Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Inspirational Sand

Shoveling inspirational sand into our summer sand pails may become a summer favorite.  Although we haven't picked out our buckets, intentional and surprise situations are begging us to shovel the sand.

One large scoop of inspirational sand came on Sunday as we celebrated a birthday very few people will ever experience themselves.  My mother-in-law traveled to her surprise lunch with our family.  We gathered at an establishment which she had driven past for decades. 

Just the fact that this restaurant had been established in 1919 is surprising, yet this day it would host our family gathering to celebrate a
97th Birthday!! 
Just imagine what changes my mother-in-law has experienced in her lifetime.  How easy it is to forget the importance of celebrating LIFE!  Is there anyone who doesn't enjoy being celebrated?
Still living on her own in her home she gives the example of how to just enjoy life.
Forget all the health advice...she has followed very little of it, and yet, she is healthy and alert, with an understanding about life that most of us will never hold.  She has always been the example of contentment.


Scoop number 2 - Vacation Bible School - who doesn't grow spiritually through VBS?  Benjamin hit the floor ready to go on Monday morning. I praise all those who give their time and efforts to this worthy event each summer.

Scoop number 3 - Evening picnic in the park.  After a trip to the used book store we took our blanket to the park.  I had made chicken salad and served it in Mason Jars...bright colored forks to add a zip to our picnic.   The wonder of just being outside as the sun shut its eyes.  Benjamin watched the birds and collected pecan leaves for his nature book, along with chasing a baby frog.  Long legs (my 16 year old, who is 6'3") became an adventurous young boy  hoping across the stream...stretching out his legs to see if he could make it without falling into the water.    His braces-exposed grin shows how nature just calls us to come play...skip across the stream, run after the birds...breath in the air.
I read the beginning of one of my newest books...the words captivated the truth I was hearing in my spirit, as I watched Benjamin climb on the playground.

I sit on my favorite rock, looking over the brook, to take time away from busy-ness, time to be.  I've long, since stopped feeling guilty about taking being time; it's something we all need for our spiritual health, and often we don't  take enough of it.
Walking on Water - Madeleine L'Engle

I can truly say my mother-in-law has always know how to have being time.  She has never worried about to-do list and never forgets to have her pie and coffee.

Scoop number 4 - My Inspirational Sand Book List
  • Les Miserables- by far the most impressive musicals I have ever seen...even if it was over 20 years ago.  This December it will be brought, once again, to the movie screen and I just have to take the time to read before I stand in line to be one of the first to see this movie.  Grace and Law....how beautiful depicted!  This trailer gives me goose bumps!

  • Walking on Water - Madeleine L' Engle
  • The Irrational Season - Madeleine L' Engle
  • The Betsy-Tacy Treasury - Maud Hart Lovelace - yes for me
  • Benjamin's collection is growing...because his mother loves children's books
  • To Kill a Mockingbird - for long legs, as he begins his summer reading also
Scoop number 5 - Outdoor concert with hits from the 70's.  This will be fun...while my teenage son will be making fun of the oldies, I will be re-living my wonderful teenage years in my mind.  Benjamin will probably be dancing....this will be a fun scoop.

Scoop number 6 for this week.
My 32nd Wedding Anniversary

I hope you are having fun scooping some summer sand inspirations.

32 Joining in with more words:

Marcy said...

hi janette - enjoyed reading - i finally had time to stop over. hope you all are doing well - love you much.

Vee said...

When I see Les Miserables on the big screen, Lord willing, I will remember that I heard about it first right here. Oh that does look exciting!

Your description of your mother-in-law's approach to life and her beautiful photo makes me smile. How wonderful that she is independent and enjoying her life at 97! Happy birthday to her!

So many scoops going on. Hope that Long Legs enjoys his summer reading. I gave my niece To Kill a Mockingbird years ago. She recently told me that she had just read it and now considers it her favorite book. It is certainly one of my favorites.

Pom Pom said...

Hi Janette! I was just thinking about you this morning and then I popped over here for all the good scoops!
Oh, I adore Betsy/Tacy. I must peek into the treasury again!
Your mother-in-law is super duper lovely. I like her pie and coffee ritual. People keep mentioning pie. Maybe I should make a strawberry pie for my granddaughters.
We had our 34th anniversary this weekend. I'm so thankful for my dearest hubby.
I wish you a most lovely anniversary celebration.
So many happy and encouraging aspects to this post! Thanks, friend!

Debbie said...

Your list of scoops sound wonderful! 97!! WOW!! And still going strong and still independent! How awesome...she has been blessed for sure. I can't wait for Les Miserables too....looks so good. Glad you are enjoying your summer! Hugs to you!!

Sue said...

Okay, Janette,how I wish I could jump on a plane and join you for this fantastic,Spirit led, scooped out summer that you, and God have planned!

!Wishing your Mother-in-Law a most blessed and Happy 97th Birthday wish, What an inspiration she is to her family, and I might add she does not look 97, I think she and my mother have the same philosophy about life, as I am amazed at their stamina!!

Also Happy 32nd Anniversary, may you have many more years of continued happiness!!
I can just see Farmer Ben, dancing, what a happy child he is, and loved by all, especially me! I hope one day to meet both of you in person. If I ever get to Texas again, I will look for you all.
Enjoy your day, and summer
HUgs,
Sue

Angela said...

You have hit the summer ground running! And your MIL still looks pretty at 97! 97 is amazing! Happy, happy anniversary to you and Bill:)

Theresa said...

Wow, your m-i-l looks amazing and does not look 97! What a blessing to have her in your famly!
Happy Anniversary. Enjoy :)

Sharon said...

Oh boy, Janette! I love your sand!

Congrats to MIL's 97th. I am inspired by older people who seem to have found a secret about life. They have learned to enjoy it so - and I think you hit on the reason why. Contentment. Paul encourages us to adopt that attitude, no matter what life serves up. I'm not so good at it...

Congrats on your anniversary - something to celebrate, indeed!

Scoop away, dear friend!

GOD BLESS!

Farm Girl said...

How did I not remember that you have been married as long as me?
I hope you have a great day.
Your days sound fantastic. I wish I could stowe away. :)

Debbie Petras said...

Happy Anniversary to you two!

I loved reading your scoops. I've seen Les Miserables on Broadway at least four times and loved it each time. I didn't know it was coming out as a movie. Thanks for the scoop as this is one I don't want to miss.

Love,
Debbie

PS. Amazing photo of your mil. Happy birthday to her.

Sandy said...

Your summer sounds super! And Happy Anniversary!! I can't believe your mother-in-law is 97! She looks great!
Blessings~

Debbie said...

I don't even know where to begin, Janette. I guess I'll start with HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your MIL. She is beautiful,and I can tell that's an inward grace too. I love the concept of "being time" as opposed to always being consumed with doing.

You are reading a few unfamiliar books and one old favorite. (TKAM)

And finally, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY you love birds, you.

I want to take a picnic on ours. Your adventure made me want to all the more.

Skoots1moM said...

happy anniversary!
our church finished vbs last week; they had a blast!
lots of scoops for your bucket!

camp and cottage living said...

Janeet
Happy Annivarsary to you and hubby!
Les Miserables is my husbands favorite. I jope the new version is good.
You are so..busy, but fun busyness.
And Happy 97th to you MIL. She sounds amazing.

Cecilia Marie Pulliam said...

First, happy anniversary. Second, your scoops of sand sound wonderful!

Tanna said...

Happy, Happy Belated Birthday to your wise Mother-In-Law. She sure looks spritely!! AND Happy, Happy 32nd ANNIVERSARY to you and your hubby!! That's something to be very proud of Janette. Congratulations!

I loved the line, "The wonder of just being outside as the sun shut its eyes." Your whole section about the picnic just delighted my heart!! You keep on scooping the joy, girl!! xoxo ~ tanna

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Happy happy all around, to you 2 on your special day and to your beautiful mother in law. What amazing milestones!!

xo

Lisa said...

Girl, I am exhausted just reading your post! You have been one busy lady.
Your MIL sounds like a sweetheart. And what an amazing source of wisdom!
I love the Betsy/Tacy series! So sweet. Can you believe I have never seen Les Mis? I know. I know. But come December I'll have to remedy that.:)

A multi-dimensional life said...

Happy Anniversary!!! Enjoy every moment as you continue to celebrate all of life's gifts!

Your mother-in law is my kinda gal...pie and coffee! I think I'll try to follow that example more! :)
My husband's grandma loved pie too...ate lots of it...lived well into her 90's and was never sick! She danced alot...had to work off the pie somehow! Great footsteps to follow in...the songs may have changed a bit, but the music never fades! :)
Your life is abundant, Janette! I love reading about your week and all the memories you continue to make! Yes...Les Mis!!! So excited! :) xoxo

Anonymous said...

Oh! That last scoop - Happy Anniversary! Catching up with you and all your adventures as I've been so hurried in Blogland these past few weeks. Getting back in the posting mode and visiting and don't I just LOVE that you read Betsy Tacy, too!!! I love how the stories grow with the reader, too!

NEVER too old for children's literature. . .
Joy!
Kathy

Rebecca said...

Happy Anniversary, Janette!
I agree with Sharon (and any others who commented saying "contentment" is the secret to your m.i.l.'s longevity).

Contentment and "being time" as you call it. (I call it "wide margins" in my life.)

Your summer reading sounds delightful. I've been reading, too, and enjoying sitting outdoors as I do so :)

A multi-dimensional life said...

P.S....if you get a chance, I hope you'll stop by my blog and enter for a chance to receive a copy of Debbie's book. No hoops...just leave a comment and you'll be entered! :) xo

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

I love that you're both BUSY and "BEING" this week! Happy birthday to your MIL. What a sweet tribute you wrote about her. and Happy anniversary to you and hubby. My favorite part of your post today was the image of your son playing -- just playing. I hope he never outgrows it! It's part of the "being" isn't it?

Sally said...

Your question about what we are finding inspirational has me looking over my summer and not finding much inspiration. It's busy, to be sure, but not particularly inspiring. I'll have to give that some thought. Happy Anniversary!

myletterstoemily said...

i have and dearly loved all those books,
and i love that you are reading them,
too. another thing we have in common.

97? oh joy!

Sue Anne McKinney said...

Sounds like a fun and easy going summer...resting and growing at the same time. Happy Anniversary to the two of you!! WE just celebrated our 32nd, too.

Modern Bedroom said...

Hi
Janette's Sage
I see what you’ve done here, and I love it! One of the finest posts online, keep it up!

Crown of Beauty said...

What a beautiful post this is, dear Janette. I've been away from blogland these past months, and have only begun visiting my blog neighbors again.

I love the way you put your updates together - so creative! At 97, your MIL is still looking so good... healthy, alert, enjoys her pie and coffee... and celebrates life more can anybody ask for?

And the VBS - yes, it was an important part of my children's summer programs, and they loved every minute of it. The songs, the stories, and the new friends.

The books by Madeleine L'Engle - I've heard of her, but I've not had a chance to read any of her books. Someday, I will.

Les Miserables - it is one of my favorites.

Such a wonderful opportunity to just BE... you are right. What's the hurry all about?

Glad to be able to catch up on you this June evening, dear blog friend.

Blessings,
Lidia

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Oh, my goodness, what a good looking 97 year old! Amazing! and how wonderful that she knows contentment. That is such a compliment to pay to someone.

Love all your scooping, you are off for a great summer indeed!

my little cottage said...

nice post thanks for sharing looking for to visit more...blessings

Anonymous said...

Let's hear it for Betsy-Tacy! Count me in !
My sand pail list is more like - garden, can, scrape/prime/paint all over the place.
All good, but I must get some of these other things on it too!

Maryann said...

What a fun packed week. Happy Anniversary, albiet a little late. Your mother in law sounds pretty amazing, and she doesn't look 97.
I love the idea of "being time" gotta get me some of that!

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