Life is Beautiful ~

My oldest daughter and her family have been hiking

some beautiful areas here in Colorado this Spring

and I was invited to go on one of those hikes alone with my daughter. 

What an eventful day! 

She had a sleep over with her dad and me the night before the hike

so we could get an earlier start, but, we all know that delays happen for a reason. 

We didn't leave as early as we had hoped but we had no worries. 

The hike took place over an hour from where we live

and on the way there after stopping for gas her vehicle began making

quite a clunking noise in the rear end. 

I'm one of those that believes ~ it will go away ~ not always. 

We continued down the road thinking only of our hike, 

until the noise became louder with every stop we made. 

My daughter phoned her husband and he suggested that we find a brake shop

as he had just previously looked at the emergency brake.

He thought that he was the cause of the problem, NOT!

So... as ladies with one thought on our minds, our hike, 

we chose to do the 6 mile hike first then search out a garage

not taking into consideration that my daughter still

had over a three hour drive home and needed to be home 

for work early the next morning.

What a glorious hike as we took in the beauty that surrounded

us in this canyon, Devils Canyon actually. 

Colorado National Monument, where there are 22 trails you can take
off the loop as you view the wild flowers, birds, wildlife
and, the trails can be enjoyed by horseback as well. 
In all this open space I managed to catch a cold
and have been under the weather ever since. 
My daughter and I took a couple of the trails off the loop
and came across some gorgeous rock formations
when suddenly, after 4 miles into the hike I was DONE!
Just like that, my knees were finished and I believe it was God Himself
who brought me to the place of needing to quit.
You see...quiting at the time we did allowed us to find the garage
God was directing us to. 
Turns out the vehicles clunking noise was her left rear axle
that had fallen due to a screw that had been sheared off.
We were dragging the axle.
The owner of this awesome garage told us that his 1:00 appointment didn't show,
otherwise he would not have been able to look after us until the next day.
It was a 4 1/2 hour job where the owner worked diligently 
so that my daughter could still make it home that evening.
Delays and God's perfect timing...
He knew that we could make the 1:00 apt. 
if I was to surrender and humbly say, I'M DONE!
During the time that my daughter and I waited we enjoyed a lovely walk
into the town, had a great lunch followed by a caramel frappe
and sweet, sweet fellowship that will forever remain in my heart. 
God's Word commands us to " rejoice always in the Lord."  ~ Philippians 4:4 ~
And to shout for joy as we trust in Him.  ~ Psalm 5:11 ~
We have so many reasons to rejoice in the Lord. 
The expense of a vehicle breakdown is still worth rejoicing over
because God is in charge and He looks after our every need.
"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
and that my soul knows very well."
~ Psalm 139:14 ~

No friendship is an accident
 ~ O. Henry ~

  This week a dear and godly friend of mine invited me over for a cup of tea.
 This wasn't just your usual cup of tea with a friend, no, rather it was
my dear friends first tea luncheon. 
My friend has joined Stephanie's tea cup/Mug exchanges but only with a mug.
This last exchange she decided to come on board and experience
the joy of  exchanging a tea cup in hopes she would find a liking for tea.
Well, she was blessed in abundance from the sweet lady who
gifted to her. Being a first timer with the tea cup exchange
her lady went all out in sharing tea related items with her
and all sorts of tea flavors, it was a beautiful package!
My friend couldn't wait for the day when she could share her new tea cup 
and goodies with me.
As she hosted her lovely luncheon and we visited over a cup of tea
 the sweetest of memories were made. 
I do not feel at liberty to share names or photos
as each of these lady's do not have a blog. 
I think it is beautiful that these two ladies were brought together
and a sweet friendship is beginning to grow.
Just another precious testimony of a friendship 
through Stephanie's wonderful exchange. 

~~~~♡♡♡~~~~

Graceful followers, thank you for taking the time to stop in, 
it is always a joy visiting with you!


Be Gracious!
~ Debbie ~

Stephanie's Tea Cup/ Mug Exchange ~

Here we are enjoying another wonderful tea party

through Stephanie's 10th Tea Cup/Mug Exchange.
As Stephanie's mother, my heart is blessed as I watch Stephanie in action
over the many hours that she pours into these exchanges.
She cares about every single lady and just who she should pair them up with.
Much time and prayer goes into these exchanges 
and the beauty and friendships that are formed over a tea cup or Mug
makes all the time invested worth it all.

Stephanie, thank you for the love, work, time and grace you put into making

our lives richer and sweeter through these exchanges.
Your beauty shines forth in every aspect of this exchange.
You are lovely, you are gracious, you are kind hearted,
and you are sweet spirited with every detail that comes up.
God's blessings be upon you. 

♡♡♡

Through each exchange God has graciously blessed me

with new friends from around the globe

and in this exchange I had the joy of gifting to Pamela who lives in Kansas.

She loves pink just as I do, so with delight,
 I enjoyed putting a package together in the pink tones. 

I look forward to connecting with Pamela and becoming friends. 

Below is a photo of the gift that I sent to Pamela.
The beautiful thank you card I received from Pamela
was filled with lovely details about herself.
While reading her card it was as if I was sitting with a dear friend over a cup of tea
and enjoying sweet fellowship around the kitchen table. 

"It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving"

~Mother Teresa~

♡♡♡

This quote certainly depicts Lisa, the lovely lady who gifted to me. 

Her package was filled with love and I could feel it from the moment

I opened up the huge box. 

It all started with this most adorable Beagle plush pillow!

This little darling was placed right on top just waiting to jump out!

When I saw that sweet face I giggled and giggled with delight,

just as I do with my precious beagle, Donatella.
My rescued beagle friend, Donatella, just warms my heart 
and Lisa was sensitive in figuring that out about me. 

Her tag read ~ Beagles are lovable, happy, easygoing and excellent companions. 

Boy, that is so true!

My tea cup is quite unique in color and beauty,
 almost matches the back side of the beagle pillow.

Its Royal Grafton Bone China from England, and quite elegant and beautiful. 

Doesn't my new tea cup just make my curio cabinet  pop?
I would have to say that she graces the curio quite beautifully. 
~ Looking at my photo I see the tea cups on the top shelf are leaning. eeks! ~

Inside this lovely floral box was delight after delight!

A pretty pink basket filled with treats of all kinds ~
Ginger cookies and melt in your mouth tea biscuits ~
Three, one serving size cake mixes, great for my husband and I ~

Tea of all flavors in adorable tins ~

A Garden plaque & Garden magazine ~

 

Lisa certainly took the time to know a little about me and it showed
as she graciously poured her love into sharing this beautiful gift with me. 
Thank you Lisa, for your most thoughtful and loving heart.
 God bless you!

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
and his greatness is unreachable.
 (Psalm 145:3)

Be Gracious!
~ Debbie ~

Calvary's Cross ~

Jesus, our Sacrificial Lamb, our Savior, our God, our Redeemer ~

He laid down His life as our sacrificial lamb to pay for our sins. 

When He rose from the dead three days later, 

He gave victory over eternal separation from God (death)

to all who put their faith and trust in Him. 

New found faith brings us into a personal relationship with God, 
through all that Jesus has done and continues to do. 

John the Baptist introduced Jesus, saying,

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

(John 1:29)

The penalty God imposed on sin is both just and loving, 

for God Himself,  in the person of the Son, paid that penalty

for all who will accept Him as their Substitute.

God the Son, clothed in human form, shed  His blood for man's sin,

therefore, satisfying every demand of holy justice.

And through that precious blood, God showed Himself to be both

"Just and justifier of him which believeth in Jesus"

(Romans 3:26)

"We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches of His grace"

(Ephesians 1:7)

"You were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, 

from your vain manner of life... but with the precious blood of Christ,

as a Lamb without blemish and without spot"

(1 Peter 1:18-19)

Apart from Jesus Christ,  all people are separated from God. 

Sins rebellion forged a gulf between God and man

that is humanly impassable.

Yet, Christ's blood built the bridge from God to man. 
"Now in Christ Jesus, you who formerly were far off
have been brought near by the blood of Christ"
(Ephesians 2:13)
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that, 
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood,
we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him"
(Romans 5:8-9)
Human sin produces a pollution of the heart that can only
be cleansed by God's grace.  And that grace proves itself
in the power of Christ's sacrifice.
"The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, 
cleanses from all sin"
(1 John 1:7)
The Bible emphasizes Christ's blood because only in His sacrifice 
can we find forgiveness, cleansing, reconciliation, salvation and glory!

♡♡♡

Do you know the Savior, who's blood was shed upon Calvary' cross?

Thinking of you, dear friends,
and wishing you the blessings of God's grace,
the peace of His promise and the joy of His love. 

Be Gracious!
~ Debbie ~

Southwest Trip and Give-Away Winner

Hello to you, my dear and precious blogging friends!

My blog anniversary post was published while I was

still away in Arizona helping my mother move into her new home.

 When I finally had the time to read your comments

I was overwhelmed with gratitude and touched by your

heart warming and personal words of love.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for your visits

for your sentiments and for your beautiful friendship.

Again, please consider yourself {{hugged}} and loved ♡
Thank you for taking the time to leave those lovely comments. 
I loved hearing how you found me and amazingly most of you
found me through my dear Stephanie.
I would have loved to open up my surprise box and share it with you, 
but then it wouldn't be a surprise for the winner. 
So, Marilyn from Mountain Top Spice
 will be receiving the box as a surprise, just as promised. 
Congratulations Marilyn!! 
When I think of Marilyn and her beauty, I cannot help but
see her as a women who graces her home in God's beauty. 
If you have never met Marilyn, please take the time to pay her a visit,
you will not be disappointed. 

♡♡♡

The desert was in gorgeous bloom while I was away in Arizona. 

Every year that I visit the southwest desert I see it's beauty

in hundreds of cacti, plants and wildflowers flourishing

with amazingly colorful booms with much appreciation. 

The mountains that surround Tucson seem to grow larger

with every visit I make. 

While this past visit was one that kept me busy with mom's move

I still enjoyed the beauty of the blooms every chance I had. 

While walking Donatella (My Beagle) around mom's complex I admired

a Barrel Cactus in full bloom soaking in its prickly beauty. 

Barrel Cactus are known for their blooms in late summer, 

but their blooms were out early, maybe because they have had

a lot of rain this winter. 

I was thankful the blooms arrived early so I could enjoy their beauty,
and enjoy them I did.
♡
The Bougainvillea's were stunning!
Look at those gorgeous bright pink petals in full bloom. 
I love the teeny tiny white flowers in the center. 
♡
 I kept my eye out for blooms to appear on the Prickly Pear Cactus but I left to soon. 

When my grandmother was alive we would make prickly pear jam in her kitchen while visiting; their blooms are yellow or fuchsia pink

and of course I LOVE the pink magenta color.

Just before leaving for home the Saguaro Cactus was beginning to bloom

and it was evident that they were going to be gorgeous
with their clusters of white blooms

as they towered above the other desert vegetation.

FYI~The Saguaro cactus can reach heights of 50 feet and weights of 9 tons

and can be found living more than 200 years. 

While driving home we went over a pass and the Joshua Tree

surrounded by the Brittlebrush was absolutely breathtaking!

At every turn on that pass I gasped in awe of God's amazing beauty. 
I wasn't able to take many pictures this trip, sadly to say. 

♡♡♡

Most people think of the desert as being a dry, arid, harsh land, but it's not. 
God's beautiful creation of the southwest desert
can be seen in flowers with shades of yellow, red, purple and white
decorating the desert floor and bringing glory to our Holy God. 
God's design of these cacti, plants and wildflowers
amaze me with their ability to absorb a lot of sunlight, take the heat
and yet produce such majestic blooms. 
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
*Genesis 1:1*
Created speaks of that which only God can do.

"Before the mountains were brought forth, 
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, 
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God."
*Psalm 90:2*
In the beginning God was already there. 

"You are worthy, O Lord, to receive gory and honor and power;
For You created all things, 
and by Your will they exist and were created."
*Revelation 4:11*
Created also signifies something new or remarkable
being established out of nothing. 

♡♡♡

This trip was so I could help my mother move into her new home.
It was a fast and furious two weeks of work,
but when all was said and done it was worth every bit of those sweat and tears.
God has directed mom into a beautiful quiet and peaceful complex
where all amenities are just minutes away.
I have peace of mind knowing God is looking after her.
God looks after every little detail of our lives, doesn't He? 
We can be thankful that everything matters to God,
 He works behind the scenes making sure 
that our needs are met, not always our desires and wants, but our needs.
Thank you Jesus!

♡♡♡

This weekend we had a wonderful family gathering in celebration
of  Stephanie and our grandson's  birthday.
I thought you would enjoy this photo of my two daughters and myself
being silly and having a good ole time.
I love those girls♡

Be Gracious!
~ Debbie ~

Blog Anniversary ~

Today, my faithful followers, marks the third year

of my Blogging journey.

My dear daughter, Stephanie, inspired me to begin blogging
and I certainly could not do it with out her
gracious loving heart towards all the problems I encounter. 
Today is my dear Stephanie's Birthday, 
I would love it if you would stop by her lovely Blog,
The Enchanting Rose and bless her with your kindness and best wishes.
I thought it was quite fitting to begin Blogging on Stephanie's Birthday three years ago since it was her love and inspiration that led me here in the first place.
I can still remember the excitement {and butterflies} 
that I experienced when my first post was published. 

Through her lovely Blog, Stephanie so graciously
 put the word out when my first post came up

and it was then that I came to know many of you dear ladies. 

Over time I have discovered new Blogs and made new friends

and my life has been enriched by each one of your Blogs 
the beauty you share and your friendship.

During the time I have shared my voice through the posts written here

you have been gracious with your words of inspiration

by leaving comments that have blessed my heart ♡ thank you!

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, 

but their echoes are truly endless. "

~ Mother Teresa ~
♡
"In friendship, God opens your eyes
to the glories of Himself."
~ Joni Eareckson Tada ~
♡
"Friendship is the golden thread that
ties the heart of the world."
~ Author Unknown ~

Through Blogging I have met friends from all over the world.
There truly is a golden thread that ties friendships together,
for I have seen it and experienced it in my own life.

Through our Blogs we each invest time and effort
in sharing our hearts and lives,  and the time we
invest in our relationship with God gives the greatest return,
but as we commit ourselves to a growing, loving relationship
with our Precious Heavenly Father,  let us also commit
ourselves to ever- growing relationships with our fellow travelers
who are on this Blogging journey with us.
Blogging is such a beautiful way to connect with others.
We have opportunities to share the love of God,
to reach out and show forth our love care and concern
when others are hurting or going through struggles,
and we can praise one another with our words of inspiration.
Blogging, isn't it a joy!!

♡♡♡

My Thanks!

People everywhere in life
     from every walk and station,
From every town and city
and every state and nation
Have given me so many things
intangible and dear, 
I couldn't begin to count them all
our even make them clear...
I only know I owe so much
to people everywhere
And when I put my thought is verse
it's just a way to share
The musings of a thankful heart, 
a heart much like your own, 
For nothing that I think or write
is mine and mine alone...
So if you found some beauty
in any word or line, 
It's just "Your Soul's Reflection"
in "Proximity with Mine."

~ Helen Steiner Rice ~
♡
This poem expresses my gratitude for you all.
My heart rejoices in the goodness of God!
Through His guidance and direction I am able to share
my thoughts along with Scripture with you here in my little corner of the world,
and through it all I've had the joy of "meeting" you.
Thank you, for following along with me!

Some of you may know that I LOVE SURPRISES!
As my thanks to you for being a friend and for following along with me,
I'm having a *surprise* give-away.
This surprise box is filled with assorted gifts that will delight every heart.
I promise you there are no snakes or creepy crawlers
 tucked inside my surprise box 😘
just pretties for one blessed winner.
My heart would be full to overflowing if I could share a gift with each one of you,
but please know I am grateful for the friendship that I do share with you.
Consider yourself {{hugged}} and loved.♡
 I would love to hear in your comment how you found me.
My give-away is open to friends around the world
and I will announce the blessed winner on my Monday post,
that is, Monday April 10th.


Thank you for reflecting your light and beauty in my world!

Be Gracious!
~ Debbie ~

I will  be around to visit with you all

real soon, I'm looking forward to catching up with you.