Little Letters - second edition

Dear Sweaters:  It's so nice to see you again.  I am looking forward to spending more time with you. 

Dear Seaside:  I just adored our recent visit.  You are amazing.  Thank you for all you do for me. 

Dear Contentment:  Why must you be so fleeting? 

Dear Summer Squash:  You are an incredibly generous giver.  A little too generous.

Dear Change: How is it that sometimes you can be so fun and exciting and other times just so difficult?

Dear BBC:  I really appreciate your creativity and originality.  

Dear Family:  Do you really know just how much I love you?  I don't think I say it enough!

Dear Autumn:  Your cool, crisp weather, your beautiful colors, and your pumpkin spice are my favorite things about you.

Dear Trials:  I am thankful for you.  You show me where I am weak and you refine me.

Dear Time:  Could you slow down, just a little?

Dear You:  Thank you for reading. Thank you for your encouragement.

Happy anniversary to my husband.

 

 

Thank you for 26 beautiful, wonderful years.

Looking forward to so many more.

I love you.

Summer Finale

Summer just isn't summer without a visit to the beach!

 

 

With summer quickly coming to an end, we took a quick trip to the seashore.

Beach weather is unpredictable, but especially so in the Northwest. 

  Sunny, cold, cloudy, warm, windy, foggy? 

 

 

It really doesn't matter to our family because our love for the beach runs deep.

We thoroughly enjoyed doing all our favorite things.

 We collected treasures.

{This shell looks like a butterfly.}

{There were lots of jelly fish - EEK!- Matthew scooped this one up in our bucket.}

We laughed

and played.

 

 

Some Skimboarded

 

 

 

 {Dan got the hang of it and is now hooked.}

 

while others surfed.

{That's my "Silver Surfer"!}

 

We built a little fire on the sand with scraps of wood we found along the beach, and roasted s'mores at sunset.
 

 

The clouds rolled in so we couldn't actually see a sunset.  {sad!}

 

 

We like this beach for so many reasons.  

It's walking distance from the cottage. {Convenient if we forget something.}

You can drive on the beach. {Easier with surfboards!}
 

At low tide, there are puddles to play in.  Because they are shallow, the water in them is warm...relatively.

 

 

One day we got adventurous and tried a new beach.

The cliffs were covered in tall evergreens, rugged and beautiful.

 

There were tide pools.  The kids had a great time exploring and finding crabs and anemone.

What's this?  Meriwether and William?
 

Just goofy Caleb and Matt.
 

One day it was so windy that we packed up our gear, and played in town instead.
Unbeknownst to us, this town was the ending destination of a relay race.   It was over-the-top crowded and nearly impossible to find a parking space. 

"Was is worth it?"
"I don't know, still trying to decide."

 

A carousel ride and a bags of salt water taffy.   Mission accomplished.

 

Our time at the coast was relaxing and refreshing. It was just what we needed before we begin schooling again.

 

 . . . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Needles and weighty thoughts

By now you probably know that I love to find a good deal.   I get a little giddy when I find the proverbial needle in the haystack.  No, honestly, I do.

Look at my most recent "needle."  I found this the other day while thrifting.

This copy was published in 1956 and look at the original price.  The funny thing is that I paid more for it.     

Some things have value based on what they are, not just what they cost!

Most people probably associate C.S. Lewis with the Narnia series, but have you ever read this book? 

It's imperative to know what you believe spiritually.  As strong as that is, it more important to know WHY you believe it.  It's quite a sobering thought to think that one day we will stand before the Creator of the Universe. He will ask the question, "Why should I let you into my kingdom?"   What you believe and why will determine what your answer will be.

{Matt. 7:21-23. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'  And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."}

Being a moral person {"Well, I've never murdered, or committed adultery"} isn't enough to grant salvation.  Have you ever gotten angry with someone?  Read Matt 5:20-22.

Doing charitable deeds isn't enough either.  {Isaiah 64:6 states that all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment.}

We live in a society where work results in rewards.  No denying it - it is how it is. {work=paycheck, chores=allowance, good grades=scholarship, therefore, good works=salvation, right?}
We seem to be thoroughly conditioned to that line of thinking, and that has transferred into the spiritual life as well.
But, I implore you to take the time to think about why you do what you do {or even don't do.}  Is your motive to be on "God's good side"? 

Thankfully, God allows for an open-book test!  The answers are all there...in black and white.
Will you take the time to look? 

God's grace {ONLY,  It is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to Christ.}
{Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5} 

Our faith {ONLY, not coupled with works} 
{Romans 5:1}

in Christ {ONLY his sinless life and substitutionary atonement can accomplish our righteousness.}
{John 3:16, Romans 5:8}

based on Scripture {it alone is the ONLY inerrant source.}
{2 Timothy 3:16, John 17:17}


I'm not often good at sharing these kinds of things in person.  On the spot, specific Scripture references escape me; bunny trails distract me; my own insecurities disable me, but it is often a burden of my heart.  I want the truth to be known.  I want people to know what I believe. 

. . . . .