breathing in grace

{ Long time, no see...or hear 😊 }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Mon, 05 May 2025 13:14:00 +0000

I received a message from a dear lady I "met" through blogging many years ago and thought I'd check in with you all just to catch up. These days, I mostly post on Facebook and occasionally Instagram, so I don't visit blogs like I used to. I know that needs to change, and I'm going to try my best to do better. If Y'all see this, I sincerely HOPE you're doing well. I know we're all getting older and many have faced health challenges. I'm doing really well...for an older lady. I did have carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand in January....thank you, Crochet... 😊...and, I'm so glad I did it. I'm able to crochet once again, which I absolutely love to do. I lost a considerable amount of weight about 4 years ago and it has found it's way back home...unfortunately...so that's been a big struggle for me, especially on my bad knee...which has kept me from walking like I used to...hence the weight gain (at least that's part of the problem...sadly, it's eating way too much food and moving way too little. I'm looking at knee replacement sometime this year and I'm very much dreading it...so if any of you have undergone that procedure, please give me some advice to help ease the anxiety I have about the pain and recovery and therapy. I must be the biggest wimp ever. 😔

I hope each of you has a wonderful Mother's Day and you are celebrated and pampered.

Love Y'all!

{ Breathing in His Grace...}

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 13:54:00 +0000

... Breathing Out His Praise!

💜

{ Lately... }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 13:04:00 +0000

{ Friday Foto Friends }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 16:08:00 +0000

I downloaded this pic from my phone and was going to come back and edit it on the desktop....

yesterday!!!

Anyway....here's my new little friend. He/she likes to sit in the window or on the back of the porch swing, if it's raining. Sage staring at him through the window doesn't phase him one bit. He's very determined to get into that little feeder and chow down on some sunflower seeds.

HOPE everybody is having a great Saturday!

{ On the porch }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Sun, 26 May 2024 11:56:00 +0000

I think in the last couple of weeks I've only missed one morning of my front porch sitting. One of my favorite things is listening to the birds. They're waking up and welcoming the day with what I think of as praise. I think of my Daddy... he loved the birds! He especially came to mind yesterday when I heard a mourning dove... he really liked doves. If you love bird watching and listening, you might want to download the Merlin app. It's absolutely free and all you have to do is hit the sound identify button and it'll pick up and list the birds it hears. It's so neat! Here are a few I heard this morning....

Hope everybody has a great SONday!

{ Mental Health Awareness }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Sat, 25 May 2024 15:06:00 +0000

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

I was hesitant to post this, but I'm sharing in hopes of helping someone else. I struggle with depression and anxiety. The last 8 years have been so very difficult, especially the last 2 years and to be even more specific the last 6 months. I've had to set boundaries to protect my mental health and even my physical health due to battling high blood pressure. It's caused a whole bunch of other issues that are very personal. As a Christian we often feel so guilty for not being strong enough to overcome. Often, especially for me, I'm hesitant to ask for help or even prayer because of rejection, being brushed off and ignored, or simply the embarrassment. In the past few weeks, I've acknowledged that I am having trouble coping and I've asked a few trusted women to pray for me. I am feeling some better. My sleep is much improved and my energy is slowly increasing. I've started on B12 shots and finally got my BP under control. I'm still struggling with weight gain and turning to food instead of prayer and my Bible... but I'm trying to show myself grace in that area. My coping skills haven't been very good because I've been bombarded with so much the last little while. When things get bad I seem to withdraw and retreat...that's how I cope. And I realized just recently that I'm still desperately grieving the loss of Momma. Taking care of her took a toll on me physically and emotionally that some just don't seem to understand.

You might wonder why I'm sharing all of this. It's definitely not for one bit of sympathy. It's only because I want you to know that I can empathize and understand if you are struggling, too. I heard a pastor speak against taking anxiety meds... I want you to know that you do whatever you need to do to take care of yourself. Please reach out to someone. Private message me here or on Facebook.

Just do not suffer alone...

Please!

I love Y'all but God loves you so much more!

{ Little Can Be Big }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Tue, 14 May 2024 12:59:00 +0000

It's the little things, Y'all.

I thought about this on Sunday when I received a text from my cousin wishing me a happy Mother's Day. After Jess was born, my Uncle Carl would call me on the morning of Mother's Day....every year.... to let me know he was thinking of me. That meant the absolute world to me. After he passed away, my cousin Greg took up the tradition and I started getting a text from him on that day. This past Sunday he remembered once again and it made my heart so happy to receive that text.

Never, ever underestimate the power of a simple act of kindness.
It can have an impact on one's heart for years to come.

Happy Tuesday, sweet Friends!

{ Basking in the Afterglow }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Mon, 13 May 2024 15:53:00 +0000

What a wonderful weekend I had, Y'all...

hence the title of this post -

I'm still basking in the afterglow of a graduation ceremony and Mother's Day.

Our oldest grandson graduated from high school on Friday night.

I just don't know how it can even be possible that he will be 18 years old in a couple of months and in college in the fall. He was prayed for before he was ever conceived and his name bears those prayers - Samuel (Sam), and he was prayed over Friday night. I did fine until the parents gave their messages to their child - and when it was Jess's turn, I kind of lost it then. It was just a small ceremony through the church that he had attended homeschool co-op through, so it made it even more special and intimate.

His parents joining Sam in prayer when the graduates were prayed over.

Pappy and Nannie with their firstborn grandson.

I could go on and on about the attributes of this young man...

but isn't that what any grandmother would do?

Then, yesterday I was celebrated by my precious Girl.

I do believe she loves her Momma - as much as I do her?

It's a toss up!

I am so, so blessed!

{ Daybreak }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Wed, 01 May 2024 13:13:00 +0000

I have a friend on Instagram who has been sharing for months how she goes outside in the early mornings to take advantage of the light at daybreak. Since I'm an early riser, I thought I'd give it a try, too... so the last few mornings I've taken my cup of coffee and gone out onto the front porch to sit. Y'all know that's my happy place anyway, right? I can't even begin to tell you what it's done for me....sitting there, listening to the birds welcoming the morning and waiting for the skies to lighten up. This morning, Y'all, it was like I could physically feel myself waking up, too...does that even make any sense? I'm finding that I look forward to in the morning already!

If you decide to try this...or if you already do...please share!

(my latest iris to bloom and I had no idea I even had this one...

a God wink for sure)

HOPE you have a Wonderful Wednesday!

{ My Ambition }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 13:49:00 +0000

Oh, Y'all....

it seems like my life has been filled with some sort of drama for quite some time

and it has drained me....

physically, mentally and emotionally.

I've had that verse of scripture on my mind for a few weeks now

so I'm gonna make it my ambition to lead a quiet life....

mind my own business....

and work with my hands.

So with that being said....

I'm headed outside to work in the yard....

my happy place!

🌞🌞🌞

(I had to share that pic with the 'older' lady because she reminded me of ....

me!)

😊

{ Backroads }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 21:11:00 +0000

When we were growing up...and gas was really cheap...Daddy used to love to just drive us around and in his words "get lost". He'd get on some back roads and I'd wonder if we would ever find our way back home. But Daddy....he always knew where he was going and although I was totally lost....he wasn't at all. This past Monday morning I took a little trip to Jefferson City, my usual place to thrift and grocery shop, and decided I'd take a back road through Rocky Valley that I hadn't traveled along in a few years. I seemed to be the only car on the road for several miles so I was able to stop and get some pics.

I loved this little old shed that's still standing along the side of the road.

Wonder what the history is behind it?

Rocky Valley -

one of my favorite places in the whole world -

nothing fancy at all, just lots of farmland, cattle and scenery.

Can you see it? The little creature on the right side of the road across from the mailbox? It's a red fox. Y'all, it crossed the road up ahead of me, went down a little bank, ran through a field, crossed back across in front of me, and followed along beside my car for quite a while. The next pic is him/her trotting along beside me. It was just beautiful.

This was the main reason that I took the route that I did - I wanted to get a pic of this old rundown cabin. At one time, it was home to my great Uncle Hal - my Daddy was named after him. I remember Daddy and Momma taking us to see him when we were just kids and he gave us chewing gum. He lived in this cabin and worked on the farm for the owner. Such a sweet memory - I was happy that it's still there.

So, what about you all?

Do you enjoy taking backroads to get to your destinatinon?

I really do -

as long as I know where I'm going.

{ SONday morning }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 11:26:00 +0000

We're doing a study through the Book of Ephesians on my Facebook group page that I mentioned yesterday. It's one of my favorite books of the Bible!

In our verses today in Chapter 5... verses 18-20 stood out because I know personally... and I'm sure you do, too... just how much singing songs during the musical part of a church service... turning up the volume on the radio in the kitchen or in the car... and making melody to the Lord in my heart... can lift my spirits...and turn my frown upside down!

🙁 😊

I'd love to hear if you have a favorite hymn or song that you turn to when you need a boost!

HOPE you have an awesomely blessed SONday!

{ hello...it's me }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 16:34:00 +0000

I've been posting quite a lot on Facebook, mostly on my group page Wise Old Owl. If you don't already follow along there, I'd love if you'd send a request to join if you're on Facebook. I have a few friends who aren't on FB and one of them mentioned I could post here so she can see pictures, and things like that. So, here I am...trying to make a comeback. 🙂 I'm going to TRY to start posting more here. I've tried to update the look a little, with lots of purple!

I also updated my "About Me" page at the top if you're a new visitor.

Over the years I've 'met' so many precious ladies through my blog and maybe we can reconnect. A lot has happened in my life over the last several years and I've discovered a few things about myself...and if God leads me...I'll write about it.

Until then...

I'm sharing a current pic that my precious Girl took a few weeks ago when I visited her school with a bouquet of flowers! I've grown very gray to almost white - and I don't even mind!

{ In the Yard and Out and About }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:32:00 +0000

I haven't posted here in a while, so I thought I'd share some photos I've taken around the yard and while I was out and about on some back roads recently. Anybody else stop in the middle of the road and take pics? 😊 The purple iris came from my Mamaw's and it's so pretty this year....got the pics of the cows in a field and my youngest grandson couldn't understand at first why I wanted pics of cows, but he loved seeing so many...and the dogwood pic at the end is probably my favorite. I took it one morning on a walk around the neighborhood....thank you Mr. Tom!

{ Friday Foto Friends }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 14:12:00 +0000

Hello, Y'all.

It's been awhile.

Just thought I'd share a mish-mash of fotos as I'm cleaning up the pics on my phone...

most of these were taken on morning walks.

This one is my favorite!

The temperature is supposed to drop in our neck of the woods close to 20 degrees cooler

than earlier in the week.

So you know what that means, right?

A pot of chili is on the menu.

Hope everybody has a wonderful weekend!

{ My Turning Point }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 09:12:00 +0000

Our pastor just finished up leading us through a study in the book of Revelation. Out of everything he spoke about in over a year... one lession in particular still stands out to me so I went back and looked through my notes to find it. I'm posting my gleanings here so I'll have them documented. I really do believe that this particular message was a big turning point for me "for such a time as this". I couldn't help but think of the Robert Frost poem as an example.

Revelation 12:13-17

1) Persecuted

He (Satan) has lost his heavenly privilege so he escalates the attack on the people of God with a worldly mindset (not on the one true God).

Satan wants access to my family and my relationships. He wants access to my mind/thoughts/behavior and to dog me every step.

2) Protection

wings of eagle = God's deliverance

into the wilderness = protection and provision = place of deliverance

Sometimes in the 'wilderness' all I have is God.

3) Presence

God put me in my wilderness so He could meet me there.

I must live above Satan's attacks.

vs. 17 = Perseverance and Purpose

Stay in the fight, faithful until death

My identity IS NOT IN MY SUFFERING BUT IN JESUS CHRIST!!!!!

I can let something define me or shape me (my suffering).

I need to see myself as Jesus sees me....not how I see myself.

If my identity isn't in Jesus Christ, I'm not living a full life.

God gives Satan any authority that Satan has.

Hold to the testimony of Jesus!

Many of you will completely understand why this message touched my heart....profoundly. My take-aways might not have even compared to someone else's but they sure did apply to how I was living....or not living...my life! I feel as though I'm finally coming alive, coming out of a shell I've hidden in for way too long....and allowing Jesus to mold me and make me into who He wants me to be....not the person I'd allowed Satan to convince me I was.

Aint God good, Y'all?

Oh, yes He is!!!

{ SONday Morning Song - Grace Amazing }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 04:30:00 +0000

{ Friday Foto Friends....on Saturday }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 15:53:00 +0000

Just one.....

{ Friday Foto Friends }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 18:44:00 +0000

A morning walk earlier in the week.....

HOPE everybody has a great weekend!

{ Friday Foto Friends }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 14:13:00 +0000

I think thistles are beautiful... and would love to be able to pick a big bouquet of them. There's just one problem, right? You can't touch them without getting pricked. A few thoughts come to mind about this life lesson from a purple flower.

A wolf in sheep's clothing.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I Corinthians 10 :13 - The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Proverbs 31:30 - Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

What about you?

Can you think of another Bible verse or quote that might apply?

Happy Friday!

{ Friday Foto Friends }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 18:29:00 +0000

I kinda skipped out on Y'all last week.

Sorry about that....

and only have one foto to share this week.

While my kiddos were on vacation, I took care of cats and watering her vegetable garden and a few other things. This is a lavender bush in her garden. It's huge and loaded with bees and...

smells heavenly!

Not to even mention that it's purple, right?

😊

Does anybody have exciting plans for the weekend?

Leave a comment and let me know (so I can be envious...😉)

I wish I could say that I do, but alas....

I live a boring life, Y'all!

Happy, happy Friday!

{ Boundaries and Discipline }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 11:29:00 +0000

You know how so many of us pray for God to give us a focus word each year? Often it's a word that keeps showing up and we pretty much know that's the one. God sent the word "boundaries" into my life several years ago, through an unexpected source. I had asked for some advice from my son-in-love, who is one of the finest Christian men I know (not to mention he's the Daddy to my grands 😍). He told me that I needed to set boundaries and that word has shown up in my life so many times. Another word God spoke to me at the beginning of this year was "discipline". As I pondered on this word I realized just how hand-in-hand it goes with setting boundaries, so both words have been "my words for 2023".

The advice my son-in-law gave me had absolutely nothing to do with food, but that's where my discipline and boundaries seem to require the most work (well, along with too much time looking at my phone, but I digress). I lost a signifigant amount of weight beginning in April of 2022 and it continued during my stay with Mom. I actually felt like I'd maybe lost too much because I was feeling so tired and run down. When I went to the doctor in March of this year for sciatica, I had gained from my last appointment and my doctor told me that I needed to gain. I've NEVER in my 68 years of life had a doctor tell me that I needed to gain weight. My daughter told me recenly that she felt I looked better now. But, here's my reason for this post.....

ACCOUNTABILITY

Not even my doctor nor my precious daughter saying those things to me can justify my addiction to food, especially sugar. I've known this about myself for a very long time. If I take that first bite of anything sweet (actually, any carb, which as we know turns to sugar)....then I'm out of control. Have you read the book Sweet Freedom by Teresa Shields Parker? It talks exactly about the effects sugar has on me, and so many others, including the author of the book. I've gotten back into some of those same old habits that got me into such a terrible shape in the first place....turning to food when I'm stressed and especially when I'm tired (which seems to be most of the time these days....old age?).

Another area I've allowed to slack is my walking. Walking is supposed to be good for sciatica, but sometimes my sciatica kept me from walking so it was a vicious cycle.

But....I decided that because of something that's going on for the next 3 weeks, it's the perfect time to regroup....

through DISCIPLINE and setting BOUNDARIES....

and sharing for the accountability!

Can anybody relate?

(And can we blame it on Eve since she seemed to have started this vicious cycle with food with that bite of the 'forbidden fruit'? Just kidding....kinda! 😊)

Happy Monday, Y'all!

{ Friday Foto Friends }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Sat, 03 Jun 2023 14:10:00 +0000

Y'all, I need to make an apology to those of you who visit me and leave a sweet comment. I'm the world's worst at visiting but I hope my excuse is a good one. I have difficulty leaving a message from my phone and I don't get on the desktop a great lot. I promise I'll try to do better.....

and at posting on Friday and not Saturday morning.

😉

My little garden plot.

I have several varieties of tomatoes, bell pepper, cukes, and okra....

oh, and flowers coming up along the sides!

These are just the best little cherry tomatoes.

The variety is called Sungold and they're like eating candy.

I've had 3 so far!

This probably looks like a big mess to some of you, but it makes my heart so happy. I've wanted a potting bench for quite some time. One day I realized that I already had one. This is a baker's rack that was in the kitchen at one time, then served as a shelf on the back porch...now it's my potting bench located under the carport and near my little garden. I have access to my garden tools hanging on the rack to the left (found that at Harbor Freight) and my water barrell. Notice the old bushel basket at the bottom that I found in the building at Mom's with my Daddy's name on it...the mailbox was our first one we had when we built our house in 1979 and it holds my gardening gloves.

I love it all!!!

Beautiful lillies....

they're called "garnet" which is my birthstone!

HOPE everybody has a wonderful weekend.

{ Moments With Mom }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Tue, 30 May 2023 13:44:00 +0000

Sometimes Mom would say things that I found somewhat funny...or maybe I had to look for the humor.

Mom: Do you live around here?

Me: Do you know who I am?

Mom: Debbie?

Me: Yes, I'm your daughter.

Mom: I thought that was you.

They grow up fast.

Before you know it they're old....

but you don't look old.

Me: I'm 67 (at that time)

Mom: Well, you don't look it.

I think she was trying to redeem herself with a couple of those statements....bless her heart. 💜

I was sitting outside this morning after my walk and getting my little garden and flowers watered... and just feeling more joy and peace and contentment than I've had in a while. I felt something lifting from me over the weekend. I can remember after my Daddy passed away the exact place I was when I realized that I didn't feel as sad....the grocery store. God has a sense of humor because that's one of my least favorite places to go.

😊

Grief is a thief, Y'all....

but I believe I'm crawling out of it.

And, seeing brand new life kinda helps to put things into perspective, too.

(nest in one of my ferns)

HOPE everybody has a wonderful day.

I'm heading to stay with the "littles"....

they're so good for this Nannie's heart!

{ Friday Foto Friends }

noreply@blogger.com (Breathing In Grace) — Fri, 26 May 2023 12:17:00 +0000

Jess picked me up around 8 Saturday morning and we headed to Alcoa and Maryville for a belated Mother's Day outing ... and she dropped me back off close to 3:30...we were both so tired... but my heart was happy! Can't think of anything I'd rather do than thrift... or anybody I'd rather spend the day with... than my Girl!

I.am.blessed!

This is where we headed first. It's one of those places where you dig through bins... well worth it. Brand new clothing from Amazon on a separate table for $1.55 each piece... all other items were a little more ...I got lots of good stuff, including 2 garden flags, pistachios, a Christmas tree storage bag, a wood and metal tiered tray, and sandwich bag organizer containers.

Only purchased one thing here...

a really pretty stainless coffee mug.

Loved this place... the lady who worked there was so kind. Only got one thing... a Lands End shirt for $1.00 that I'm gonna add some lace to the sleeves to make it a little more "girly".

Such a cute store on the outside, but I didn't find anything.

I didn't get anything here either... the prices were a little high... but I loved the cause they support. There was a blessing box outside the store and I'd just talked to Jess about a blessing box not an hour before we pulled in there... don't you love how God works?

All clothing here was 50 cents but I didn't realize that until I went to pay for the one shirt I found...

Jess and I went back to that area and I spent $1.50 more.

Not a thrift store, but we went here last... I spent less than $5 on diced peach cups and toilet bowl cleaner... what a combo. We also went to a really neat little store called Lynn's Discounts, but I failed to get a pic. I got 3 pretty mini journals with scripture on the front... and a skein of yarn...of course!

Me and my sweet Girl!

HOPE everybody has a safe and blessed weekend and Memorial Day.

Thank you to all the veterans for my freedom.

As much complaining as we hear, I hope we never forget how blessed we are.