our Lake City home

beautiful Sandia Mountians out our front door, Albuquerque

When I am gone to my new home with Christ and anyone reads this, I want you to know that I have had an adventure that I could never have imagined. I have never not known about the God- man Jesus. I can't remember a time I didn't know about Him.Then I began to know Him personally yet gradually day by day just like in any relationship. In the second grade I prayed a prayer to Him for an answer when my Mom told me to"ask Jesus what to do". I did and He answered in the most amazing way, a way a child could not miss. In the third grade , He answered a prayer to heal my sister who was 6 months old and very sick. I ask that she be home for Christmas and she was. There were years I left Him like a sheep going astray on my own way. But in the back of my mind He was always there and I did all I could to push Him back because I was ashamed but not willing to turn back. But the Lord kept on pursuing and drawing me. I met my husband who was also ready to come back to his first love and we began a journey that led us to the place of total commitment to Him. I had found the missing piece. He was the missing piece. I can tell you that the path He led me on has been filled with life more abundantly. I am not saying that there haven't been hard things to face, rough places to walk through, uncertainty, doubt,  but He built a foundation in me through His Word, through trials and tests , through  the teacher, the Holy Spirit, relationships I formed through this journey.  I have learned about His faithfulness and His grace. It was what I was born for. I never had ambition for a career, or an education , but the education I have received chasing Him has been amazing. I am still stirred up to know more of Him, understand more of His ways, to share what I have learned with others. I love His people I have met along the way. I love the Body of Christ. I love meeting new followers of Christ and hearing their stories of faith and victory. I know I have much more to learn but the life I have lived has been so worth it because He has walked with me all the way. And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own..and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.
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What I believe...
                                  I believe that life is to be experienced  and to be expressed because Jesus said He came to give us life and life more abundantly.

I believe that much of that is quenched in us  and that the truth of our DNA is tampered with by those who are more concerned in our lives with rules rather than relationship. Those who are more secure with putting us in a  box that can be closed up and put on a shelf rather  than taking the time exploring our worth, value and personalities because that requires time, intimacy and unselfishness.  I believe that the secrets of God's Kingdom belong to the children, the childlike, not the super intelligent or the pius .I believe that most people have trouble understanding a God who would send His only Son as a sacrifice for their sins, because they don't think they need forgiveness  and to suggest otherwise is an insult. I believe that most of those who are believers still have trouble receiving His love  and can't believe there is a God bigger than their problems and that He is willing to fight for us, intercede for us and has prepared a glorious place for us.They say they believe it until you get right down to asking them .They can believe it for others but have trouble thinking they are worth God's love. I believe that a senseless tragedy like we have experienced this past week where brave teachers and innocent children were gunned down should shake us up enough to count our blessings, rethink our priorities, repent and thank God everyday for life, but sadly even the Twin Towers seem to only affect those not closely involved just for a short time. I know God doesn't want us to live in depression and defeat and dwell on the past and sad events, but I believe we in this country and even some of  us who are Christians seem to have grown calloused, and cold . Matthew 24:11-13 says, Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because  lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. The Bible talks about the beginning of sorrows being one of the signs of the end of the age. I am not sure if this is  the age of sorrows but I am beginning to wonder. I believe that the Lord reigns and that theKingdoms of this world shall become the Kingdoms of His Christ and He shall reign forever and ever. I do know that that Jesus became real to me as a small child and He answered prayers that let a little girl in the second and third grades  know without a shadow of doubt that He had heard her. I believe Him, I believe His word and I am learning to trust Him more day by day..Joyce Meyers says You don't need to know the why behind everything if you trust God...I believe that! but then I find myself sometimes asking Him... Why?

Quietness..peace.  Forever grateful, forever thankful for the times of calmness ..Knowing that we can remain unshaken in a shaken world. It's  nice to experience His presence aside from the distractions outside. I cuddle up with coffee, listening to the hum of the dishwasher , eyes closed, but so  aware of His company. There is a line in a song..In the silence you are speaking. I have been in desert times.This is different.This is solitude; rest.. He is speaking. There is a Knowing in the stillness when there is no disturbance in my soul. As I savor this moment, I mull over last evening with a smile.  We gathered  for worship and reading of His word, with grandkid chatter and interruptions inevitable , that stillness of His company flowed into our midst, into our small intimate unit..We welcomed Him. Revelation flowed, encouragement was offered, joy returned.. healing was received..we dismissed with fullness and satisfaction ..sharing it with Him was the difference..sharing it together was community. We were left...Knowing.

Grace..God's empowering presence! His presence is so real and tangible today.Bill Johnson writes "the church gathers weekly around a sermon, but Israel encamped continually around the Presence. Perhaps when we return to that priority, we, the church, will learn what it means to be a holy nation." I am sensing His presence in a way I haven't experienced.I am sensing a keen awareness of Him hovering over us like never before.  Perhaps its because chaos and darkness are drawing too close. Isn't that what a parent would do when knowing of an approaching storm?  Gather her children closer, staying in close proximity to protect them .Jesus laments in Matthew 23:37" O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" I sense His presence wanting to gather us under his wings of protection;letting us know He is there as the Father/Mother God, El Shaddai, the many breasted one .Psalm 61 :3 reads" For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of your wings". The key is camping continually around His presence close enough to know when Father is hovering over us .Keeping  covenant with the One who is our shield and buckler, our strong tower, our fortress and our strength is our part with the One who will gather us like chicks under His wings! His Grace, His empowering presence is part of the covenant.We must  stay in it continually, not just weekly.

I awakened this morning with memories of Thanksgiving from my youth and I could hear my grandmother quoting a poem "when the frost is on the pumpkin..." and I remember the potlucks at the church fellowship hall and all the kids playing outside getting dirty in the grass until the grownups called us in to eat..Cornucopia's filled each table with apples,oranges and nuts...hot rolls  filled the hall with amazing aroma and all the ladies of the church brought in delicious pies,cakes, and cookies to go later with hot coffee. A huge turkey and ham with all the fixings decorated the large table and then we circled the room holding hands until the blessing over the food was prayed. Usually on Thanksgiving Day my grandmother and mother cooked together and sometimes we had relatives drop in for a yearly visit and a plate of turkey and a slice of pie. Stories, laughter and the ballgames on TV were always what dominated the day with the grownups and my sisters and I usually played outside , riding bicycles or playing with the neighbor kids. Life when looking back seemed so simple and I remember it like it was yesterday. We try now to do the same thing with our family because of the wonderful memories we hope to leave with our grandchildren and to remember this day with thankfulness.
."Enter into His gates with thanksgiving... be thankful unto Him, and bless His name"
Psalm 100:4

Thanksgiving Proclamation by
Abraham Lincoln

"Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby appoint and set apart the last Thursday in November next as a day which I desire to be observed by all my fellow-citizens, wherever they may be then, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe. And I do further recommend to my fellow-citizens aforesaid, that on the occasion they do reverently humble themselves in the dust, and from thence offer up penitent and fervent prayers and supplications to the great Disposer of events for a return of the inestimable blessings of peace, union, and harmony throughout the land which it has pleased Him to assign as a dwelling-place for ourselves and for our posterity throughout all generations."

Blowing, leaves falling, drizzle, grey sky., the feeling of anticipation, shifts, changes, smiles, pumpkins, baking, smell of refreshing in the air..land crying for a drink. God supplies later in season than usual. Wonder why?  Sometimes the wait is for a reason. Our land cries for a fresh baptism, but He sometimes is a God who hides himself desiring to be sought after, to be chased , to be found.  Father's seasons are sometimes different from ours. His times are written on His calendar. That's why we are to be instant in season and out because we may be called upon according to His calendar,not ours. Issachar knew the times and seasons. The tribe who must have had His ways, His clues, His signs written by the Spirit on their hearts. They knew even as the  stork in the heavens knew her appointed times, and the turtledove, the swift, and the swallow observe the time of their migration, Jeremiah 8:7. We draw closer, Father to become more attuned to your clock and calendar, to your ways , to keep in step with your movements. We  want to breathe with you, move with you   Lord. We want to be ready at a moment's notice.

beautiful fall  colors along Bandalier  in Tuscany Addition where we live and walk

Today it seems like any other supernatural day. With coffee brewing, we are waking up to a cool calm autumn morning. Golden and bright corals   along our street are shimmering in the breeze. Balloons are dotting the skies overhead. Our  beautiful  red Bradford pears are  ablaze like fire glowing in the sunlight. The Rio Grande below is aligned with miles of turning cottonwoods in shapes of golden clouds. The Sandia mountains stand  in a distance,  stately and majestic  with shadows of clouds whisking by. From our front porch we can see curls of smoke from fireplaces along the foothills spiraling up into the blue sky signaling we are in for cooler frost-like mornings. Just another supernatural day in God's world painted it seems at the moment just for me to enjoy, to inhale and capture in my mind. One that makes me thankful to live in such a beautiful place. Thank you Lord! I am amazed Father at your love to take such glory and transfer it to this beautiful landscape for your people to enjoy today!

Daughter I see that the world has closed in around you and you feel smothered and hemmed in. What I had in mind was that you be able to run free; to soar and to show your true colors..You have clothed yourself in camouflage to blend in  with the rest of the landscape . I made  you to be  to be different, to shine above and out from the others, not to be better than but to be distinctive. A gem with unique qualities . You are to show the design I created, not to be a copy or a imitation of something or someone else . I created you an original..Look in the mirror ,my mirror.Your mirror is not another person but the word of God.The word interpreted to you by my Spirit will show you who you are and only when you accept that and began to marvel in yourself as I created you will you began to be fulfilled, content and thankful..The Apostle Paul said not to  compare yourselves among yourselves for this is not wise because it causes the same deception that Satan tempted Eve with. God made a mistake when he made you.

What He gave you is not enough.He held out on you.You are still not complete. You need more -----. It causes you to look toward something else for fulfillment. It makes you feel inferior and  you began to value yourself in comparison to others and I want you to compare yourself to Me.When I made you, I said It is good! I made you in My image and that is enough!

Zion Rebekah

You ask me how I know He Lives: He lives within my heart;a line of an old hymn written in 1887. It was one of the songs I loved singing  when I rededicated my life to Him about the age of 25 ..I was pregnant with my daughter Brooke and I had been so hungry for that relationship I knew as a child. My choices had taken me off that road less traveled and even though I had found a wonderful man and was starting  a family, something was missing. I remember going to the Baptist church one night in Dick's hometown. We had just moved there from Colorado and there was a group of kids  sharing their testimonies and one young lady shared the scripture out of Ecclesiastes chapter 5 vs. 20.  For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart. One translation says, For he will not dwell on the days of his life, because God will keep him occupied with gladness of heart. Well my heart leaped in me, I realized I was missing gladness of heart and the joy of my salvation. My favorite hymn for several years after that was this song He Lives. He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today, He walks with me, He talks with me, along life's narrow way, He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives:He lives within my heart. I was so longing for the intimacy with Him I had as a child. I know when I let circumstances , worry or fear take over,  my heart becomes heavy..so a few days ago this song came back to me and I am reminded that I need to quit dwelling unduly on life's problems or the past, I need to let his joy overtake me and let gladness of heart return. Which by the way Nehemiah says is my source of strength!

Puget Sound

Calm Before the Storm

 Father many of us are sensing the under currant of your emergence in this hour. You are positioning those who are  watchmen and warriors on the front lines and many intercessors behind the scenes.. You are arranging the body in such diverse ways and you are breaking up fallow ground and relocating those who can plow, those who can plant and those who can water. The Spirit is preparing ground for us to occupy and for us to cultivate, for your Kingdom is advancing. Much of it seems to be invisible except to those who are seeing with the eyes of the Spirit, those with the Issachar anointing who know the season and are signaling the Body. Let us continue to stay awake to what you are doing and awaken to our purpose in this hour. For you Lord have come with the Voice of a commander to strengthen us to be able to stand and take back ground. Let us be faithful in whatever or wherever we are are assigned

Victoria Clipper

We have driven almost 2000 plus miles from Albuquerque to Seattle.We have enjoyed the smell of mountain pines, watched the desert sunset, waded in the cold pacific ocean, crossed the Golden Gate bridge and driven through the beautiful vineyards in the Napa Valley. Even the wonderful food and drink as good as they were haven't compared to the friends we have gathered with along the way..Friends who we will ever be joined to in the Spirit. We have shared testimonies, cried, prayed and laughed with these who have been lifelines at one time or another in our journey of life and we feel so blessed to have shared this trip with them. We are forever changed each time we experience something new and different. But again the most gorgeous scenery can't bring the kind of fulfillment like the new discoveries our granddaughter Anya had to share or learning things about her that we didn't know or spending the week with my daughter Brooke celebrating her birthday and just getting to be with her and realizing what an amazing woman and mother she is. Hmmm... I am kind of thinking this is what Our Father enjoys, experiencing life with His family!  By the way Happy Anniversary to my husband Dick, its been an adventurous 41 years!

As I sat this morning on the porch, I asked the Lord if there was anything He wanted to say or wanted me to know. I waited quietly and then like an inner whisper I heard "I came into the world, not to condemn the world but to save it".I went to the Moffatt's translation and read the familiar passages in John 3:16 and following..For God loved the world so dearly that he gave up His only Son, so

our front porch

that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life, instead of perishing. God did not send his Son into the world to pass sentence on it, but to save the world by him. My next thoughts were, do we condemn or have we sentenced those in the world already? I thought about how Jesus was attracted to those who were lost, demon possessed and they were to Him. He even sought them out. Do we attract through our love like He did or do we sentence and condemn? I have had this on my mind all day. Jesus seemed to have an acceptance that the world wanted. Only the religious pharisees and even some of His disciples had a disdain for those who they thought were "sinners", who didn't exactly measure up or follow their rules. I love the story of the woman with the alabaster box who was scorned when she poured the expensive perfume on His feet and wiped them with her tears. The pious disciple in John 12 was annoyed at her waste of expensive ointment and the motive of the heart was at that moment exposed. He wasn't really interested in the poor but the love of money had already blinded him from the the true meaning of what Mary did. Those who have been forgiven much love with extravagance just like He does. I know the Lord was showing how quickly we can deviate from His real message and His true mission. We need to remember why He came. Not to condemn, or pass sentence but to introduce them to Him. Like Mary their lives will be changed forever and will pass the love on just as they were loved. Some of us have forgotten have much we have been forgiven and our love has grown small. I love what Danny Silk says, when Love is small, Law is big.. Hmmm a good barometer that we can check our love with!

the house mother owned as an antique shop, Lake City Co.

The mulberry tree was planted in 1964. I was in the eighth grade. Mama said it would grow faster than other trees, that's why she chose it. Years later it appeared in the local news because it was one of the largest trees in town. Back in West Texas, trees were scarce so you planted them to shade your house and yard. I didn't pay much attention to it for the next several years with sports,cheer leading and of course boys . When my family moved to another town, my grandparents moved in and became the official caretakers of the tree. On visits back home, the tree would be the first welcomed sight as we pulled into the drive way. My kids would scramble out of the car and run over to climb up her massive trunk to their favorite branches. We were always amazed at how much she had grown. It was a statue that represented happier times, stable homes with squealing kids and grand kids as they swung from her strong arms with rich, green leaves and played under her broad cool shade. Sadly one day when we were driving through our old home town we decided to go back by the house and see the tree..As we turned down our street we could see the bare yard and the sun beating down against the house. The new owners had cut down the beautiful tree. My grandparents were gone now and the tree that was so much apart of our childhood would now just be a memory,but a good memory. I still think about it and all that she has represented to me through the years. The love, security ,faith and strength of a family and a time when things seemed much safer and simpler....Psalm 1:3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither and whatever he does shall prosper.

Sept 13

Zion and Jaden at Nonni and Poppy's

  Four years ago Zion Rebekah came into the life of our family, joining her sister, Eden and brother Jaden. What's funny is that the night before we were all at a Jason Upton concert at their church..Megan's contractions had been irregular on and off all day, but when we began to worship with Jason the contractions began to start with the  rhythm of the music. We knew Zion would love music as she communicated it to us that evening..Megan and Billy had gotten a prophecy right before they married, that their children would be worshippers around the throne..So today we celebrate the joy she  has brought us...She always insist that I have my radio on in the car as she loves to sing along with the Christian artists.  We always say what would we have done without Zion...glad we didn't have to find out....So Happy Birthday to our little sunflower!

Sept12                                      

between ojo caliente and espanola n.m

    Today I am experiencing a quiet stillness and calmness. I  know these times are to draw me into a much more intimate friendship with Jesus . I love to read Oswald Chambers and one of my favorite devotionals he writes is the one on silence..".Has God trusted you with a silence--a silence that is big with meaning? God's silences are His answers. You will find that God has trusted you in the most intimate way possible, with an absolute silence, not of despair, but of pleasure, because he saw that you could stand a bigger revelation. I f God  has given you a silence, praise Him, He is bringing you into the great run of His purposes. A wonderful thing about God's silence is that the contagion of His stillness gets into you and you become perfectly confident.  I know God has heard me. His silence is proof that He has.  If Jesus Christ is bringing you into the understanding that prayer is for the glorifying of His Father, He will give you the first sign of His intimacy-----silence."( My Utmost for His Highest, Oct.11)  In quietness and confidence shall be your strength

Sept 11                                                 Joy

Victoria Island

     Joy stirred in me when I truly saw your Face today. With the autumn winds blowing through their hair, smiles and frowns on their faces, I saw You in them as they scrambled back to their cars with sacks full of groceries,hurrying kids to their cars. Father today I saw you and I was grateful to be apart of these humans you created. In  awe that you wanted us, wanted someone to love and created us in your likeness, I would have missed you today if I had not looked up and caught your glimpse.It took me away from my own thoughts, my own struggles.I was caught off guard by the amazing diversity of your creation and I am apart of it. Thank you, Thank you!

Sept 10                        

Dillon Beach

 Nature heals us like nothing else...we cage ourselves in with our flat screens, computers,I pads, and isolate with something we hope can heal our disappointments, hurts, reverse our anger. We look for the entertainment world to escape to when God knew all along what would really soothe us, restore and refresh us.Today the air is so cool and calm, the birds are singing heaven's songs and the blue sky mirrors the halls of heaven and a brisk walk in God's creation removes the heavy covering of oppression..I remember the time when working with people in a hospital who were suicidal, depressed, hopeless and one of the doctors on staff would suggest a trip to the lake or to the park to feed the ducks..He was a quite wise man who knew His Creator and how creation brings healing to the soul...Father you provided for every need.. even healing! Psalm :103

September 9

aspens turning on windy point..Lake City Co
Matterhorn,
Wetterhorn, Uncompagre Peak

We should love the transitional days between seasons...one extreme to another..a cool, overcast almost cold day ,breezy with scattering leaves and whirlwinds to a hot day with the sun beating down on you with a vengeance..and so goes the seesaw of weather until it finally settles down into a name you can call it ..Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall  Transitional days get us use to the season coming and even began to welcome it and all its glory..God uses everything He made to teach us and show us that nothing stays the same. The Spirit is always moving and each movement comes with  manifestations that we began to identify. Nothing He made was without purpose..for our enjoyment and to learn His ways...first comes the natural , then the spiritual I Cor.15:46

Sept 8                                               Seasons of Childhood

Eden 12 today

our three N.M. grands..ready to swim

  ...Enjoyed today having little girls ranging from 8-12 at our house for our grandaughter Eden's birthday...the younger ones just seem to enjoy the water, no matter how cold ,were just so energetic with no worries whatsoever..but the older ones, well you can already see the affects of peer pressure, concerns of the world,  and the mother coming out in them...I relived today feelings I had at that age...but remembering the sense of security and feeling that most of the things that mattered Mom or Dad would handle ..sometimes we need to remember the innocence of childhood. realizing that God our Father is in control and knowing that most of the things that matter He can handle...a burden is lifted when we become childlike and  don't need to know everything because our Abba does...Happy  12th Birthday Eden..we love you!

Anya and friend

You know we are to learn from every season of life that we go through.. Struggling is actually one of the ways we find our identity, our wings...Just as the butterfly has to struggle to push out of the cocoon,  we have to go through many cocoons that will strengthen us so we can fly. We groan and moan when things aren't easy, but without adversity we won't become what God intended us to be; strong, determined, confident and successful...so don't ask God to make things easy, ask Him to make you a person who is just more than a survivor or a victim but a Victor!  .Become someone who can stand and be secure and have the faith to speak to the mountains in your life that are in the way of your dreams. Your DNA is in Him...find Him and you will find You...You look like your Father...how cool is that!

Sept 6

I walked this morning and tried to listen not just with my ears but with ears of the Spirit. The soft wind was refreshing as the heat of the morning sun was just bearable.  I can feel the season transitioning but the heat of the summer is having trouble letting go and  I am still enjoying the warm sunshine and dips in the pool yet anticipating the coolness of  autumn.  Such as with the season of our lives ...God gives us a taste or touch of what is coming before it fully arrives. I pondered if I was really ready for what lies ahead because there is calm right now..I don't want to disturb it. Its nice. But I felt the winds of change this morning and it will come, ready or not.

to understand seasons......a quote from Kris Valloton

"To succeed in the kingdom you must understand the seasons of your life and act appropriately.

River running through Petaluma, Ca.

You LIE DOWN by the green pastures. You WALK through the valley of the shadow of death and you SIT at the table prepared for you in the presence of your enemy.

Lying down when you should be walking can turn a 40 day trial into a 40 year cultural experience. The enemy's strategy is to scare you to DEATH.

Walking when you should be lying down creates intensity that can't be sustained. It's a demonic strategy to work you to DEATH (see Daniel 7:25).

If you are walking or lying down when should be feasting, while you sit at the banquet table of Lord, the enemy's strategy is to starve you to DEATH.

But you can LIVE in peace in every season of life by simply POSITIONING yourself for success."

Kris Vallotton


"Shame is an equal opportunity destroyer" Kris Vallotton

Be still and Know that I am God...the verse I received this weekend from a friend..
The part that really jumped out to me was "and know".The Spirit quickened me that you need to learn stillness to Know. Knew (past tense of know) was the word in scripture used to describe intimacy between Adam and Eve in Genesis 4:1 "Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain". Stillness provides the right posture to conceive from the heart of God. ..Be still and know that I am God...He wants us to know Him..and wants us to conceive when our soul and spirit are at rest..Why is being still so difficult for us?

Graham Cooke: We are not designed to have merely functional relationships in the Kingdom. God is highly relational, and so intimacy must be the highest priority of life in the Spirit."

Seasons

walking along dillon beach california

I have been in a new season since I turned 60…whatever that means and I kept waiting for it to come to a close around the corner. Well I haven’t rounded the corner yet. I am finding it is a time to enter into the rest He has provided for us; to cease from striving , to occupy until..a season to enter into the eye of the storm. In this time I have realized it is hard for many of us to stay calm even in the peace..because we are used to crisis, to chaos , to change and to rest is so uncomfortable some people create a storm to feel normal, to feel comfortable, to feel secure. so this will be a blog to just stir the depths of the innermost and see what surfaces from what lies beneath…blessings!