Giants in the Land


Welcome to Word Nerd!

We'd love to have you join the fun, either blogging with us, or simply visiting. =) We dearly love visitors.

This week's word is Giant.

If you're joining in the meme, be sure to link up with us at the end of this post. Since this is a blog hop, you can grab the code for the linky down there too. Find more info about the Word Nerd meme here.
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“There are giants in the land!”

That’s what 10 of the 12 spies reported to Moses and the people of Israel. Sure, the land flowed with milk and honey and there was an abundance of fresh produce, something that the people of Israel longed for, but that wasn’t what they chose to see. Instead, they saw only the giants.

God told them to move forward, to fight the giants, but they stood still in fear.

I can relate. Sadly, often just thinking about a giant in my life is enough to stop me. The thing about those giants is if we don’t face them and take them on, they win without even a battle, just like they did in Joshua and Caleb’s day.


Often giants zealously guard the most important things in life--things God has for us. If we want them, we have to fight the giants. If we don’t fight them, we’re turned back into the wilderness to wander. Disobedience is a nasty path to walk.


I don’t know about you, but wilderness life just doesn’t measure up to what lies beyond. It’s worth fighting those giants to move into what God has for me, ready and waiting.


Today I’m once again taking on giants because wilderness living stinks. I want the milk and honey.

So tell me, how are the giants in your life faring?

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Next week's word is CONSTRUCTION. Hope you join us!



My Favorite Fisherman


Welcome to Word Nerd!

We'd love to have you join the fun, either blogging with us, or simply visiting. =) We dearly love visitors.

This week's word is Fishing.

If you're joining in the meme, be sure to link up with us at the end of this post. Since this is a blog hop, you can grab the code for the linky down there too. Find more info about the Word Nerd meme here.
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It's been ages since I've gone fishing yet fishing has always been a big part of my life. Sounds like a contradiction, doesn't it? In my life, it's not. You can't come from the family I do without having spent a LOT of time fishing.

Here's why...

Dad was a fisherman.
Devoted.
Dedicated.
100% Fisherman.

He fished coast to coast.
East to West.
North to South.
North America.
South America.
Rocky Mountains.
Andes Mountains.

Dad loved fishing and went as often as he could. He also went as long as he could--oh, not just hours in the day, but as long as he could throughout his battle with bone cancer.



I know it's not a good picture of Dad--but Dad was still inside that body ravaged by cancer. It's a testimony of a man who refused to give up, who loved life and living, and a man who loved people.

Sheer determination and the help of good friends got him into the boat last summer.


He truly loved fishing. It was his happy place.

He loved it so much the fish came to him!! *wink*

Dad and his wonderful fishing buddy, Terry, fish at the park. Real fishermen!

Patty Jo Baits Her Hook taken by Harry Straub, 1974.
I spent hours and hours fishing with Dad. From the time I was a little girl living on the coast of Maine until we left Ecuador after I graduated from high school, I got to fish with Dad. Granted, I was more likely to spend the time reading or writing or sleeping than fishing, but for me, that was joy of fishing.

Quiet.
Time to think and just BE.

I haven't fished for years, and truth be told, I miss it. I miss sitting with Dad, savoring the quiet and just being with him.

Fishing. It's been a huge part of my life from the beginning. So many good memories there.

So tell me, are you ready to go fishing?

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Next week's word is GIANT. Hope you join us!



The Zone

A to Z blog hop at Patterings
Welcome to A to Z!
We'd love to have you join the fun, either blogging your way through the alphabet with us, or simply visiting. =) We dearly love visitors.

This week is the letter Z.

If you're joining in the meme, be sure to link up with us at the end of this post. Since this is a blog hop, you can grab the code for the linky down there too. Find more info about the A to Z meme here.
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Did you see what's up next? The Word Nerd Meme. We would LOVE for you to join us. Click here for more info.
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You know how it is, sometimes you're in the zone and sometimes you aren't. And sometimes, you aren't even in the same universe as your zone.

I love the times when I'm cruising along the zone, effortlessly. I relish those times and have learned to ride the wave for all it's worth.


But there have been times when nothing I do gets me into the zone.

Lately, I've been able to fight my way into the zone. It's been a fight too--on many fronts.


Sometimes its physical--just getting myself to the computer to work on my manuscript is an accomplishment some days.

Sometimes it's mental--brain blocks happen and overcoming them is necessary before progress can be made.

Sometimes it's spiritual--I may not be immersed in The Word like I need to be. When I'm not, I'm open to all kinds of problems, making it so the wrong side has a greater chance of winning the day.

But we I can fight my way into the zone, it's been worth it...


So tell me, what are some things you do to get into the zone?

Hope to see you next week for The Word Nerd Meme!!

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If you're joining us for the A to Z meme by posting on your blog this week about the letter Z, be sure to add your name and the link to that particular post in the linky gadget here. Also, if you don't have the linky gadget on your site, click the link to get the code so you can add it.




Word Nerd Meme

Confession: Lots of time I need help when it comes to blogging. Depending on the season I'm in, sometimes I need lots of help.

That's why I band together with other bloggers and do memes. We help each other and have fun along the way. =)

The A to Z meme is coming to an end this week. *pout* To keep the momentum going, my friend Diana Brandmeyer and I have been brainstorming and have a short, fun meme idea...

Word Nerd!
Rather than using the alphabet as prompts, Diana and I have put together a list of ten words to use in your post. Use them however you'd like. There are no rules. You don't even have to use the actual word in your post--just get it... the concept, the idea, the meaning... in the post. However you want.

The ten words and their posting/linky dates:
  1. Fishing - Jan. 23
  2. Giant - Jan. 30
  3. Construction - Feb. 6
  4. Glass - Feb. 13
  5. Exotic - Feb. 20
  6. Tool - Feb. 27
  7. Sign - March 6
  8. Frame - March 13
  9. Plant - March 20
  10. Nuts - March 27

The Word Nerd meme will be starting next week on Thursday (this is different than A to Z), which is January 23rd. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us. It's a come as you can thing--no commitment, just jump in and post on the week's letter as you can.

I'll be posting a blog hop linky so each of you can have the linky gadget on your sites. It's more user friendly that way. =) If you'd like a list of the words and the linky codes, leave a comment asking for them (and your email addy) and I'll get them to you so you can schedule ahead or simply have them handy.

Here's the deal for Word Nerd:

  • Anyone can play. Some of us will be continuing from A to Z, but any one can join us and we would LOVE to have you along! The more the merrier! Grab a friend and join us!!
  • Anything goes. If you're pressed for time, pressed for brain cells (a common ailment of mine), stumped, whatever... a simple list will work! Or a picture or a verse—anything to get a post up. Seriously. Just make sure it ties in with the week’s word. It can also be as focused or even a complicated post about a word that starts with that letter. Anything goes, related to the word.
  • One word a week. Only ten words and we'll finish on March 27th.
  • Thursday's the day. Posting day is Thursday. Or Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday. ROFL. If you're like me, you might not remember on Thursday, so any day works. I don't care, but that brings me to...
  • Let's link together! Part of the fun of a meme is linking together so we can encourage each other on. The linky will go live each Thursday, shortly after midnight so you can link up.
  • Guilt-free participation!  Time is a precious commodity for all of us. If you participate, all I ask is that you take a few moments and visit and comment on TWO other participants' sites. No need to visit everyone, but a couple is very appreciated.
  • Help each other! Please remember this is about helping each other so if you love the post tweet it, G+ or Facebook it. 
Want to know more about memes and why you'd want to participate? Check out Making the Most of Memes for more information.

Grab the button and join in the fun! If you're joining us, we'd love to have you add the button to your sidebar or inside your post, or both.


Word Nerd blog hop at Patterings.

Here's another confession...
This meme is going to stretch me and make me squirm. I'll probably reach for the panic button a few times too. But that's okay!! This Word Nerd meme will help me grow, get me out of the rut I'm in, get my creativity stretching and moving, and help me see things around me.

We would LOVE to have you join us!!
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments or email me.

Yondering Yet Again

A to Z blog hop at Patterings
Welcome to A to Z!
We'd love to have you join the fun, either blogging your way through the alphabet with us, or simply visiting. =) We dearly love visitors.

This week is the letter Y.

If you're joining in the meme, be sure to link up with us at the end of this post. Since this is a blog hop, you can grab the code for the linky down there too. Find more info about the A to Z meme here.
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This might be where I am...


...but lately my work has had me at the fair, looking forward to next season...


...and my mind has me looking through a camera lens...


...and my heart has me here...



...or here...



But this is where I am...


...so I will bloom where I am planted.


Where does your yondering take you?
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If you're joining us for the A to Z meme by posting on your blog this week about the letter Y, be sure to add your name and the link to that particular post in the linky gadget here. Also, if you don't have the linky gadget on your site, click the link to get the code so you can add it.




My Spot

A to Z blog hop at Patterings
Welcome to A to Z!
We'd love to have you join the fun, either blogging your way through the alphabet with us, or simply visiting. =) We dearly love visitors.

This week is the letter X.

If you're joining in the meme, be sure to link up with us at the end of this post. Since this is a blog hop, you can grab the code for the linky down there too. Find more info about the A to Z meme here.
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If a picture is worth a thousand words, maybe this one will count...


Yup, today is the dreaded letter X. I procrastinated and had no post, figuring I'd stretch the limits of this to the Xtreme. (That's an Xample of what I was going to do.) Then my sister Cheryl texted and asked if I had a shadow picture. A quick mental inventory told me I didn't. BUT, the light was just right outside and I knew I had a good chance at getting one.

So, I grabbed my iPhone and took off--didn't even put on a coat. Big mistake. I turned into a popsicle. But sometimes you just need to go without worrying or even wondering. Turns out, this was one of those times.

I went and found some shadows and my X.
But I found more.
I found joy and praise and awe for my Creator.

As I competed with the cat for a spot on the deck railing, I captured a picture of something that still makes me pause. And I'm so thankful. (That picture is on my Instagram and my Facebook wall.)

If X marks the spot, have you found your X today? 
Have you slowed down enough to find your X? 
It might just lead you to your own moment of awe and praise.

This picture will be in my Instagram feed. Not only that, but Cheryl and I have teamed up and created Juxtaposed Sisters. Two sisters, so much alike, but living life worlds apart. We swap pictures and get the best of both worlds. Come join us!
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If you're joining us for the A to Z meme by posting on your blog this week about the letter X, be sure to add your name and the link to that particular post in the linky gadget here. Also, if you don't have the linky gadget on your site, click the link to get the code so you can add it.




Choosing 2014

I have to admit, it doesn’t bother me at all that 2013 has finally come to an end. It’s actually a bit of a relief. In my forty-some years (I don't mind you knowing how old I am, but I don’t feel like doing the math to figure it out!), 2013 has been my hardest year in almost every area of my life.

Yes, I’m glad 2013 is done and gone.
But I’ve not been ready for 2014 either. I mean, I’m a little older and a little wiser now and look at all the potential for hard work and heartbreak it holds! This is the first time I’m not excited about the new year. And I don’t like it. Not one little bit. Normally, I’m excited and dying to get going, but not this year.

I spent the better part of two or three days trying to figure out why. It’s just not like me. Thankfully, I discovered what’s going on.

Worry.
And I’m not usually a worrier. At least not when it comes to this stuff. I love looking forward. I love dreaming. I love planning. I love seeing the potential.

But this time I was focused on the wrong stuff. I was tuned in to all that could go wrong.

I know better.

Focusing on the wrong thing will land you (ME!) in the wrong place. And it did.

I’m in the wrong place. Proof that my focus has been all wrong.

Usually by now I’ve looked back at the previous year, sorted and sifted through things, and have looked forward and set some goals for the upcoming year. I haven’t this year and it’s time to get my butt in gear.

It’s time to make a choice. Stay in this mud hole I’ve gotten comfy in, or drag myself out of it and move forward.

I choose to move forward.
I choose to turn my focus away from the stinking black hole I’ve been staring at.
I choose to focus on God.
I choose to obey and take the steps God has for me.
I choose to leave the outcome to God—regardless of how difficult that outcome may be.

This year will be another year of change for us. Last year brought huge, unexpected changes. Some of the changes are cool and are a natural extension of things already going on. Other changes, though, I still wrestle with at times. But throughout the changes to come, I’m resolved to choose to keep my focus on God, trusting Him to work all things together for good.

This I know, God is faithful. He will keep His promises. He will never, ever leave me.
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. Lamentaions 3:22-25

God’s compassion is new every morning, and every year.
Let’s choose to move forward in 2014, trusting the outcome to God, knowing He is faithful.
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