Encouragement II

Sometimes little signs around us can encourage and remind us that Heavenly Father loves us. Today I found this:

Red Sea Glass!

 And this:

Lovely thick pieces

 And this:

Cool turquiose color



It was much needed encouragment! What beautiful things did you see today?

Encouragement

Elder Richard G. Scott taught: 

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort."

Lately, I have been thinking about how past trials have taught me so much and when I heard this quote, I realized that one of the many things I have learned from sadder times, is that I don't have to be afraid of hard things. I don't like trials and I'd prefer to not deal with difficulties (especially all at once) but the personal knowledge that my heart can weather hard times is so valuable, so encouraging!

So in light of difficulties, "Carry on, Carry on" (This hymn is actually called "Firm as the Mountains Around Us" and has been a family favorite since I was a child)

Kirstin

Comparison

I know I post a lot about rock washes, the conditions of the beach and sea glass but I wanted to share these photos:

Smooth as a babies' bum

Up close - no glass

 Sometimes that is how the beach is - nothing! Such is life and I wanted to show how different the beach is at different times of day and times of the year.

I must post what I did find:

It is a kite board! Brand new - or so it looks. It was sitting in the sand half covered as if it had been blown in on the waves and lodged in the sand. If it isn't claimed, then I am the new owner! Since I don't kite surf but it is my husband's new hobby - I told him I would sell it to him. Only fair right?!  Lucky him - Lucky me.

Favorite blogs

I love blogs - it is how I like to relax at the end of the day. Some do TV, I do blogs. Same vice just different media venue.

There are about 4-5 main blogs that I like to read and then from there, I like to click on the blogs they list on their side bar.

It is the nosy side of me meeting the private side of me. I can peek into someone's life and see their homes, their children and even see into their thoughts. I find it refreshing and thoughtful. I know strange....

And as a disclaimer: I don't know any of these women, except for my dear friend Aunt Spicy. But I love that they let me peek into their lives. Reading about the goodness and the sincere effort that so many people extend day-after-day is encouraging and enlightening. Instead of opening the pages of "People Magazine" to peek into the lives of others, I click on these blogs and come away uplifted!

 So with that introduction, I wanted to share of my favorite blogs:

www.71toes.blogspot.com - one of my favorites. Mom in Arizona with 5 kids. The youngest child has a genetic issue that will limit her ability to see. She is a famous and well-loved blogger. Many of the bloggers she has listed on her side bar are blogs I like to frequent.

http://www.cjanekendrick.com/ - lives in Provo, Utah. Three kids. Funny, talented and involved. Love her wisdom and view on life. Her last post was A-MaZing! Check it out here.

http://www.mcgeelife.blogspot.com/ - lives in S.California. Three girls. Great sense of style. Beautiful photography!

http://www.auntspicy.blogspot.com/ - quilting, craft friend. Love her blogging style and her crafts! I once paid (in an auction to benefit a cancer fighter) $75 for one of her Scottish dogs...and I would have paid more!

http://wordtomimadre.blogspot.com/ - she doesn't post often but when she does I am always excited. Her sense of humor causes me to laugh out loud and I love her because in one of my darkest, sickest days I found her blog and stayed up late, laughing so hard tears were squeaking out of my eyes. It felt so good to laugh! Thanks Mi Madre

www.mormonwomen.org - these profiles of Mormon women are varied and diverse. I think I have read most of the profiles on this site and look forward to new interviews. I  tried to add a button on my blog, but I couldn't figure it out.... one of these days you'll see it on my side board!

O.K. That is enough for now. In all honesty, I frequent many more  blogs, but I don't want to bore you. Also, you might wonder how I get anything done!

My husband once asked me if it bugged me to see all these perfect houses, perfect looking people in perfect photographs and I was surprised. No, it didn't bother me. I find reading about other people and their lives so fascinating - I marvel at their skill, talent, patience and abilities. I suppose it helps that I understand that we all have heartache and disappointment. Some of it is obvious, some of it is quiet but just as hard. It helps me to manage my personal disappointments, as well, as to treasure the blessed life that I know I have.

What kind of "tooth" do you have?

We (my children and myself) have discussed for a while what kind of "tooth" we have. I have a sweet tooth (just bought a pound of See's chocolates and don't plan on sharing much of it!) and they know that their Grandma, also has a sweet tooth.

Child #1, after some thought, informed me that he had an "oatmeal tooth"... he likes to shares it with random strangers - like the fireman we were talking to at the local fire house. Child #2 has a "pistachio tooth" and it is pretty cute to hear her pip up and share this fact about herself.

And we're all convinced that my husband has an "egg tooth" because he eats eggs every morning for breakfast.

Give it some thought, what kind of "tooth" do you have?

Happy thinking!

I Feel Famous!

See the sea glass vase I created in its new home and read such nice words! 

Thanks Marian!

:) Kirstin

Loads of Sea Glass

Pottery from the days collection

Unusual, large pieces found

Random item that washed up!

What a day, I mean, what a GREAT day!

In full disclosure, I must share that Child #1 prayed last night in his prayers that there would be lots of glass for me and that no one would take "my glass".  While it isn't "my glass" and I don't mind when others look for glass on our beach, it was nice to have the WHOLE beach to myself at 6:30 am!