So I have randomly been putting forecasts of what the day will be. This morning after reading Jesus Calling and other readings PEACE was definitely the word for the day. And what a great word to end the year on. I had read in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young...
"AS THIS YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE, receive My Peace. This is still your deepest need, and I, your Prince of Peace, long to pour Myself into your neediness. My abundance and your emptiness are a perfect match. I designed you to have no sufficiency of your own. I created you as a jar of clay, set apart for sacred use. I want you to be filled with My very Being, permeated through and through with Peace.
Thank Me for My peaceful Presence, regardless of your feelings. Whisper My Name in loving tenderness. My Peace, which lives continually in your spirit, will gradually work its way through your entire being."
What a visual of Peace...something we all long for...to be permeated with it...And I think of this morning's sunrise and I include part of John 14:26 with it that was part of the reading...I have a jillion sunrise pics off of the corner of the old barn and the cottonwood...But each sunrise has its own uniqueness...perhaps like each year...that they may not all run together...
And so I thought I would put as my forecast...An abundance of Peace is projected for today and the upcoming year...
So when I went to turn on my Pandora this morning...it plays quite the random sample of songs...and I keep it on shuffle so I never know what may come up...but just made me laugh right out loud when I heard Peace Train start up by Cat Stevens...Yep a day of PEACE!!
So all aboard...and if I don't get back here before...HAPPY NEW YEAR AND GOD BLESS! May you be permeated with Peace...and I read the rest of that verse..."Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
This is for a special person in my life...she is the daughter of a special friend...she is a good friend to my son...even though she talks a lot and asks many questions like his mom does...and has become a very special friend to me!
Kasey Jo...another birthday but a great year for you going into another great year! So excited for an upcoming wedding...of new beginnings...of being blessed. I am thankful you have found a special guy like Kerry. I pray for this year to be a good one. I looked through pictures...I do have quite a few of you...but this one caught my eye...it reminds me of a special weekend this year...wedding weekend! And a pic of two special women in my life. So Happy Birthday Kasey Jo!!!
And so this morning around 4 a.m. I am awakened by the Shepherd talking in a somewhat loud voice upstairs...I have my guesses as to what it is...but listen to make certain! I look at the lam-cam that's been going for almost a week but don't see anything on the TV set in our room but this...
I laugh thinking about one little shepherd in training who was at our house and her and Oppy and I got home and she is all excited because the "sheep show" is on TV. Oppy tells her that he is going to lock up the sheep and so she wants to watch on the "Lam-Cam"...as her and I are watching we see the sheep come in the barn and before long we hear Oppy come in the house. Her little face looks so sad and she says I didn't get to see Oppy. The tears begin to stream and she lays across my bed with her face in her hands...broken hearted...and so I go tell the Shepherd that she didn't get to see him...so being one of those Grandpa's...he heads back out to the barn and begins walking in front of the camera. A little girls face lights up but she cannot see his head. SO we call him on the cell phone and tell Oppy that we cannot see his face...to which he gets right up to the camera and we get a close up. And my heart smiles at this man...and a little girl once broken hearted is happy again! Wouldn't it be nice to fix all problems so easy...
I sit here in the living room with the shepherd and the weekend shepherd who got home last night...just in time for babies...and Luke Bryan is singing....So long my friend...till we meet again...I'll remember you...and all the times that we used to...and I have a reminder of one who left us too soon...
And I get back to having new babies...the "Old Shepherd" had woke up the "Young weekend Shepherd" and told him we are having babies! Before no time, I hear the hopping down the stairs and "LaLa" is ready to go outside...they both almost giddy...as they love this time of year! He says Ahma...babies...and off to the barn he goes. Well the "Old Shepherd" isn't far behind and as I am laying there in the warm cozy bed...I do not see nor hear anything coming from the barn...other than a new little baby somewhere in the distance and its' mama making some noise. I decide I should go get some pics as this is the beginning of a new season!
I head out in the darkness and see three "red and blues" down on the highway. For those who wonder what the "red and blues" are...and maybe you don't...but they are cop lights...and I wonder what is going on that includes three...So I snap a pic...and think you never know what goes on when you are sleeping that we have no idea...I think of my daughter and granddaughter that see these lights and will tell each other...red and blues...I think of those out and about...I have red and blue lights on my balcony...reminders...I think of Heather and Izzy's Christmas tree lights...red and blue...and I smile laughing and thinking of Jay and Tyler putting in considerable time making these special lights!
And I set my lens different and it holds open and I see how steady I am...but kind of cool...in my little head anyways...
I head to the barn and snap a few more pics on the way...to which gives a heads up to the "Old Shepherd" when he sees the blue flashes outside that he knows I am coming...and so he opens the door and the "Young shepherd" is standing and watching the new mama and baby...to which he turns and sees me and decides to take a pic of me and seems to be laughing at me...in my cammo fuzzy pants and my hood on my head traipsing around with my camera...
And as I start to take a pic of the first baby...I decide that I should have my zoom lens...so head back in and change lenses and then come back out...I catch a pic of this little white baby...I think the "Old Shep" said it was a "Limited" baby...
And I smile as I watch the two looking on...how they do love this...and really it is something to experience seeing new life come in...a miracle right there at 4 in the morning and I hear the old country song playing in my head by one who used to be one of my mom and Aunt Betty's favorites...Faron Young...I think Aunt Betty may have even had her shirt autographed by him...back in the day...
Lance says this would be good for all to follow for the year...one of each (boy and girl) and come out with no help big and healthy...HOPE...
And as I head out into the dark with my "Country Bumpkins" I see the moon again and am reminded of the verse I am always reminded of and repeat when I see the moon...and Lance says to me do you see the moon and the moon sees you?
And I look at the starry night and think of Izzy the other night when we went to the Great Grandparents...and she says, "Snap...we should have brought my new telescope and looked at these stars!" She tells me we could have set it up right there in the middle of the street to which as I look at her she says well on the sidewalk. And I remember why I gave her a telescope as for such a little one...she appreciates the stars and moon...Uncle Lance gave her binoculars so she can see the sunset closer...I HOPE again that she will always take time to appreciate these special blessings God provides us...
Lady Antebellum comes on the videos singing Compass...
"When it's all said and done You can walk instead of run 'Cause no matter what you'll never be alone."
I realize some of the little things that we take for granted...and the Old Shepherd is out mixing up scrambled eggs...and I think it's gonna be a good season...LET THE LAMBING BEGIN!
Today the birthday of a special special person to me...my mom's sister...Aunt Betty! She makes me smile...I admire how she has went through hard times...and just keeps her faith and keeps on smiling...I have memories of laughter...of singing and playing guitar with my mom...of spending a summer with her in Tucson...and just recently made another memory. For my birthday...I got surprised by my kids who told me we were going to take pictures and they took me to Aunt Betty's baby boys house...David...it was a get together for her and her kids and I loved getting to share part of their day...I caught some pictures while there but did miss a few and one of my favorites of Aunt Betty was with one of her boys Tracy and his wife...but I just wanted to share some of your GIFTS!
I love her smile...I love her...there is a song Whoa Black Betty...the dance my niece and my brother danced at her wedding but my kids when speaking of Aunt Betty will say Whoa Aunt Betty Wham Ba Lam...So in case you wondered the title...So for you Aunt B...I share some more pics of some of your special family :) Including Kelly...he always takes good pictures though this one isn't quite as smiley as Aunt Betty...I love his smirk...
And like I said the "baby" David...isn't such a baby...but does come across quite studious!
Another I loved was of Keven...I loved seeing his girls want to sit next to him and when the seat opened up another would hop in next to him...he just seemed so content...
Not sure how I missed Kendra and Angie as well...
And my Aunt Betty's only girl could not be there...why you ask...because Vonnie (YVONNE) and her daughter, Michelle, were out of the country! I left before Bret got there but did get to see his beautiful wife Kallie...who I think had been competing at a crossfit...
Though Mick was not there...he was represented by his sons and their wives...I caught a pic of both Jared and Preston...
And not sure how I missed Lanita and Mckenzie...A GREAT granddaughter! I also missed many others...I must say I was distracted. I did catch a couple boys that were just hanging out...
Izzy was pretty impressed with the doll house...
And Dani Jo...looks on...she is so cute!
However, there was some BEAUTY going on with these girls...Now those are some snazzy nails! Such talent Marlie and Lori your nails look mawvelous!!
...and again I am sad of those I didn't get pics of...but I also caught one in getting to meet a special friend I had never met before but through social media...will be one of my "sisters" FOREVER... Kakakatie...Keven's mother-in-law...Angie's mama!
As I get back to Aunt Betty...was good Carl was able t come as well. Catching a nap...
Yes Aunt Betty...Hope you had a HAPPY HAPPY Birthday. God bless you as you go and thank you for being such a special Aunt! I love your serious tough side...love your silly side...but you know most of all I love your smile!
Not only do you usually have a smile...you make those smile around you! Thanks Aunt Betty and you have a legacy of love!!! Well it is bed time or getting close so I leave on a Happy Birthday and thanks for being you!!!
And so this morning the sunrise was AMAZING...though I love the sunrise every day...today it was just AWWWWW! I posted a pic and said who says you can't get I love you's from heaven...and that is what it felt like...
And I didn't feel like I captured it as well as another. Mark caught an amazing shot I thought...and his words just made me smile as he had posted these words..."Worked in the cold all night on my Jetta, didn't feel very accomplished until I walked outside to this."
I love this view...and isn't that how it is...but how I admire and appreciate how this daddy who has been through much...appreciates the sunrise of a new day...thanks for sharing your pic with me Mark!
As many of you know...today is the 12th year since I lost my mom...and though I miss her...I was reminded today when I had posted on facebook about her...and I got comments from others who talked of her being a special lady. And I thought to myself...that is the sign of a successful life...to have others miss you still after many years...who love you...and LOVE seemed to be the theme of the day...I had heard talking this morning of 1 Corinthians 13...probably my favorite chapter...
And I think of what a stink I was to my mom but how she loved me in spite of...I seen this sign today on the Ark Valley Hospice page...and it just seemed to fit with the theme and how I feel love knows no barriers!
And I think of those that join me in loving and missing my mom. How part of her is still alive through her love she gave. We take much for granted...and should be cherishing each day as it comes! So I say sweet dreams and thinking of you mom! Thanks!
I about forgot to add this treasure...my cousin Kim sent me this pic which I don't remember many pics of my folks wedding...Shane commented once how mom lit up on dad's arm...this picture I just feel Love...
So thinking of one special friend...one special mama...one special wife...I know a lot of you hear about Jake...BUT he has such a very special one. And together well...let me show you what you get when you have a Jake and an Amy...
Yes you get a Boston...who I missed the other night getting to kiss and hug on and who I need to get some time and take some pics!!! No I do not stalk this family...they are just some cherished ones that I hold close in my heart!
So just wanted to say Happy Birthday Amy and thank you for being the special friend and woman you are. Our world is a better place because you are in it! I love that smile!
Yes Officer Herrera you are one blessed man! Happy Birthday Amy and God Bless you and keep you!
A flex Monday...as I had to work on Friday...well it was called CORE 4 training for my job. It looks at us and tells us our personalities...how we deal with others. Our colors...while in this training as it was City wide...there were police officers dispersed throughout...One particular individual ended up sitting right in front of me...a tall young full of it personality! And what did I notice first on him...his black and blue band. And in losing my "favorite son-in-law" I notice things such as this...This guy made me laugh at so many things...and it became obvious he was a cop. When grouped into our colors...yes me and the cop with the band and another cop ended up being "yellows". All this while I kept thinking of Jay...While my first day was on Monday...we had to go back on Friday. And so we sit in the back of the room which is where one of my fellow "yellow" cops was sitting. He said yes cops always sit at the back. I finally had to ask him as he seemed so familiar...I associated his face with the memorial bike rides and though he had rode at one time...he had not made the ride to Limon...and so I still am not certain though he thought I was familiar. I told him that my son-in-law was Jay Sheridan and a few tears gathered in my eyes...but he looked at me with such compassion and told me that he had been shot in 2009. He said not all understand...And then as we sat there in walks "K" I will call him...the one who had kept us entertained earlier. He went to find other seats towards the front and then ended up coming back and sitting right next to me. I knew that I had to ask on his band. And as we talked of his children...and how proud he was of them...of how he would like to have a little girl. I told him I wasn't sure he could handle having a little girl...not all men are cut out for such a thing! I wish I would have told him remember to embrace these moments! I finally asked him if he wore his band for someone in particular or just the blue line...and he said in a moment of respect..."the thin blue line." And I know there are many that do not know of the thin blue line...In looking for a definition I come upon a page that honors...cops...their wives...their brothers and sisters...http://www.copsite.net/poems.html
And so I put in a pic taken at a memorial for Jay...with the hands of one of his special brothers that I hold close in my heart...Jake...
And I think of the song that Jake's wife Amy posted to Heather...how I remember this song the first time I heard it while riding with Lance and he told me...a Jay song...and for those that knew Jay...this is a Jay song...though I am not a beer drinker...I listen to these words...words that were written for Luke Bryan's brother who he lost...but as with a good song...it touches each of us in our own special way.
I caught a couple of pics that remind me of the blue line going on...of these two guys...one in which Jake is "shooting the sh....you know what" with Izzy...them making faces at each other...in a way that only the two of them know...of the Chief asking her what she wants for Christmas...these are reminders of that brotherhood...
"Drink A Beer"
When I got the news today
I didn't know what to say.
So I just hung up the phone.
I took a walk to clear my head,
This is where the walking lead
Can't believe you're really gone
Don't feel like going home
So I'm gonna sit right here
On the edge of this pier
Watch the sunset disappear
And drink a beer
Funny how the good ones go
Too soon, but the good Lord knows
The reasons why, I guess
Sometimes the greater plan
Is kinda hard to understand
Right now it don't make sense
I can't make it all make sense
So I'm gonna sit right here
On the edge of this pier
Watch the sunset disappear
And drink a beer
So long my friend
Until we meet again
I'll remember you
And all the times that we used to...
...sit right here on the edge of this pier
And watch the sunset disappear
And drink a beer
Drink a beer,
Drink a beer.
The words seem to touch my heart...as well as my eyes...as Jay has been so close in my thoughts as of late...always there but some days just closer...more reminders...while this song plays I look at my bird cage...where special pictures...special people...special reminders hang...my prayer list...
There is a picture of Lance holding Izzy that touches my heart to the core...of Heather and Izzy...of Jay holding Heather's tummy with a baby Firecracker waiting inside to come out...Jay laughing with Tyler and Mike...him holding Isabel in front of the mirror with a dragonfly holding it up...Of Izzy and Boston...Autumn and Andy...Tyler's Graduation...of Joe...and others I have not put up...
But I think of some other pictures...of recent days...I got a glimpse of Heather's tree...the ornaments reminders of one special cop in their lives...
And when we got home from hanging out with many special cops...we find that the elf on the shelf has moved...and so one little "Peanut" searches high and low until giving the hint up high...to which she looks and looks repeating...up high up high...
One of the things I love on this is that she was helped there by a special addition to our family...Josh...who the Lord brought back safely from Afghanistan! Just makes me smile...that there are little smiles from heaven if we choose to look for them!
And so I make the girls stand in front of the tree...how I love these two...
And I finally include the top of the tree...yes I had to use Heather's tree...because I have not got mine up...don't worry it is in the process!! But anyway it is fitting as it is a special one indeed. And I think of the song I have listened to several times that I knew I wanted to include some time in a blog and so many things were building up and so while some sit right here and drink a beer...perhaps I sit here and write a blog...a blog to remember how special those are we love and to appreciate them...that we will never forget them or those that they love...to remember those we have lost and give thanks that we had them...to think of the meaning of Christmas...pray for others...love others...and I wish you...
And I look on my mantle that I will clear off an put up my nativity and there sits a pic of Jay Bird...I think one of my favorite of him in uniform because it makes me think of him looking down on us with a smile on his face...
