Spring

Spring has sprung, with projects being completed here and there. Orchids, pansies seem happy to bloom side by side. I am happiest when my hands are in the dirt and my nose in flowers.  So glad God wired me that way

Glorious Day!

Been singing that song "glorious day" a lot these days.  Longing for and Loving the thought of the day when the Lord comes for his church, his beloved bride.  Oh what a glorious day that will be!

Art that heals

As you can probably tell by my lack of post over the last few months, Dec, Jan & Feb were tough months for me. I lost a brother, sold a home, moved, then returned to Kauai to catch up on a months worth of work. God, faithful as always got me through the other side. Leaning on his wisdom, and healing balm.  One of the things that helped get me back to me was painting.  I painted up a storm. pictures that will go to some of my friends.

Jason Frances Koehn

Rest well my brother.  You will not be forgotten

JASON FRANCIS KOEHN

Jason Francis Koehn, born in Seattle, WA on July 16, 1963, passed away at the age of 49 on November 23, 2012 in Everett, WA.  He is survived by his parents Bruce R. Koehn, Seatac, WA and Gail A. Wells, Olympia, WA.  He is also survived by his siblings:  Michael S. Koehn, Bellevue, WA; Deborah A. (Ken) Loyd, Portland, OR; Kevin A. (Joanne) Koehn, Camano Island, WA; Bruce J. Koehn, Boise, ID; Paul R. Koehn, Kirkland, WA; Paula J. (Lindon) Keeler, Hanalei, HI; Eric C. (Dina) Koehn, Olympia, WA; Lisa M. (Daniel) Sorrell, Olympia, WA; and Kriss A. Sargent, Redmond, WA.  Additionally, Jason leaves behind 24 nieces and nephews. 
 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalm 23

Aloha Friends!

Aloha Friends!

 IT's amazing how much life can happen in a couple of weeks.  Since I last posted we have elected a new president,

 My polling place, Hanalei Elementry cafeteria

 my oldest brother and sister came for a visit.

   Beach Barbeques were enjoyed, hikes were taken,

 scenic drives enjoyed, yummy meals cooked,

 and shared. Shelling, swimming, and sunning.

Laundry, LOTS of laundry done ;-) 

Dog walks , walks with wonderful friends and neighbors.




 

And Painting!!!

 There is so much gratitude in my heart to be able to have a place where people, family and friends can come and recharge their batteries, drink in the beauty that is Kauai.  Gratitude for having a washer dryer that works, a truck that provides me the ability to survive here.  A partner in life who works as hard as I do, and calls me everyday.  I am thankful for a phone that works, money to pay the bills, and gas and food. It is so easy to see the negative in the world, however on this beautiful sunny day here on Kauai the Lord has my heart looking to Him for his grace, love, and blessings so abundant. GOD BLESS America!!!

Root Canals and Tsunami's

Quite the title no?  What does one have to do with the other you might ask?  Well that was my weekend adventure.  Traveled to Oahu (the big city of Honolulu and I mean BIG for this country girl) for a root canal.  Flew home Saturday, the airport was VERY quiet. Got to see Hawaii's Governor at the airport waiting area, landed at the Lihue airport and it was very slow and quiet.  Drove to Costco for gas and groceries and I did not even have to wait in line for check out!  Unheard of! Stopped at walmart for a quick errand.  walmart and Kmart are the only two stores of its kind here and it is ALWAYS busy, not so today.  Hmm what is going on.  So I drove North to head home, its 7 pm, my tummy is rumbling and I am tempted to stop and get a $5.00 fish taco, but I felt this little nudge to get home straight away.  Which I honored.  Drove into our property and walked up to the cottage to where my friends KoKo & Zhenya were staying and watching my Maggie doodle bug.

Maggie aka doodle bug

 She was sooo happy to see me, and had to show me all her toys  LOL! We had a quick visit and discussed our last couple of days and how they went.  walked outside to say goodbye to KoKo & Zhenya, and the Tsunami warning siren went off. They had never experienced this,and asked "what is that for a test?"  My response was usually the test is on the first day of the new month around noon time, lets go and turn on the news.  Sure enough we are under Tsunami warning!!!

KoKo & Zhenya live on my road, down by the river, so I asked them to please go get their valuable and come and spend the night in the cottage, where we are above flood zone. They left to take care of their place and get their things, and I went about putting our emergency supplies in order.  While I was doing this my pastor called to see if I had made it home from Oahu and if I knew of the earthquake and coming Tsunami.  I told him well I just got home and heard the siren.  We discussed the best plan of action for me, because if the bridges get washed out I am stuck, which means power and water are out as well.  I really felt I needed to stay put, and besides I was tuckered out from traveling.  So I filled every pot, pan, both bathtubs with water.  Got out all my emergency lighting.  Called and woke my husband to tell him what was happening and that I was staying put.
I called my neighbor Sharon to make sure she was home and safe.  She had been down in Lihue where I landed at the airport and said she barely made it home because the traffic was so bad and the police closed the roads into the evacuation areas (you go through three to get to our place here).  Seems the Lord had perfect timing for us both, and we are so thankful it was not more serious, only an inconvenience of the important kind!

God was good and the wave was minimal.  we have power this morning and water.  Thank you Jesus. thankful that our county and state have a good warning system in place, and no lives were lost.

Think I will be staying home put for a while :-)

Trusting

In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.

 Psalm 33:21

This scripture jumped out at me, because that is where I am at in my life right now.  Complete total utter trust.  Waiting for wisdom, direction, and a plan for our direction.  Letting go of my worldly wants, whys, needs and ways.  Getting out of the way so that Gods ultimate glorious plan for our lives can play out.  

Yesterday my Maggie girl stepped on a bee and got a bee sting on her front left foot.  This poor dog has had that foot broken, another time nail ripped, and now a bee sting.  I was able to find what hurt her, as we were coming back from our morning walk and she yelped, and started messing with her paw.  I looked around on the ground to see what it was that caused her injury, and say the bee. So immediately went to her paw, found the stinger and pulled it out.  Poor girly you could tell she was in pain, and the swelling started immediately. Got a hold of my vet, and she told me to administer benedryl and soak the paw in a solution of one part vinegar and 10 parts water.  Praise God we had both in the house.  Happy to report this morning the swelling is down, and she was happy to go on her morning walk, however she absolutely REFUSED to walk through the part of the yard where she got stung!!!  I had to carry her.  This little terrier is such a trooper, and I love her so much!!!

The Fruit on the palm that is in the middle of this picture is what is attracting the honeybees.

Beside still waters

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalm 23

What manner of Love

Come on in!

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 John 3:1-3

Blue Vanda Orchid

Thankful for a productive day

Our citizenship

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself" Philippians 3:20-21

Gods Fire

Part of my prayer life consist of praying against the evil that I see in and around the area where I live. God has shown me what to pray for, and a lot of it is not pretty.
ON labor day evening God showed his mighty hand in several ways here. One his hand of protection over me and our home.
His mighty judicial hand, in that He answered the prayers that He had me to pray against a drug house that is next to one of our property corners. These people moved in 6 months ago, and it became really evident what was going on back there. Many calls were made to police, fire, and health departments,by me and many other neighbors. Nothing was ever done. Little did I know that when I prayed "cleanse this evil in our community with your purifying fire" The prayer the Lord gave me,He would strike so quickly.

Thank you Lord for ridding our community of this evil
Thank you Jesus for sending your rains all week, keeping the vegetation wet, and the wind at bay so our house did not burn. thank you Jesus for getting not one fire engine but FOUR to our home in time.
You are a mighty God that inhabits the prayers of your beloved saints.
Genesis 19:24
Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens.
Genesis 19:24

A prayer for Leah Jean

This prayer was not written by me. The words however echo my prayers and desires for my daughter Leah.
A prayer for Daughter
Father who breathed into this daughter…
I pray for this girl being formed into eternity….
May the wind always be in her hair
May the sky always be wide with hope above her
And may all the hills be an exhilaration
the trials but a trail,
all the stones but stairs to God.
God, clothe this girl in a gown of grace
Grace, the only dress that makes beautiful,
the style of Your spirit.
Nourish her on the comfort food of the Word,
Word, that makes her crave more of Christ
have hunger pangs for Him.
Enclose her in communion with You
You, Love who makes her love, who folds her heart into a roof
that absorbs storms for souls,
that makes her tongue speak only words that makes souls stronger
May her vocation in this world simply be translation
Translating every enemy into esteemed guest
Translating every countenance into the face of Christ
Translating every burden into blessing
When it’s hard to be patient, make her willing to suffer
When it’s ridiculous to be thankful … make her see all is grace
When its radical to forgive … make her the foundation of faith
And when it’s time to work… make her a holy wonder.
May she be bread and feed many with her life and her laughter
May she be thread and mend brokeness and knit hearts
May she be dead to all ladders & never go higher , only lower, to the lonely, the least & the longing
Her led of the Spirit to lead many to the Cross
that leads to the tomb wildly empty.
Oh, and raise me, Lord, from the deadness of my own sins to love this beautiful girl like You do…
In the name of Christ who rose
and appeared first
to one of His daughters…
Amen…
by Ann Voscamp

Power

Ephesians 3:16-20

New King James Version (NKJV)

that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

His Glory Dwells

That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving,
And tell of all Your wondrous works.
Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house,
And the place where Your glory dwells. Psalm 26:7-8

Today I was reminded

After viewing my friend Lea's blog I was reminded of a big lesson.

To everything there is a season. Everything Has Its Time according to Gods purpose for our lives Thank you Lord for reminding me that in EVERYTHING I choose obedience and YOU!!!!!!

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV

Happy Birthday Maggie Maybelle Keeler

Maggie is now an official two year old, or in dog years a teenager!!!
She has been such a precious gift from the Lord. Keeping me active, loved, well humored (is that a word?), alerted to whatever comes in yard or house. My brave centipede hunter, devoted friend. Happy Birthday Doodle Bug. So grateful for your little strong energetic life.
She is happy, because she got a birthday burger and her own dragonfly doodle bug toy!!!!!

My Hope is in the name of the Lord

My Father

He is my Father
His Banner over me is love
He is Father to the Fatherless
He is worthy to be praised
Happy Father's Day

Hey Hey Hey First day of may!!

May has come.
One of my favorite Months on Kauai
The female shama Bird laid four eggs in her favorite basket by my kitchen door :-)
I am so thankful for her gift, and we learn to go in and out of our front door :-)
The first day in May reminds me of my daddy calling his friends, and saying his "hey hey hey First Day of May song"
The Heliconia's are in full bloom, and passion flower's are starting to come out on the vines, which means fruits in a month or so.
Grateful for the slow turn of the seasons,
being able to plant red and white tunies
taking my Maggie for romps and giggling at how her back end gets ahead of her front end, like a frisky billy goat.
It is a season to get serious about my choices of how I feed my body, to rest, work hard, and soak in all God is doing inside of me.
Appreciating my family, learning to do it from afar, and being thankful
Thank FULL for the strong women in my life who love the Lord fiercely and are not afraid to live out their full gifting.
God brings about new seasons, of healing, growth, forgiveness, joy and abundance. And it humbles me