A Random List from My Life - June 2025

 

I haven't done one of these lists for a long, long time. I ran across one from years back and decided it might be good to do one again. :-) Some things don't change much, but others do. It's interesting to see the differences from my point of view.

Recently I have been…

Making: color palette cards for art, crafting, and graphic design using some of my own photographs.

Cooking: New recipes that are higher in protein and low in sugar.

Reading: Various books. For research purposes I'm reading "Becoming Free Indeed" by Jinger Duggar Vuolo. Making lots of notes. :-) Also, Jeremiah - a saddish, challenging book.

Wanting: courage to get rid of more things, and answers to some life questions. Also to get back to our game nights with my dad.

Seeing: more of the good things in the people I love.

Playing: with color and different food options.

Deciding: what to put in the donate pile, what to put in "possibly keep" boxes, and what to actually keep.

Wishing: for more strength and stamina.

Enjoying: God's creation.

Working: on catching up. (Does this ever change?) Also, on thinning out our stuff.

Liking: seeing things so green here this year after having some dry summers for awhile. Thank you, Lord!

Wondering: what the next step is for us, and also for a family member. Also wondering how the Lord will work out all the details in some situations.

Loving: having my husband work from home a few days several weeks in a row. A rare treat these days.

Pondering: which direction my ministries should take. Also how two people can make so much mess and also dirty laundry and dishes. Hohum.

Remembering: my grandparents and mom.

Watching: the baby foxes play and sleep outside our dining room window. It has been a delightful blessing from the Lord.

Marveling: at the trust the mama fox has had in us to locate her babies so close to our house. Admittedly, we don't use the door on that side a lot, and so we don't wander around that section of the yard much. However, she appears to have removed them now. It was delightful while it lasted. :-) 

Hoping: I can get some more things done that will make a significant difference around here. Also, that the rain won't stop completely and leave us with a high fire risk. (Praying about that!)

Needing: to clean up this house! Also, to be more diligent in my Bible reading.

Smelling: yummy food smells.

Wearing: cooler things.

Noticing: the beauty of the trees, and how good a breeze feels when I'm out walking. Thank you, Lord!

Knowing: that things are fixing to change, but not yet sure how that is going to look. And that the Lord has a plan, and we are going to just have to wait to see how He arranges things.

Thinking: out loud. (Is this a new menopausal phase?)

Feeling: overwhelmed by all the things that need doing. Also, gradually feeling more at home in our "new" church.

Admiring: our cats. They are such pretty animals.

Buying: clothes and supplements and some blank books.

Getting: tired too easily. Also getting new glasses, which have turned out so much better than the last two attempts! I just praise the Lord for His kindness in helping me finally get some I can actually use!

Writing: in my journal that I'm trying to keep this year of my life. I admit that it isn't a daily habit, but I try to keep up with the things that seem worth noting down. It has been a good thing.

Giggling: at the cute antics of the fox pups. Also at the furry funniness of our cats.

Feeling: a bit uncertain about the future and what is coming for us. Also feeling frustrated at my slow progress on things that need doing.

Having: trouble sleeping some nights. It's mostly due to finding it difficult to get comfortable.

Looking forward to: our new bed arriving, and hopefully improving the quality of my sleep.

Learning: Spanish. Sort of. I'm trying. This past week or two I've not kept up with the lessons well, but I intend to keep working on it. My husband is doing really well at it.

Listening: among other things, to some YouTube chats by a Christian author. Listening to her talk has inspired me a bit to work more on my writing. Also to think again about doing my own videos or pod casts. 

Psalm 90:12-17 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. 

Evening Song - Come On Home/How Beautiful Heaven Must Be

Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither... 

Philippians 1:21-24 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 

John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

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https://www.johnmarshallfamily.com/

Creatures Great and Small - Holding Down the Doormat

Evening Song - The Sands of Time Are Sinking (Immanuel's Land)

Revelation 22:1-7 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 

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The Thousand Word Project - Cheerful Quietness

 

The quiet comforts of home will always give more lasting happiness

and sweeter memories of security than the most exciting and busy adventures away.

Evening Song - Finally Home

John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

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Evening Song - The Pearly White City

 
I recommend reading all of Revelation Chapter 21
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 

 Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 

Revelation 21:18-21 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 

Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. 

Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 

Hebrews 11:13-16 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 

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Short Thought - One Day Nearer Home

 

When my husband and I got married my health was actually worse than it is now in some ways. There were times when I struggled so much just to get a meal on the table that it was very discouraging. My husband would sometimes gently remind me that it was one less meal to make before we went to Heaven. Some people might not understand, but this encouraged me. It reminded me that this was a small thing and that what I have to look forward to is so much better! It reminded me that this moment I was living in was not forever, and thank God for that! People talk a lot about "living in the moment" these days, but I can say from experience that not all moments are all that great to live in. What a blessing that we have so much more to look forward to in the future the Lord has promised His children.

Romans 8:17-23 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

In a general sense I would not say that making meals and accomplishing chores is suffering with Christ in the context of this passage. However, living in the body of this death with chronic health struggles and trying to do it wisely and to the glory of God is always a challenge, and sometimes it could be this kind of suffering. Yet, every day that we survive to praise God again or do some work He has given us, no matter how small, is still one day nearer to Home and all that that means for us and for all of God's creation. What a tremendous expectation this is!

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Worth Repeating - The Lights of Home

 

In loving memory of my uncle, Don Hoover, who went Home to Jesus Saturday, August 5.

The Lights of Home

O the friends that now are waiting,

In the cloudless realms of day,

Who are calling me to follow

Where their steps have led the way;

They have laid aside their armor,

And their earthly course is run;

They have kept the faith with patience

And their crown of life is won.

Refrain:

They are calling, gently calling,

Sweetly calling me to come,

And I’m looking through the shadows

For the blessed lights of Home.

They have laid aside their armor

For the robe of spotless white;

And with Jesus they are walking

Where the river sparkles bright.

We have labored here together,

We have labored side by side,

Just a little while before me

They have crossed the rolling tide.

On those dear familiar faces

There will be no trace of care;

Every sigh was hushed forever

At the palace gate so fair.

I shall see them, I shall know them,

I shall hear their song of love,

And we’ll all sing hallelujah

In our Father’s house above.

Fanny J. Crosby

2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Far From Home - A Prayer for A Friend

 

Far From Home

A Prayer for A Friend

O Lord, my friend is far from home tonight,

Somewhere in the dark, away from the light.

I do not know where she's going or why,

I don't understand. I can only cry

And pray. Always pray for her to come -

Back to the people who love her and home.

I know it is hard to repent and change,

And saying, "I'm wrong," can feel so strange.

But, the road she is going is hard and rough,

It leads nowhere good. Will it be enough

To make her turn back and come again

To peaceful, green pastures where she had been?

Continue Reading.

Evening Song - In the Sweet By and By

Hebrews 12:22-24 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 

John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

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Evening Song - I Want to Know More

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 

John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 

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Evening Song - I'll Be Home Before the Darkness Falls

1 Thessalonians 5:1-10 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

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Mother's Question

I think as the night draws nigh
Of an old house on the hill,
Of a yard all wide and blossom-starred
Where the children played at will.
And when the night at last came down,
Hushing the merry din,
Mother would look around and ask,
"Are all the children in?"

'Tis many and many a year since then.
And the old house on the hill
No longer echoes to childish feet,
And the yard is still, so still.
But I see it all, as the shadows creep,
And though many the years have been
Since then, I can hear mother ask,
"Are all the children in?"

I wonder if when the shadows fall
On the last short, earthly day,
When we say good-bye to the world outside,
All tired with our childish play.
When we step over to Jesus' Land
Where mother so long has been,
Will we hear her ask, just as of old,
"Are all the children in?"

By One of the Children
Altered

Evening Song - Meeting In the Air

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

Revelation 21:6-8 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 

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Evening Song - How Beautiful Heaven Must Be

John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

Revelation 4:3-6 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal...

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From Mom's Collection - Love and Home

 

Another item from my Mom's Collection. This one seemed appropriate for this day.

Love and Home

It is not the size of your house that counts,

Or whether it's granite or fir,

Or whether 'twas planned by an architect,

Or built by a carpenter.

A house is a house, and only a house,

Be it covered with roof or a dome;

If it is a place where true love lives,

'Tis then we call it a home.

There are one-room shacks that are palaces,

There are granite piles that are sties;

For only love can glorify

The house, whatever its size.

So if you dwell in a little cot,

In city or country fair,

The best of all things good is yours,

If only love is there.

Some envy those who choose to live

In a splendor they cannot match,

But love is rich in a humble place,

Though the roof above be thatch.

So here's to the folks who live secure

Away from envy and strife,

Who know that, apart from earthly goods,

Love is the soul of life.

- Unknown -
[altered]

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Psalm 133:1-3 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

The Thousand Word Project - Home Tweet Home

 

Be it ever so humble,

There's no place like home.

Fewer Gifts Could Actually Be Good - A Different Perspective on the Threatened "Gift Shortages"

Well, the talking heads have been threatening Americans with less availability of gifts this year for the holiday season. I'm not sure if this is a legitimate thing or just another way to fan the flames of fear, capitalism, and compulsive buying. I guess some areas are being affected more than others.

Those who have been reading my blog for awhile may remember that a few years back I did a "Holiday Challenge" to Christians that observe Christmas encouraging them to make the holiday more about the birth of Jesus Christ and glorifying Him since that is the claimed reason for it. In short, to act upon the claims and celebrate in a way that makes Him the center and object entirely instead of bowing to the idol of consumption and worldly pleasure.

Colossians 3:5-7 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

This seemed like a good opportunity to repost a couple of the challenges specifically and the series in general.

The 6 part series can be found here: Running In Vain? A Holiday Challenge

The two parts that I want to especially emphasize, though are these:

Spend Less, Don't Buy Stuff, Plan Ahead 

This one is to help you think about simplifying your gift giving - ideas for homemade gifts, ways to cut back, etc. Spending and giving less in order to take the focus off of getting and stuff. This would be a great year to begin this if you haven't already. 

Simplify Your Holiday Activities

This could help reduce spending and also, as you reduce the spending and giving, this could give you the time to focus on some more intentional together times and ministry.

As I was writing this I also thought about all the people who have lost loved ones in 2020 and 2021 and it seemed like I should encourage you to think about them as well, so here is the challenge that deals with that. 

Seeing With Compassion

Quote: "Making your celebration quieter and less intense, less cluttered with the myriad of holiday junk that China has put at our disposal, will give more opportunity to notice people and to focus on their real needs. If this is done with the mind of Christ it will result in compassion and conscious acts of kindness and love. In short, Christ-like behavior will follow."

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 

How about if you stop hoping the ships get unloaded and that the stuff gets delivered in time and think about ways that you can do more with less - more that will glorify the Lord Jesus and show people what His love looks like with shoes on. :-)

Evening Song - Home of My Heart

 

Psalms 90:1  Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

Psalm 84:1-4 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. 

1 Peter 2:4-5 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 

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A Selection of Things for Mother's Day

I started to write something for today, but it isn't finished. I know, we've been down this street before. Anyway, here's a selection of things that might encourage of bless you today. :-)

Tender Strength - A photo and some thoughts from my own family history.

From Mom's Collection - A selection of items that my mom saved over the years. A variety of topics.

Mother's Question - A poem with a thought provoking question.

A Christian Mother's Life - A poem.

In Honor of Mothers - Scripture and pictures.

Bless the Hands and Hearts - A prayer.

Thorns - An encouragement for mothers whose babies died before birth.

I Love Homemaking... - Rejoicing in the the lovely work that God has given.