Thursday, April 27, 2006
"music soothed the savage beast"
There has been a song on repeat from a certain CD that I refuse to take out of the player quite yet. It's been healing this week, and I've needed it. I'll share the lyrics and hope they speak something to others as well...Arise, and be comforted
For the Lord, He is good to the weary
Even the young heart can tire and fall
But He knows them all
For the Lord, He will renew their strength
And they will soar on wings as eagles
And they will run and never grow weary
They will walk and not grow faint
For the Lord, He is good
Lift your eyes to the heavens
For the Creator is living in you
Come surrender as you are
And know that you'll never stray too far
Let his power within you, heal your heart
Lift your eyes to spacious skies
Let Him chart your way to flight
Spread your wings and fly
For the Lord, He is good
Ephesians 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything...
Heather Dowling at 7:54 PM
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
"leeking"
I think this new Dowling family has it's first tradition. This is the second spring that we've gone "leeking", as I've coined the action. Last night my husband and I hopped in the truck and drove to the middle of nowhere. Shovel in hand, my husband dug up earth and pulled out leeks (wild onions). The piles of mud and onions were tossed to me, as I plucked out the leeks and did my job of bagging them. Half an hour later and quite a bit muddy we emerged from the woods with two bag fulls of leeks. As I cut and washed them last night with mud covering my countertops and sink I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. You couldn't have paid me enough money to do something like this 4 years ago. I've now found there is something soothing about harvesting these wild onions and can't wait to have a vegetable (or flower for that matter!) garden of my very own.As several friends and family can attest, these wild onions are simply intoxicating to the taste (especially fresh from the ground) and are well worth the mess and effort to get them. So if you join R.Jay and Heather for dinner anytime from April to June, you can most likely find I'm cooking with leeks. You can also bet you might get a dish of R.Jay's famous 'nachos with leeks'.
This tradition is fun, I hope it lasts.
Heather Dowling at 10:42 AM
Monday, April 24, 2006
truly grateful
I'm home. It's amazing how this tiny 3-bedroom home in the woods has become home, a haven and the place I love being the most now. Heidi and I had a fabulous time with family, laughing too much, eating too much, and shopping too much. Lots of great fun. I'll somehow manage to get our house in order a little bit more this week, and some "hopeful projects" crossed of my lists now that I'm not impulsively taking off to North Carolina or sick in bed, (as the last few weeks have found me).You'll find me a lot these days in the books of Genesis, 1 Samuel, and Luke delighting in the faith of Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth. (Along with scores of other woman recorded in the new and old testaments as 'barren'.) The Father delights in His children. He knows my heart's desire because, He too, desires His children as I desire mine. He knows me all too well, more than I know myself and I really truly love that.
I've made a mental list. Discouragement is a quick and easy plot for the enemy I battle against each day, and my mental list of "things I appreciate" outweighs his plot wonderfully:
-Knowing God loves me and wants me more than I'll ever begin to fathom.
-A fantastic big sister and brother in-law that come to visit me spur of the moment and love it.
-A wonderful, REALLY wonderful friendship.
-A home, that we may not own and may not want to live in forever, but a home nonetheless. No apartments, no rent raises. We were truly blessed.
-A healthy, loving marriage that in all honestly I don't deserve, but God has chosen little me to be a help-mate for such an amazing man of God. I hope I serve God and my husband well.
-My family in North Carolina and R.Jay's family here in NY. I really couldn't have asked for better in-laws.
-Two vehicles that have never caused us problems. Very nice.
-Clothes in our closets, food in the cupboards, and my coffee pot! (Along with many other amazing things we've been blessed with along the appliance and furniture side of life.)
-The Lord's loving discipline and the promises that He has given. I really couldn't ask for more than to be a child of God. He is all I need, at every moment, in every circumstance.
For more pictures of our little North Carolina spur-of-the-moment (literally) trip check out Heidi's photos! I'll try to post up some more when I can.
Heather Dowling at 1:20 PM
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
fun from the sweet south
I'll join in on the fun:I am: in North Carolina visiting my family!
Maybe I should: stop missing my husband quite so much.
I love: taking walks around my little town, and found they're very fun right here in the south as well.
I don't understand: depression
I lost my: pictures taken last year at R.Jay's birthday
People say I'm: mature for my age
Love is: God loving me first
Somewhere, someone is: falling in love with Jesus for the first time
I will always: be amazed how quickly time goes by
Forever is: waiting to become a parent
I never want to: forget my friends and family in old age
I think the current President is: overwhelmed
When I wake up in the morning, I: thank God for another day
Life is full of: questions
My past is incredibly: over
I get annoyed when: my house is unorganized
I wish: to purchase our first home and have babies
My dog is: sitting with me at the computer (my parents dog)
Kisses are the worst when: it's dark and he bumps your head instead
Nice: the weather here in North Carolina
Tomorrow I'm going to: go shopping with family
I really want some: time with my hubby
I have low tolerance for people who are: fake
If I had a million dollars: we would build our dream house and save the rest!
Some shots of our visit to the North Carolina Zoo today!
Heather Dowling at 7:55 PM
Monday, April 17, 2006
the cross
friend for life...who took my pain.
the cleansing flood,
you remain.
wash over me,
until i can't be seen...
Living Water swallow me,
deepest river wash me clean
Jesus, Savior more of Thee.
come and ruin me with your love,
so no other is enough.
come and leave your mark on me,
Jesus, more of Thee.
deep is the stain inside of me,
but deeper the river that washes me clean.
i've been the one who cries in the night...
but you've been the friend of my life.
Luke 24:38-39 "...Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself!"
John 20:29 "...Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
my Redeemer lives...
Heather Dowling at 3:43 PM
Monday, April 10, 2006
thoughtful confusion
Have you ever had so much going on in your thoughts that it seems impossible to find any answers, let alone find some way to put them into neat sentences that would make sense? You can usually find me in this place these days. Questions without answers and confusion without peace. I do know His vision is clear and His answers are truthful. God will speak and I will not doubt. Until then, I press in towards His love. I serve a good God.-The spring ladies get-together I had planned for last saturday was cancelled. I'll keep all those interested updated on a possible date in May!
-I enjoy cleaning...I know it is strange. Today was "catch up" day on house cleaning and home projects. The list I made of things to accomplish most likely won't be complete until the end of this week, but it's refreshing to know this home is getting more organized. I'm looking foward to planting flowers and laying the several bags of red mulch given to us last year as well.
-I went for a walk this morning around our little town. Something about the morning sun on the river as I pass by trees with branches hung so low and a wooden bridge complete with gazebo sitting above a small raging river brings such a sense of calm. My Jesus loves me.
-Tomorrow Mr. Weatherman says it's going to be almost 70 degrees. This means I'll be taking two little people to the zoo in Watertown and I think I'm looking forward to it almost as much as Aidan and Kierstan will be!
-I can see buds on the big tree in our front lawn from the picture window in our dining room. This makes me very happy. I can't wait for a full tree and green grass!
-Sunday our church will be hosting an Easter breakfast for the surrounding communities. I couldn't be more elated. I love community activities and seeing old and new faces at church.
-My husband took me out on a date Saturday night. A romantic at heart, just like his father, and I couldn't be more blessed.
I'm a daughter of the King. Isn't it an honor?
Heather Dowling at 2:01 PM
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
my turn
My turn to ramble of some tidbits off nothingness regarding my little world. She started it. She followed. My turn.- I've owned only two vehicles in my almost six years of driving. I'm very proud of this. (Ask my sister how many she's owned). The first was a Honda Civic and currently we have a Mitsubishi Lancer (well R.Jay has his Nissan truck too).
- I haven't seen my family in four months, and this is a record for me. I am a momma's girl.
- I've gained four new freckles on my right hand in the last year.
- I met a girl who had the exact same engagement ring as mine. I thought mine was unique.
- I'm obsessed with changing the decorations on my twig wreath, which hangs on our front door, with each new season. Yes, the spring style is up!
- I hate seafod. Of EVERY kind. My husband is disappointed in this.
- I'm a pack-rat. I save too many things for too long, but usually throw them out when the emotions are faded. I still own a 80's sweater that my mother wore when I was very little.
- I love candles. You can usually find my home lit up nicely in the evening. (People must think we're doing cultish activies in here). I use them as much as I can, knowing when children are around candles most likely won't be lit.
- My husband is nine years older than me and only 6 years younger than my step-Dad. Funny, huh?
- I own hardly any jewelry. I hate buying it. Although, I love buying home decorations and sweaters.
- My new favorite store is The Christmas Tree Shops in Mattydale, NY. Anyone been? Anyone want to go? ;)
I think I'm done. I'll spare you with any more non-sense! But that was fun, thanks Jackie.
Heather Dowling at 5:36 PM
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
only in Northern NY
The sun was warm but the wind was chill.You know how it is with an April day.
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
a cloud come over the sunlit arch,
And wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the
middle of March.
~Robert Frost
Heather Dowling at 10:49 AM
Monday, April 03, 2006
Today finds me sick (yet again). The first day not having to travel to Watertown to work the daily grind of answering phones,signing leases, etc. and I can hardly make it up to this computer to tell you all I survived our weekend. (sort of) My first "week off" is already shaping up to be busy. I think we need to learn the lesson that saying 'No' is often times a must. We'll get there. I promise.So if you haven't gathered from her weblog yet, my hair is now the shortest it's been in... well... a decade? It is fun, and I really enjoy it. Learning how to style hair isn't one of my best abilities though, but I'll learn as I'm told.
So Saturday it is! At 1:00pm a spring ladies get-together at my home (anyone still wanting to come just leave a comment!). For those interested, I will have my Partylite books available for viewing and ordering from!
Well I think this is all I can muster up for today. Time to rest again. God has told me to rest, and I love when he gives me that opportunity. Until healthier days....
Heather Dowling at 12:59 PM