My journey on the Adventure of my life... Part 8

almost swallowed by quicksand! Then the vine of saving grace was thrown down. Phew! Glad He was there to rescue me. Now I'm laying on my face catching my breath and remembering "Do not go ahead or away from me. You don't know the way." I think I'll just rest here for a while. The journey has been a little rough lately but if I just be patient and walk in faith... well it will all sort itself out. ;o)

My journey on the Adventure of my life... Part 7

pic by slack12 on flickr.... thank you!!! incredible pics!

resting in the infirmary tent at camp. The journey has had it's dangers along the way but mostly trying and "fun". My Adventure Guide is also a very good physician. :o) He has trained others as well. So... now I rest and learn were the weak parts are that need to be mended and healed. I can't help but laugh... with the joy of the Lord in my heart and having no way to contain (in a way of self control) life's funny.

Sanctuary of Grace

Do you ever have one of those "Cozy-Comfy" days?

You know.. the kind where all you really want to do is enjoy the sweet comfort of plush blankets, over sized chair, a cup of warm yumminess, and gentle "take me a way" read (or in my case relational mystery with heart racing intensity). When there is not a clock or alarm in sight. The house is nearly empty... maybe a resident or two that have the same intentions as you, to embrace the grace and simply be. For my home that would be Max... whose purr could soothe the most restless of souls.... and Moki.... who responds to the spirit of those around once he has had his needs (outside necessities) taken care of.

The kind of day that has a blanket of gray, with silver, lining the sky. The kind of day where there are no "to-do's" and "have-to's". They may exist but you choose to let them wait one more day. The kind of day where you turn off the ringer on the phone and turn the volume down on the answering machine. The kind of day that encourages you, and you concede in the weary battle, to TURN OFF the cellphone and computer.

This little place of sanctuary simply set up to have all of your "needs", such as chocolate, fruits, nuts, water, tissues/hankie (depending on the book), journal, pencil, and other fun commodities, within arms reach. Acoustic styling of coffee house types are filling the air with embracing tones of smooth lulls while the remote is close at hand if you choose to change the "mood"from guitar to piano or saxophone. In my space of tranquility I would also have close my bible and snail mail paper. Whatever happened to simple writing a letter and sending your jots of yesterday down the way?? I tend to keep mine collected ... needing only to be put in the mail. Silly isn't it, but it is what it is.

Such a day that you wonder why they don't come around much. Yet, in that succulent stillness, you hear a tender whisper ... "Where have you been? I have missed you and awaited so longingly for you to return." You turn to find that whisper ... and it is the gentle voice that can not be seen but heard on these wondrous days. It is accompanied by the sigh of our heart and a sense of belonging.

I desperately need those days. He calls me to them and longs for the moments.Yet ... there are times I catch myself rushing by and yelling back, "I promise to come another day." No... no more. I must begin to slow my self down and take in these days and these moments within the busy days. Take time to rest and find what I've missed in the fast pace of things... grace.

In my days I will choose to saunter,

to take my time and learn to wander.

not always on a "have to" deed

but choosing more of a "need to" lead.

Tomorrow will come without our help

So today just stop and rest a spell.

Get going a little earlier to conquer the "musts"

This way you can prop up those barkin' pups.

If in your day you find "there's not enough time"

What is it that is sucking you dry

from all your creativity,

joy

rest

peace

because nothing is worth the death of me.

We have many things to help "simplify"

So since when did we allow them to run our life?

These are not only questions for you but me

Because I am choosing my Grace Sanctuary.

--jeanette mayhew 11/19/08

May each of you find your day and moments in the Sanctuary of Grace. :) I have truly enjoyed the delicious joys of such a gift in this new journey of my chapter. :)

Dark Chocolate & Almonds day (a real national holiday for Novemeber 7th)

A Case for Dark Chocolate-Almonds

All I can say is...
((with hand raised))
Hello. My name is Jeanette, and I am a Chocoholic.

My love affair with chocolate and nuts began at an early age. The first time I snuck a piece of yummy goodness out of my mom's purse and ingested its sweet ecstasy, I knew I would be hooked for life. Yes...I said I snuck it from my mom.

I come from a long line of Chocoholics. Secretly we hide, our overwhelming fixation on this semi-sweet goodness, in the "seedy" spaces of overnighters and romantic movie nights. While lurking around in cushy-cozy slippers, comfy sweats, and oversize sweatshirts, we wrap up our hair in frumpy (but bomb dig, sassy sexy) pony tails, illuminating the night with candlelight and hide in massive chairs and plum blankets while we generously ingest crunchy nuts and warm smooth delicious intoxication covering red ripe strawberries. In some cases, we are caught enabling others in their intense obsession, accompanied by liquid forms of both almonds and chocolate (I shall leave the rest to your own suitable imagination).

My own enslavement has embraced me, in the heightened sensitivity and euphoria of the nutritive affects, during the relaxing comfort of aromatic bubble baths. While I understand that I am bent on such a luxury in simple forms, I do not find a need to rid my self of such treasured joys.

Hello...my name is Jeanette, and I am Chocoholic especially accompanied by Almonds!

Thank you for listening to my irrational musings of such seductive sweetness! :)

Here are some fantastic facts that should push this partnership to the top of the food chain.

Almonds:

• provide essential fats and proteins
• used as alternative medicine
• aromatherapy
• practically no carbohydrates...great for flour
• safe for diabetics
• gluten free
• 1 cup of almond flour contains only 20 grams of carbs. and 10 of those grams is dietary fiber
• helps with movement of food through the colon
• helps complexion
• helps fight cancer
• reduces bad cholesterol
• nutritive for the brain and nervous system said to induce high intellectual levels and longevity
• anti-inflammatory, immunity boosting, and anti-hepatotoxicity effects
• almond oil extracted via cold press is considered an aphrodisiac when used in massage oils and also internally consumed
  
  

Dark Chocolate:

• provide Antioxidants reducing formation of free radicals
• links to serotonin levels in the brain
• theobromine...a stimulant
• amino acids
• caffeine
• circulatory benefits...can lower bloodpressure when eaten in moderation
• alkaloids...psychological effects in humans...toxic for cats and dogs
• aphrodisiac...resulting in heightened sensitivity and euphoria

(photo provided by daveleb on flickr...thank you! I posted this on zany life + crazy faith as well. Go take a look at some other fantastically ridiculous actual national holidays and thoughts from others. :) )