God's Beautiful Creation

This fall season has been one of the most beautiful autumns that I can ever remember where I live. The colors of the leaves on the trees have been truly magnificent, even breathtaking at times, reminding me that this is, indeed, my favorite season!  

The splendid show began where I live around the beginning of October. Many trees in our neighborhood caught my eye as I went for walks. I couldn't help but take pictures with my phone.   

These trees started a magnificent display of changing colors! 

A short time later, I saw one of those trees turn into a beautiful, bright, rusty red color! 

The yellow leaves are always so beautiful too! 

This one stopped me in my tracks, literally, on one of my walks in our neighborhood! On my phone, this tree is an even more, vibrant red color! Simply spectacular!   

This tree caught my eye on one of my walks as well.
It looked as though the tree was "glowing" underneath.  
Late afternoon or early evening light effects, I suppose? Just so beautiful!  

Our neighbor's tree, directly across the street from us, was a delight to see as well! 

This picture gives you a small glimpse of my newly painted bedroom - as well as a glimpse of the brightly colored tree
in our other neighbor's yard, looking through the window. 

This picture shows a better view of the amazing colors
I saw through one of my bedroom windows.

For my birthday this month, I wanted to do something special, especially since it was my 40th birthday. Those only come once in a lifetime. But what should I do? I was racking my brain for something special to do that day and couldn't think of much. I've been so blessed to do so much already in the 40 years of life God has given to me. I decided to pray and ask the Lord if there was something special I could do that day, because I couldn't think of anything. I decided that the things I normally like to do on my birthday were good enough, even for my 40th. 

On my birthday, I decided to drive to a natural, outdoor area not far from my home. I'd driven by it many times and was intrigued, but I could never figure out where I’d park my vehicle. On my birthday, I decided to drive by there and, hopefully, find some place to park. When I got there, I was delighted to see that brand new parking places had been designated for this area. Yay! 

As I began walking over a bridge and onto a trail, I thought something like... 

"How can it be that we have lived here for 24 years, and I have never been here before?" 

This place is no more than 7 minutes from our home. And I discovered it on my 40th birthday! 

With a paved bike and walking path, dirt trails, and a beautiful river flowing by, it is now my favorite outdoor place to go to! I relished in the beauty all around me.      

So serene. So peaceful.  

One view of the river. 

Soft, delicate pink flowers growing along a path. 

There were so many, I decided to pick one.

A dirt trail through the trees with the sound of the river flowing nearby. 

I found a stump of trees, and I couldn't believe it when I found a painted rock there with pink flowers painted on it, like the flowers I had just picked! Chance? I don't think so. 
God had someone paint that rock and place it there for me. I'm sure of it. 

More views of the river flowing by. 

God felt so close to me on this nature walk. It was then that I realized that God had answered my prayer - for me to do something special for my 40th birthday! Discovering this place was God's birthday gift to me! With happy, grateful tears, I thanked Him! 

Of course, after discovering this beautiful place not far from our home, I had to go back a few days later. And when I did, I snapped this picture (below) on my phone. Once again, the colors are more vibrant on my phone. 

God's marvelous creation! 

God's creation is so beautiful in every season. But this time of year, His creation seems a little extra glorious to me! Truly, all of creation gives tremendous glory to the One Who created it all.   

Age 40 - Celebrating the Goodness of God

Tomorrow, October 17th, is my 40th birthday. 

I'm amazed how quickly age 40 comes! I clearly remember my 10th birthday. I also remember my 20th birthday like it was yesterday. (well, not quite yesterday, but you know what I mean.) My 30th birthday arrived not long ago. The decades come and go very quickly. 

I've always enjoyed having a birthday in autumn, right in the middle of the fall season when the colors of the leaves on the trees are usually at their peak where I live. 

 

I love having a birthday during my favorite season of the year. 

For some reason, I tend to remember my life in decades. For almost the first 10 years of my life, I lived in Michigan with my family. Those were my childhood days. Happy memories! 

For a little more than half a decade, I lived in California with my family. That time holds precious memories, along with some not so pleasant memories. I did a lot of growing there, physically and spiritually. I gave my life to God during that time (very special!) , and I went from being a girl of almost 10 to a young lady of 15 when we moved. Homeschool days. Sewing lessons. Piano Lessons. Track and field. Cats and kittens. Rubber stamps. The beach. Outdoors. A broken arm. Big changes. Major growth. That kind of defines my life during that time.  

The last two and a half decades have been spent where I live now, a considerable length of time. 

My mid to late teen years hold memorable things for me: new, Godly friends around age 16, learning to play the harp at 17, harp lessons at 18, and graduating (after taking a GED test) at 19. Those are some big memories that stand out in my mind.  

My 20's hold huge memories for me, both joyful and painful. I began working when I was 20. I learned to drive in my 20's. I purchased my first vehicle in my 20's. More precious friendships happened. During my 20's, I purchased 5 harps and professionally recorded 4 albums. My first trip to Israel (and Egypt) happened in my late 20's. Big things happened in my life during that decade. I look back at all I did in my 20’s, and I’m in awe of God. 

My 30's also hold special, lifetime memories, along with some extremely painful ones. During this decade, I purchased 5 more harps and professionally recorded 2 more albums. I went to Ghana, West Africa for 3 months, and God blessed me with two more trips to Israel. I went on road trips, alone, in both directions of the United States. Lots of travel! During this decade, I sold 7 of my harps - five of them to purchase a large, 40 string harp that I'm still in awe is mine. During this decade, I underwent major surgery. (not fun!) I was blessed to help with 8 different harp books for the 10 string harp during this decade. I spent lots of time in prayer, in worship, and in deep study of God's Word. Truly, this past decade is one I won't forget. 

Those are brief descriptions of each decade of my life thus far. I could definitely elaborate more. 

Years ago, I used to dream of recording two harp albums at the most. God has allowed me to record six albums - triple the amount I dreamed of. 

Years ago, I used to dream of visiting the Holy Land just once. God has allowed me to visit Israel three times - triple the amount I dreamed of. 

God has given me far above what I dreamed! I’ve told a few people that I’ve gotten to do everything I’ve wanted as a single woman. 

My only reason for sharing all of this is: 

I have seen God’s incredible goodness in my life. 

Tomorrow, I enter a new decade of my life - my 40's. 

The number 40 in the Bible is a significant number. That number is connected to different people in the Bible. The number 40 in the Bible often symbolizes a period of testing. The children of Israel were in the wilderness for 40 years. Jesus fasted for 40 days. Although testing isn't always enjoyable, testing can be a very beautiful thing because it reveals who we truly are and what is inside us. Our faith isn't quite as valuable until it has been tried and tested. 

I admit, my life looks nothing like I would've imagined it to be at this age. I would've expected to have had a family of my own by the age of 40. I never would've thought I'd still be single, living at home with my parents at age 40.  

What would I like for my birthday this year?  

I don't desire any material thing. I just desire a family of my own - something I've prayed for, for a long time. 

Growing up, my siblings and I used to enjoy watching something called "Little House on the Prairie". (my parents tried to be very careful what we watched) There is an episode I've always loved called: "At the End of the Rainbow" In this episode, Laura (the main character) finds what she thinks is real gold with a school friend at their fishing spot. Expecting to get rich from all the gold they find, they discover later that it is nothing more than fool's gold. Heartbroken, Laura and her friend, Jonah, dump all the fool's gold back into the creek. Later, Laura's "Pa" finds her there alone. Their conversation is one I've always loved. To quote them, they say:

Laura: "Oh Pa, I was going to give you so much... I was going to give you a big house and everything, and now look at it."  

Pa: "Half pint (her Dad's nickname for her), you listen to me. You give us everything we want every single day of our lives. You give us love, and respect, and joy. There isn't enough gold in the whole world to buy those things."  

That last quote from her Pa is profound to me. In essence, Laura's Dad was saying that the love and joy that comes from having a happy family is worth more than gold. I love how he says it.

Celebrating my 40th birthday with a family of my own would have been the best birthday gift of all. 

Many people tend to not like turning 40 years old. They're old; they're “over the hill” now they say. I could have that attitude.

But I'm not celebrating my 40th birthday with that attitude.  

Life is a gift! Life is to be celebrated! God has blessed me with 40 years of life on this earth, and that is something to celebrate! I will celebrate God's goodness to me. 

What do I have planned for my 40th birthday? 

Nothing too spectacular. It will likely resemble birthdays in years past. Simple, but special.  

I'll go out for lunch with my Mom at a cute, little place near our home. I might do something outside in nature during the day. Soup and bread is on the menu for supper. (my favorite!) I was going to try making a new soup recipe I found online this summer using zucchini and other vegetables. (I love zucchini!) But who wants to cook on their birthday? Not me. Like last year, I decided to have Panera Bread's "Autumn Squash" soup (which can be purchased in grocery stores) to just heat up on the stove. I'll garnish the soup with pumpkin seeds, and serve sourdough bread and butter with it. Yum!  

For dessert? I enjoy trying new things. About a month ago, I decided I wanted to make an applesauce cake this year with cream cheese frosting and walnuts pieces sprinkled on top.  

Autumn squash soup and applesauce cake - a true fall meal. 

My 40th year? Bring it on! I look forward to seeing what God has planned. 

The Lord is my Shepherd. I’m looking to our Shepherd to lead me. 

Why Do You Love Israel So Much?

When people get to know me, they discover that I love Israel - not only the land of Israel, but also the people of Israel. Why do I love Israel so much? 

Because Israel is the land of the Bible and the people of the Bible. 

The Sea of Galilee, Israel

You simply cannot separate Israel from the Bible. Throughout both the Old and New Testament, Israel is central to the Bible.

If you grew up in a Christian home and heard lots of Bible stories like I did, most of those stories took place in the land of Israel and with the people of Israel. 

 

I've been privileged to visit the land of Israel three different times. On my last trip to Israel in 2018, the group I was with had a tour guide who talked to our group through a microphone while we were riding in a van. Hearing him talk and point things out while riding through the land was a real treat! Something our tour guide said stuck with me: 

"About 85 percent of the Bible took place in the land of Israel."     

Wow! I didn't realize that much of the Bible took place in Israel.

I think every Christian should visit Israel at least once in their lifetime if they can. Our Savior died and rose again in Jerusalem. Christianity began in Jerusalem on the Biblical holiday of Pentecost. Whether Christians realize it or not, Christianity is very much tied to Israel. You cannot separate the two, although many Christians try very hard to do so. 

The entire Old Testament of our Bible was originally written in Hebrew. Most of the writers of the New Testament of the Bible were Hebrew. The Bible is a Hebrew book with a Hebrew culture.

Culture is a unique thing. There are so many different cultures and people groups around the world, and the Lord God made them all. I think it's fun to see what different cultures are like. 

Nearly 10 years ago, I was in Ghana, West Africa for three months. Their culture is very different from mine. I enjoyed the opportunity to see and learn more about their culture. Before going, I was informed that, in Ghana, you do not eat or give money with your left hand. To them, the left hand is considered the "dirty" hand. (I won't go into detail what that means) Being left handed, I was glad to know that before I went. If I hadn't known that, I could have easily offended someone there, and I certainly didn't want to do that. Thankfully, I was able to eat just fine, eating “finger food” style, with my right hand. But when paying for things in Ghana, it really took some concentration for me to use my right hand. My left hand is more natural for me to use. 

Once again, culture is a fun thing, but each culture is unique and often different from our own.  

I find it fascinating that some Christians do not want anything to do with Hebrew or Jewish culture when the very culture of the Bible is Hebrew. I think that likely stems from some Christian pastors teaching that, although Israel was God's people in the Old Testament, God is done with them now. God has cast them away. That is not true. The apostle Paul makes that very clear in the New Testament, in Romans, when he wrote: 

"I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin." Romans 11:1 

The Word of God, in the New Testament, also says that the very gates of heaven are inscribed with the names of the 12 Tribes of Israel. In describing heaven, the apostle John writes: 

"And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel." Revelation 21:12 

The apostle John was Jewish along with most (or all) of the 12 disciples. Our Lord Jesus Christ was also Jewish and had a Jewish Name, Yeshua. This is something many Christians forget, I think. 

Why do I love Israel? 

I love Israel, not only because it is the land of the Bible, the people of the Bible, and the culture of the Bible, but I also love Israel because God loves Israel. 

In speaking to Israel, consider what God says in these beautiful and familiar verses:

"The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. 

Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel..." Jeremiah 31:3-4

God's love for Israel, and His covenant with them, is everlasting.