Pictures

Hana jumping off the mill pond bridge. I gave her such a hard time about this. She was scared at first and I told her she was a wimp. That Vinny and I did it ALL the time. I wasn't lying. She jumped off the bridge but didn't dare to jump from the railing. I finally had to jump off myself (fully clothed) to show her how much fun it really was.

We Booked Our Tickets

We will be in Baltimore for a couple of days over Labor Day weekend. We just booked our tickets today. It will be Henry's first time flying. I have to pick up his birth certificate today or tomorrow.

Impact ~ No Regrets

Tonight I worked on my business. I haven't watched any TV in days more than a couple minutes of news here and there. Just after 10:30 I decided I might relax, take my mind off things and watch some HGTV. As I headed toward the bathroom something (God!) compelled me to read the local paper instead. I am researching prospects for my business as I am building it and this was my reasoning for reading the paper - must not waste my time on the television. I read part of the first page, went to read the second page (obituaries), and decided to turn back to read all of the first page. Once read, I turned to the second page and saw the name. It's amazing how much a business customer can get woven so deeply into your heart. This was definitely God's doing, because I remember the first day I met this man. We had just bought the laundromat. He came in with a cup of coffee that was dripping and managed to get coffee on every surface there, didn't notice and didn't clean it up. He instantly bugged me. I grew to like him and, for some reason, I was always led to talk to him about God. We had some fierce debates. I say fierce but both of us knew how to leave a heated discussion as friends. Those conversations ended after we owned the place for a few years. I remember him, not too long ago, asking me why I wasn't trying to convert him anymore. I told him I was never trying to convert him. That was God's job. He isn't old but started to have a health issue this past winter. I'm not saying this to pat us on the back, but Dave and I really felt the love of God for this man. I remember one storm Dave drove by his house to see if he needed his driveway shoveled. Dave hates to shovel and, as far as we knew, his illness wasn't life threatening. We sent him a card telling him how much God loves him. When he came into the laundromat this spring, I asked him for the last time (I didn't know) if he would ask God to reveal Himself. He said he would think about it. I don't know what happened. The impact of seeing his name and picture in the paper was very hard. To know he faces eternity. My heart is heavy. Knowing God is all you take with you. Sharing God with him - I have no regrets.

Memory of the Day

Today my niece Hana was swimming at our house waiting for her mom to arrive. She kept asking me different things she could do in the water - holding her breath, somersaults, floating etc. It brought back all the things Vinny and I used to do in my grandparents' inground swimming pool. This was one of our favorites (though never done in the sight of adults - especially my grandmother): we would stand in the shallow end, jumping up and down hitting our arms against the water as much and as hard as possible. This would make waves in the pool. We would do this until the waves were so high in the pool that my grandmother's lovely planted flower barrels on the lower deck would get hit with waves. Then we would see who could swim the length of the pool above water. For some reason I always remember doing this on rainy days. Go figure. Maybe it was easier to cover up the massive amounts of water that ended up outside of the pool. It seemed so daring at the time and we loved it.

Memory

The Year: 1985 or 1986

Location: Appleton Village School Playground

Exact Location: Swing Set

I was innocently swinging on the swing set during mid morning recess. Vinny came sauntering up to me. We didn't exactly chat during recess at that age if you know what I mean. He told me he got hit by a car while riding his bike to school. I said something like, "yeah, right". He punched me off the swing and said, "yes, I did". The conversation ended.

The funny thing and not so funny thing is, he DID get hit by a car. The reason why it's funny is he lived AND it has Vinny written all over. Vinny BEGGED my mother to let him ride his bike to school. It was a few miles but we did live in the middle of NOWHERE. So what did Vinny do? He made DARN sure he SEALED any chances of the younger children getting to do the same thing at a later date. He rode on the yellow line down curvy wooded roads. He ended up on the hood of a young woman's car. It probably did WAY more damage to her than it did to Vinny or the car. I do think his bike got destroyed. So, my mother got a call from a neighboring house. She WASN'T happy to say the least. Did I ever get to ride to school in Appleton? No. (I probably didn't want to either).

Immediate

God answers prayer in His time. Sometimes it's years, sometimes days and sometimes seconds. I love when you cry out to God and He answers immediately. When we are faithless He remains faithful. I believe that is in 2 Tim. Before God chose David, the Bible says He was searching the earth for a man. That is so refreshing. God choosing men. He knows our imperfections and, yet, He chooses us any way. God, please show me Your love. I need YOUR love.

My immediate answer: I am spending time each day building my business by making phone calls, sending mailings, writing emails, etc. I have to admit that my patience runs out at times. It's not easy and I need to receive grace for the moment. Well, just a little while ago I cried out to God, "God, just give me something!" Seconds later I received a reply to an email I sent to a business (cold email) and they want to make an appointment. Thank You God for answering prayers immediately.

Second Tooth

Henry's second tooth broke through!

Happy Birthday Amber!!

Amber is the best website designer, business, promoter, networker, data base builder around! Have a great birthday. Visit her site at www.littleharbortech.com. You'll never be sorry working with Amber!!!

This Morning on Hobbs Pond

Henry's First Boat Ride

Our lake neighbor Charlie was kind enough to take Dave, Henry and me around the lake today in his motor boat. It was Henry's first time! We also went swimming.

My Two Men

Henry turned 5 months old yesterday and Dave began his steps towards his ordination yesterday. I thank God for both of them!

Henry's First Tooth

Henry's First Tooth broke through! How perfect he is!

The Painter You Met in the Park

I'm not sure what day it was now. They all seem to blend together - even though it was just last week. I set out to do some work for my new business. Take pictures, network, get new ideas, etc. Well, I'm not perfect, but my heart is definitely that I want my steps to be directed by God. That is my prayer. I really kept praying for that on that day. I always want to see God's hand in my life. I always want Him to do something in a way that I know it was only He Who could have done it. My ways are definitely not His ways. But His ways blow me away. I kept saying to God, please, please God help me. I took some pictures of a park. I had a nice conversation with a woman in a second hand shop. I went to the next park. I took a picture of an artist. I started asking him questions and I got the feeling I was bugging him, so I left my card. I walked away glad I got a cool picture but wondering if I handled the situation correctly. Was it lame to leave my card? Are cards just a waste of money? Do people really ever call you from a card? Everything I've been taught said no. These are the thoughts that were literally running through my head. Then I started walking down a very over grown path. My thoughts - "Seriously, Rachael, what are you doing?" Then my prayers to God switched to please don't let me see a snake. When I reached the old abandoned canals in the National Historic Site, my faith was renewed. This is what is so cool about Maine. All these hidden things. I just fell in love with Maine and my idea all over again. Then onto some business. This person wasn't there and THAT person held me hostage to his political views for a LONG time. I left worried about the time I had spent away from my son. There they went again. What am I doing? Why am I away from my son listening to a lunatic? God, did You hear my prayers? I guess You didn't. I got home a few hours later. Some progress. Not much. Keep pushing on. Later that night I got a surprise email from "the painter you met in the park". Huh? Pyscho? I didn't think so but the thought crossed my mind. I read the email and the viewed pictures of his art attached. Wow. This was the answer to my prayer. The story gets better, but you'll have to read about it on my new website when it launches. "The Painter You Met in the Park" (and his wife) was/is a gift from God to me. A little or, maybe, a big, Rachael, I heard your prayer. I'm for you and I love you (God speaking to me). Thank You God.

Checking Things Out

Marshall Point Lighthouse




Owls Head Lighthouse

Happy Birthday Aunt Annie

Henry & I out Meandering

Bridge in Payson Park to St George River Canal

St George River from Warren village bridge

Artist painting in Payson Park

Second Hand Shop in Warren

Rockport Harbor

Rockport Harbor

Mommy & Henry at Children's Chapel Rockport

Henry Rolled Over

Henry rolled over tonight. Yay Henry! We went to the doctor's today and she said we might want let him have more floor time from what I told her. She said he's perfect. He's very bright and growing like a weed.

Henry with Mommy

I Know My Redeemer Lives

My Redeemer Lives lyrics
Nicole C Mullins

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
And who told the ocean you can only come this far?
And who showed the moon where to hide till evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Chorus:
Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testifies
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives

Ye-e-eah
The very same God
That spins things in orbit
Runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know, my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I-I-I know
My Redeemer

He lives
To take away my shame
And He lives
Forever I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sins
Was the precious life He gave
And now He's alive and
There's an empty
Grave!

And I know
My Redeemer lives
He lives
I know
My Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I-I-I know my Redeemer

I know
My Redeemer lives
*I know my Redeemer lives*

*I know, That I know, that I know, that I know, that I know
He lives
*my redeemer lives*
*Because He lives I can face tomorrow
He lives
*I know, I know*
He lives
*I spoke with Him this morning!*
He lives
*The tomb is empty*
He lives
*He Lives! I'm going to tell everybody!!*

Henry's First Fire with Aunt Tace

Henry's First Pool

Darkness in the Christian Walk

I know this seems dark, but darkness is a part of a Christian's walk. I have been meditating on so many things lately. This ministers to me just like David's Psalms.

Author Unknown:

Lord, take away this pain.
My heart is like an open wound.
A cloud of darkness encompasses me.
I have so much to be grateful for,
yet, the heaviness cannot be lifted.
I live for the moments my heart forgets its despair.
My energy is spent recreating them.
Joy cannot penetrate my deep grief.
My mind tries my old tricks,
but it is still there.
Guilt is my companion.
I cannot let go.
I come boldly before Your throne and beg for release.
I want to see Your hand.
You have torn me,
Now please heal me, oh Lord.


I have been thinking:
Does the Lord put you in a pit? Are your eyes on the pit? Are you digging holes of escape and burying yourself in the disappointment of wasted energy? Guilt? Pain? Are you putting up pictures in the pit to decorate and pretend but spend more time and effort keeping them clean so the reality of where you are doesn't come back to slap you? Are you looking around for a human hand to rescue you and you sink deeper in your torment when no one can touch you? Look up, Jesus is there. His arms are open wide to hold you. I know. He's holding me.

Henry's First Time Eating Food

July 28th - New York State on the way home from MD/PA. We stopped at an A&P Grocery Store a ways past the Bear Mountain Bridge. I had to take a picture with my phone, and, of course, it wouldn't work well or take more than one.