I'm continuing to count my every day blessings.

My Uncle Bob bought me a plane ticket and surprised my Aunt Ruth for her birthday.  I leave tomorrow for three days in southern California.  It's been too long since I last visited my aunt and uncle. I will also get to see my cousins and their families.

This is my aunt and me when I last visited a number of years ago.  Hmm ...I still have those flip-flops.



I'm hoping the weather will cooperate so I can go to the Santa Monica pier.  Greg and I spent much time in Santa Monica years ago and we both love it.

I would love to put my feet in the ocean and feel the sand between my toes.  I can't do that in the desert of Phoenix.

#442 A trip to California
#443 Time with my aunt and uncle
#444 Time to get to know my cousin's children and one of them is three years old!
#445 Getting to know my new next door  neighbor Caroline (who is a Christian and very nice)
#446 Enjoying summer break when I have more time to unpack and get settled in our new home
#447 Swimming in our condo's pool and not having to take care of it
#448 Being close to everything in Phoenix
#449 Walking to Greg's mom's house in the mornings
#450 Seeing photos of my new great-niece and knowing I'll get to meet her later this month
#451 Experimenting with different colors as we paint our place
#452 Spending time with my hubby
#453 Keeping up with family and friends on Facebook
#454 Having more time to blog

I'm linking up with Ann of A Holy Experience for Multitudes on Mondays.



Blessings and love,

I watched a TV show called Secret Millionaire last evening.  I'd never seen it before but I was intrigued by the previews.  Each week a person or family with much money leaves their mansion and goes undercover into an impoverished area to see what it's like to live in these conditions.  During this time, they're given limited funds and a place to live in the neighborhoods they are exploring.  After a period of time, they reveal themselves and give money to some of the people or charities that touched their heart.  

It touched my heart as I watched the homeless up close, a woman who runs a home for women and children who are escaping domestic violence situations, a young man who puts together toiletries to hand out to the homeless on Skid Row.

How easy it is to live and never see the faces of those who are truly struggling.  To realize that $3 a day for food is not much and very difficult to purchase anything that is nutritious and healthy.

These Scriptures came to my mind this morning:

Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through Him who gives me strength."

In the show, there was a scene where a group of women and children were about to sit down to eat a meal together.  They all joined hands and prayed, thanking God for their food.  The undercover millionaire joined in too.

That touched my heart!

I know what it was to have plenty.  And I know what it is to have little.  I've been on the giving and receiving side.  And I can tell you that it's more fun to give.  Receiving can be very humbling.  

This past week, I've been writing about vision and perspective.  Open my eyes Lord! 

• May we see past the outward appearances and into the hearts of people.  
• May we ask God to truly open our eyes.  
• May we be obedient when we are given an opportunity to help and not make excuses.

I'm linking up with Charlotte and Ginger for Spiritual Sundays.



Blessings and love,