The LORD Is In This Place!

Genesis 28:16
Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it."

Are you aware of HIS Presence throughout your day?
Do you KNOW HE IS IN that place whereever you are?
Or are you like Jacob - and you awaken ... whether from sleep or from the daily grind - and suddenly become aware that HE is here?

I am currently reading the book "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to LIVE FULLY Right Where You Are"  by Ann Voskamp. I highly recommend this book - she also has a blog which you will find at www.aholyexperience.com

It is due to her inspiration that I began to faithfully attempt to Live Life Fully! Right Now! On my 60th birthday - almost 3 years ago now - a friend gave me a beautiful journal that I began to journal my thanks in. Over the years I had done this as part of my daily journaling ... but never numerically and never a journal specifically just for thanks! What an experience this has been! Some of these I have recorded on this blog as part of "One Thousand Gifts".

This whole experience has enabled me to say - with Jacob - "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it."

Just today ... within the hour ...
# 637. RAIN - coming straight down from heaven - like a thick curtain.
# 638. the SOUND of rain - as it hits the road outside my window.

And as I read Ann's book these words of hers jump off the page and touch my heart ...
"The weight of God's glory, not illusory or ephemeral, but daily and everywhere, punctures earth's lid and heaven falls through the holes."

Oh dear ones - may heaven fall thru the holes for you today! May you see and experience HIS glory all around you!
Blessings sweet ones!
Ruthie

The "Wheeler Saga"!

Ephesians 3:20
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think ..."

What a week this has been at Thousand Hills Farm! Hubby went out to jump on the 4-wheeler Monday morning to find that it was GONE! STOLEN! Sometime Sunday evening - when he used it last - and Monday morn it "disappeared". Actually it probably happened within a short period of time on Sunday evening - but that is another story for another time!

He was discouraged to say the least! This wheeler is his life-line to the rest of the farm... carrying feed etc. to the pigs and chicks, and closing the birds up at night and ... everything else he has to do around here! Immediately I began to pray - quoting the above Scripture to God - telling Him that I KNOW He is so much more than we even think or know about Him! Telling Him that I KNOW He can do amazing things - asking Him to create a miracle in this situation. For me, that miracle would be returning the wheeler unharmed so that hubby could use it. For GOD - that MIRACLE / MIRACLES was/were soooooo much more!

I have a group of praying women around me that I can call on at any time and I immediately sent out emails to them asking for their prayers. I was gently reminded by a couple of them to pray for the person / persons who had stolen it. Many times each day I would praise God and thank Him for what He was going to do - and told Him I was believing for a miracle! And asking Him, thru His Holy Spirit, to speak to those lost individuals.

Hubby told a friend that he "counted it all joy" - he gave it all to God to work out - and he continued on with his work with a joyful attitude. I don't think he even knows how much that means to me. I could see in his face and in his speech that he was "resting in God's Provision". What a blessing!

When hearing of this dilemma a gal who has a wheeler sitting in her barn - not being used - offered it to hubby until he could get another one! No questions asked - just "I know you guys are my sister and brother in the Lord - so what's mine is yours". How I thank God for her!

Already here were some miracles:
- My "KNOWING God is able" was settled even deeper into my heart!
- Hubby's "dependence on God" was deepened!
- God speaking to people to be the hands and feet of Jesus has been so evident in our lives!

But WAIT - another miracle is on its way!
- This afternoon around 5 p.m. we were "gifted" - anonymously - with a bigger, newer, better wheeler than he had! How awesome is the hand of God in the lives of those people who are obedient to His Voice! Oh My! Tears come to my eyes thinking of the blessing He has bestowed on us!

WAIT! - Another One!
- Less than 2 hours later the RCMP called and said they found his wheeler, abandoned on the old track, close to the next community down from us! Found it! Unharmed! How can that be? it can only be because God is at work! Hubby told our story to the Officer and he was amazed! You can be sure he will retell this story! Use it Lord, I pray!

Oh My ... And Yet Another One!
- We will "pay it forward" - hubby told the RCMP officer

that if he knew of anyone needing a wheeler for work around their property that we would give the lost/found one to them!

Are you sitting with your mouths open? I am! How amazing is this! It is like something you read in a book - not in our lives! OH! I am sooooo excited! God has plans - He will use this situation to speak to many lives - our family; friends - and others!

I Praise Him and I humbly Thank Him!
"... for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep What I have committed to Him until that Day." 2 Timothy 1:12

Dear Sweet readers -
I cannot put to paper the joy and praise and the full heart I have at this moment in time! I hope and pray you will get a sense of how magnificent our God is! That He does care about all the things in our lives - even such things as a 4-wheeler! I pray that this situation in our lives will help your faith to grow; that you will see the awesomeness of our Lord! And - that you will "LISTEN" for His Voice; that you will be obedient in prayer and praise!

I can hardly stand it - I just want to shout HIS Name from the rooftops!!! I so want "people" to get it"!

Holy Spirit - Minister to people - show people Who You are! Convince them of their need of You! Bring them to their knees in submission to You!

Blessings on you -
Ruthie

Oh, the Blessings He Bestows!

"Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything." Philippians 4:6

I am struggling here today to get this post to line up the way I have written it ... when I "publish" it blogger does its own thing with it... so i apoligize for the wonkiness of it all ... God knows my heart and I pray you will be blessed by the content not the way it looks!!!

More wonderful blesings -

576. The peace of a campfire
577. Pleasant conversation with friends

578. Pot-Luck!

579. A sun flower in full bloom

580. Spending time with hubby!

581. New life - the birth of a beautiful baby girl.

582. Camp Peniel - awesome placce - meeting God - face to face!

583. The sound of praises being sung to our Creator by 50+ women!

584. Crisp Fall air!

585. Testimonies of God's hand at work, all over, in so many ways.

586. A Baptism - in the lake.

Thank You Father for this beautiful day!

For the blessings that will be in it I ask You to give me eyes to see and ears to hear!

Have Your way and I will give You Prasie!

Have a sweet, wonderful day, dear ones!
Resting in HIM,

Ruthie

And ... still counting!

556. Sisters in the Lord gathered around a smokey fire - sharing our joys, hurts, pains - AND - HIS Presence thru it all.

557. Bling! on my new sandals!

558. Gentle rain

559. Blessed sleep.

560. Gentle mist in the air

561. Snuggles - with Madi-Joy!

562. The sound of the Cardinal calling to his mate.

563. A gentle breeze

564. BBQs with friends!

565. Fresh green and yellow beans.

566. Making Pickles.

567. Chicken stir-fry with hubby's chickens

568. Making cards with girlfriends.

569. Picnic on the beach

570. Church on the beach!

571. The book - One Thousand Gifts - by Ann Voskamp

572. High tide!

573. The roar of the surf!

574. Cobwebs in the flowers - covered in dew.

575. Madi`s voice across the miles!

Thank You, Lord for Your blessings on my life!
Ruthie

More JOY!

More JOY in the Journey!

539. Quiet evenings spent with hubby.
540. Food, Music, Good Conversation with friends
541. Sunsets
542. Apple Blossoms
543. Lilacs
544. Farmer's Market hub-bub!
545. Energy!
546. Able to do a little "jig" with no Shotness of Breath.
547. A Bald Eagle in flight
548. Air Conditioning!
549. Coiffee
550. Warm temperatures
551. Sunny day at the beach
552. Waves - Big - Crashing!
553. Sand between my toes
554. Blessed, peaceful, pain-free sleep
555. God's Word!

Today I give thanks to you Father for the blessings in my life! I am what I am because of You!

Long Time - Still So Thankful!

It has been such a long time since I posted on this blog.... but my heart remains ever thankful and filled with gratitude to my Heavenly Father!

So much has transpired in the past month and a half in my life... I have been given a new lease on Life - I had an angioplasty done on June 1 and even today am feeling so like a new creation physically! Thank You, Jesus!!! At one point - when the back pain I was experiencing was excruciating I remember saying to Him .... "oh Lord, help me to bear this for 3 more hours until I can get up; this is so minimal compared to what you bore for me - how can I complain..." He was there - in the midst of it all and I give Him all the glory for coming thru as I have!

I am adding to my "One Thousand Gifts" -

527. Awesome Praise and Worship time!

528. Wonderful Easter meal with family.

529. Hubby - 15 years of marriage

530. I'm so thankful for His Word - filled with His Thoughts towards me - telling me "who I am" because of Him! Hallelujah!

531. The pleasing sound of rain pelting down on us!

532. Indescribable Peace during the angioplasty!

533. Indescribable Joy in my recovery!

534. Indescribable Love for my Faithful Abba-Father!

535. Hubby and daughter - I love you both so much!

536. My friends - who carried me thru!

537. Psalm 36:5 - Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens and your faithfulness to the skies.

538. Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.....

May today be a wonderful day for you as you relfect on the goodness and gifts He has bestowed upon you! May you take some time to meditate on Him and give Him praise.

Blessings and Hugs!

Ruthie

Thankfulness!

My list keeps growing!

514. Snow disappearing

515. Door open and chimes "singing" in the breeze.

516. Teddie running in the fields.

517. MoJo returning.

518. Faithful friends.

519. Peepers!

520. Multitude of spring signs everywhere: bird songs, flowers, peeps, sandals, pedicures, capris.

521. Knowing that HE is in the midst of my Life.

522. Women that I love! Lord, Thank You for them!

523. "Good days" - when fibro pain is minimal - almost non-existent!

524. Restful nights.

525. Opening the patio door to see a purple finch at the feeder and hearing the "rat-a-tat-tat" of Mr. Downy Woodpecker at the tree by the deck. (I was thrilled to get a picture of him!)
526. Calmness - no wind - after what seems like weeks of wind.

I am a blessed woman! And I give thanks for that!

I am resting in HIS midst today!
Ruthie

I Am Grateful For.......

502. Door open - fresh air!

503. The Cardinal's song!

504. Beth Moore book

505. God's WORD - telling me who I really am!

506. Still light out at 6 p.m.

507. Journey merices.

508. Family

509. My loving hubby!

510. Snuggling with Madi-Joy!

511. Acupuncture - taking away the fibro pain.

512. Blues skies and sunshine after another winter storm.

513. Home - Sweet - Home!

Counting My Blessings!

How grateful I am to my loving God who provides me with such abundance!

486. Another Year!
487. The faithful prayers of a faithful prayer warrior!
488. MOJO ...
489. Our Small Group!
490. Winter Wonderland that I don't have to travel in!
491. Answers from God!
492. The Word - that speaks so loudly to me!
493. An organized craft room!
494. Lunch with dear friends
495. A warm house as the snow swirls outside!
496. Cuddles from hubby!
497. Being covered in prayer and KNOWING it!
498. Hugs and kissess from Madi!
499. PEACE!
500. ahhhhhhh! The comfort of a warm bed in a cool bedroom!
501. Sisters-in-Christ! Where would I be without them? So precious to me!

I hope you have been inspired to keep a record of your many blessings!
Praise God for His redemption and His freedom; for His providence and His blessing!

Hugs!
Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

Still Counting His Blessings!

He Blesses my life everyday!
Some days I even forget to write down what He has done for me - given to me. Forgive me , Lord, for not being ever aware of You and Your blessings to me!

465. Christmas preparations.
466. Praying sisters-in-the-Lord!
467. Freshly baked muffins - made by me!
468. Spontaneity!
469. +2 degrees C, sunshine, no wind - awesome day!
470. Safety on the road during my many travels this past month!
471. Joy in the Lord!
472. Gifts wrapped and under the tree.
473. Fish Chowder!
474. Precious sleep....

Merry Christmas to you all!
In HIM,
Ruthie

Still Counting....

Wow!
It has been a long time since I posted to "One Thousand Gifts"... so here goes!

444. Red sky in the morning
445. Times of energy
446. A completed project
447. A clean house
448. Little children dancing in church
449. Writing again
450. My puppy's big brown eyes
451. An impromptu lunch with friends.
452. HOT water!
453. At least 100 Canadian Geese in a field one morning.
454. The smell of Apple Crisp baking
455. PEOPLE - I'm a people watcher - love to watch their interactions with others
456. A busy "Winter Market"
457. Sun, cool temps, no wind!
458. Blessed sleep without waking due to pain
459. Baking muffins
460. Hugs from Madi Joy
461. Waking up every morning feeling refreshed!
462. Energy - and more energy -
463. Safety as I travel in a terrible snowstorm
464. Calm Delight in my Lord!

May your day be blessed with abundant joy and peace!
Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

MIA!

I have been gone from blogger land for a month -

it has been a hard month for me ... physically, emotionally, spiritually....

for we know that when one aspect of our being is affected, the rest of us is too.

I'll not go into much detail,

suffice it to say that my health has not been what it was 2 years ago ...

actually it's been worse these past 2 months...

I am learning to live with chronic pain and troubled sleep - and all that that entails!

I am learning to say NO -

I am learning to ask for help; to ask for prayer.

I am learning that I am not "wonder woman" to everyone around me.

I am learing to live without guilt -

The guilt comes from not meeting our own expectations and the expectations of those around us.

And - I am learning that all of this is OK.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" - Romans 8:1

Hallelujah!

And I'm still counting my blessings ....
431. my husband who loves me unconditionally

432. beautiful sunsets

433. a double rainbow - so vibrant and close one could almost touch it!

434. laughter with girlfriends

435. God's grace and healing power

436. my smiling grand-daughter

437. Madison's laughter!

438. watching my daughter be a loving mom

439. safety as I travel

440. morning coffee

441. Hot lobster

442. lunch with hubby and friends

443. Fall flowers from hubby

Psalm 18: 1-2

I will love You, O Lord , my strength.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;

My God, My strength, in whom I will trust;

My shield and the horn of my slavation, my stronghold

Blessings on you this day!

Hold tight to HIM!

Ruthie

Camp Peniel - Ladies Spa Weekend

For a number of years a committe of committed Christian women have put together a yearly Ladies Spa Weekend at our local Christian Camp - Camp Peniel. Women will come to this event from all over the province and sometimes from other provinces... so for some it is a yearly renewal of earthly relationships, as well as with our God! And for others it is the beginnning of new earthly relationships - and a new relationship with God!

Peniel means "face to face with God" - over the years many women have come face to face with God in this most magnificent place.

Of course, a Spa weekend would not be complete without lots of food, fun and pampering!

Here are some of my blessings from this past weekend:

421. Hugs, Hugs, and more Hugs.

422. The lake - like a mirror - not a ripple anywhere.

423. Sunshine and warmth on Saturday - after a week of damp cold weather - God knew!

424. A star-filled night sky with a 3/4 moon.

425. Worshipping with my daughter.

426. Interpretive Dance - Amazing! Her testimony thrills my soul!

427. Karen - travelling the journey of breast cancer - surgery, treatments, and all that entails. Asking us to allow her to have a great weekend, thus revealing all to us at the very beginning! Such a courageous young woman.

428. Young teens working together as a team to clean up after us; set tables; wash dishes; and join in the fun with a skit and a game.

429. Holding a 6 week old baby girl! Oh, it's been a long time since these old arms have held a baby. So sweet and so precious! A miracle from above!

430. Fireworks - Amazing!

I so enjoyed this past weekend... and hope to partake in many more of the same.

Blessings to all you sweet readers out there...
Praying for God's Hand to be on you and for His love and joy to be in you!

Resting in Him,
Ruthie

September Counting....

I am awed by HIS Presence around me.... His Peace and His Joy!
He Blesses me so.... me who is so undeserving of His blessings!
He loves me - He loves you!
I pray that you too may see Him everywhere!

410. A weekend get-away with the girls.
411. Learning to color with Copics
412. The most magnificent rainbow I have ever seen - a full arch; bright colors; so close I could almost touch it!
413. Church on the beach.
414. Apple pie and ice cream
415. Laughter - so much laughter that the tears flowed!
416. New babies
417. Innocence of children
418. Madi saying, "I love you, Grammie."
419. A good nights rest
420. God's Presence in the midst!

Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

counting higher....

I'm continuing to count my blessings...

400. Cool, morning air and sunshine

401. Madi saying to Grampie and me, "You guys laugh a lot."

402. Making pickles

403. The house smelling of pickles being made

404. Waking up to a crash of thunder and the rain coming down!

405. The morning after a rainstorm - freshness in the air.

406. Having hubby call me ``Dew``

407. a brand new puppy with those puppy-dog eyes

408. A fan blowing air on me

409. Meeting unknown women and making a connection with them.

Blessing to you, sweet readers!
Ruthie

I'm still counting.....

I can't seem to write anything these days - except for all the things I am grateful for! I am continuing to count and record them all... I trust you are doing so as well!

385. Ummmmmm! home-grown free-range chicken and hodge podge with local veggies!
386. The sun as a "fire-ball"
387. Meeting a goal...
388. Ice cream with friends
389. Talking with Madi on the phone.
390. Teddie wanting to play.
391. A crispness in the air
392. No humidity
393. Sharing lunch with a friend
394. Rooster crowing!
395. Cattle "moo-ing"
396. Teddie learning a new command!
397. A clean house
398. Praise music - lifting a heart of praise and worship to HIM
399. A video sent by my S-I-L from his "iPhone" - Madi and the family vacationing in PEI...

Praying for His peace and grace to fill your days!
Resting in Him
Ruthie

Continuing To Count My Blessings!

On this beautiful sunny afternoon -

with the birds singing and Teddie sleeping,

I am thankful for:

• Whispering in Madi's ear of my love for her
• Singing with Madi in the car
• Healing tears
• Quiet
• Hubby's laughter
• My wonderful daughter
• Seeing more than 50 geese in flight!
• A sleeping puppy
• A work of Art - a spider's web!
• Seeing a "home-town" boy make it big with his music.
• A good book.

Always remember to Thank God for His hand in your life! ** Ruthie**

Thankfulness!

Thoughts of gratitude:

360. crashing waves
361. rain washing the earth
362. a cool breeze
363. no humidity
364. that first cup of coffee in the morning
365. my grand-daughter's loving ways
366. laughter
367. thunder
368. blue skies and pure white clouds
369. fireworks lighting up the night sky
370. words of wisdom from a little child
371. new stampin' supplies
372. helping Madi make a few cards
373. playing UNO with Madi

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.
I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9: 1-2

Have a blessed day!
Ruthie

Thank You, Jesus!

"Summer days, and the livin' is easy" - these words just popped into my head ... they are from an old song from years ago - I don't rememebr the song or the singer --- just these words. This summer has been just that ... with the sunshine and the blue skies and the visits from family and ----- S0 many blessings! Here are a few more of mine!

# 346. Hugs!
#347. Crashing waves on the beach
#348. Madi covered in sand
#349. Laughter - especially Madi's
#350. A Surprise Birthday Party for me - again.
#351. Fans at night to help us sleep
#352. Sleep
#353. Family
#354. Spirit-filled preaching
#355. Faith-filled friends
#356. Precious little children
#357. Blue skies
#358. Chocolate cake
#359. God's provision

Have a blessed day dear friends! Keep your eyes forward and upward and give Him glory for your life! No matter the cicrumstances - He is there and He will carry you through!

Blessings *** Ruthie ***

More Blessings!

I'm choosing today to dwell on those things that give me JOY!


333. Walking on the beach in the fog

334. Crashing waves

335. Laughter with friends

336. A message on the Answering machine from Madi - her laughter and enthusiasm make me laugh!

337. Camp fire

338. Marshmellows over the campfire

339. Seeing joy on someone's face

340. Precious little children

341. No nausea for a loved taking chemo

342. God's Daily Bread

343. Sunsets

344. Texting with my grand-daughter!

Philippians 4:8
Blessings on you all!
Ruthie