~Fingerprint Friday: New Beginnings and A Celebration of 40 Years~

There's a song by Stephen Curtis Chapman that goes:


I can see the fingerprints of God

When I look at you.

I can see the fingerprints of God

And I know it's true.

You're a masterpiece

That all creation quietly applauds

And you're covered with the fingerprints of God.

A beautiful day....a new chapter for both my son and new 'daughter'. A new chapter for us. As we celebrate 40 years of marriage....our two children begin the first year of their first 40 years together. Truly God's Fingerprints on these young newlyweds....and on us. None of it could have happened without Him. God is good~

Stop over at Beki's blog to read more Fingerprints~

~To the Sea....Just the Two Of Us~

There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "Fingerprints", that goes:

"I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God."

God's fingerprints continue to show themselves throughout our lives. For Jim and I, we started out "just the two of us", and after raising two boys, it's "just the two of us" again.

Some people think this 'empty nesting' is sad. There are parts that are. But now, it's time for us again....just the way God had us start out. Here we are again like we were in the beginning.....full circle.

Today we head to our place at the ocean....no kids, no 'friends' of kids, no moms, no grandchildren. Will we miss them? You bet! We'll miss the sandcastles, the banana pancakes, eating chinese food around the coffee table, board games, piles of wet beach towels, little sandy toes and bottoms. Yes....we'll miss them. Will we still enjoy ourselves?? OH yeah!!

We've been taking these trips to the island for 18 years. And whenever we were about to cross the bridge to the island, we listened to Carly Simon's "Never Been Gone":

The wind is coming up strong and fast
And the moon is smiling on me
Miles from nowhere so small at last
In between the sky and the sea

I'm bound for the island
The tide is with me
I think I can make it before dawn
It's night on the ocean
I'm going home
And it feels like I've never
I've never been gone

Seagulls cry and the hills are green
And my friends are waiting for me
Great ambition is all a dream
Let me drown my pride in the sea -

I'm bound for the ocean
The tide is with me
I think I can make it by dawn
It's night on the ocean
I'm going home
And it feels like I've never
I've never been gone
Oh it feels like I've never
I've never been gone

And that is just the way it always feels: like we’ve never been gone.

After watching the sun rise and set over the ocean, long walks on the beach, lots of talking, bike rides, shopping, lots of fresh lobster and crab.....many margaritas and pina coladas later……just the two of us....we’ll be ready to ‘rejoin’ the hustle-bustle of life back home once again.

After leaving our island retreat, we’re headed to meet our new grand-daughter, who is due to arrive (via caesarean section) on April 29th. Talk about Fingerprints!! Life doesn’t get much better than this~

Have a beautiful week….wherever you are in this world~

Stop over to Beki’s blog to read more Fingerprints.

~FingerPrint Friday: My Sweet Daughter-In-Law~

There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "Fingerprints", that goes:

"I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God."

This FingerPrint Friday is dedicated to my sweet Daughter-In-Law, Jackie. I first met Jackie when she was just 14. She was dating my son, 2 years her senior. I thought her parents were nuts....after all, I never had a daughter, but was certain that I would have her tethered to the bedpost at 14.....til at least 30! (probably one of the reasons why God sent me boys!)

So....I invited Jackie's parents over for coffee. I was going to get to the bottom of this. Jackie's mother assured me that her daughter had a crush on a different boy every week. I replied: "When my son makes up his mind about something....that's it. I suggest you start planning the wedding".

I then hired Jackie to work for me. Through summers and vacations during her high school and college years, we worked side-by-side. By the end of her 'career' with Ragamuffins, she was single-handedly designing my wholesale jewelry line.

She has been my 'daughter' now for eight years. Not only does she make my son smile like no one on this earth....but she has given us two beautiful grand-children. The third baby is due the end of this month.

And Jackie....there aren't words to express all she means to me. We've shared tears and lots and lots of joy and laughter over the past 18 years. She is beautiful inside-and-out, straight-forward, honest, dependable. She's a phenomenal mother, and an intelligent, caring young woman. With Jackie...what you see is what you get. No games. No nonsense. Those are just some of the reasons I love her so much.

So....Jackie....you ARE covered with the Fingerprints of God. We are so blessed to have you in our family~

Stop over at Beki's blog to read about more Fingerprints~

~FingerPrint Friday~

There's a song by Stephen Curtis Chapman that goes:

I can see the fingerprints of God

When I look at you.

I can see the fingerprints of God

And I know it's true.

You're a masterpiece

That all creation quietly applauds

And you're covered with the fingerprints of God.

I see God's fingerprints on many signs of spring. Two of my favorite are in this photo: pussywillows and birds. When I was a little girl, the first time I saw pussywillows in the yard of our childhood home.....I was smitten. I was fascinated by their look....their feel....and of course, their name!!

According to an old Polish legend, many springtimes ago a mother cat was crying at the bank of the river in which her kittens were drowning. The willows at the river's edge longed to help her, so they swept their long graceful branches into the waters to rescue the tiny kittens who had fallen into the river while chasing butterflies. The kittens gripped on tightly to their branches and were safely brought to shore. Each springtime since, in Spring, the willow-without-a-flower decks itself out in gentle velvet buds that feel to the fingers like the silky coat of a small cat. These buds are known today as catkins and remarkably, in every country, these soft willow trees are named after cats.

No one but God could make these tiny little puffs of the softest gray come out of teeny buds. Miraculous!!!

Stop by Beki's blog for more fingerprints.


Then take a peak here for some great blogs!

~Fingerprint Friday....Snow Days~

There's a song by Stephen Curtis Chapman that goes:

I can see the fingerprints of God

When I look at you.

I can see the fingerprints of God

And I know it's true.

You're a masterpiece

That all creation quietly applauds

And you're covered with the fingerprints of God.

I see God's Fingerprints in my grandchildren playing in the snow! They love it. You can tell by their faces that it mesmerizes them just like it did to me and my siblings when we were their ages! Snow.......gotta love it. Thank you, God~

So look around you. What do YOU see that are the Fingerprints of God???

Stop over at Beki's Blog to read more FingerPrints and join in the fun~

~FingerPrint Friday~

There's a song by Stephen Curtis Chapman that goes:

I can see the fingerprints of God

When I look at you.

I can see the fingerprints of God

And I know it's true.

You're a masterpiece

That all creation quietly applauds

And you're covered with the fingerprints of God.

I see God’s Fingerprints whenever I look at my Mom. All over her. He’s with her on this horrific journey through alzheimer’s. It’s comforting to know she’s not alone.

Today, for my birthday, I’m taking her roses, with this letter:

It’s my birthday, Mom. Thank you for giving birth to me. Thank you for being such a good mother. You taught me so well. I am proud of the kind of mother I am to my boys. And it’s all because of you.

Thank you for all the sacrifices you made. For all the late nights you stayed up sewing ‘special’ outfits for me to wear to school the next day. Thank you for doing people’s alterations late into the night to pay for Girl Scout fees, skating lessons, piano lessons. Your ‘sewing lessons’ helped me create and sell my Ragamuffin dolls. They helped put two boys through college. Thank you for that, Mom. Thank you for teaching me that all things are possible with hard work and determination.

Thank you for teaching me the importance of family.

I pray that you know how much it all means to me.

I love you, Mom.

Carol

xoxoxoxox

Pop on over to Beki's blog to read more Fingerprint Fridays~

~FingerPrints Friday~

Fingerprints Of God
Psalm 139:14-15; Phil 1:6

There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that goes:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God.

God's fingerprints are everywhere! I see them so so clearly when I look at my sons and grandchildren. When Jeff and Ella took off walking into the ocean on our recent vacation, it just took my breath away. Truly God's fingerprints right there in front of my eyes!

Don't miss the fingerprints all around you as you travel through your day. Stop and take a peek at Beki's blog to read about more fingerprints.

~Open Windows: Fingerprint Friday~

Whenever God closes a door, He opens a window. So many times, we wait and wait for the door to reopen. We stare impatiently at it. We shake angrily at the lock. Why did it close? Why isn’t it opening? We are so focused that we fail to see that right there, nearby, is the wide-open window. Fresh. New. Waiting.

Thank you, God, for the doors that are closed, and the windows that are open. Your Fingerprints are truly everywhere. We just need to open our eyes and our hearts to see them.

Take a peak at Beki’s blog for more Fingerprints.

Blessings to each of you on this Friday~

~FingerPrint Friday~

There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "Fingerprints", that goes:

"I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God."

From the first moment you feel a little life growing inside you, you love him. Deeply. You raise him as best you can. You nurture him physically. You teach him the necessary tools he will need to travel life's paths. You give him a strong foundation of values. And hopefully, you place him on the right spiritual path. And then.....you give him wings to fly on his own....much like a mother bird gently, encouragingly, pushing her little ones out of the nest. And then.....you pray that what you did was enough.

Tom.....I couldn't be more proud of you. You have been our rock these past few weeks. Always there. Steadfast. Through the tears. The fears. You reversed the role of child/parent so fearlessly. With great strength. I love you for that. You are the perfect example of the Fingerprints of God in action.

xoxoxoxox

Your Mom

Take a peak at Beki's blog to see links to more Fingerprints.

Have a blessed Friday....wherever you are!

~FingerPrint Friday~

There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "Fingerprints", that goes:

"I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God."

Tonite we're going to Winter Jam Fest, with our son, Tom, and his girlfriend, Amy. Jam Fest is a concert given by a group of Christian artists, hosted by NewSong.

Brandon Heath, who sings, "Give Me Your Eyes", which is one of my favorite songs, will be one of the artists taking part. Those words just really speak to my heart. Certainly his music is touched by the FingerPrints of God, as is all the music of the artists' we'll hear tonite.

To quote Brandon about why he wrote this song:

"The song was inspired from the idea that every once in a while, God gives us His eyes. You tend to see a lot of different kinds of people in places like airports. Sometimes, usually only for a few moments, I feel like God gives me true compassion for those people around me. I think that the longer I get to know the character of Jesus, the more compassion I personally have for others. “Give Me Your Eyes” is saying, “Jesus, give me Your eyes so that I can see people the way You see people, so I can love people the way You love people.” One of the core goals of my ministry is focused on striking up conversations about social injustices around the world and being a voice for those who have often been silenced by poverty or lack of influence. I want to challenge people more. “Give Me Your Eyes” does that. It is one thing to have compassion and quite another to act on it. Most times, it starts with the people around you." –Brandon Heath

Lyrics | Brandon Heath lyrics - Give Me Your Eyes lyrics

Here's the You Tube Link.

Take a peak at Beki's blog to see links to more Fingerprints.

Have a blessed Friday....wherever you are in the world today!

~Fingerprints Friday....A Father's Love~

There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "Fingerprints", that goes:

"I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God."

There's one man on this earth that I know is covered from head-to-toe with God's fingerprints. This post is dedicated to him. He is my life's greatest gift. He's been my rock in good times, and bad. He has more integrity than anyone I know. He's a devout husband, and a loving, giving father. And I love him with all my heart and soul.

Faith is an easy thing to say you have in good times. It's tough when things are bad. But true faith shines when the road gets hard. I believe I have that faith. I KNOW he does.

I am here for you, Jim. I stand proudly beside you. I always will. No matter what. In good times, and in bad. That's love. And faith. Your goodness shines through everywhere you go. There's a saying that goes, "When God made you, He broke the mold". Fortunately, He didn't break it after He made you. He molded two beautiful sons who idolize you, and walk life like their father. I was lucky to be chosen as their mother. And blessed to be your wife. To travel through life by your side.

I love you all the way to heaven and back. Always. C. xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

(To all my Blog Friends: Please keep us in your prayers.)

Stop by Beki's blog to read about more of God's Fingerprints.

Have a blessed Friday, wherever you are in the world. Don't forget to look around. God's Fingerprints are everywhere.

~FingerPrint Friday~

Miracle on the Hudson

There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "Fingerprints", that goes:

"I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God."

It was a miracle. The pilot and co-pilot successfully landed a US Airways plane on the Hudson River after losing two engines when running into a flock of birds. The risk of landing a plane safely on water is slim. But they felt is was a better risk than crashing on land. Passengers reported that there were many prayers being said aloud. God was definitely guiding them yesterday. All 150 people made it safely to land, including one mother and infant. You can't question God's Fingerprints after this.

I remember my father telling the story of crouching down in a foxhole in a field in Germany during WWII with a confirmed atheist. As my father fervantly prayed, the non-believer laughed at him. And then the planes overhead began flying lower and began dropping bombs. His fellow-foxhole-sharer began praying, too. "I thought you didn't believe in God", my father said. His companion's reply, "I decided not to take any chances in case there IS a God." Nuff said.

Stop by Beki's blog to read about more Fingerprints.

I'm off to my studio on this frigid -12 degree Ohio Friday. Stay warm, happy, and grateful....wherever you are in the world.

~FingerPrints Friday~

There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "Fingerprints", that goes:

"I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God.

Just look at you
You're a wonder in the making
Oh, and God's not through, no
In fact, He's just getting started…"

When I look at my two grandbabies, I see God's Fingeprints all over them. Looking at them, touching them, listening to them, laughing and playing with them.....surreal. And getting those hugs......priceless. Only God could make anything so precious!

Take a peak at Beki’s Blog for more Fingerprints.

Be sure to look around you today. God’s Fingerprints

Are everywhere!

Have a glorious Fingerprints Friday, wherever you are in the world!

~FingerPrints Friday~

"Home For Christmas"

There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called, Fingerprints, that starts:
I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You’re a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God.

'Home for Christmas' never meant as much to me as it does now that I have raised a family, and the kids have grown up, and left to live their own lives, in their own homes. Yes...I always treasured going to my parents and in-law's house on Christmas Eve. It was tradition. It was the Christmas that I had known my whole life. But all-of-a-sudden, that Christmas Eve tradition doesn't happen anymore. My in-laws and my father are in heaven now for Christmas Eve. So now, we have a new tradition: the kids and grandchildren come home to US.

Our home is now the one they travel to to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Home to our tree. Our presents. With their presence.

We are building a whole new set of traditions. A whole new set of memories our children and grandchildren will recall fondly once we are celebrating Christmas in heaven. Fingerprints to be sure!

May you have a memorable day today. Be sure to look for the Fingerprints in your life this Friday in December....wherever you are in the world!

Stop by Beki's blog to read about more Fingerprints!

~FingerPrints Friday~

There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called, Fingerprints, that starts:
I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You’re a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God.

Each Christmas I find my heart and my home flooded with memories of long-ago Christmases. Each one has its own distinct 'fingerprint'. We had our sons seven years apart....so Jeffrey, our oldest, had many Christmases with Mom and Dad all to himself. And oh did he have our undivided attention! I just couldn't imagine loving another child as much as I loved him. I feared that I couldn't 'mother' any child with the passion I had for this child. Yes...he was covered in God's fingerprints. I was happy to be the mother to this brilliant (of course!) precious child of God. I would dedicate my life to being the best mother I could be.

Jeffrey got on his knees every nite before bed and prayed for a baby brother. I tried my darndest to persuade him to pray for a baby 'sister'....to no avail! You know what they say about God always listening closely to the prayers of children. He did. And He sent us a new little set of fingerprints when Jeffrey was almost seven: Tommy. We were blessed with another brilliant (of course!) precious son.....and then there were two. The fingerprints continued.

We were going to name this new beautiful bundle, Ryan. Much to our chagrin, Jeffrey refused to call him 'Ryan', calling him 'Tom' after his favorite person in the world: his cousin and our Godchild, Tom. And although I had two gold little boy charms Jim had already had engraved with 'Jeffrey' and 'Tommy', you guessed it: Jeffrey won. We named our new little one Tommy! (Our Godson, Tom is Tommy's Godfather!)

The next Christmas we had two sons. They are the greatest gifts God could ever have sent us. I get very nostalgic each Christmas as the memories flood my heart and my mind with those long-ago memories. Sigh. They seem like just yesterday.


May you have a memorable day today. Be sure to look for the Fingerprints in your life this Friday in December....wherever you are in the world!





Stop by Beki's blog to read about more Fingerprints!


Thank you, David for the mention on Post of the Day!

Stop by his blog for some fine reads! You'll be glad you did!

~FingerPrints Friday~

There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called, Fingerprints, that starts:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You’re a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God.

There were 635 in my high school graduation class…but I had a close-knit group of 11 girlfriends. Forty years later, all 11 us still get together every summer, although we are now scattered all over the United States.

We had a class reunion this past summer with a fabulous turnout. It was more fun than any of us could have imagined! This is the reunion committee…..and a few of those dear friends. (I’m the 6^th from the left, in the black-and-white outfit) It’s so much fun to get together and remember the pep rallies, football games, school dances, pajama parties, boyfriends, ….lots of God's Fingerprints in those memories! I treasure them.

Stop by at Beki's blog for more Fingerprints.

Be sure to stop during your day today to think about the Fingerprints in your own life. The present ones….AND the past ones, too!

Make sure you look for God's Fingerprints in your travels today. Have a wonderfully memorable Friday....wherever you are in the world!

~FingerPrints Friday~

There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called, Fingerprints, that starts:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
Youre a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God.

The trees in the woods behind RoseCreekCottage are just magnificent right now. God's fingerprints, to be sure!

Stop by at Beki's blog for more Fingerprints.

Be sure to stop during your day today to observe more Fingerprints. They're everywhere!

Have an incredible Friday....wherever you are in the world!

~Fingerprint Friday~

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
Youre a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God.

My son, Tom, made me a CD for my car that has that song on it. It's one of my favorites.

This photo shows my son, Jeff, introducing Ella to her baby brother, Jackson, for the very first time. Fingerprints of God at its finest!

Stop by Pampering Beki's blog to read other interpretations of FingerPrint Friday!

Look for God's Fingerprints throughout your Friday, wherever you are in the world!