I Miss the Ocean………Poem By Linda Hogeland April 2012

I miss walking on the shore
And hearing the mighty ocean roar
Watching the seagulls soaring above
The ocean reminds me of God’s love

As a child I played in the sand and the sea
I took it all in at my mother’s knee
She told me of the God above
Who held the ocean’s bounds in His hands of love

I picked up seashells and starfish too
Because when you are a child, that’s what you do
I splashed in the water and laughed with glee
Oh how I miss the sparkling sea

The sound, the smell, the ocean tide
All with my mother by my side
I miss my mother and all we did
When I played in the ocean as a kid

As an adult it is even so much more
I dream as I stand at the ocean’s floor
I feel its power, I see its grace
And I imagine I see my mother’s face

I say a prayer, I sing a song
I could behold the ocean all day long
It brings a peace I can’t explain
It holds my memories of both pleasure and pain

When I am there it all comes alive
The suntanned girl at the ocean’s side
The loving mother sitting on the shore
Watching the daughter that she’s come to adore

The magic from those days of old
Is something I treasure more than gold
Just a visit to the ocean now and then
Is all it takes to begin again

Oh how I miss the ocean so dear
I hope for a visit sometime this year
To sit and to drink it all in with my eyes
Is a desire my heart can no longer disguise

Blessed Beyond Measure...Six Word Saturday

Six Word Saturday:

I Am Really Blessed Beyond Measure!

Click on the button above and tell us your six words today!

Happy Saturday!

Hiding Place- Sara Groves

I love this song that Sara Groves sings. I listen to it and it just brings peace into my heart. I was moved to write a poem.


You Are My Hiding Place

By Linda Hogeland


In this world so filled with hate
I must not worry or debate
I must remember all that's true, and put my utmost faith in you...

You are my hiding place

I will not fear what man can do
I'll boldly put my trust in You
Because this simple fact is true...

You are my hiding place

There are times when I want to run
To flee the pain and dodge the sun
In the scorching heat I am undone...but

You are my hiding place

The blinding light of Satan's lies...
Deceives me in his bold disguise
Yet you perceive when my heart cries...

You are my hiding place

Unfaithful friends become my foes
And bring me down with all their woes
My guard goes up to block their blows...

You are my hiding place

Life tugs and pulls with all its cares
And sometimes snags me unawares...
But it can't catch me in its snares...for

You are my hiding place

What peace, what calm, what joy I feel
When in your arms I start to heal
You nurture me and give me zeal...

In my hiding place

Then out I go to spread your love
In power only from above
To share the hope on wings of dove

You are my hiding place

I bid others to escape
To run to you with eager gate
The only One who seals our fate

You are our hiding place

You spread your wings and beckon me
To the shelter warm and free
On bended knee I cry to Thee...

You are my hiding place!

Sara Groves - "Breath of Heaven"

I am loving Sara Groves music these days. I enjoy her beautiful voice...and the spiritual truths she displays in her music.

I came across this video with the song Breath of Heaven set to dance...and I thought it was so beautiful. I hope it moves you the same way it has moved me, and touched my heart, as we think of the virgin girl who was selected by God to carry the Savior of the world in her womb. Oh the wonder of it all!

I hope I never tire of hearing the story of our Savior...and how He came to give us the blessing of heaven...and peace, and hope on this earth.

Lately I have had such a burden to share Jesus with others. I want everyone to know the love of Jesus, and to feel His presence in their lives.

A Fun Blog ~Thingy! (:>)... Tag, You're It!

He who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
(Proverbs 15:15b)

Jenilee @ Our Goodwin Journey recently tagged me in a fun blog~ thingy, and I thought it would be fun to play along!




Eleven Things




The Rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random facts about you.
3. Answer the questions given to you in the tagger’s post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag new people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and let them know they have been tagged.

11 Random Facts About Me: ~~~ Linda Sue

1. I loved the Downton Abbey Series on Masterpiece Theater! Can't wait for Season 3

2. I love Daisy Sour cream! I put Salsa in it and eat it with tortilla chips, yumo!...or I sweeten it with organic powdered sugar and eat it with salted pretzels! (salty sweet thing!) I put it in potato soup, or on Mexican food...I even love a dollop on my pancakes with strawberry preserves! I try not to buy it very much, because I love it way too much! Ha!

3. I put a little bit of sea salt on my apples! I also put it on watermelon.

4. I love blueberries in my cheerios. Blueberries are so good for you!

5. I love the series, "Wind At My Back!" It was filmed in Canada by the people who gave us Avonlea.

6. I never go anywhere with out my makeup! NEVER! Yup...I look half dead without it! I have dark circles because of allergies.

7. I bought a digital scale without a memory so that the next person who weighs on it will not have access to my weight! I don't tell people how much I weigh...I am way too heavy!

8. I love pink grapefruit...it is so juicy!

9. I love the ocean...I lived just a few miles from it when I was growing up, and went there all the time. I have lived here in Kansas for a very long time and I miss the ocean. I think I need to go visit the ocean real soon. It makes me think of God's awesome power!

10. I love to go for rides in my car alone, out in the country, with some good cd's, and a cold drink, and my Bible. I end up at the park reading the word in my car, and talking and singing to God. Best devotion times all alone with God.

11. I like game shows...especially "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?"...I tape it everyday.

Now here are Jenilee's 11 questions for me to answer:


1. What is your dream vacation?
I want to spend a couple of weeks in the New England states to see the fall foliage some time soon. It's on my bucket list, because I have never done that before.

2. Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We went to Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming...and all through Rocky Mountain Nation Forest in Colorado, in a motor-home.

3. If you could meet one famous person, who would it be?
Can't think of anyone...because although I'd maybe like to see someone famous up close...I am way to shy to know what to say to them!

4. What is your favorite Bible verse?
Be still and know that I am God! Psalm 46:10

5. Iced or Hot coffee?
I don't drink coffee much...but an occasional iced coffee is refreshing!

6. If you could renovate one room in your house, which one would it be?
House is only 5 years old, but I would like to get some new living-room furniture someday before too long!

7. How old were you when you got married?
I was 25 when I married John.

8. Do you journal on paper or just on a blog?
I used to journal in a book...but now blogging has taken the place of that.

9. Have you ever met a blog friend in real life?
No, I haven't...but I would love to meet several of you, cuz I feel like we are old friends/ or blog family!

10. Do you say pop or soda?
Pop

11. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I used to be a night owl...but I have switched, and now I go to bed early and wake up early, and I like that so much better. Mornings are wonderful and peaceful...and I enjoy my alone time.



Ok...now I am supposed to be tagging people to join in the fun.
BUT...I don't want to make people feel obligated...so I will just say, "Tag...your it!" play along if you like! And leave me a comment here so I can hop over to read your answers on your blog post. (:>)

Here are your 11 questions to copy and answer on your post...Have fun!:

1. Do you have a hobby, or a special talent?

2. Name a simple pleasure...or something you really enjoy.

3. Tell us the last time you laughed until you cried??? Didn't it feel good?

4. Name two of your favorite blogs and add their link here, so that we can enjoy them too.

5. Can you share an embarrassing moment in your life? (Come on...make us giggle)

6. Are you building up your husband or tearing him down? Tell us something you love about your husband.

7. Do you have a special friend in your life that you treasure? What is she like?

8. Favorite Hymn?

9. Favorite Tv show or series?

10. Do you feel blessed? Can you share one way that God has blessed you recently?

11. Are you needing prayer today? Share a prayer need if you want to.


SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE

Ephesians 4:15 NLT

..."We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ!

Sipping Tea on a Rainy Saturday

Sipping Tea on a Rainy Saturday

These are my six words today!

If you want to link your six words post just click on the button above.

I started this post early this morning when I was sitting at my computer watching it rain. I got up and got myself some tea, and enjoyed the quiet of the morning with the sound of a gentle rain. But then we got some big thunder boomers and the house woke up...and there went my quiet solitude! (:>) I had been sitting there sipping my tea and reflecting on the joys of the day before. We had a lovely day.

My youngest daughter Lonna got remarried yesterday. She's the one in the middle. I will post a few pictures later when I download some.

She and her new hubby are on a short honeymoon, and we have her two girls, Julia and Adelynn staying with us. And also their older girl cousin Bailey is with us too. Their two brothers are staying with friends. Life is fun with kids in the house again.


This picture is a couple of years old...they would say..."Grandma we were just kids in this picture! Ha! They are 12 and 13 now!

And Here's Miss Bailey...she is 19, so she really is growing up!

There have been lots of giggles and Nerf gun battles with these three....and today we went to the movies and saw Mirror Mirror. Julia Roberts was the wicked Queen. I think she had lots of fun making this movie. It is the story of Snow White with many twists and variations! My girls laughed a lot throughout the movie. We stopped for some shakes and fries after the movie. Grams has been feeding these girls a lot. I forget how much kids eat at these ages! (:>) But it makes me feel needed...so I like taking them places and, and feeding them...and even cleaning up after them. I miss having kids in the house. (But at my age, I do tire easily...I end up going to bed before they do!) (:>)


Last night we took the girls, and one of our grandsons, and two of his friends, to a Good Friday service at our oldest daughter's church. It was beautiful. They lit candles and showed scriptures up on the screens as a narrator read them. The choir was up in the balcony and with each new section of scripture the choir sang softly, and afterwards one by one the candles were extinguished. After several passages and several songs the only remaining lit candle was the one that represented Jesus...and then it was extinguished... and solemnly we exited the sanctuary.

Today...as we think of Jesus' body laying in that tomb, we ponder on the sacrifice of our Lord who died on our behalf...and this Saturday we await Easter Sunday when we will celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

In the morning we will be going to a breakfast and then Sunday School and church services...so we will need to get up a bit early to get us all ready. So...I had better go to bed. I hope you had a good Saturday, and that you will have a Glorious Easter!