, was flimsy and looked like the handle would be history by the time the first shovelful of sand hit it. 

But then I went to Costco and...SCORE!  They have the best 13-piece bucket set that is sturdy and fun!  Ella had a blast with it before we ever even got outside. So if you are in the market for a great bucket and shovel set, check out your local Costco.  They really should be paying me for this endorsement...

Anyway, here's a how the beach looked this weekend to our gang!

Heading out for our first trip down to the beach

Look at that fantastic bucket set!

Getting a feel for the beach thing!

You'd cry too if they told you that you had to leave the sand behind :(

Beautiful family!

Lookin' good!

Couldn't resist this photo op!

Ella liked Grandma's boots...

Blue skies and sunshine...sweet!

Oh yeah, this is the good life!

Smile!

Our home, sweet home, away from home!