The rain summer this is getting to everyone these days. It's dark, bleak, and darn awful. Certainly this summer is not a reward for the icy, stormy, long cold winter we roughed through. Summer 2008 is not what any of us likely expected. We had brides who waded through hail, mud, rain and mud this summer. For the first time in a very long time, I had jeans on the other night - with a white rain coat - hat and all.

However, as I was taking pictures last weekend at the cottage - I had particular joy one day when the sun peaked out and showered us with rays of sunshine. As the day neared an end I attempted to capture every moment of the sun's rays - right up to the setting over the hills.

Enjoy!

When we least expect it....
Life just keeps happening. I get up in the morning with so much intention and by the end of the month (after many mornings of intention), I realize that somewhere along the line.... I just didn't get to it, whatever it was!I have attempted to write a few times this past months. I start out with a few lines and then once again face the writing "dry spell". I was encouraged by a friend to write about the "dry spell" and I think I tried... but faced little success.

And then sometimes when we least expect it....Today I received a note from my one daughter. She shared that sometimes she didn't really see things and sometimes doesn't say much - but she thinks I am a big part of the "spark" she carries in life. I was very touched and humbled by her words. I joked a bit inside thinking... "oh no - her crazy and passionate personality is my fault"!. After the chuckle, I was more humbled by my ability to effect who she is and who she could and will be.

A racing thought entered my mind, if only I could start over with all four of my children. Start over with a purpose and plan of how I was going to guide their walk, encourage each of them in their individuality, shape them to incredible heights with my utmost ability. If only.....I think about the "silver lining" of who each of us really are. The lining that lies quietly below the worldly elements of who we are in reaction to a world around us. The protected core that is tucked safely below the human walls we create to survive the crashing waves of life. The core that shines like a precious gem. This core is the element of who we are. He created that core - do we know why?

I can only begin to imagine how our Father paces with anticipation, excitement and wonder just waiting to see what we are going to do with all He has done to ignite our individual sparks, to mould us exactly as He wants us. How touched He is when we just stop and share our hearts with him. How thrilled He is when His precious child thrives with love, passion and spark.How blessed we are that we have our Father who watches from above with more love in His heart for us than we could possibly imagine.

I am thinking about the days when I sat night by night at my computer sharing my thoughts. I have professed to have been going through a "dry" spell. I think in all reality it's not a dry spell I am in. I believe it is that my engines and thoughts are all drained after sharing those precious moments with my husband during the day and evenings. What to do... hummm... save it for the blog or hubby... I am sure hubby would be grateful to have time to rest his beautiful ears.

I have a beautiful friend who was "let-go" of her job two weeks ago. What a shock she has endured....ater many years of making her place of employment her "home" away from home. The comfortable days she shared with many friends over coffee and lunch breaks. The responsibility of handling all the telephone calls as her duty called her "the voice of .....(the company". She is now sitting at home trying to make sense of this happening. I made sense really quickly - she is blessed to have the time to truly enjoy the upcoming summer of sun and fun. Worry about the rest later I said.

Oh how shocking it is when the carpet is pulled up from under our feet and we land on out butts to make new ground. I can't wait to see what adventure comes her way!

Love Ya girl...

Cheri