It's Then Sings My Soul Saturday when I get to link up with Amy of Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

I love those mountaintop experiences.  Have you ever had them?  You know, those times when life is going along smoothly and it's so ...easy to praise God.

But what happens when you're in a valley?  God never promised that this life would be easy.  In fact, 1 Peter 4 tells us to expect trials.

• What is your response when you find yourself in a season of trials and challenges? 
• Do you continue to praise God? 
• Or do you complain that life is so hard? 
• Where is God?

The song I chose for this week is called "God on the Mountain" and Linda Randle sings it so beautifully. 

God is the God on the mountain.  But God is also God in the valley. 

I believe my faith is being stretched.  It continues to grow in the valleys of my life as I learn to cling to Him alone.



Do you make the choice to praise God regardless of your circumstances?

Blessings and love,

It's In Other Words Tuesday and I'm linking up with Kathryn of Expectant Hearts. 

Kathryn chose the following quote for us to write about today:


As I was reading this quote, I found myself nodding to the first two statements: 

• Yes, the fire continues to give warmth but I have the choice to stay close and feel the warmth or step back and become cold.
• Yes, the light continues to shine bright but I have the choice to stay in the light or to withdraw into the darkness. 

But withdrawing from God?

It's hard for me to imagine withdrawing from God.  As I grow in my relationship with God, I learn that He loves me, He's set me free from the penalty of sin and He provides me with His peace.

Now how could I withdraw from God? 

His love is my motivation for living and loving and forgiving and sharing with others.

These may be hard times.  Life doesn't always go the way we plan.  But I've come to the place where I'm learning that there is a plan and a purpose and I may not always get to understand it all.  This is when trust comes in. 

When the check that was supposed to arrive in the mail and it doesn't  ...I draw closer to God.

When I don't know what tomorrow will bring ...I draw closer to God.

When I'm hurting inside and tired ...I draw closer to God.


So instead of withdrawing from God ...I draw closer.

I want to abide in Him.  It's the best place to be, not running away, but drawing close and clinging to the vine.

Blessings and love,

Google image

If you come from a Norwegian background, I'm sure you’ve heard the phrase uff da.  It’s an expression that tends to express annoyance. 

For example, if you stub your toe the phrase uff da might come out of your mouth.  Or if you hear something distasteful about someone, you say uff da.

I remember hearing other Norwegian phrases growing up. 

“Nei da” and “fy da” were a few of them.  I won’t shock you with how my family defined these phrases but it usually had to do with something that was unbelievable.

My paternal grandmother used another Norwegian phrase and it was "pssta Henry".

My dad, Grandpa, Aunt Ruth, Nana

My Nana never learned to drive after moving from Norway to the US.  After all, she settled in Brooklyn and cars weren’t really needed for transportation. 

But whenever my grandfather was driving, Nana had her own set of brakes on the passenger side of the car.  When she thought my grandfather should be applying his brakes more quickly, she simply helped him out as she warned “pssta Henry”.

Cousin Hilde's dog

I was taught many other Norwegian phrases while growing up.

• "Takk for maten" means ...thank you for the food.
• "Kan du snakke norsk" means ...can you speak Norwegian?

However, I'm so thankful for Google Translate.  I've been able to communicate easily with many of my Norwegian relatives on Facebook.  It's been such a gfun experience for me.

Are there any other Norwegian Americans out there?  Do you have any favorite expressions that you still use?

Blessings and love,

My favorite season of the year is autumn.  And I love all things pumpkin!

However, in Phoenix it's only now beginning to feel a bit like fall.  But I can't wait to unpack my sweaters.

I received this beautiful card from Cindy of Letters From Midlife.  Although Cindy's a blogger, she also enjoys the old fashioned way of communicating.  You know ...hand written cards and letters. 

I appreciate that about Cindy!

If you've considered sending some Thanksgiving cards, you might take a look at Cindy's Etsy shop.  She takes all the photographs and makes the cards.

(Btw, she didn't ask me to write anything about her or her cards.  But I love them and so I can't help but share things I love and enjoy with you.  Check it out!)

Thank you Cindy.  Your card and beautiful message meant so much to me.

Blessings and love,