When All Your Days Roll into One

A few weeks ago, I sent a text to all the girls in my family. "Ever had one of those days when you thought it was another day? All day today I thought it was Tuesday!" My friends, it was Thursday.

By the time I sent it out I was already laughing at myself.

The days before, almost two weeks' worth of days. I was so exhausted that I felt like the days never ended. It was as if they all rolled into each other and created one never ending day. Ugh! I was going through the motions. I felt like a robot. I was an emotional mess when no one was around and a-okay when they were.

How did my days finally separate?

That Thursday, David came home from work and I asked him what day it was. "Thursday?! I thought it was Tuesday." Before he walked in the door I started to sob. He was so tender to comfort me. Minutes later, I started giggling. He started giggling. Then, of course I texted my girl-fam.

The best thing we can do for ourselves is to make sure we are taking time for us each day. But, in those times we forget to, we can surely know and trust that...

When all our days begin to roll into one,

When we mistake last week for this week,

When the time runs out before days' end,

When exhaustion makes us an emotional mess,

God will step in somehow, someway, and maybe even through someone. He loves us right where we are in our mess and chaos. We are never alone. He will set things right and put the pieces back together. All we have to do is rest in His arms and let Him restore us to refreshing.

Hugs from Hawaii,
Jeri


Soul Goodness 

Psalm 18:20-24
Msg

God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. When I got my act together, he gave me a fresh start. Now I’m alert to God’s ways; I don’t take God for granted. Every day I review the ways he works; I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together, and I’m watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes. 

(more goodness: 2 Samuel 22:21-25, Jeremiah 17:14-18)

Psalm 23:1-3 

Msg

[ A David Psalm ] God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. 

(more goodness: Jeremiah 31:25, Joel 2:21-24)

I'm joining my friend Holley today.
Come on over and sip a cuppa.

 Holley's starts coffee for our hearts on Wednesdays. Thank goodness she pours all week, as I sometimes stop by on Fridays. 

Go Find Our Quiet :: #gofindourquiet

Finding my quiet on a Mother's Day drive
before our grown sons came over

Sometimes, we have to go and find our quiet. The kind that stills and refreshes our souls. The kind that feels so good you can't help but close your eyes and soft smile. I'm always learning on my journey. In this season, four vital go's have become my go-to's.

Our first vital 'go' is to be with God. We just need to go be there with God and let the quiet overwhelm us. Here is where the processing begins. Let the words start when they're ready to fall out. Let the silence still you when it tugs to say nothing and just be there with Him. Tears may come. Joy may come. Embrace it. Rest will definitely come.

Our second vital 'go' is me time. Yes, indeed. Insert huge smile. Our 'me time' is when we give time to what we truly enjoy. What do we truly enjoy? What leaves us feeling refreshed? What causes us to happy sigh spontaneously? Let's make our own lists and keep it close. Make note of the ones that require short and long periods of time so we can refresh as we need.

Our third vital 'go' is actual rest. Lay down, nap, sit back with our feet up. We may only be able to grab a few seconds, a few minutes, or sometimes longer.

Our fourth vial 'go' is good people. The ones who lift us up. Our encouragers. They make us laugh and even until our stomach's hurt. We feel better after having had time with them.

Let's make this week our new beginning. This is the kind of Major change that fills our souls.

I'd love to hear the ways you find your quiet. Please do sit a bit and share your thoughts with me.

Hugs from Hawaii,
Jeri

Psalm 46:10 (MSG)
Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth, Bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee. “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” 

Jeremiah 2:25
“Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway? But you say, ‘I can’t help it...."

A few times I found my quiet this week

(my #gofindourquiet captures are on IG and Flickr
do share yours with me as well)

a short few minutes in my fave spot
before they all come home

whispered a prayer of gratitude in the stillness

just before the clean up...right after they've gone to sleep

Happy sighs watching the day turn to night
waiting for David to grab dinner

Breathing deeply in this still small moment
just before we begin our sunset walk

Communities where I find refreshing

Joining a few friends this week. Come on over ...

You're invited to join me, my sweet friend Holley

and a few other ladies for coffee every Wednesday.

Sometimes I stop by a day or two later *blush*

Come have coffee with Bonnie over at her place

 For a good 'shot' of Faith. 

She starts each Thursdays and pours all week long.

On Fridays, Come and join me with Jen over at I Believe in Love once a month my wonderful friend Jenn from StudioJRU comes over too Share your own way of creating here.

Give Yourself A Break

Psalm 116:7-8

I said to myself, “Relax and rest. God has showered you with blessings..." 

Small breaks throughout the day are so much more effective than I thought in the past. Even a few deep breaths with my eyes closed. A soft smile begins. Joy filled moments play a slideshow across my mind. Gratitude fills me. Refreshes my soul. Renews me. So when life is hard, I can reach back into my soul for goodness.

I set my alarm for a once a day reflection and prayer time. But, now I think I'll set my alarm to go off at different times throughout the day just for this refresh-renew break. You deserve to do it for yourself too. Will you join me?

Hugs from Hawaii,
Jeri

You're invited to join me, my sweet friend Holley

and a few other ladies for coffee every Wednesday.

Sometimes I stop by a day or two later *blush*

Come have coffee with Bonnie over at her place

 For a good 'shot' of Faith. 

She starts on Thursdays and pours all week long.

'Gasa-Gasa' to Slow Flow

We use a Japanese slang here in Hawaii, gasa gasa. Usually, it is said of a child who can't keep still. Sometimes, in someone who tries to do much. I guess it could mean overactive and rushing.

Well, all the above would completely describe me from childhood until about 8 years ago. My health changed and my lifestyle was forced to 'slow flow'.

My family regularly hears me say ~ slow down and breathe, be mindful, close your eyes and stop for a minute.

I am now so into encouraging everyone to pause and breathe deeply. Only because as I practice the slowing to pause, I realize its total goodness. Seeing what I might not have if on the move. Taking notice of things and people around me. In the mindfulness, moments are thoroughly processed and gratitude celebrated.

It is so relaxing and refreshing there. We are worth that goodness.

First my body was forced to. But as I settled into the forced rest with Jesus, I learned a new rhythm. My mind was eased. My soul soothed.

This journey has become and adventure with God. The treasures discovered are joys and wonders in my everydayness. I truly pray the same and more for you.

Hugs from Hawaii,
Jeri


Thursdays are for coffee and jamming with Bonnie.

Healing Times and an Invitation for You All

Let's catch up!

Oh, how I've missed all of you! I wanted to check in and thank every one of your beautiful souls. Thank you for all the prayers, emails, and posts.

Thank you most of all your friendship and love. I've been praying in gratefulness for all of you as well and anything you might be going through.

I've been using this time to eat simpler and cleaner, take more simple joys photos and journal my simple joys to stay grateful, crosswords, and lots of reading. First and foremost, spending time with God - praying, meditating. Ooh! Yoga, breathing and stretching has helped tremendously. Now this is a true slow flow.


While we slow down...You're invited!

I've also been implementing our sustainable heart living practices much more mindfully.

Joyfully, I invite you all to take one more peek or even a first peek at our vlogs and tailor what you receive to fit your own lives. It's been helping me so much during this time, I can't keep it to myself.

Second invitation: Please do share what you discover. It'll be an encouragement to my spirit.


Come visit: In January, I had started a photo blog to chronicle my simple joys in pics, but also took time off from posting. I didn't stop taking the pictures though. I'll do catch up posts soon :D (you can link directly thru the picture at the top right!)

Mosaic of my simple every day moments while I'm healing.

Created for you at BigHugeLabs.com using Mosaic Maker.
Have fun making one of your own.

Life words to share with you...

Ecclesiastes 3:1  

There is a time for everything, 

   and a season for every activity under the heavens.

Philippians 1:3  

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. 

You Only Live Once - Moments

We were on our way to spend time with David’s Dad and Mom at the hospital. We had so much to do in this day. Oh, I desired more than anything to slow flow and let go. Ginny Owens “Live Once” played on my iPod. It’s now my anthem for the year. While I listened and prayed, the beautiful thoughts below danced in my head. I slowly began to smile and breathe deeply again. 

I love how they are always smiling

It’s not just about making the most of each moment. It’s about who we are up to and in each of those moments. That is what truly refreshes the soul and lifts the spirit.

Being at ease instead of rushing.

Trusting instead of grasping and striving.

Grace instead of quarreling and our rights.

Contentment and thankfulness instead of keeping up with the Joneses.

Refreshing others instead of only focusing on ourselves.

Mindfulness is being in the moment. It’s a privilege to be in that very moment with those specific people. Even in a difficult situation, mindfulness is choosing what to focus on.

Who are we choosing to be up to and in our “moments”? I pray we allow ourselves times of refreshing so we can in turn be of refreshment to others.

I realized I didn’t have to think about the next moment. I was on a drive with David and were going to see people we love. Wanna know something funny? Keith Urban's "Days Go By" followed after. Talk about God sending a message. 

Can you see me smiling?

We were at a stop, really :D (camera phone)

Best family ever!

Chorus - (*this line changes after every verse):

Well, you only live once so you better think twice

This day will go before you know so don’t waste your time

*When you’re standing on a cloud or when you’re falling on the ground

You’ve gotta find something to sing about

*When you’re lost inside yourself and you can’t find your way out

You’ve gotta find something to sing about

*At the end of the day when you lay your head down

You’ve gotta have something to sing about

Simple Joys Refresh

Simple joys are the best. I tend to look for the excitement in everything. These last few years of physical healing have also brought wholeness to my emotional well-being. Prayer, rest, relaxation, quieting down my thoughts, breathing deeply, and mindfulness have all become habits for slow flow joy. 

What are your simple everyday joys?

Psalm 23:3 - True to your word, you let me catch my breath (refresh me) and send me in the right direction.

The simple everyday joys are what really refreshes my soul. My whole being finds fullness in the wonder of simplicity. I made a choice to intentionally look for them in different ways. 

I search through my camera, listen for words, read words, observe expressions and gestures. I pick up my guitar and marvel at what it resonates back to me. The blank pages in my journal, song book, and idea folder call me to endless creative possibilities. It’s all so amazing! 

Creating and sharing brings me joy and refreshes me. Reading brings me joy and refreshes me by slowing me down.

In the middle of any craziness, I fall back on my refreshing activities and habits and I find joy again. 

Psalm 34:18 - Remembering God’s love for me
If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath (refresh).

Jeremiah 31:25 - Taking regular breaks...with snacks :D

I’ll refresh tired bodies; I’ll restore tired souls.

Philemon 1:7 - Your words in blogs, emails, books, comments, and letters

Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.

Today’s simple joys in pictures:

watching him take it all in

Peppermint

New place mats

Surprise pkg from my brother
who works for L.A. Times

David's a 32-yr Laker Fan

Sammi's White Trash recipe, but dark chocolate and Vegan!

Faith topic 1/20-1/26: Is joy Easy or Hard for You?
January series: Soul Resolutions
Join in anytime, link up your relevant post, and just be you.

GodsDreamsForMe and Transitions - Taking it to a Slow Flow

David and I are experiencing both transitions and stand stills in God's dreams for us. It's a wonderful place to be and difficult too. 

We want to plunge ahead and God's saying, "Slow flow, David and Jeri...slow flow kids". 


Even here at our blog, God has really solidified in us where we’re at right now. I love that! We’re making some changes that will reflect our focus and hearts. We pray you’ll enjoy the progress of those changes with us. 

So the stand still has actually blessed us... to pause, breathe, and see more clearly.

Transitioning to a new lifestyle

Slowing down and taking notice

God leading me to a vegan diet so I could be well again

Caring for God’s gift of this planet

Deeper connection to God as my Father and His love for me

I’m finding me...

What I stand for

What drives me

Who and what lifts me up

Renewed connection to God’s creation

All I love to do

All that truly matters in my life

I’m connected to God’s dreams for me...

Writing that says who I am

My music

Meeting Big Dreamers

Sharing God’s love in the way He’s called me to

I’m enjoying discovering new things...

Caring for God’s gift of this planet

New foods like baby radishes, black rice, and Ume vinegar - Yum!

Baking, cooking, soaking beans

I enjoy researching and sharing about environment, vegan living

and

connecting others to the resources we find

Now it's your turn. 

Are you experiencing transitions and stand-stills? What are you discovering?

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I want to thank Bonnie Gray of Faith Barista for organizing Faith Barista Jam Thursdays. This weeks topic of God-sized dreams being stalled is so timely for us Taira’s. 

Check it out and be encouraged if you feel your dreams are at a stand still. You’ll find it really isn’t.

You’re invited to join in at Bonnie’s site next Thursday, September 23 for more faith building. Follow the banner for full explanation of what it’s all about.