Faith and Retirement

 

A PLAN FOR MY LIFE....inspiration and guidance that came to me one day

Reading my daily devotionals, these were excerpts from 3 different books, all on the same day  -  they all spoke about “FAITH”.   In them contained these phrases that jumped out to me…. “faith is nothing without action”, “what fills you up so you can share your gifts with the world?”,  “leaning to live with faith is to take the next step  and faith is a conscious decision that our Creator has a plan in mind”

Week One, 5 Minutes to Focus on Slow

Loved the early morning sunlight on the wheat

I don’t know about you, but with staying home more, I have started reading all the books that I’ve bought in the last few years, maybe started and then got set aside due to life being a bit busy.  I’m a nut for inspirational books that talk about focusing on your goals, self-care and such.

Optimism - Sharing My May/June Article From Home and Harvest Magazine

Hi Friends - After a good friend commented that she was missing my blog posts.... It occurred to me that I should begin sharing the articles that I write for Home and Harvest Magazine, and thought I'd begin with the May/June edition. Having followers all over, it dawned on me that I should aquatint you to this wonderful local publication. 😀

A Heartfelt Note

Good morning and Sunday Blessings to you.

A couple days ago, I received an email from someone I've met through my writing.  She reached out to me, a heartfelt email saying she was struggling in her life, didn't like being single, was lonely and sometimes wished she would just go to sleep and never wake up.

This is part of what I wrote to her, and I felt moved to share it with you.  By now, I have realized that I don't question whether to share intense personal thoughts, I just do it because I feel compelled to do so.  The words, thoughts and feelings will flow and although it helps me intensely, maybe it helps you too. I hope so.  And with that.....

Dear friend,

My heart truly hurts for you.  Through all my heartache and hard times, I did not ever feel moved to wish I wasn't here on earth.  Please know I care.  As each person is the captain of their own ship, the course where you want to travel is up to you. While sometimes the journey is far from easy, each time I've left the rough waters and sailed into the smooth waters, a lesson has emerged and I've realized how much I needed to learn that particular lesson.  I found the silver linings.  Here are the things that I feel are necessary to navigate life's  journey. 

First, a thorough medial checkup. It is important for body, heart and soul to be healthy. 

Next is realizing you are a true work of art in God's eyes.  You have gifts to share, what they are, are only known to you and God, please don't waste them.  There is a plan and you are a needed part of the over all plan.  Look at life as a recipe being put together, perhaps you are the binder of all the other ingredients, such as flour, or maybe you are a minor part such as salt - but either way, both are important and critical to the success of the end product.  Without either, the recipe would fail.

Next surround you with supportive (good) people, whether it be family and/or friends  - hopefully it will be both.  Also seek out additional guidance, whether it be spiritual or a trained counselor.   

Next you need to commit to realizing that caring for your body, just like you would care for your child, is vital.  Take care of you!  Strive to eat right, get fresh air and exercise.  I love to walk (I’m not so great at getting myself into the gym… no one is perfect) .  I notice when I get cranky or feeling grumpy that I haven’t been outdoors as much as I need to be. Nature is my soothing balm to a hurting heart.

Then commit to doing 3 nice things for YOU..  EACH DAY.  It can be as simple as taking a bubble bath in the evening, giving yourself permission to watch a movie rather than mopping the floor, whatever – just do three nice things for you.

Find inspiration and read something that is good for the spirit.  I have found several books that I read and re-read.  Sometimes everyday, sometimes when I need them. Turn off the TV and listen to music.  Listen, really listen to the words of songs.  My personals fav are country and gospel rock, you can hear, feel and understand the pain, sorrow, joy and renewal that comes through music.

Please know through it all, that you are loved by our Lord, by so many others in this world, and that you a beautiful piece of work in the miracle of this so-called life here on earth.  Never give up.  Learn to embrace life and live the life you imagine.  You are the only thing holding you back.  Give yourself permission to seek what fills your heart, soul and mind.  And may you live the rest of your life with gratitude, grace and gumption.

All my best,

Gayle
swheatfarmlife@gmail.com

From the Dark Arose Compassion & Grace

This morning seeing the sun shining on a fresh dusting of snow and just as I looked out at this view, the song "Morning has Broken" by Third Day was playing.... pure magic

Sometimes when something hits close to home, it is a good reminder to be thankful for the beautiful day and enjoy it with those you love. And with that...

I remember being on a tour of the Lewis & Clark Caverns in Montana several years ago and during the tour,  the  guide turned off the light, and we were pitched into complete and total darkness.  And that image of darkness flashed into my head when I read the sad news of the WSU Quarterback, Tyler Hilinski who took his life at age 21.  Although I didn’t know this young man, it looked like he was living the dream with a bright future ahead of him.  All I can imagine is that in his mind, a black abyss was all around him.  While I’ve had dark days, they were never to that point, but I have been part of a suicide aftermath in our own family and my heart understands what his parents are going through.   And it can only be described as having your personal life destroyed by a tornado of grief and remnants of life and memories are strewn about in fragments.   My heart breaks for Tyler’s family and friends or anyone else’s for that matter who are left in the wake of grief.  I want to share a text number that I saw about a free service for those depressed or suicidal. Text 741741 and a crisis worker will text back.  My heartfelt thoughts go out to all who experience this type of depression and plead they reach out for help to escape that black hole.

One thing for certain, or at least for me, is that after going through something like that, I gained more appreciation of life.  I realize how fragile life can be and that each day isn’t a given, rather a gift to enjoy.   As hard as I try, sometimes I don’t relish my gift of a day or use it wisely, but almost always I’ll experience some kind of beauty whether in the form of a sweet gesture, smile or act, or simply enjoying a beautiful sunrise or sunset. I also realize the value of time spent with my loved ones and that I need to keep a firm grip on my self-imposed busyness. Far too often I've let my task driven focus rob me of enjoying that time with my people. Another reason to try to live mindfully, Another reason to move quality time with others on the top of my to-do list.
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Cakes in the making

And with that, this week-end two of the three grand-angels have January birthdays, and we as a family, have always celebrated each other and another year of being together.  So the sweeties and I baked cakes .... it was a gooey sticky mess of a kitchen afterward, but sweet memories were made.

Miss B, Mss M with their beautiful mamma, Jen. Brother Barry, sis-in-law Denise, and Grandpa Tim

And those who were able to make it for dinner at my place gathered to celebrate these wonderful little lives. And on the menu? The kiddos also choose the main course.. which is lasagna and also meatless lentil chili. And, as we gather around the dinner table to enjoy the meal, I said a silent prayer for another year together.


Bday dinner 2018, part 2

Of course in true fashion, I awoke in the wee hours to put the blog together to share. For some reason it doesn't feel complete....and I'm not sure why... but I'll imagine that more quality time with the laptop will be happening as the words start to flow again.

I wish you a great week ahead, and hope you can spend some quality time with your peeps.  =)

All my best Gayle

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.  John 1:5

A gorgeous sunset. A hope at the end of each day that it was lived with purpose, joy and grace.

Enroute - A Life Journey

Me, the dogettes and my vintage tractor

Sometimes memories feel like a cozy blanket, when you wrap yourself up in it, you feel snug, warm and content.  Having some of the best Christmas memories still fresh in this girl’s mind, I have to confess I still have a holiday glow.   This year it was more to do with the gathering of close friends that feel like family, as well as those you are connected to by blood that made me count my blessings as new memories were being made at my new farmette. My youngest daughter had arrived on the 22^nd but was enroute right after the holidays to start a new life with her man in Hagerstown, MD. Her life was literally “enroute” as her household contents, including her dog and car were headed across the country. Knowing she would fly out on December 26, we enjoyed some good mom and daughter time, hanging out in jammies, drinking coffee in the morning, wine at night and realizing from here on out that Christmas would be different and that the reality would be we may not spend holidays together every year due to children's schedules and just life in general.

                                          Our first morning chatting and looking for recipes for Christmas dinner.                                                                      P.S., I'm going to be in big trouble if Miss Kaitlyn see's this picture... Lol)

An informal shot of a fun game we were playing after dinner ( I won one hand) yahoo

My girls, mom and me

A blessed day with almost all of the family. It was a good day.
We were missing Kaitlyn's man & his kiddos, my man, and Doug & Edie's boys

My brothers, Doug, Barry, mom and me

 

And today, as I anticipate a bright new shiny 2018 year ahead, I enjoyed morning coffee looking over a frosty landscape, compiled a music playlist, read poignant thoughts from friends & families on social media and mentally began composing a New Year’s blog post.

The term enroute has captured my attention with it’s official definition “on or along the way”.  It was sort of an “aha moment” as I thought, “yup we are all enroute in some form or fashion whether or not we realize it”.   For me, it’s going to be my theme for the year.   I read something from Lisa Hammond that just spoke to me, and it said, “sometimes on the way to your dream you get lost and find a better one.  Life is too short to not follow your heart.  Make a life list  instead of a to-do list and constantly add to it. Learn, start and go.  Yup it’s gonna be a wonderful 2018, and I’m excited to share some of those life lists through words, pictures and who knows??? Maybe drag you into a few crazy adventures with me.  

As always, thank you for taking time out of your life to come take a peek at mine.  I wish you  a splendid year and hope that you seek your own “life list”.   I would love to have you send me a note or update on where your enroute adventures take you.  As always, I am only a click away at swheatfarmlife@gmail.com .  All my best, Gayle