Simple Summer...

I know it has been sooo long since I posted last, but no matter how hard I try my summer has been so busy. I am devoting the rest of my summer to be a "simple summer."  Simple joys that make up a great summer.

Today is my daddy's 71st birthday... Happy Birthday Dad! I am grateFUL to have been blessed with such a good daddy!

Also, we had a new member added to the Orth side of the family... Levi Luke Daniel Anderson was born July 7 to my hubby's baby sister, Anne, and her husband Wayne... congratulations to them! Levi has a 13 year old sister and a 4 year old brother too. Can't wait to get my hands on this precious bundle!  So my simple summer picture is of our new nephew, Levi!

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17

with a grateFUL HEART, carin 

Why?

“Why do I love God?”  That is a question I came across as I was reading the other day. Have you ever thought about it? Do I love Him for what He does for me or gives me? Or do I love Him because of who He is?  I think of the verse, "We love Him because He first loved us.” I John 4:19 … He gave His love first… how can I not love Him just for that alone???  When I think about His love I actually feel my heart start to bubble over… it feels like something bubbles up out of my heart, up through my throat… making me want to shout for joy and filling my eyes with tears of joy.  The mere mention of God’s love or the name of Jesus has that effect on me… how amazing is that… how amazing is He???  I can trust that no matter the circumstance He will always do what is right!  I can know that if I focus on Him then any circumstance in my life will not be my main concern.  So why do you love God?

Have a bridal shower card to share today... I used the "center step card" method on this one... I liked how it turned out and that I was able to make it so personal for the bride to be... that is a picture of the couple on the day he proposed.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

What Really Matters...

What really matters to you? Do you have your priorities in line? I can say that I do... I can even believe that I do, but do I really??? Are there days when you just try to squeeze one more thing into your plans, but what does that do for you? When I have a day like that or even many days it usually leaves me weary. In those times it is so easy to lose track of what really matters.

I know for myself the first thing I need to do is to rest in God's presence. It is a busy world but if you take just a moment or two to read a verse, talk with Him... let Him know how much you adore Him... how thankful you are for how He has blessed you... how He loves you.  It is true God knows everything there is to know about us, yet He desires to spend time with us.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. Psalm 130:5

I have a graduation card to share with you today… I had to add a little sparkle… I just had to.

I would love it if you would share with me what really matters to you.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Basking in His Beauty...

God's wonder... last night we had a gorgeous sunset here in northern Michigan.  I am so amazed how every sunset is so unique... with every stroke of His paintbrush He creates a new masterpiece.  It can be from one minute to the next... as you can see in these 3 pics that were shot one right after the other.



I love that He shares His beauty with us even in the everyday things! Have you taken the time lately just to bask in the beauty of His nature???  It seemed like a long winter for us and that spring would never get here, but the anticipation has only made me more grateFUL for it now that it is here. How about you... share one precious spring moment with me... the colors, the fragrance, the sounds.

We have a 17 year old house guest for the next 10 days... should be interesting, but in a good way.  It is quite an adjustment, especially for me, having a teenage boy living in our house.  I can get stuck in my routine (in case you didn't know that) and for the next 10 days I will be stepping out of the boat when it comes to normal day life! Stretch me Lord!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Have Patience...

The moments in life when patience is needed but you just don’t want to give them.  You can pray about something and then wait for an answer.  Sometimes there is no answer right away and in those times you may be asked to be proactive in the matter or sometimes you may be told to just wait.  Lord, give me patience to be patient!

I was reading in Numbers 20 this morning about Moses losing patience with the children of Israel, when they came to him once again complaining about the lack of water.  Out of Moses’ frustration he didn’t listen close enough to what God told him.  Instead of speaking to the rock as God told him to do, he hit the rock.  God still gave the water but Moses had consequences to pay for disobedience.

For the past few months I had been going through a difficult circumstance.  When I would pray on it the answer I kept hearing was, “not now, wait.”  It was hard for me to do that… I wanted so badly to make things seem “normal” again, but what I had to do was just be patient.  I cried many times… I was frustrated many times… but I knew that through this trying time, if I was just patient it would be so worth it.  Just over a week ago, God showed me that it was time, and I reached out to turn things around.  The waiting period was so hard, but the end of that waiting period is so sweet.  Now that I am on the other side of this and onto a new improved chapter… it has taught me not only patience, but that the people in my life mean more to me now than ever before.  God, I thank You for putting wonderful women in my life and I thank You for strengthening me through the waiting.

"The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." Ecclesiastes 7:8

A couple little bookmarks to share with you, sorry the picture isn't the best. Of course, they have butterflies and Stickles!

It is rainy here in northern Michigan, but it could change any minute!!! Have a great Memorial Day weekend and take time to remember those that have gone on before.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Share the Comfort...

Life has seemed a little hurried and harried lately... not sure what that means but that is just how it feels to me!!! *Ü*  There have been a few changes in my life with friends, family, and me.  I have felt off emotionally/physically lately... plain and simple it is a hormone thing.  I just keep hoping it gets better... my husband is an incredible angel for keeping up with my changing emotions.  From 40 to 45 has been great years and I really hope for that to continue.  Sorry, don't mean to be whining!

What I do know is that when I struggle... Holy Spirit is always here to comfort me.  And through the comfort He gives me, I will be able to pass that comfort on to some one.  "He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." II Corinthians 1:4  I have a note written in my Bible next to this verse... My suffering can never outweigh God's comforting!

That is what I am holding onto today! How about you?

I actually have a card to share with you today.  This card was created for my niece, Morgan, on her confirmation.

 with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Father knows...

Can't believe it has been almost 2 weeks since I posted on grateFUL HEART.  It has been a busy couple of weeks!  There are some changes going on and it takes me a little time to get into the groove of change. Also I started a new blog directed at our ladies ministry at church... it is called "Coffee Cup Corner"... which is funny because I can't stand coffee, please check it out.

I was able to get away last week for a couple days with 3 great ladies... it was so refreshing to go to the condo at Boyne Mt. and just relax, laugh, talk, cry, eat and do nothing we didn't want to do!

This week has brought a whole new "opportunity" for change... we found out 3 weeks ago that our kitty, Lollipop, had diabetes.  We tried treating her with pills, but she continued to lose weight... she went from 10 pounds down to 5 in the last 6 weeks or so.  My wonderful hubby wanted to do whatever I was ready to do and finally this morning I let her go.  I didn't want to see her suffer anymore or get worse.  The vet was very sympathetic and Lolli went to sleep very gently.  I feel relieved it is done but I am gonna miss my little kitty so much.  She was my constant sleep companion... Luke on my right and Lolli on my left.  When she was really little she use to sleep across my throat at night. 

I am sorry I don't mean to be such a downer, this is just where my heart is today.  I am very grateFUL for the time she was here with us.

Aren't two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. Matthew 10:29 

with a grateFUL HEART, carin