February 13, 2011

Let the Sunshine In!


"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow.
For I will be with thee, thy trials to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."

Quoted from the hymn
~ How Firm a Foundation ~

Oh there are times it feels as though they WILL!
But, the LORD promises they will not!

How often we must speak TRUTH to ourselves.
How often I must listen and drink in that TRUTH!

This is not our home ~
We are not to put roots down here.
Sin, sickness and disease are in this old world ~
We must do battle with them.

But, Oh what a blessed thought ~
There is NO sin in Heaven.
None of the effects of sin are there either ~
No sickness, sorrow, or death.

The longer I live,
the more precious Heaven becomes ~
HE becomes more precious!


Thankfulness.

In the midst of life's trials and troubles.
Thankfulness is something I can do.
When everything *seems* out of control.

Was I ever in control?
No ~ It was an illusion.
God is in complete control ~
Of all things!

I give thanks ~
To the ONE Who deserves All our Thanks.

God is Good ~ ALL the time!

"I will bless the LORD at all times:
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD:
the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together."

~ Psalm 34:1-3 ~


1176. *Bad* days to drive me to the Saviour ~
How wonderful HE is!

1177. Alternative medicines

1178. *Feeling it* from resuming a
light weight routine ~ progress!

1179. Sunrise in the rearview mirror on
an early morning drive

1180. Three lanes open through the tunnel into the city

1181. Pink wispy clouds in the pale blue sky ~
The Heaven's declare the glory of God

1182. Heat in the van

1183. "Little House" to listen to

1184. Free parking near our destination

1185. Children's Hospital

1186. Time alone with Emma

1187. A kind doctor


1188. First appointment of the day ~ in and out!

1189. Answers to questions...a blessing

1190. The way Emma rescues bugs and TALKS to them
as she sets them free!! SO cute! :)

1191. A husband who took the children out for dinner
when I had a nasty headache

1192. Being tucked into bed by our sweet little girl

1193. More questions and how they drive me to the LORD


1194. Storms of life and knowing in the depth of my
being that God is in complete and Sovereign control

1195. Boys who do a *clear out* of their rooms
without being asked! :)

1196. How kind the children are to me when I feel sick

1197. Protective boys...so sweet!

1198. An evening with my Dad ~
Just Emma and me. :)

1199. Long-ago treasures to explore

1200. A sunny day after many grey ones


**Photos of Sun-evidence taken recently ~
Is it obvious that I was excited? :)


23 comments:

Dianna said...

I'm sorry that you've not been feeling well, Camille. I will be praying for you. Thank you for sharing your pictures of light! :-)

I pray you will have restful nights of sleep.

Gentle hugs, my sweet friend.

Michelle said...

The mail came yesterday and I went straight to the couch with One Thousand Gifts...I'm on chapter 4 and am contemplating the challenge. I'm trying to start slow and to absorb it all first...

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

dear Camille, thanks for your sunshine moments photos...love it! Loving the sundial dreams music again, my favorite as you know. But it's making my eyes tear while reading thoughts of how we long for Jesus and be with him. We just lost a dear brother in Christ today. Roger was a beautiful spirit, a giver and we will miss him but know that he's no longer suffering from cancer. May it be well with your soul as well as mine so that we can all meet in the sweet bye and bye. I'd appreciate your prayers for Roger's family and our church family as he was so loved by so many. I hope you are feeling well, my friend! Hugs across the miles and Happy Valentine's Day!

Nadine said...

Dear Camille,

Thank you for sharing with us your list of blessings. I too, am happy when the sun makes a showing, today is gray and soggy!
I hope you are feeling well soon my friend!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Blessings!
~Nadine

Camille said...

Dear Dianna ~ Thank you my sweet friend! A little explanation...I am writing my thanks in a journal on the counter and keep track *as it happens*, so this really happened a week or so back...seems I have more to say on paper than can fit on one blog post, so I have to divide them up. :) We had a wonderful sleep last night though and that was a blessing! Thank you so much for your prayers! :)

Dear Michelle ~ It is a blessing to count...for sure! I keep my journal (plain lined paper) on the counter in the kitchen and number the gifts as they happen. It really does help to slow down and enjoy life with the little ones (and as they grow, the bigger ones) moment by moment...things change so quickly! Might we all be more thankful to our Great and Mighty God! HE does all things well...all the time. :)

Dear Becky ~ I'm so sorry you have lost another dear friend to death...but what a blessing to know that they have gone to be with the LORD...what a comfort that is!! I was praying for his family the other night...how precious it is to lift one another up in prayer...our God is so kind to us, isn't HE? Thank you for sharing your heart here my friend. :)

Dear Nadine ~ Yup...and windy!! We share the same weather (more or less)...I know you understand! :)
Thank you for your sweet friendship...you are a blessing to me!

Many blessings to you each one!
In His Love,
Camille

Jill said...

Such a lovely post!....I love the pictures.:-) Have a wonderful evening.

Blessings,
Jill

Sharon said...

Dear Camille,

I LOVE this post!!! Despite the hardships and trials we encounter there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for, especially if those trials indeed draw us closer to Jesus! Love,love,love that!!!

I truly enjoy your thankfulness journals, I am so blessed reading them and seeing your heart :) YOu are such a sweet friend!

Happy Valentine's Day (evening) to you and your family Camille!!!

Love,
Sharon

Stacie, A Firefighter's Wife said...

What a beautiful post. It ministered to my soul. I'm thankful that the waves are slowly getting smaller as I recover from this surgery. There is a new normal now and I am finding myself most content. I just need to keep trusting that my foot will get better and that it takes time, lots and lots of time. I am too impatient and when I am impatient, I miss the blessings my Savior has for me.

Please remind me what little Emma is doing at the Children's hospital!

Unknown said...

That first one....bad days that drive me to my Savior. Isn't that the truth! If life was all easy and perfect would we ever seek Him?

Hope all is well. I saw Dr. appt. and childrens hospital in there. I will be praying.

His bondservant said...

Camille,

Beautiful thoughts and posts my friend. I am learning more and more to seek the coming of the Lord...to await with an expectant heart to see Him. Blessings to you!

Rebecca said...

I came to visit after reading your comment in Lady Farmer's Parables. How delightful & peaceful it is to be here.

I left your music play in the background while husband and I had our personal morning devotions and then read Streams in the Desert together.

God bless your day and family life today. Time restraints won't allow me to go back and "catch up" with you, but I'll return and try to keep up in the future.

Cheesemakin' Mamma said...

Great pictures and even greater reminder. You have no idea how much I needed to hear this today :) Thank you, Camille!

Camille said...

Dear Jill ~ Thank you! I trust your evening was lovely as well. :)

Dear Sharon ~ You are a sweet friend to me too! Thank you for your encouraging words...it's so true that in the trials of life we learn more of our Saviour...HE is precious! :)

Dear Stacie ~ I'm so glad that you are healing up well...hang in there! Be patient with yourself and enjoy the *new* normal my friend! :) Emma had something minor to check out...what a blessing it is to have answers.

Dear Jenn ~ Thank you so much for your prayers my friend! Emma's malady is minor, but there are other things going on here that must remain *unspoken* which are not...prayers are greatly appreciated!! It means so much that you would take us to the Throne of Grace...what a blessing! :)

Dear Jackie (Bondservant) ~ Oh yes...the second coming of our precious Saviour...what a thought! How wonderful it is to belong to HIM! :)

Welcome Rebecca ~ It's lovely to *meet* you! Thank you for stopping by...and for leaving an encouraging comment. I will look forward to getting to know you a little more in the days ahead. :)

Dear Jackie (Cheesemakin') ~ I'm so glad it was a blessing to you! Trust you are okay?? Keep looking to the LORD in everything...HE is faithful! :)

Many blessings to you each one!
In His Love,
Camille

Tami said...

Oh Camille...I'm so sorry you've had a tough time with the headaches...I get migraines and completely sympathize. Love your evidence of the sun photos! It just further shows your focus on His blessings instead of your trials. #1176, 1193, 1194...And then there's 1192 & 1197. So glad to hear your family rally's around you as they care for you! That speaks volumes about how you love them too. Your list is always a blessing and ALWAYS an encouragement.
Big HUG from TX!
Tami

Mari @ Girl+Grace said...

What sweet, true thoughts that speak to my heart tonight. This is not our home. This is not our home!

Camille said...

Dear Tami ~ Thank you for your encouragement always...it is a blessing! Aren't those headaches a nasty business?? You are right...these things wean us from this world...what a blessing that the LORD does all things for our good...how precious to REST in that truth! :)

Dear Mari ~ Not our home...what a thought! Heaven is a glorious reality for those who belong to the LORD...how exciting that thought is!! :)

Many blessings to you both!
In His Love,
Camille

TRUTH SHARER said...

What a heartwarming, sunshining post! Precious heart!

Thanks for blessing us with this one!

Choosing JOY in this season,
Stephanie

The Adventures of a Simple Life said...

I am enjoying your bog and getting to "know" you. I believe we have a LOT in common, by looking at your "favourite links".

Your post is a blessing. This Sunday, riding to church, I was struggling with a trial. I kept praying for the Lord to help me. Before service, I sat to prepare my heart, begging God for His help and comfort.

In His faithfulness, we sang the song, "How Firm a Foundation", which He used to remind me HE IS here with me. I am under His wings.
This brought comfort to my soul. I love our Lord!!!

Then on Tuesday, as I was thinking upon my trial, I look at your blog. What is on top? A quote from
"How Firm a Foundation". God preordained this. He knew before the foundations of the earth I would need this at that time. He placed it on your mind to write it.
God amazes me!!!

I WILL be back to your blog and look forward to getting to know you...
Christine

Camille said...

Dear Stephanie ~ It's lovely to hear from you...thank you for your sweet words! I trust you are keeping well these days...keep looking to HIM! :)

Welcome Christine ~ It's lovely to *meet* you! How precious our Great God is!! Yes...HE ordains every little detail of every thing...from the foundation of the World...what an incredible thought! Isn't "How Firm a Foundation" just an amazing hymn? It's one of my favourites and I keep going back to it...such a comfort. Your story is wonderful...may the LORD sustain you at this trying time. HE is faithful! (Psalm 46)

Many blessings to you both!
In Him,
Camille

Trisha said...

Camille,
I'm praying for you, friend! May you know His peace in a BIG way this week, and may you keep your eyes on the LORD during this fiery trial. Wish I could visit with you and encourage you in person. God bless you for serving and loving and glorifying Him as always. Love you!

Camille said...

Dear Trisha ~ You are a sweet friend and I am thankful for you! I appreciate your prayers and encouragement...they are a great blessing to me! It would be lovely if we lived closer to one another...wouldn't it? :)

With Love,
Camille

Farmgirl said...

Hi Camille,
I hope you got over your headache! How wonderful to have an understanding husband who takes your children out, and how sweet of Emma to tuck you in. Love that! As always, I have been blessed reading your blog!

Camille said...

Dear Heather ~ Thank you my friend! Have a wonderful, wonderful holiday!! :)

Love,
Camille